Making wise holistic and natural food choices

[candes]

Recently I have been searching for the optimal adult holistic and natural food for Teddy Bearz. He is nearly 9 months, so a year is creeping up on him.

We are presently discusiing this subject at the end of another food related post. I wanted to bring this out to the front. So we can share our learning experiences.

Those of us that are choosing holistic and natural foods are looking for the most healthy diet possible. What are my expectations? A human grade product with no chemicals, preservatives, and artificial colorings. Devoid of ingredients provided by China. No grains if possible. Wheat Glutens are definately out! And avoiding those manufactured at Menu foods if even possible. Nothing owned by P&G. A history of any recalls also removes them from my choices. I would even settle for something that comes close to perfect. But I will not knowingly feed my human family nor my pets food made from ingredients that originated from China. Am I looking for the impossible? Perhaps... But I will keep up my search.

In our earlier thread a couple of us made the observation that Wellness canned kitten food makes our kitties more energenic. And provides a beautiful gloss to their coat. And keeps them svelt. My own observation of this product is that it is very low on water and seems very lean. I also observed that a comparible adult version does not seem to exist. Did I miss a flavor somewhere or is there not an adult version?

I will update this list as we learn new info for each brand.

Holistic Select is made by the same company that owns Wellness. (Wellpet) menu foods.
Natures Variety has had a recent recall. (Salmonella in raw diet.) Menu Foods. Rabbit from China. No grains from China.
Wellness menu foods, Recent thiamine recall
AvoDerm Natural® Entrées menu foods, Small cans from Thailand. No chinese ingredients.
Evo owned by P&G, menu foods
Halo NOT made by menu foods. Made in US with US only ingredients. (except peas from canada)
Petcurean Pet Nutrition Menu foods. Some nutrients sourced from Asia.
Merrick Not menu foods (own facility) US ingredients.
Caster and Pollux Organix menu foods. Melamine recall in 2007 for non-organic products


FDA compiled list represents all pet food recalled since March 2007
Pet Food Recall Products List

[candes]

As wonderful as Halo sounds, where are the nutrients such as Taurine etc in the canned food... ? The dry has them. Also there are only 3 canned flavors left.

Ingredients: Turkey, chicken liver, broth, green peas, yellow squash, celery, zucchini, green beans, carrots, water (sufficient for processing), okra, mustard greens, dried kelp, calcium citrate, flax seed meal, sweet potato, pumpkin, dicalcium phosphate, ascorbic acid

2 free cans offered with email signup
http://www.halopets.com/

[Walter Coonkat]

Those of us that are choosing holistic and natural foods are looking for the most healthy diet possible. What are my expectations? A human grade product with no chemicals, preservatives, and artificial colorings. Devoid of ingredients provided by China. No grains if possible. Wheat Glutens are definately out! And avoiding those manufactured at Menu foods if even possible. Nothing owned by P&G. A history of any recalls also removes them from my choices. I would even settle for something that comes close to perfect. But I will not knowingly feed my human family nor my pets food made from ingredients that originated from China. Am I looking for the impossible? Perhaps... But I will keep up my search.

I understand the human grade, no chemicals, no preservatives, no artificial colourings, and no Chinese ingredients. I'm not sure about no grains — cats eat grass and wheat grass in particular is a common treat. I can understand minimising the grains, though. Why no wheat gluten? I know there seems to be a growing number of people with gluten intolerance (it seems a rather faddish thing, though — never heard of it years ago), but I wasn't aware of cats having gluten intolerance problems.

Thanks for what you've dug up thus far — and good luck with your search!

[candes]

I understand the human grade, no chemicals, no preservatives, no artificial colourings, and no Chinese ingredients. I'm not sure about no grains — cats eat grass and wheat grass in particular is a common treat. I can understand minimising the grains, though. Why no wheat gluten? I know there seems to be a growing number of people with gluten intolerance (it seems a rather faddish thing, though — never heard of it years ago), but I wasn't aware of cats having gluten intolerance problems.

Thanks for what you've dug up thus far — and good luck with your search!

Oh the wheat gluten... Don't you remember the chinese wheat gluten (melamine) that nearly wiped out everyones kitties? I think there was some white rice involved too. My rational is advoid those just in case they later decide to get them from China. Plus there are some kitties that don't tolerate wheat. My Teddy Bearz is lethargic and not as alert on cheaper products that have wheat gluten, preservatives, by-products etc... Or ir could be that the Wellness just makes him a lot more energenic. Either way, he thrives really well on a better quality product. Besides, Teddy Bearz will not eat food with grains in it. I may get him to eat one can, and will think he likes it. Then nada... At least he gives it an honest go. He is mostly stuck on Wellness kitten and avoderm tuna and crab meant. Once a cat gets on a particluar diet they are usually stuck on it for eternity. This is why I want to make the right choices for his adult diet.

[candes]

These are all the canned foods they offer at Wellness. Several varieties for big cats:

Now if your cat likes the canned kitten food like my Teddy Bearz, you are in trouble too. The Core turkey and chicken livers is the closest I can get. Why do they get a kitten hooked on something and don't have an adult replacement? I know the below is on their site. But I want us to be able to see them side by side. The main difference in the nutrients of the core is less fat than the kitten and more protein than the kitten.

Core Turkey and chiclen livers

Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Chicken Meal, Turkey Liver, Dried Ground Potatoes, Natural Chicken Flavor, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Cranberries, Ground Flaxseed, Salmon Oil, Taurine, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Chicory Root Extract, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Cobalt Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Niacin, Sodium Selenite, d-Calcium Panthothenate, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Biotin.
This is a naturally preserved product.
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein Not Less Than 12.0%
Crude Fat Not Less Than 7.0%
Crude Fiber Not More Than 0.5%
Moisture Not More Than 78.0%
Ash Not More Than 2.1%
Magnesium Not More Than 0.028%
Taurine Not Less Than 0.10%
As Served Per Can (percent per can)
Protein: 12.7%
Fat: 9.94%
Fiber: 0.29%
Met. Energy (Kcal/kg): 1,400
Ash: 1.76%
Magnesium: 0.02%
Taurine: 0.14%
Caloric Analysis (kcal/can)
5.5 oz. 218

Kitten

Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Squash, Zucchini, Guar Gum, Cranberries, Blueberries, Ground Flaxseed, Salt, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, Carrageenan, Iron Proteinate (a source of Chelated Iron), Beta-Carotene, Zinc Proteinate (a source of Chelated Zinc), Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Cobalt Proteinate (a source of Chelated Cobalt), Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate (a source of Chelated Copper), Folic Acid, Manganese Proteinate (a source of Chelated Manganese), Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Biotin.
This is a naturally preserved product.
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein Not Less Than 11.0%
Crude Fat Not Less Than 7.0%
Crude Fiber Not More Than 1.0%
Moisture Not More Than 78.0%
Ash Not More Than 2.3%
Magnesium Not More Than 0.025%
Taurine Not Less Than 0.10%
As Served Per Can (percent per can)
Protein: 11.5%
Fat: 11.3%
Fiber: 0.25%
Met. Energy (Kcal/kg): 1,427
Ash: 1.9%
Magnesium: 0.02%
Taurine: 0.10%
Caloric Analysis (kcal/can)
3 oz. can 122

Wellness Turkey (more water)

Turkey, Chicken Liver, Chicken, Chicken Broth, Carrots, Natural Chicken Flavor, Sweet Potatoes, Squash, Zucchini, Cranberries, Blueberries, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Ground Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Taurine, Iron Proteinate (a source of Chelated Iron), Beta-Carotene, Zinc Proteinate (a source of Chelated Zinc), Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Cobalt Proteinate (a source of Chelated Cobalt), Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate (a source of Chelated Copper), Folic Acid, Manganese Proteinate (a source of Chelated Manganese), Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Biotin.
This is a naturally preserved product.
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein Not Less Than 10.0%
Crude Fat Not Less Than 5.0%
Crude Fiber Not More Than 1.0%
Moisture Not More Than 78.0%
Ash Not More Than 1.95%
Magnesium Not More Than 0.025%
Taurine Not Less Than 0.10%
As Served Per Can (percent per can)
Protein: 12.4%
Fat: 10.6%
Fiber: 0.27%
Met. Energy (Kcal/kg): 1,398
Ash: 1.8%
Magnesium: 0.02%
Taurine: 0.15%
Calories Analysis (calories per can)
3 oz. can 119
5.5 oz. can 218
12.5 oz. can 495

[candes]

Today I learned by accident, that wellness has codes for where the food has been manufactured. Not all is made my menu food. Earlier I figured we were at their mercy.

Cans with the code 7wcc are definately made by menu. Now mine is 7Wkcc1. Hmm so what does this mean...

MW.... California plant (good)
7WCC.... New Jersey (bad)
7Wkcc1.... Canada

Now I have a question. Does everyones Wellness state "product of canada"? Mine has it in the white area below the recycle aluminun comment. So does that mean even if Menu does the manufacturing, the ingredients come from Canada?

•Menu Foods has facilities in New Jersey, Kansas and Canada

Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Industry Advisory - Guidelines Defining Product of Canada and Made in Canada on food labels and advertising

Product of Canada
Under the guidelines when the label claim Product of Canada is applied, all or virtually all of the significant ingredients, components, processing and labour used in the food product must be Canadian. Food products claiming Product of Canada must contain very little or no foreign content, with the exception of minor food additives, spices, vitamins, minerals and flavouring preparations.

[Walter Coonkat]

Oh the wheat gluten... Don't you remember the chinese wheat gluten (melamine) that nearly wiped out everyones kitties?

I do remember, but figured excluding ingredients from China would take care of that. Obviously, if a product used domestic wheat gluten there is always the chance they might later change suppliers and get it from China. And I know it is easy to check an ingredients list and then just assume (incorrectly!) nothing will change.

I'm definitely with you on avoiding ingredients from China. In the last few years there have been way too many incidents of unsafe and/or contaminated products coming from there — and not just pet food!

[candes]

That is interesting! Both the Wellness canned kitten that I buy here in Canada and the Core dry are made in the USA!! Old Mother Hubbard Tewksbury, MA...

Oh and the code on the bottom of the can is 7WKCC1

I am from the US. Now isn't that ironic? Now are you 100% certain. Since that would disprove the code theory that others have been talking about. Since our codes are identical. Mine has a US address as the address for the company. But says "product of Canada", to the right of that.

[candes]

Absolutely certain. Perhaps you're closer to the Canadian facility? I took the MA address off the bag and can as it's identical. Interesting because we are pretty far west in Canada. I'm from the US, NY, but have lived in Calgary for 11 years. My experience here is that the food and drug standards here are as good as the US for what its worth to you.

Actually I was presuming the canadian standards were better. But can I presume where pet food is concerned? If you read the excerpt that I posted in an earlier post from The Canadian food inspection agency... I was hoping this would keep out Chinese ingredients. I figured we both lucked out. Little did I know the Canadian got screwed and ended up with US food.

I tried Teddy Bearz on the core salmon. He ate the first can with excitement, then bleh.... Same with my moggies. I am gonna buy one of each of the 3 wellness and core turkey and chocken products and compare them side by side. And offer up a taste test too.

Were you aware of the Core raw feeding philosophy?

What is Protein-Focused Nutrition?
› The essence of the raw feeding philosophy is nutrient-rich, high-quality meat – and lots of it.
› That’s the same philosophy behind Wellness CORE® This unique, grain-free recipe also supports and nurtures your pet’s inside…their essence…their core.
› To create a protein-focused diet the Wellness Way, we carefully control the quality and quantity of the ingredients we use, and pay close attention to the individual properties of each inclusion. From source to bowl, we make no exceptions!
› If you are looking for a food with more meat and no grains, CORE is truly a more thoughtful alternative. This diet delivers the meat content you’re looking for, while creating a balanced profile of real-foods appropriate for everyday feeding.
› Supporting your pet's inner wellbeing.
Why is CORE® different?
› In a word… balance. When you add more meat to your pet's daily feeding program, you also add more protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus and calories. And since daily health requires a delicate nutritional equation, these levels must be managed to create balance, not excess-especially when fed everyday as the sole source of your pet's nutrition.
› Considering your animal's whole health, we have created CORE® with the meat content you're looking for but without the excess nutrient levels your pet does not need. CORE® provides incredibly flavorful, protein-focused nutrition the Wellness Way with nothing in excess and everything in balance.
› We are proud to add this choice to the Wellness line of natural food for pets. This diet supports our continued belief that thoughtfully balanced natural nutrition is the foundation of wellbeing, happiness and longevity we want for all of our family members, including our animals

[candes]

Oopsy! I just checked the can and it does say "Product of Canada" but it does not say that anywhere on the bag of Core. Totally missed it this morning. Usually it will list a Canadian manufacturing address if a product is made here so maybe you're right that the ingredients come from here and it's made there.

Ok now this makes sense. I will update the code for canada. It is totally manufactured in Canada. The address you see, is of Wellness corporate headquarters where nothing is made.