Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken Formula For Kittens Review
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Review of Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken Formula For Kittens
According to our data, this Natural Balance recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for growing kittens. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken Formula For Kittens is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for growing kittens.
Review of Ingredients
In our review of Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken Formula For Kittens, we'll examine all 38 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.
While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.
Chicken is a high-quality source of lean protein, providing essential amino acids for muscle growth, healthy skin, and coat, and supporting your cat's overall well-being.
Chicken broth adds moisture and flavor to your cat's food, making it more appealing and enjoyable while also providing essential nutrients and hydration.
Chicken Liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat that provides essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids for your cat's overall health. This unique ingredient supports muscle growth, healthy skin and coat, and proper immune function.
Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a source of healthy fats and essential fatty acids that support your cat's skin, coat, and overall well-being. This ingredient also provides energy and helps maintain a balanced weight for your feline friend.
Dried Egg Product is a highly digestible source of protein, providing essential amino acids for muscle growth and maintenance. It also offers important vitamins and minerals.
Natural flavor enhances the palatability of the cat food, making it more appealing to finicky eaters.
Dicalcium phosphate is an essential mineral supplement that supports your cat's bone health and overall well-being.
Salt is added in small amounts to cat food to help maintain electrolyte balance and support healthy nerve and muscle function.
Salmon Oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining healthy skin and coat, supporting brain function, and promoting a healthy immune system. Salmon oil also has anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit cats with joint issues or allergies.
Calcium carbonate is a common ingredient in cat food, used as a source of dietary calcium to support bone health and several key metabolic functions.
Potassium Chloride is a vital mineral that supports your cat's overall health by maintaining proper muscle function, nerve communication, and fluid balance in the body.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that plays a crucial role in your cat's heart function, vision, and reproduction. Cats cannot synthesize taurine in sufficient amounts, making it a vital addition to their diet.
Flaxseed is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support healthy skin and coat, as well as overall well-being in cats.
Magnesium Sulfate is an essential mineral for maintaining proper nerve and muscle function in cats.
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and provide natural sweetness to cat food, contributing to a balanced diet.
Cranberry is a natural source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which can help support your cat's immune system and urinary tract health.
Carrageenan is a natural thickening and gelling agent derived from seaweed, used to improve the texture and consistency of wet cat food. However, some studies have raised concerns about its safety, linking it to gastrointestinal issues in pets. Some pet owners may choose to avoid products containing carrageenan.
Vitamin E Supplement is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in supporting your cat's immune system, skin health, and overall well-being. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting your cat's cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Niacin Supplement is a form of vitamin B3 that plays a crucial role in supporting your cat's skin, nervous system, and digestive health, as well as promoting energy production.
Thiamine mononitrate is a source of Vitamin B1, essential for energy metabolism and nervous system function in cats.
Vitamin A Supplement is an essential nutrient that supports your cat's vision, immune system, and overall health. It is crucial for maintaining a well-balanced diet and proper body function.
D-calcium pantothenate, also known as vitamin B5, is important for energy metabolism and the synthesis of important compounds in the body.
Riboflavin Supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which supports your cat's energy production, metabolism, and overall well-being.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride, also known as Vitamin B6, plays a vital role in your cat's metabolism, immune system function, and nerve health, ensuring their overall well-being.
Vitamin D3 Supplement is an essential nutrient that supports your cat's bone health and immune system. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus levels, ensuring strong bones and teeth, and plays a crucial role in maintaining overall well-being.
Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a source of vitamin K, essential for blood clotting and bone health.
Folic Acid is a B vitamin that is essential for your cat's health. It plays a crucial role in DNA synthesis, cell division, and the production of red blood cells. A deficiency in folic acid can lead to anemia and other health problems, making it an important ingredient in cat food.
Biotin is a B vitamin that helps support your cat's skin and coat health, as well as their metabolism and nervous system.
A vitamin B12 supplement is an essential nutrient for your cat, supporting their nervous system, brain function, and red blood cell production.
Ferrous Sulfate is an essential source of iron for your cat, which helps support the production of red blood cells and maintains healthy energy levels. It also plays a vital role in your cat's overall health and well-being.
Zinc Oxide is a source of essential trace mineral zinc, which plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy immune system, skin and coat health, and supporting various metabolic processes in your cat's body.
Manganese sulfate is a source of manganese, an essential mineral for bone health and enzyme function.
Copper amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable form of copper, an essential trace mineral that supports various body functions, such as the production of red blood cells, nerve function, and immune health.
Potassium iodide is a source of iodine which is necessary for proper thyroid function in cats.
Sodium Selenite is an important source of selenium, an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in your cat's antioxidant defense system. Selenium helps protect your cat's cells from damage and supports a healthy immune system, thyroid function, and overall health.
Copper sulfate is used in cat food as a source of copper, a vital mineral that supports various body functions including iron absorption and blood cell formation.
Thiamine mononitrate is a source of Vitamin B1, essential for energy metabolism and nervous system function in cats.
Rosemary Extract is a natural antioxidant and preservative that helps maintain the freshness and quality of your cat's food while also providing potential anti-inflammatory benefits.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
The guaranteed analysis value of Crude Protein (min) of 10.00% is likely contributed to primarily by the chicken and chicken liver listed in the ingredients. These are high-quality sources of animal protein, which are essential for the growth and maintenance of a kitten's body. The dried egg product also contributes to the protein content, as eggs are known to be a complete source of protein containing all the essential amino acids.
The Crude Fat (min) of 8.70% is most likely coming from the chicken, as it naturally contains fats, and the canola oil and salmon oil listed in the ingredients. Both oils are added to pet foods to increase the fat content, which provides energy and aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Fats are also important for the development of a kitten's brain and vision.
Crude Fiber (max) of 2.00% is relatively low, which is typical for cat food since cats require a diet low in fiber. The ingredients do not list specific fiber sources, such as beet pulp or cellulose, which are often used to control fiber content. The flaxseed in the ingredients may contribute to the fiber content, although it is also a source of fat and protein. The blueberries and cranberries may also contribute a small amount of fiber.
The calories of 1279.00 per kg are derived from the combined macronutrients in the food: protein, fat, and carbohydrates. The chicken and chicken liver provide calories from protein, the canola oil and salmon oil provide calories from fats, and any carbohydrates present in the food (which are not directly listed in the guaranteed analysis but may come from natural flavors or incidental ingredients) also contribute to the total calorie count.
The other ingredients listed, such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids like taurine, are important for overall nutrition but do not significantly contribute to the guaranteed analysis values. They ensure the food meets the complete dietary requirements for kittens. Carrageenan is a thickening agent and does not contribute to the nutritional values. The rosemary extract is likely used as a natural preservative.
