Natural Balance Ultra Premium Cat Food Turkey & Giblets Formula Review
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Review of Natural Balance Ultra Premium Cat Food Turkey & Giblets Formula
According to our data, this Natural Balance recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Natural Balance Ultra Premium Cat Food Turkey & Giblets Formula is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.
Review of Ingredients
In our review of Natural Balance Ultra Premium Cat Food Turkey & Giblets Formula, 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.
Turkey is a lean, highly digestible protein source that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals for your cat's overall health and well-being.
Turkey Broth is a flavorful and nutritious liquid that helps to keep your cat's food moist and palatable. It provides essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals, which contribute to overall health and wellbeing.
Poultry Giblets are the edible offal parts of poultry, such as the heart, liver, and gizzard. They are nutrient-dense and provide a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals to support your cat's overall health.
Dried carrot is a natural source of vitamins and minerals, particularly beta-carotene, which is essential for maintaining your cat's eye health and supporting their immune system.
Brown Rice is a whole grain ingredient that provides a source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients to support your cat's energy levels and digestive health.
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.
Salmon meal is a high-quality protein source that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which support your cat's healthy skin, coat, and overall well-being.
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.
Thiamine mononitrate is a source of Vitamin B1, essential for energy metabolism and nervous system function in cats.
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is an essential nutrient that aids in energy metabolism and supports your cat's nervous system, skin, and coat health.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A vitamin B12 supplement is an essential nutrient for your cat, supporting their nervous system, brain function, and red blood cell production.
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.
Zinc proteinate is a chelated form of zinc that is easier for cats to absorb, promoting skin and coat health, and aiding in immune function.
Zinc sulfate is an essential trace mineral that supports your cat's immune system, skin and coat health, and overall well-being.
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.
Iron proteinate is a highly bioavailable form of iron that helps support optimal red blood cell production, oxygen transport, and overall vitality in cats.
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.
Copper Proteinate is an easily absorbed form of copper that supports your cat's immune system, red blood cell formation, and connective tissue health.
Manganese sulfate is a source of manganese, an essential mineral for bone health and enzyme function.
Manganese Proteinate is a highly bioavailable form of manganese that supports your cat's bone and joint health, as well as their metabolism.
Calcium Iodate is an essential mineral supplement that provides your cat with the necessary iodine to support thyroid function and overall metabolic health. It helps maintain a healthy coat, skin, and immune system.
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.
Guar Gum is a natural thickening agent and stabilizer, which helps to maintain the texture and consistency of wet cat food while also providing a source of soluble fiber for digestive health.
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.
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.
Salt is added in small amounts to cat food to help maintain electrolyte balance and support healthy nerve and muscle function.
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.
Cranberry is a natural source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which can help support your cat's immune system and urinary tract health.
DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid that helps maintain healthy skin and coat, supports immune function, and promotes overall well-being in cats.
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.
Choline chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in maintaining cellular function and overall health in cats.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
The guaranteed analysis of the Natural Balance Ultra Premium Cat Food Turkey & Giblets Formula indicates a minimum crude protein content of 9.00%. The primary contributors to this protein content are the turkey and poultry giblets listed as the first ingredients. These are high-quality sources of animal protein which are fundamental for a cat's muscle development and overall health. The salmon meal further adds to the protein content, being another concentrated source of animal protein.
The crude fat minimum of 5.00% is likely derived from the turkey, which naturally contains fats, and to a lesser extent from the poultry giblets. Fats are essential in a cat's diet for energy, and they also support skin and coat health. Although not explicitly listed as an ingredient, there may also be added oils or fats that contribute to this value.
Crude fiber is listed with a maximum of 1.50%, which is relatively low, indicating that the food is not high in plant-based fiber. The brown rice and dried carrots in the ingredients can contribute to the fiber content. Fiber is important for digestive health, but cats, being obligate carnivores, require less fiber than omnivores or herbivores.
The calorie content is provided as 1070.00 kcal/kg, which is derived from the combined macronutrients in the food - the proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. All the ingredients contribute to the calorie content, but the main contributors are the proteins and fats due to their higher caloric density compared to fiber.
Other ingredients such as vitamins and minerals listed do not contribute significantly to the macronutrient guaranteed analysis (protein, fat, fiber) but are crucial for overall nutrition, ensuring the food meets the cat's needs for various physiological functions. Ingredients like guar gum and carrageenan are used as thickeners and do not contribute to the nutritional values but affect the texture and consistency of the food. Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats, which is often added to cat foods to ensure they receive an adequate amount.
