Parenting-Furkids
Cats => Cat Food And Nutrition => Topic started by: Lola on December 04, 2014, 07:36:01 AM
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I was asked about Natures Variety Instinct. It (canned version) was in our rotation at one time, but isn't anymore. And of course ....I don't remember exactly why. *sigh* I remember the rabbit is sourced from
China. (New info: Rabbit is sourced from France.)
Anyway, I was looking up the ingredients. I just picked chicken, because it was the first flavor I ran across. This is what I found:
Chewy.com - 21.99 for 12-5.5 oz cans
Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Ground Flaxseeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Eggs, Peas, Carrots, Lecithin, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Tricalcium Phosphate, Salt, Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley.
PetfoodDirect.com - 21.49 for 12-5.5 oz
Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Flaxseed, Tricalcium Phosphate, Eggs, Peas, Carrots, Lecithin, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Kelp, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley.
PetFlow.com - 22.99 for 12-5.5 oz
Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Flaxseed, Tricalcium Phosphate, Eggs, Peas, Carrots, Lecithin, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Kelp, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley.
I know companies can use the same label for 6 months, after a change in ingredients. My guess would be that they removed the Montmorillonite Clay. I wonder how long ago. UPDATE: The PetFlow info is incorrect. All their foods contain Montmorillonite Clay - per their company rep.
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I was asked about Natures Variety Instinct. It (canned version) was in our rotation at one time, but isn't anymore. And of course ....I don't remember exactly why. *sigh* I remember the rabbit is sourced from China.
According to the specialty pet food store I go to, Nature's Variety is now sourcing their rabbit from France. I haven't confirmed that, though.
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According to the specialty pet food store I go to, Nature's Variety is now sourcing their rabbit from France. I haven't confirmed that, though.
I heard that too, a year or so ago.
Interesting about the removal of the clay, they defended it so long. it was in EVERYTHING they produced, including raw. I wonder if they are all clay-free now.
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As far as the clay (and the same chicken one shown above), their own website shows this:
Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Ground Flaxseed, Montmorillonite Clay, Eggs, Peas, Carrots, Lecithin, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, d-CalciumPantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Tricalcium Phosphate, Salt, Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley
I guess I could email them and ask. No clay and no carrageenan and possibly no China. Low in carbs. As much as I really do NOT like to recommend brands, because who knows what will change when... there are worse choices.
EDIT: I emailed them. I asked if the non-clay ingredients list was correct. I also asked them if they still source their rabbit from China. I should hear back within two business days. When I do, I will let you know!
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Good-o. My problem with NV is their heavy use of fruits and veggies, and their customer service. In my experience, they get very snooty when challenged. That may have been only one person, but when I complained about the service, I received no response.
Another thing to note, and this is just anecdotal, back three years ago when I was still experimenting with canned foods for Mazy cat, the NV cans made her urine pH shoot up to 8.
Jennie is the only one who could eat NV (Mazy can't, Queen Eva won't) in this house so I long ago gave away all that I had and never bought more.
I am going to need some new foods soon though. The back stock of By Nature Organic turkey and turkey&chicken is almost gone.
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EDIT: I emailed them. I asked if the non-clay ingredients list was correct. I also asked them if they still source their rabbit from China. I should hear back within two business days. When I do, I will let you know!
Thanks, Lola! :-* HeadButt I hope they're not getting the rabbit from China anymore. I do feed it and the chicken because they don't have carageenan and Pookie (knock wood) tolerates them, but I'd feel much better if I knew the rabbit was not from China.
Good-o. My problem with NV is their heavy use of fruits and veggies
The carrots and peas are usually large enough that you can just pick them out, which is what I do. :)
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Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley
It's the list at the bottom that bugs me. What's the point you know? Surely it's just to make the numbers come out right on the GA, and to smoke screen humans how still believe vegetables and fruits make a cat food healthy, because it's a healthy diet for humans
I'm not commenting on you using it Pookie. I am sure it is probably just as good a food as the By Nature Organic, or any of the other canned foods I feed. It just bugs me, that's all.
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Thanks, Lola! :-* HeadButt I hope they're not getting the rabbit from China anymore. I do feed it and the chicken because they don't have carageenan and Pookie (knock wood) tolerates them, but I'd feel much better if I knew the rabbit was not from China.
The carrots and peas are usually large enough that you can just pick them out, which is what I do. :)
Like you always say... we do the best we can. :)
So many times we have to choose between the lessor of the "evils." The cat and various circumstances are often the deciding factor. For me anyway.
When I fed NV, sometimes I would smash up the peas and carrots. Sometimes I picked them out. Sometimes the cats picked them out for me... by leaving them on their plates.
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Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley
It's the list at the bottom that bugs me. What's the point you know? Surely it's just to make the numbers come out right on the GA, and to smoke screen humans how still believe vegetables and fruits make a cat food healthy, because it's a healthy diet for humans
I'm not commenting on you using it Pookie. I am sure it is probably just as good a food as the By Nature Organic, or any of the other canned foods I feed. It just bugs me, that's all.
I agree... the ingredients list (in most pet foods) is for the humans, not the actual animal. Sticking to the ingredients list only...think of how much more BS goes on with kibble.
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So many times we have to choose between the lessor of the "evils." The cat and various circumstances are often the deciding factor. For me anyway.
When I fed NV, sometimes I would smash up the peas and carrots. Sometimes I picked them out. Sometimes the cats picked them out for me... by leaving them on their plates.
thumbsup1 Yep. Pookie determines what I feed, no matter what I think of the ingredients. If I had my way, he wouldn't be getting the Wellness Core, but he loves some of them so they're in the rotation. *sigh*
Sometimes the cats picked them out for me... by leaving them on their plates.
funny2
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Hi Lola,
Thank you for writing!
Our rabbit is sourced from France. Montmorillonite Clay is an ingredient in all of our diets. So, what is on our website is correct. Thank you for letting us know and we will work with PetFlow and other online retailers to get the correct ingredients listed.
Sincerely,
Kim
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Our rabbit is sourced from France.
multistars multistars multistars
Thank you so much for checking, Lola!
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I told the person that I wasn't fond of montmorillonite clay. There are better foods and there are a lot worse foods... one of the main reasons I always rotate brands.
It really stinks when a person is interested in feeding wet... and then not being able to recommend (100%) any brand!
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multistars multistars multistars
Thank you so much for checking, Lola!
You are welcome!
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It really stinks when a person is interested in feeding wet... and then not being able to recommend (100%) any brand!
Ummm. . .raw's wet. HeeHeeHee
(Sorry, Lola. Couldn't resist that.)
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I told the person that I wasn't fond of montmorillonite clay. There are better foods and there are a lot worse foods... one of the main reasons I always rotate brands.
It really stinks when a person is interested in feeding wet... and then not being able to recommend (100%) any brand!
I know, I have that conscience wrestling problem too. Even the canned foods I do use I am reluctant to recommend, because, who knows when I will change my mind about them. That's why I no longer recommend canned food brands in forums. Instead I tell people the things I try to avoid, and hope they can get in the habit of reading labels and making choices themselves.
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Ummm. . .raw's wet. HeeHeeHee
(Sorry, Lola. Couldn't resist that.)
When I think wet, I think canned. :P
This person is TOTALLY not open to raw anything. Rather than scare the person off of wet food anything, I just went with it. BUT...I did mention Stella & Chewys. >:D
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I know, I have that conscience wrestling problem too. Even the canned foods I do use I am reluctant to recommend, because, who knows when I will change my mind about them. That's why I no longer recommend canned food brands in forums. Instead I tell people the things I try to avoid, and hope they can get in the habit of reading labels and making choices themselves.
I stress rotation of wet brands/proteins... as far as general commenting.
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For me, depending on the person/situation, (e.g. I'm chatting with someone in the grocery store or something), I usually just advise that any canned is better than dry, because of the moisture content. For me, the priority is just to get the cat off the kibble. Then I hand them a little card that has a list of feline nutrition sites (catinfo.org, etc.) and this forum :D and strongly encourage them to check out catinfo.org. It's up to them to go from there.
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For me, depending on the person/situation, (e.g. I'm chatting with someone in the grocery store or something), I usually just advise that any canned is better than dry, because of the moisture contect. For me, the priority is just to get the cat off the kibble. Then I hand them a little card that has a list of feline nutrition sites (catinfo.org, etc.) and this forum :D and strongly encourage them to check out catinfo.org. It's up to them to go from there.
I edited my post above, to add the word "wet."
"Dry/kibble" isn't in my vocabulary, when it comes to pet food recommendations. :)
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For me, depending on the person/situation, (e.g. I'm chatting with someone in the grocery store or something), I usually just advise that any canned is better than dry, because of the moisture content. For me, the priority is just to get the cat off the kibble. Then I hand them a little card that has a list of feline nutrition sites (catinfo.org, etc.) and this forum :D and strongly encourage them to check out catinfo.org. It's up to them to go from there.
What a great idea!
Lola I recommend rotation too, once they start asking about brands.