Has anyone tried this from Natura pet products? Health Wise

It is not sold where I am , has anyone tried this? Here is what was on the info page:

Nutritional Quality for the Life of Your Pet
Natura is excited to present our new and improved HealthWise formulas for dogs and cats. Whether you are already feeding HealthWise, or if you are new to using our products, we are certain that your pet will benefit from the newly formulated HealthWise line of foods. The HealthWise products have been carefully formulated for all sizes and breeds, providing high quality protein, essential fatty acids, and the vitamins and minerals that your dog or cat will need to thrive - not just survive.

New ingredients to the HealthWise formulas include:

Kelp - a good source of beta-carotene, B vitamins and vitamin C. Kelp also has high concentrations of minerals (up to 40% by weight) like iodine, potassium and calcium.

Garlic - valued for its anti-oxidant properties as well as its enjoyable flavor. Garlic also contains B complex vitamins, selenium and has been known for stimulating the immune system.

Avocado Oil - a monounsaturated fat and is a rich source for the beneficial Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that promote a healthy skin and coat. Avocado oil contains large quantities of vitamins A, D, and E. Avocado oil also contains lutein, which is a carotenoid that acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells against the damaging effects of free radicals.

As always, ALL the HealthWise formulas contain protein from only the highest quality chicken and expensive New Zealand lamb, the exact same kind you would eat yourself.

Each of the HealthWise products still feature an excellent ratio of Omega 6 fatty acids to Omega 3 fatty acids contained in the naturally preserved chicken fat, herring oil, avocado oil, and ground flaxseed.

HealthWise Cat 'N Kitten food features a unique Fiber Matrixâ„¢. The Fiber Matrixâ„¢ consists of the natural fiber blend of oatmeal, flaxseed meal and brown rice that work in combination with high quality fatty acids to help the flow of food through the digestive system, and keeps shedding to a minimum resulting in a reduction in the formation of hairballs.

Natura makes good pet foods. They are just like any other company competing for the cat food dollar, though, in that they are getting people to buy, so they slant their ingredients toward what people think is good, and that isn't necessarily what is good for cats. Not harmful maybe, but not necessary either. For instance, their claim that kelp is a good source of beta carotene. It may be, I don't know, but what I do know is that cats can't use beta carotene to make vitamin A. That is a people thing, not a cat thing. Garlic is good for people, not good for cats. It causes Heinz body anemia when used in large amounts. Wellness uses it too, and for that reason some people will not use it. I do, not because of the garlic, but in spite of it. I don't think there is enough to cause a problem for healthy cats, but still it is something to consider. I really doubt that avocado oil is a significant source of vitamin D since that is formed by animals and is actually a hormone.
All in all it is probably a good food, but not for the reasons listed above. Becky

Becky has said it well...the bit about garlic is hoo-ha and claims like that then make me leery about their other claims especially since Becky is correct re beta carotene and cats.

Innova is the best out there. And Garlic in their food is not tons. Onions are bad for cats, garlic in food is not harmful as they do not put that much in also fleas do not like garlic. Go read" Food pets die for" That will set everyone straight.

Originally Posted by batrice

Innova is the best out there. And Garlic in their food is not tons. Onions are bad for cats, garlic in food is not harmful as they do not put that much in also fleas do not like garlic. Go read" Food pets die for" That will set everyone straight.

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Innova no longer uses garlic in their formulas. As for the original question, I wanted to try Healthwise with my 8 month old kitten, but since it has garlic and corn, I decided against it. He now eats Innova (regular formula) in both the dry and canned versions.

Originally Posted by batrice

Innova is the best out there. And Garlic in their food is not tons. Onions are bad for cats, garlic in food is not harmful as they do not put that much in also fleas do not like garlic. Go read" Food pets die for" That will set everyone straight.

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Hi,

I realize there are fans of garlic out there, but here is why I do not recommend it (also in part due the anecdotal experiences of other list members on the CRF support list I belong to):
felinefuture.com on garlic and onions and cats
and vet article on toxicity of garlic and onions

The sensitivity of cats to garlic can vary greatly cat by cat, so it comes down to if you want to risk that yours won't be one that has damage done the first time it uses it. It's important to note that it has nothing to do with the amount of garlic, or how the garlic is given (fresh, dried etc.)

Just wanted to share these articles so you will understand why I do not, and will not, recommend foods with garlic.

Thank you Pat and Alix .. good info... I use one with and one without ... just the formulas each cat needs... I learned long ago not to use one high in garlic

I don't think they sell it in NZ - but I'll keep an eye out.

Originally Posted by starlie

Innova no longer uses garlic in their formulas. As for the original question, I wanted to try Healthwise with my 8 month old kitten, but since it has garlic and corn, I decided against it. He now eats Innova (regular formula) in both the dry and canned versions.

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If you look on the can its still listed. I'm sure they still use it

Originally Posted by batrice

If you look on the can its still listed. I'm sure they still use it

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Actually, no they don't. This came up last Summer on the CRF support list I am on, at least re the Innova Lite, the company no longer adds garlic, but cans with an expiration date *prior* to 5/06 still contain garlic, after that, even if the label says it is there, it is not.

Anyone can write directly the company to double check after what date garlic is no longer present in their products. Why they still list it on their website I do not know, but more than one person from the CRF list contacted them, and this is a definite, they pulled the garlic.

I e-mailed them(naturapet) and noticed its(Garlic) still on their website. Maybe after 5/06 things will change as you said. I still will use their food and at least they pulled the garlic. Most companies leave bad foods in them and continue to market their junk. Purina, Iams etc they have more herendous ingredients in theirs (sodium nitrate, poultry digest, by products etc) But thanks to all for your information. I got flustered since i have researched so hard on cat foods. Did not like Newmans Own, Wellness or the others and Innova seemed to win out and still will for now.

I think we are all lucky that the industry is changing...there are more and more options because it's a growing portion of the pet products business - organic/all natural etc.

Don't be flustered!! I am still learning, and I love talking about cat treats and foods and ingredients (would it be any surprise to anyone to learn I also love to cook? and love recipes )

I know that there isn't garlic in Innova anymore. I contacted the company a while back and they said the packaging may still say garlic on it until they were able to get it all replaced.... but I thought Innova was made by Natura Is that incorrect?
I may be confused but I was wondering because if they removed the garlic from the Innova because of all the talk of it not being good for cats why would they add it to another product of theirs?
I don't feed Dori anything with garlic in it.

Originally Posted by squirtle

.... but I thought Innova was made by Natura

Is that incorrect?

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Yup, Innova is one of a couple of products by Natura Pet products One could hope they removed the garlic due to both public request and any research done on this topic.

Interesting info. I knew onion was bad for my baby but didn't know garlic was.

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

Yup, Innova is one of a couple of products by Natura Pet products

One could hope they removed the garlic due to both public request and any research done on this topic.

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I feed Dori Innova light, but what puzzles me was if they removed the garlic from the Innova why would they add it to the new Natura Health Wise food and use the same line as to how beneficial it is for your pet that they have been using? That description they give on the garlic (on the 1st post of this thread) is the exact information they had for garlic when they did use it in the Innova....

Originally Posted by batrice

If you look on the can its still listed. I'm sure they still use it

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Actually, I checked both the dry and canned formulas before I purchased them and Garlic was not listed anywhere on the label.

Sierra has eaten Innova for years and is now eating Innova Lite Canned. I strongly support and recommend Natura products, although I am a bit disappointed about the ingredients and claims of that new product.

Yes heard from Innova Garlic is out. Why all along has garlic been okay even in holistic books and now its not and yet i have not heard much about garlic and the heinz anemia.