11 Best Cat Foods From Nutrisource

Nutrisource Cat Food Evaluation

Tuffy’s is a large pet food producer that sells pet food under a variety of brand names. Tuffy’s Supreme or Tuffy’s Gold may be found at larger establishments such as supermarkets and feed stores.

However, if you want to find quality pet food options, such as Nutrisource, you’ll have to go to a pet specialist store. You won’t find this high-quality cat chow at any big-box retailer.

Let’s take a deeper look at Nutrisource cat food to determine if it’s worth the journey to your local specialized pet store and what type of nutrients it may provide for your cat.

Who manufactures Nutrisource and where is it manufactured?

Tuffy’s Pet Food Inc., which is owned by KLN Family Brands, manufactures Nutrisource.

Nutrisource was founded in 1964 and has gone through various transitions and sales to finish up under the KLN label.

Throughout it all, they’ve remained a small-town enterprise, producing their all-American pet food in Perham, Minnesota.

Nutrisource is best suited for which kind of cats?

Nutrisource cat food is suitable for cats of all ages. Nutrisource offers specific blends designed to deliver the nourishment that healthy cats require, from kittens to elderly.

Nutrisource meals should be ideal for any healthy cat. Even cats on specific diets, such as grain-free or those requiring a weight-management blend, will discover a Nutrisource cat food that is a good fit.

Which Cats Would Benefit from a Different Brand?

Although Nutrisource is an excellent choice for most healthy cats, it is unlikely to be the best brand to feed to cats who have medical issues.

Nutrisource has a wide range of blends and formulae for healthy cats, as well as certain specific blends for kittens, seniors, and overweight cats.

However, they don’t have many foods designed for cats with medical disorders or other issues.

Cats with urinary issues, kidney problems, or thyroid issues, for example, may benefit from a pet food brand designed to help with these medical issues, such as Hill’s Prescription Diet, which makes a Thyroid Care Canned Cat Food, a Kidney Care Cat Food, and many other blends designed for cats with similar conditions.

Primary Ingredients Discussion (Good and Bad)

We’ll take a careful look at the ingredients in one of Nutrisource’s top blends to get a better understanding of the overall quality you can expect from Nutrisource cat chow.

The Chicken and Rice Dry Cat Food is a well-liked formula that is among Nutrisource’s best-selling cat feeds. We’ll look closely at the essential ingredients in this dish, which are the first five stated on the label.

These are the five ingredients in the highest concentration in this blend, and understanding them will give you a good idea of the overall quality of Nutrisource cat food.

When looking at an ingredients list on any pet food, keep in mind that the substances are presented in the order of their concentration.

So, the first ingredient is the key ingredient in the formula, and it will be found in greater quantities in the dish than any other ingredient.

The second ingredient is the second most concentrated ingredient, and so on, until the final ingredient, which was utilized the least in the blend.

Chicken

When we look at the ingredients list of a cat food, we want to see a whole animal protein listed first, and thus most prominently. Remember that cats are obligate carnivores.

The nutrition they require comes from animal sources, which can give nutrients that plants cannot, such as taurine. If your cat does not get enough taurine, it may develop dilated cardiomyopathy.

Not to mention that cats have high protein requirements, therefore having high-quality animal-based components at the top of the list is critical for cat food. In this scenario, chicken is an excellent ingredient.

It’s not a byproduct or a poor substitute; it’s actual chicken, which is perfect for cats.

Chicken Dinner

This Nutrisource cat food contains chicken meal as the second ingredient, which is another plus in our eyes.

Because cats are obligate carnivores, we love to see a lot of animal-based elements in their meals.

Chicken meal is a terrific option, and it’s far superior to a lower-quality substitute like chicken by-product meal.

But what exactly is chicken meal? It’s a rendered chicken product manufactured from chicken flesh and skin but no bone.

It’s basically leftover chicken from human cuisine, which means it’s a high-quality yet low-cost animal protein for your cat.

It’s rendered, which means that all of the chicken used in the meal was crushed up, boiled, and melted together for hours until it dried up and formed a powder, which is then utilized in dry feeds like this kibble.

Rice

Rice is an ingredient in 47% of commercial dry cat diets. That doesn’t imply it’s a good choice for cats, but it does mean that it’s used in around half of all dry cat feeds.

Rice is found in nearly a quarter of wet cat meals, or 23%. Rice is deemed acceptable for cats to eat, although it is not something they must consume, as are animal products.

Rice is mostly used as a filler and binding agent in cat meals, but it can also help with digestion due to the high fiber content of rice.

Because rice is a grain, this may be a turnoff for individuals looking for grain-free foods, which Nutrisource supplies in abundance.

It’s still a better option for cats than corn, soy, or wheat, which aren’t listed on the ingredients list.

Peas

Peas are a legume that is frequently used in grain-free cat food mixtures in place of grains. They have a high protein content for vegetables but are insufficient for cats on their own.

Fortunately, as the fourth component on this list, peas are not employed as the primary protein source in this dish.

They are, however, a carbohydrate, and cats, as obligate carnivores, do not require many carbohydrates. Plus, protein from carbs like peas isn’t as digestible for cats.

Peas, on the other hand, are high in fiber, which helps this combination keep the fiber content under 5%.

Fat from Chicken

Cats don’t require a lot of fat in their diet. Rather, protein is their primary source of energy. Cats will consume a significant amount of fat when eating animals.

This combination has 19% fat, which is typical for cat food. Chicken fat is an excellent source of fat for cats since it is easily digested and has a high concentration of vital fatty acids.

Furthermore, it delivers a lot of flavor to ensure that this cat food appeals to a cat’s tastes.

You Have Several Options

One of the best things about Nutrisource cat feeds is the variety they offer.

Whether you just want to provide your kitty with a variety of flavor options or you’re seeking for something particular, such as a grain-free formula, Nutrisource has several options that should meet your needs.

Feline Macronutrient Ratios are Excellent

When we look at cat food, we always try to judge its quality in terms of health.

Aside from the components, which we’ve already discussed, the macronutrient composition of a cat food can reveal a lot about it.

Macronutrients are the proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates found in all foods, and understanding their ratios can help you determine how beneficial a specific diet is for your cat.

Cats, as obligate carnivores, require a high protein and fat intake. Carbohydrates are not required for cats, however many commercial cat meals do contain a lot of them.

This is especially true for dry cat meals, which require some form of carbohydrate binder to keep the food together.

When you look at the nutrition label for any Nutrisource cat food, you’ll notice that they include a lot of protein in each blend; significantly more than many of their competitors.

We’re always happy to see this because cats require so much protein in their diets.

The above-mentioned Chicken and Rice Dry Cat Food contains 32% protein and 19% fat. Granted, that still leaves 49% to be filled by carbohydrates, but 32% protein is significantly more than most dry cat meals include.

19% fat is a reasonable amount, indicating that the macronutrient split of this meal was designed for cats’ health rather than profit, as carbohydrate fillers are significantly cheaper than quality animal proteins and fats.

Quality ingredients with no cheap fillers

When you start reading the ingredient lists on different cat meals, you’ll see which manufacturers cut shortcuts by utilizing cheap fillers instead of excellent ingredients.

This cannot be determined from the macronutrient breakdown; instead, the ingredients must be examined. You won’t find low-quality ingredients or inexpensive fillers on Nutrisource ingredient lists.

There are no byproducts, and full ingredients were employed rather than less expensive filler elements. The first ingredient is always an animal protein, never a cheaper replacement.

Premium quality comes at a premium cost

While Nutrisource isn’t the most costly brand available, it’s also not the cheapest. If you want this level of quality, you’ll have to pay a premium for it.

However, when we look at the ingredients and nutrition label, we believe that the quality speaks for itself. Few commercial foods provide the level of quality and health that Nutrisource does.

A Quick Overview of Nutrisource Cat Food

Pros

• There are numerous formulations and tastes to pick from.
• Nutritionally designed for maximum feline wellness
• There is no maize, wheat, or soy in this product.
• The ingredients are entirely natural.

Cons

• It is expensive.

History of Recalls

Despite Nutrisource’s many decades in the pet food industry, we found no known recalls.

Reviews

Dry Cat Food Nutrisource Chicken and Rice Formula
 

Nutrisource’s chicken and rice formula dry cat food blend is one of their best-selling and most popular cat foods. It’s also one of the more cheap selections from the brand.

This diet is perfect for cats and offers plenty of animal-based protein to keep any kitty healthy, with chicken, chicken meal, and chicken fat all listed among the five primary ingredients.

When you look at the nutritional value of this cuisine, it seems just as excellent. With 32% protein, it’s clearly designed for feline wellness.

There’s also a healthy 19% fat content, largely from high-quality animal sources like chicken fat. As a result, this dish contains a high concentration of vital fatty acids.

Furthermore, the taurine concentration is at least 0.15%, ensuring that your cat does not become taurine-deficient.

Having said that, 49% of this diet isn’t made up of fats or proteins, indicating a high carbohydrate content.

Even so, you’ll find it in any dry cat food, and the carbohydrates employed were high-quality, whole-meal items like rice and peas.

Pros

• Quality whole-food ingredients are used.
• A lot of animal protein
• 32% protein, 17% fat
• Three of the top five ingredients are derived from animals.
• It is high in taurine and vital fatty acids.

Cons

• Carbohydrate content of up to 49%

 

Dry Cat Food Nutrisource PureVita Grain Free Chicken Entrée
 

Nutrisource’s PureVita grain-free premium cat food brand. These premium mixes are slightly more expensive than other Nutrisource selections.

Nonetheless, they adhere to the same high-quality criteria as other Nutrisource foods. Three of the first five ingredients are animal-based, with chicken and chicken meal topping the list.

Because it contains so many high-quality animal-based ingredients, this blend is strong in protein (32%). It also has 18% fat and at least 6.5% crude fiber.

There is also 0.15% taurine and 2.9% Omega-6. However, this is on par with other Nutrisource blends, and we’re not convinced it’s worth the increased price tag, even though it’s still a great cat food overall.

Pros

• Excellent for grain-free kitties.
• Three of the five key ingredients are derived from animals.
• High protein content
• It contains enough taurine and necessary fatty acids.

Cons

• It is one of the more expensive alternatives.

 

Canned Nutrisource Grain-Free Turkey & Turkey Liver Select Cat Food
 

Nutrisource offers grain-free turkey and turkey liver choose canned wet food for individuals who prefer to give their felines canned wet food rather than dry kibble.

These mixes contain much fewer carbs than any of the dry foods, despite being mostly water.

With 78% moisture, 10% protein, and 9% crude fat, there’s just 3% left for carbohydrates, and since fiber accounts for 1% of this blend, only 2% can be other carbs.

When you look at the ingredients list, you’ll see that animal-based components continue to dominate. Turkey, turkey broth, and turkey liver are the first three ingredients, followed by natural taste.

Despite the fact that it contains animal-based ingredients, this blend contains less taurine and essential fatty acids than Nutrisource dry cat meals.

Pros

• Carbohydrate content is really low.
• Made mostly with animal-derived components

Cons

• Taurine and essential fatty acids levels are lower.
• It’s primarily water.

 

Grain-Free Lamb & Lamb Liver Select Canned Food NutriSource
 

This recipe is substantially more moist as a wet food formula than the prior dry food. As a result, it is more likely to aid your cat’s hydration.

The first two components in this recipe are two high-quality sources of animal protein. Even better, they come from the same source – lamb.

This, paired with the formula’s minimal ingredient list, makes it an excellent alternative for cats with food allergies. It contains salmon oil, however it should not cause seafood allergies.

While this meal is high in protein and healthy fats, it includes a few extraneous plant elements. However, the total carbohydrate content remains low, at less than 5% when fed.

Pros

• Made with a single high-quality animal protein source
• Salmon oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.
• A short list of main elements that are easily digested
• Contains the moisture your cat requires to stay hydrated.

Cons

• Some unneeded plant components are included.

 

Dry Cat Food NutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Salmon & Peas
 

This recipe, which is part of NutriSource’s PureVita product line, has a short list of main components and only one source of animal protein.

Fresh salmon and salmon meal are both excellent sources of animal protein. Regrettably, the next seven ingredients are all plant-based. A concentrated supply of plant protein and various starchy components are included.

It’s not surprising to see a high carbohydrate content in a dry diet. Nonetheless, I prefer recipes with less than 20% total carbs, preferably less than 10%. As fed, this recipe includes approximately 30% carbohydrates.

This dish, like the previous dry food, incorporates probiotics for digestive support. What’s troubling is that the total fiber content is higher than the preceding 5%.

Cats have no nutritional need for dietary fiber, thus keep it to less than 3% in cat food. This formula’s high fiber content may cause stomach difficulties in certain cats.

Overall, this meal contains a good amount of protein, though it’s difficult to identify how much of it comes from plant sources.

The fat content is adequate as well, however it appears to be derived entirely from plant sources such as sunflower oil.

Pros

• As the first ingredients, there are two animal-based protein sources.
• Probiotics are added to help healthy digestion.
• Free of any artificial additives, grains, and fillers.

Cons

• This product is a concentrated amount of plant protein.
• A significant quantity of plant elements, as well as a high carbohydrate content
• No dry food contains the moisture that your cat requires.

What Other Users Have to Say

We’ve had a lot of experience with this meal and have noticed how many cats react to it. We’ve formed our own ideas regarding Nutrisource cat food in that period. That being said, we recognize that ours aren’t the most important.

In order to provide you with as much information on Nutrisource cat chow as possible, we looked through Amazon reviews to see what other cat owners who had firsthand experience with it thought of it.

The vast majority of Nutrisource product reviews were good. Cat owners noticed a range of immediate advantages, including less vomiting and loose stools and shinier, softer coats.

While the majority of customers stated that their picky feline eaters appreciated this meal, a few stated that their cats refused to eat it.

Click here to read more reviews on the Chicken and Rice Formula Dry Cat Food.

Follow this link to read more reviews on the Salmon and Liver Formula Dry Cat Food.

Nutrisource cat food performed similarly well on Chewy:

“My cats and kittens absolutely adore this food!” It has no maize, soy, or wheat, and the poos are all solid. I am overjoyed to have discovered a high-quality product on which I can trust! This is also the brand I use for my pets! They don’t need to eat as much to be full, and they all have sleek, shining coats and are really healthy!”

Check out this page for more NutriSource Cat & Kitten Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food reviews.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a premium cat food that you can trust with your cat’s health and don’t mind paying a little more than you would for cheap meals from a big box store, Nutrisource is a brand worth investigating.

After examining and testing all of the best cat foods from Nutrisource listed above, we recommend Dry Cat Food Nutrisource Chicken and Rice Formula and Dry Cat Food Nutrisource PureVita Grain Free Chicken Entrée as the two most prominent and dependable products for your consideration.

They use high-quality ingredients and no cheap fillers to provide cats with the nourishment they require.

As a result, many cats appear to absorb Nutrisource food far more easily than they do other brands.

Overall, BestForPets (bestforpets.org) believes it is a terrific choice that is well worth the somewhat higher price.