Sorry for, somewhat reposting. If I could get some opinions on which of these five would be considered the best in terms of ingredients and nutritional value. No names, so biased opinions shouldn't be an issue. Hehehehe.

Also, I wanted to know what to look for in terms of the protein, fat, fiber, moisture....and ash. Why do some foods contain ash when others don't? What is it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1. 
Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, barbanzo beans, natural flavor, alfalfa meal, cranberries, agar-agar,
parsley, blueberries, salmonoil, choline chloride, calcium carbonate, taurine, salt, potassium chloride, dried
green lipped mussels, yucca schidigera, L-carnitine, magnesium proteinate, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate,
maganese proteinate, copper proteinate, magnesium proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, thiamine mononitrate,
niacin supplement, viatmin e supplement, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement,
biotin, viatmin b12 supplement, viatmin d2 supplement, folic acid


171 kcal/5.5 oz can. Says to feed 1.5 cans per day for average 10lb cat.


Guaranteed analysis:
Crude protein 11% min
Crude fat 6% min
Crude fiber 1% max
Moisture 78% max
Lysine 0.5% min

2. 
Guineafowl, turkey broth, turkey, water, turkey liver, dried eggs, dandelion greens, natural flavors, tricalcium
phosphate, barley grass, agar-agar, parsley, potassium chloride, salt, choline chloride, taurine, calcium
carbonate, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, maganese proteinate, copper proteinate, magnesium proteinate,
sodeium selenite, calcium iodate, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, vitamin E supplement, calcium
pontothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, biotin, vitamin A supplement, vitamin B12 
supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid

189 kcal/5.5 oz can. Says to feed 3/4 to 1 ounch per pound of body weight per day.


Guaranteed analysis:
Crude protein 11% min
Crude fat 7.5% min
Crude fiber 0.75% max
Moisture 78% max

3. 
Chicken, turkey, chicken liver, chicken brother, ground flaxseed, monmorillonite clay, eggs, peas, carrots, lechithin,
dried kelp, potassium chloride, salt, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, maganese
proteinate, sodium selenite, cobalt proteinate, potassium iodide), vitamins (vitamine E supplement, thiamine 
mononitrate, niacin supplement, d-calcium panthothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement,
vitamin A supplement, biotin, vitamin d3 supplement, vitamin b12 supplement, folic acid), taurine, choline chloride,
l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, artichokes, cranberries, pumpkin, tomato, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, kale, parsley


205 kcal/5.5 oz can. Says to feed 1 can per 6-8lbs of body weight per day.


Guaranteed analysis:
Crude protein 10% min
Crude fat 6.5% min
Crude fiber 3% max
Moisture 78% max
Omega 6 fatty acids 1% min
Omega 3 fatty acids 0.2% min

4. 
Lamb broth, lamb meat, lamb liver, lamb lung, lamb heart, lamb tripe, lamb kidney, new zealand green mussel,
lecithin, dried kelp, potassium chloride, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, agar-agar, choline chloride, calcium carbonate,
iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, niacin supplement, vitamin E supplement, sodium selenite, calcium pantothenate,
maganese proteinate, copper proteinate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride,
vitamin A supplement, biotin, vitamin b12 supplement, folic acid, calcium iodate, vitamin d3 supplement, taurine


Guaranteed analysis:
Crude protein 9.5% min
Crude fat 9.5% min
Crude fiber 0.5% max
Moisture 78% max
Ash 2% max

5.
Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, dehydrated chicken liver, agar-agar, pumpkin, potassium chloride, choline chloride,
salt, kale, taurine, cranberries, ginger, new zealand green mussel, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, magnesium
proteinate, niacin supplement, vitamin E supplement, copper proteinate, sodium selenite, thiamine mononitrate,
maganese proteinate, vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride,
biotin, vitamin d3 supplement, vitamin b12 supplement, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, folic acid


178 kcal/5.5 oz can.

Guaranteed analysis:
Crude protein 9.5% min
Crude fat 8.5% min
Crude fiber 1% max
Moisture 78% max
Ash 2.5% max

#4, although you don't list the calories per can.  Is this actually a freeze dried raw product?  Sounds like one I have in my arsenol

All canned foods contain ash, they just don't always list it   It's important to know when computing % of carbs on a dry  matter basis.  You want to try to stay under 3%.  This article discussed it: 

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/what-makes-the-best-canned-cat-food

#4 is Ziwipeak, which is a brand I like and feed. All food contains ash, some companies just don't list it. 

mrsgreenjeens M missmimz yes, it is Ziwipeaks! Good to know. Simon really likes that one. I couldn't find a feeding recommendation on the can. I don't have it anymore as he already ate it. I could have sworn it was 1 per 6-8lbs per day. I would have to check.

So this is a good brand, yes? They did have some greens in it though. Like I said, Simon loved it. I was also looking at number 5. He gobbled that one right up. It's a less known brand around here and I've only seen it in a few stores. What are your thoughts now that one?

#5 isn't bad, I just immediately chose #4 as the best .  #5 would be my next choice, as long as your cat is NOT a kidney cat.  (Salt is too high for kidney cats)  So what food is this one?

yogakitty said:

@mrsgreenjeens @missmimz yes, it is Ziwipeaks! Good to know. Simon really likes that one. I couldn't find a feeding recommendation on the can. I don't have it anymore as he already ate it. I could have sworn it was 1 per 6-8lbs per day. I would have to check.

So this is a good brand, yes? They did have some greens in it though. Like I said, Simon loved it. I was also looking at number 5. He gobbled that one right up. It's a less known brand around here and I've only seen it in a few stores. What are your thoughts now that one?

Click to expand...

ZP has the feeding recommendations on their site. I think ZP is one of the best canned foods you can buy. Feline Naturals is probably my #1, but ZP is second. ZP doesn't have any veggies in it. #5 isn't too bad, but that one has too many veggies IMO. 

mrsgreenjeens said:

 
#5 isn't bad, I just immediately chose #4 as the best

.  #5 would be my next choice, as long as your cat is NOT a kidney cat.  (Salt is too high for kidney cats)  So what food is this one?

Click to expand...

It's called Koha.

missmimz said:

 
ZP has the feeding recommendations on their site. I think ZP is one of the best canned foods you can buy. Feline Naturals is probably my #1, but ZP is second. ZP doesn't have any veggies in it. #5 isn't too bad, but that one has too many veggies IMO. 

Click to expand...

I would love to feed the Feline Naturals. One local store will be bringing it in soon. I asked how much the price will be. When they told me about $3.00 per the 6oz can.....well if I am looking at, say 1 can per day x 30 days, that's like $90 per month plus tax. That actually isn't too bad. I could sacrifice something or another for great food for kitty...but if you look at the feeding guide on their website, for my little guy at 6.5 lbs (and he hasn't even fully grown yet...and that is just to maintain weight, which he actually will need to increase at to full growth), I am looking at 45 cans or $135 plus tax. Getting pretty pricey! Is that usually how much you pay for it?

Chewys has it ... 

Feline Natural Chicken & Venison Feast Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

Read all 3 reviews

By Feline Natural

• 
  List Price:
  
  $71.99
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  $50.16FREE 1-2 DAYSHIPPING ON THIS ITEM
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  $21.83 (30%)

In stock

Size: 3-oz, case of 24

• 3-oz, case of 24
•  
• 6-oz, case of 24

yogakitty said:

 
I would love to feed the Feline Naturals. One local store will be bringing it in soon. I asked how much the price will be. When they told me about $3.00 per the 6oz can.....well if I am looking at, say 1 can per day x 30 days, that's like $90 per month plus tax. That actually isn't too bad. I could sacrifice something or another for great food for kitty...but if you look at the feeding guide on their website, for my little guy at 6.5 lbs (and he hasn't even fully grown yet...and that is just to maintain weight, which he actually will need to increase at to full growth), I am looking at 45 cans or $135 plus tax. Getting pretty pricey! Is that usually how much you pay for it?

Click to expand...

Yeah, FN is expensive. It's around the same price as ZP but the calories are less, so you have to feed more of it, def more than one can, depending on which flavor you use. It's better food than ZP, IMO. I don't feed canned exclusively, but I strongly believe in protein and brand rotation, so I wouldn't feed one brand or protein specifically. I would use both FN and ZP, and probably Weruva, if i was feeding only canned. 

That's good for the smaller cans. The large ones end up being about $3.19 per can. Thank you for the link though.

missmimz said:

 
Yeah, FN is expensive. It's around the same price as ZP but the calories are less, so you have to feed more of it, def more than one can, depending on which flavor you use. It's better food than ZP, IMO. I don't feed canned exclusively, but I strongly believe in protein and brand rotation, so I wouldn't feed one brand or protein specifically. I would use both FN and ZP, and probably Weruva, if i was feeding only canned. 

Click to expand...

Which Weruva? I checked the cat in the kitchen one (I believe that's what its called?). It had guar gum or something in it that I was thrown off by. Unless I was looking at the wrong one. I know they have a few lines in the canned, and pouches.

Do you by any chance have a photo or online reference, so I know which one to look for in store next time? Thank you again for all of your help everyone....greatly appreciated. Making things easier...

yogakitty said:

 
Do you by any chance have a photo or online reference, so I know which one to look for in store next time? Thank you again for all of your help everyone....greatly appreciated. Making things easier...

Click to expand...

Photos of canned foods? Try this one: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ninga/sets/72157630596066364

yogakitty said:

 
Which Weruva? I checked the cat in the kitchen one (I believe that's what its called?). It had guar gum or something in it that I was thrown off by. Unless I was looking at the wrong one. I know they have a few lines in the canned, and pouches.

Do you by any chance have a photo or online reference, so I know which one to look for in store next time? Thank you again for all of your help everyone....greatly appreciated. Making things easier...

Click to expand...

I like the cats in the kitchen line, but yes they have gums in them. It's not a dealbreaker for me, because I don't feed it exclusively. 

missmimz said:

 
I like the cats in the kitchen line, but yes they have gums in them. It's not a dealbreaker for me, because I don't feed it exclusively. 

Click to expand...

I only feed about two cans of Weruva a week (for two cats) so their gums are limited, too. I do think one cats does better when she eats less gums but it's hard to avoid them completely. I think the Cats in the Kitchen canned foods are Weruva's best because there are a few that don't have fish. They also don't have potato, peas, or tapioca, which are in many of Weruva's other foods. Our cats also love their Quick & Quirky, which is one of their Truluxe foods: it's too expensive for the amount of meat you get but I think of it as a treat. (And I don't give them all the "gravy," which there's way too much of and loaded with gums!)

LisaHE said:

 
I only feed about two cans of Weruva a week (for two cats) so their gums are limited, too. I do think one cats does better when she eats less gums but it's hard to avoid them completely. I think the Cats in the Kitchen canned foods are Weruva's best because there are a few that don't have fish. They also don't have potato, peas, or tapioca, which are in many of Weruva's other foods. Our cats also love their Quick & Quirky, which is one of their Truluxe foods: it's too expensive for the amount of meat you get but I think of it as a treat. (And I don't give them all the "gravy," which there's way too much of and loaded with gums!)

Click to expand...

I actually feed Funk in the Trunk the most, which does have fish, but it's split between 7 cats a few times a week so I'm ok with it. I also add quite a bit of water to it to make it more soup and less thick, which my cats like better. 

I'll have to look into the Weruva again. Simon also likes the Natural balance but it has Carrageenan in it. We have a few cans left so I'll finish that off and don't think I'll get that one again even for rotation. Just because of the "cara."

missmimz said:

 
I actually feed Funk in the Trunk the most, which does have fish, but it's split between 7 cats a few times a week so I'm ok with it. I also add quite a bit of water to it to make it more soup and less thick, which my cats like better. 

Click to expand...

I feed a small can of that every now and then, too, either that or Goldie Lox: the cats love them both!

yogakitty said:

I'll have to look into the Weruva again. Simon also likes the Natural balance but it has Carrageenan in it. We have a few cans left so I'll finish that off and don't think I'll get that one again even for rotation. Just because of the "cara."

Click to expand...

Carrageenan is the one I totally avoid! I'll feed a few foods with gums but no carrageenan.

yogakitty said:

 
I would love to feed the Feline Naturals. One local store will be bringing it in soon. I asked how much the price will be. When they told me about $3.00 per the 6oz can.....well if I am looking at, say 1 can per day x 30 days, that's like $90 per month plus tax. That actually isn't too bad. I could sacrifice something or another for great food for kitty...but if you look at the feeding guide on their website, for my little guy at 6.5 lbs (and he hasn't even fully grown yet...and that is just to maintain weight, which he actually will need to increase at to full growth), I am looking at 45 cans or $135 plus tax. Getting pretty pricey! Is that usually how much you pay for it?

Click to expand...

Feline Natural is great food and I love feeding it once a week but I also couldn't feed it all the time! This is why rotations of foods like Feline Natural and Weruva's Cats in the Kitchen are so good: they help balance out costs and also ingredients you might not feel comfortable feeding. I think I pay about $1.60 or $1.70 per small can of Feline Natural, though buying in bulk at my local store gets me a 10% discount.

yogakitty said:

I'll have to look into the Weruva again. Simon also likes the Natural balance but it has Carrageenan in it. We have a few cans left so I'll finish that off and don't think I'll get that one again even for rotation. Just because of the "cara."

Click to expand...

If  you're looking for gum and carrageeenan free foods, see this thread: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/240335/canned-food-without-carrageenan-or-guar-gum

lisahe that's a good price. The small ones of FN are about $2.19 here. Or more!

I feel like I should totally get rid of the Natural Balance now. I have a few cans left. Ugh. :/