Human Grade Food?

I was checking out the Cat Food poll on this Forum & became aware that some feline food brands use human grade meat. I have been using Nutro Complete Care Wt. Mgmt. & my cats blood work is fine but I am concerned about their long term health.

Because I saw it in the poll...I checked out the Wysong site...it looks complicated & expensive but their formulas looks good. What they say about current popular cat foods seems valid. I'm sure that there are other companies who have a better quality food also....but is it necessary? My last furbaby lived to 16 years on dry kibbles.

What food do you use and why? What is your opinion about using only human grade food for long term health?

I switched my kitties over from Iams to Innova a few months ago, I also give them the Innova Evo dry food. I wouldn't go back ever. Their coats are nicer and they are more energetic. I had a friend who switched from Purina to Natural Balance (I believe) and noticed her cat get WAY more active, she'd never go back.

Why NOT use human grade food? The main arguement against would be that it is more expensive, but I figure they deserve it.

My parents had kitties that lived to be 17-18-19 on the grocery store stuff, but I figure they are pretty hearty cats, maybe they would have lived even longer on the better stuff (who knows?). But I feel like I am ensuring a bit against problems by feeding them the best, they could still get sick, but their chances are better.

I went to the Ennova site. It sounds very interesting. I found a store near me that carries Innova EVO. I am going to get a bag & try it. I do have one concern...kidneys. Feeding such high protein food, could it damage their kidneys over time expecially in an older cat?
I'll let you know how they do on it.
Thanks.

I currently use Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Weight Management as well, but this will be shorter in term rather than longer.

I am about to begin homecooking for my second oldest cat who has newly developed a number of health issues (hyper-t, crf, prediabetic to early diabetic, hx of calcium oxalate stones), and eventually see myself doing this for all my cats - though that is down the road a bit.

I do think the quality of protein's used, their source and manner of processing makes a difference, and I do think that dry kibble, no matter how good the quality, is inferior to a diet of canned/homecooked/raw (though I am far, far from comfortable with doing raw, personally) which has the moisture content and more closely mimics what the natural diet of a cat would be.

I have found it easier to find human grade treats than human grade canned food that does not contain items I will not feed such as garlic - one of my issues with Wysong - though their just meat line is just that - though it needs supplementation, it is a wonderful option.

I have hopes that Active Life is about to be back in production, and that is a line of pet foods that I respect.

Originally Posted by xocats

I went to the Ennova site. It sounds very interesting. I found a store near me that carries Innova EVO. I am going to get a bag & try it. I do have one concern...kidneys. Feeding such high protein food, could it damage their kidneys over time expecially in an older cat?
I'll let you know how they do on it.
Thanks.

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Some folks feel it is the lack of moisture content and the phosphorus content of foods that is more important (along with the quality of the protein I'd add) re kidney function. I like the EVO for it's lack of carbs, I wish/hope they come out with a canned version

I think EVO sounds like a quality food. I am somewhat concerned about kidneys & high protein. Also, my kitties will be five in August, they are indoor & rather inactive. I know that carbs are an insulin stimulent & can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance & diabetes. Because the food is low carb. possilby the higher calorie content would not be a problem for Dexter who tends to run a little overweight.
Thanks so much for your feedback. I am going to get a bag & try it. I'll let you know if they will eat it. They do love Nutro Complete Care Wt. Mgmt. dry & the pouches for a snack...I call the pouches Cat Candy.
PS..If you learn that Active Life is back in production....please let me know, I'd like to try it.

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

Some folks feel it is the lack of moisture content and the phosphorus content of foods that is more important (along with the quality of the protein I'd add) re kidney function. I like the EVO for it's lack of carbs, I wish/hope they come out with a canned version

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Originally Posted by xocats

PS..If you learn that Active Life is back in production....please let me know, I'd like to try it.

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Will do!

What are the names of the brands that are considered human grade?? Does it say somewhere on the packaging??

thanks

Is Nutro Natural Choice considered human grade? That's what my boys eat.

Originally Posted by hs4816

What are the names of the brands that are considered human grade?? Does it say somewhere on the packaging??

thanks

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A few I can think of are: Innova, California Natural, Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul, Felidae (I think). I'm sure there are more I can't think of. They will generally have something on the package saying that the food has human grade ingredients.

According to affco there is no such thing as human grade it is a marketing gimic... all foods without by products would be human grade""

I just brought home a bag of EVO...when what you said about "canned version" dawned on me. There is none. Dexter & Sadie love a morning treat of nice wet tasty food. This could be a problem for us. I might take the bag back before I open it and get the lite. It has canned and it looks like the ingreatents are better than Nutro.

Also...Sharky pointed out, in an earlier post, that affco says there is no such thing as human grade meat...the term is a marketing gimic. Do you have an opinion about affco comment? I'm glad that there is a forum for these food issues. It is not a cut & dry subject.

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

Some folks feel it is the lack of moisture content and the phosphorus content of foods that is more important (along with the quality of the protein I'd add) re kidney function. I like the EVO for it's lack of carbs, I wish/hope they come out with a canned version

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Originally Posted by xocats

I just brought home a bag of EVO...when what you said about "canned version" dawned on me. There is none. Dexter & Sadie love a morning treat of nice wet tasty food. This could be a problem for us. I might take the bag back before I open it and get the lite. It has canned and it looks like the ingreatents are better than Nutro.

Also...Sharky pointed out, in an earlier post, that affco says there is no such thing as human grade meat...the term is a marketing gimic. Do you have an opinion about affco comment? I'm glad that there is a forum for these food issues. It is not a cut & dry subject.

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I thought when they said "human grade" that meant free of nasty by-products and what not. Is that not the case then?

Yes I do. I think like "all natural" the validity of it will vary based on the company - does it really walk the walk, or is it a gimmick.

I'll give you a case in point, Dr. Harvey's Whisker Smackers - I've had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Harvey (yes, he's real!), and his treats, when they say human grade, it means the same quality you'd buy for yourself in the grocery store, processed in a plant that processes for humans, and packaged appropriately as well.

Another case - Grandma Lucy's - "the treat you can eat", they use the same quality chicken you'd be served in a restaurant. To me, that does make a difference, same for a food company I trust, that says it's food is human grade - to me it means the quality of the meat/poultry/fish used, and where/how it is processed.

Sorry Sharky, on this we will have to agree to disagree...which is rare as we usually agree!

I am in over my head on the food issue. I am going to take a brain break.

Dex & Sadie are currently OK with their current food. As Pat & Alix are doing...I will not think of their current diet as long term. I will monitor info. on these forums and hope that I discover an exellent quality dry/canned combo. that my babies will thrive on as they head into their senior years.

I am so gratefull for TCS. Without it, I would be on my own, dealing with these challenging decisions.

I want to try the treats that Pat & Alix mentioned. Were can I get them? I might like them for myself.

Originally Posted by xocats

I want to try the treats that Pat & Alix mentioned. Were can I get them? I might like them for myself.

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Hi,
Check out the Marketplace ads...

This is what the chickensoup for the petlover's soul website has to say about human grade meat. Even they will not use the term.



When Is Human-Grade Meat Really Human-Grade Meat?

Human-grade meat is a tricky subject. And, while we at Chicken Soup for the Soulâ„¢ brand dog and cat foods would love to call our fresh, never frozen, meats "human-grade" our conscience does not allow us.

You see, even though our fresh meats are the same grade and quality and come from the same sources used for human food applications, they are not "human-grade". And here's why:

The term "human-grade" does not have a place in the pet food industry. Legally, for a meat to be "human-grade", it must be processed in a human-grade facility. Pet food facilities are not human-grade, rather, they are ALL feed grade. In fact, pet food manufacturing facilities are held to a different level of sanitation standards by the USDA than those applied to a human food processing plant, or even a restaurant. By law, as soon as meat, even "human-grade" meat, is shipped to a pet food facility it becomes "feed-grade".

Now this doesn't change the quality of the meat—but it does change its legal definition. And, to us, it would be irresponsible to tell you that our products are better than the competition because our foods use "human-grade" meats.

So, you won't find a "human-grade" claim on any Chicken Soup for the Soulâ„¢ brand dog and cat food, or in our brochures, or on this web site. Period.

What you will find is our products are of the highest quality, processed within the strictest standards in the industry, and guaranteed to help your pet become a better, healthier, happier companion.



The following is taken from the www.cats.about.com website regarding human grade:


Human Grade" and "Natural"

"Although you will occasionally see "Human Grade" listed on pet food labels, the AAFCO does not recognize nor presently address this form of labeling. However, because of the current trend toward "natural," as well as "organic" (in both human and pet food), the AAFCO is currently working to define at least the former description. In the meantime, caveat emptor with those phrases. If you lean toward cat foods with ingredients described as human grade or natural, make sure you completely understand what is meant by the terms.

In other words, "human grade" may mean one thing to one pet food manufacturer, and something entirely different to another. There are presently NO standards to define that phrase on pet food labels, so "caveat emptor" does indeed apply. Until the phrase is officially defined, I would neither attach nor take away any value to that kind of statement by a pet food manufacturer

Hi,
I think you missed my point...I am talking of treats and one food that is processed in human grade facilities, not pet facilities.

I agree without that, it would be improper to use the term human-grade.

Pat I missed the treat thing too/// ahh so like organix(sp) some treats are not manugfacured at pet food plants but at hiuman ones...

Originally Posted by xocats

I do have one concern...kidneys. Feeding such high protein food, could it damage their kidneys over time expecially in an older cat?
I'll let you know how they do on it.
Thanks.

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Here is a link that will answer your question. See "Dietary Considerations" and "Protein in Pet Diets":
http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/kf.html#CAUSES