NV Rabbit Source no longer China

Greetings, all.

I've recently done much searching re: the wet/dry food issues and from there on to best brands for quality and nutritional value. Sites I perused include this site, Natural Cat Care Blog, Lisa Pierson's site, and TAPF (Susan Thixton). The reason for my interest is that [if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}</style><![endif]my 8-year-old girl just lost her twin sister; eight years is just too young! Hester recently crossed the rainbow bridge due to advanced kidney cancer which was undetected until that same month (November 2014). Both had been on Hill's c/d dry since Hester was diagnosed with struvite crystals in 2010.

After Hester's crossing, I wanted to get Hannah on a better diet, especially after reading about the high carbs and fillers in far too many foods. My hope was to get her on canned food with kibble in moderation. One of the foods mentioned that my local pet store carries is Nature's Variety Instinct. Thankfully my girl (Hannah) has taken to both the canned and the kibble.

One concern mentioned re: NV was the source of the rabbit used in the NV rabbit formulas. I contacted the company over this past weekend (e-mail on December 28, 2014) to ask about this concern expressed in numerous places. My quote was this: "One concern mentioned though is the source of the rabbit used in your rabbit formulas, stating the rabbit is from China rather than the USA. If all other meat & ingredient sources are US-based or reliable countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand) then why China given its notorious unreliability with regard to any pet products? I look forward to you reply. Thank you. Wanda J. Kothlow (and Hannah)"

Here is the reply I received Tuesday December 30, 2014:

Hi Wanda,

Thank you for writing and we’re sorry to hear about your recent loss.

All of our poultry, pork, bison, and beef come from the U.S., our lamb and venison are imported from Australia and New Zealand, and our rabbit is sourced from France.  We source most of our ingredients from the U.S. and turn to other locations only as needed.  We are very stringent on our sourcing and have good relationships built with our vendors for quality ingredients.

Sincerely,

Kim

Consumer Relations
1-888-519-7387

www.naturesvariety.com

I responded and thanked Kim for letting me know and promised to share this information with the sites I had consulted. Of course I had to register/join first since I had been a lurker prior to this posting (grin grin) so here I am. And Hannah, too ...

Purrs to all, and we hope this information is helpful ...

I'm very sorry about Hester, I empathize.

It's very nice to hear though that you are seeking an improvement in Hannah's diet. NV's sourcing of rabbit from China to France was decided in May earlier this year. I view those same sites you've listed, although I haven't checked them recently, I know some sites have not updated the change of NV's rabbit source. NV made this switch, not because they were concerned about the quality (or safety) of rabbit from China, but rather, due to customer pressure and concerns over sourcing from China.  I understand the concerns regarding pet food products from China, however, NV had very strict quality controls over this sourcing.  (I fed my cats - and still feed) NV's rabbit now for almost two years and never had an issue.

Take care and keep us posted on how the transition works out for Hannah.

Thank you LisaMarie.

Prior to posting I tried to look through the threads re: NV and their rabbit source. I do recall reading on this site that the company had intended to announce a change; what I do not remember is reading that they had definitively done so. Hence my post.

Thus far I've had few issues with changing Hannah's diet. She has eaten virtually all the canned I've offered, with two exceptions. She refused the TikiCat Puka Puka Luau; I believe she is expressing a preference for pate over shredded or chunk foods. She also refused the Hound & Gatos Chicken, though she will eat other chicken pates. Fortunately I was able to buy single cans with which to experiment. When she likes a food I tear off the label to keep; from there I will make a list of preferred foods to take when shopping (supporting my local pet store). Thus far she has enjoyed all of the NV Instinct I've offered, including the rabbit.

I do put some kibble out for her (small quantity, only add when gone); I switched from Hill's to NV Instinct Grain Free and again no problem with the transition. I've seen her (and heard her) drink water several times a day (always fresh daily, two bowls, separate locations).

Her eating and litter habits seem stable, which I take as a good sign. I know her diet is improving re: quality ingredients and nutritional value. Other than wanting more of my attention (no sister to keep her company) - and which I am of course happy to give her - I am hopeful we are moving together in a meaningful direction.

That's really great to hear that the transition process seems to be going along smoothly for Hannah. I wouldn't worry too much about the TC fish, ideally if you can keep fish to a minimum or avoid it altogether that would be good. I tried H&G once and my cats would not touch it, too bad because of the high meat content. NV Instinct is 95% (canned) meat based which is good. My two cats really enjoy the rabbit. I was able to get my two cats off of kibble (I never gave them much to begin with), but I realized they didn't care what was in their kibble bowls as long as they liked it. I substituted freeze dried raw and also increased the number of times of wet food feeding so as to decrease their hunger throughout the day. But you are doing a great job, congratulations. Happy new year to you.

I am actually super disappointed in NV s decision on this. The place they were getting their rabbit from in China sells to Europe for human consumption. And .... Europe pet regulations are more strict than North american human levels, so being used for human consumption over there means it was very good quality. I wish they just held fast to the highest quality and not just where customers want the ingridents from ....

And cat also is not doing as well on their food anymore, to the point he is starting to randomly throw up on particular cans only and his poop is all soft again. I only use there rabbit and pork cans because of his severe allergies and unfortunately he doesn't like any other (or does poorly - thinking fro here it is the gums). It's too the point I'm cooking pork, rabbit and just bought a whole duck for him). But I have no calcium source to supplement and having hard times finding organs so i have to mix in the canned as well.

Karma2222:

That's actually very interesting what you are saying. I remember reading awhile back, I think it was from the owner of Weruva, when he was being criticized for the food being made in Thailand (which actually, as far as food production / safety, has very strict quality controls, generally - but that's a topic for another discussion). Anyway, he said that there is this tendency to paint with one big brush or demonize everything coming from e.g., China, when in fact, we have to look at who / whom is managing a particular site, production facility, sourcing, etc.

And I agree that we certainly have our problems here in the US with pet food, all one has to do is peruse Truth About Pet Food to learn that there is actually very little government / FDA oversight concerning pet food and even fewer pet foods offering "transparency" in sourcing, ingredients.

Anyway, I'm sorry kitty is not doing as well on NV as he used to.  I've had IBD problems with my little guy but he is mostly cleared up now on Primal FD turkey. I just started him on Rad Cat and may do a rotation b/t that and Primal rabbit.  His sister is holding us back though and that's why we still do some canned (he wants what she's eating), otherwise I'd just stick with commercial raw.

Good luck to you and hny.

So sorry for your loss. I know how devasting it is to lose a beloved pet.

I have had amazing luck with NV rabbit. And having lived in Rurope for 25 years, i do know how stringent food regulations are for humans and animals.

My cats are still on Royal Canin PR prescription food but I plan to transition them to Nv rabbit kibble soon. I have an IBD boy and I'm letting the slippery elm bark work it's magic before I mess with their food. Glad to hear the success people have had with it.