As more and more people are embracing healthier lifestyles that include organic foods in their diets, they are also opting to choose the same dietary approach for their pets. A number of pet food manufacturers have responded, filling the aisles of pet supply retailers with a host of organic cat food selections.
Contents of Organic Cat Food
Organic cat food is based on similar principles as organic foods consumed by humans. The natural ingredients are grown using organic practices, which earn the food the label of being certified organic. Pesticides and herbicides are not used in farming, and animals used for protein sources are grass fed and free ranging.
The protein sources, which are among the first ingredients listed, are whole, muscle meats, poultry and fish. These protein sources are often human grade meats. Organic cat foods do not contain meat by-products. Vegetables and fruits, such as spinach, carrots and cranberries, are minimally processed in order to preserve their nutrients. Organic cat foods do not contain genetically modified foods. Organic cat foods avoid corn, soy and wheat products in their recipes, making the foods free of glutens and other potential allergens contained in these ingredients. Instead, potatoes, sweet potatoes, green peas, barley and brown rice are used as carbohydrate alternatives to provide fiber in the diet.
Many organic cat foods contain natural nutritional supplementation, such as herbal extracts and probiotics, to nurture a cat’s overall health and vitality. Organic cat foods do not contain artificial flavors, colors or synthesized preservatives.
Organic or Natural?
Several pet food companies produce premium quality foods that are not certified as organic. Many of these foods contain human grade ingredients, whole foods and added natural supplements. They also do not contain artificial colors, preservatives or flavors, genetically modified foods, wheat, corn, soy or by-products. Foods that meet these criteria and are not certified organic are considered natural cat foods, and are perfectly healthy, fine foods for your feline to dine upon.
Who Makes Organic Cat Food?
Many of the pet food labels with which all cat owners are familiar are owned by a handful of multinational conglomerates. For example, Hill’s Science Diet is owned by Colgate-Palmolive, Iams and Eukanuba are both owned by Proctor and Gamble, and Nestle owns Friskees and Fancy Feast. These are the foods that are found in supermarkets and discount stores, and these cat foods are commonly featured in magazine and television advertisements. Many of these companies occasionally claim to have produced natural lines of cat foods, but none of the foods are made from the same premium level of ingredients that are found in organic cat foods. They may tweak a couple of ingredients, but artificial preservatives or fillers remain on the ingredient listings.
Organic and natural cat foods are found primarily in pet supply retail stores and, occasionally, in exclusively organic supermarkets. The companies that manufacture these foods strive to produce premium quality, wholesome pet foods that use the aforementioned premium ingredients. This can make such foods a bit more costly, but many of the pet supply retailers offer sales and store club card member coupons that can offset the difference in cost. The following list includes some of these cat food labels that can be found in many of the pet supply retail stores, and some of the manufacturers also produce organic cat treats to lavish on your cat:
- Newman’s Own
- Blue Buffalo
- Wellness
- Halo
- Merrick
- Felidae
A few additional companies that manufacture organic cat food may be more challenging to find in stores, but their products may be ordered online:
- Castor and Pollux
- PetGuard
- The Honest Kitchen
- NaturaPet
The best organic cat food is the one that your cat thrives on the most. By choosing wholesome nutrition for your cat, she will reap the rewards of optimal health and a zest for life that endures well into her golden years.