Earthborn Cat Food Review (9 Products)

Earthborn Cat Food Evaluation

Who manufactures Earthborn Cat Food and where is it manufactured?

Midwestern Pet Foods produces Earthborn Holistic Cat Food.

This pet food manufacturer was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, while the Earthborn Holistic dry pet foods are all made in Monmouth, Illinois.

All of the brand’s dry food lines are made in the United States, and many, but not all, of the ingredients are sourced there as well.

It is also worth noting that the wet food lines have been outsourced to US Pet Nutrition, a subsidiary of the Thai Union Group.

Protein from Meat

Cats are carnivores by nature. This means people eat meat out of necessity rather than choice.

Owners should feed their cats a diet mostly composed of meat to ensure that they receive the type of protein that they require.

When selecting for cat food, you should examine the protein source as well as the protein ratio.

A food may be 40% protein, but if almost all of that protein is derived from veggies and grains, it isn’t as helpful as a 30% protein snack derived entirely from lamb or another meat source.

Cat foods rarely specify how much protein comes from meat and how much comes from veggies, but the basic ingredients might help you figure out the likely ratios.

The basic ingredients in Earthborn Holistic cat foods vary by taste but include chicken protein, turkey protein, and fish-based proteins.

This implies that a significant amount of the protein is meat-based protein and that the diet is healthful for cats.

Protein from Vegetables

However, some of the foods do prioritize vegetable protein. Pea protein, for example, is listed as the third ingredient in the Primitive Feline food, following turkey meal and chicken meal.

Although the principal protein sources are both meat-based, pea protein should ideally appear further down the ingredient list.

The majority of the protein in this meal is still likely to come from meat, but the pea protein level is worth noting.

Grain-Free Eating

Except for one dish, all of Earthborn Holistic Cat Foods are grain-free. Cats are obligate carnivores, and grain makes up relatively little of their natural diet.

However, in the wild, they may consume a small amount of grain, and it is okay to give domestic cats a similar modest amount of grain.

Having said that, grain is an allergy, and certain cats may be allergic to it. Cats do not require grain as a species, so feeding them grain-free food can be advantageous.

Minerals with Chelation

Although Earthborn uses mostly natural substances, they do include some supplements.

These vitamins and minerals serve to replace the nutritional gaps left by the natural substances, and the ingredient list includes a list of vitamins and minerals.

It’s encouraging to see how many of these are chelated minerals. Chelated minerals have been linked to protein, making them easier for your cat to digest.

Chelated minerals are thought to be more bioavailable than unchelated minerals.

Probiotics

Dried fermentation products are another helpful variety of ingredients in Earthborn’s products.

These function as probiotics. Probiotics are useful not only to humans, but also to animals for many of the same reasons.

These beneficial bacteria help to maintain optimal gut health by fighting off harmful bacteria.

Because of their inclusion, your cat will be able to convert more of the food to energy and will be less likely to suffer from gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and vomiting.

An Overview of Earthborn Cat Food

Pros

• Contains high-quality protein derived from beef.
• Mineral chelated
• Protein levels are high.
• Probiotics are found in food.
• Dry food made in the United States

Cons

• Pea protein and other plant-based proteins are included.
• Not all substances are suitable for every species.

History of Recalls

Since December 2020, many complaints have been filed against Midwestern Pet Foods involving the Earthborn Holistic and SPORTMiX brands, which have been related to over 100 pet fatalities and other diseases. Aflatoxin, a mold that forms on kibble and might go undetected, was found in these pet treats.

Midwestern Pet Foods recalled their Earthborn Holistic and Sportmix cat food products in early 2021 due to the possibility of salmonella illness. Midwestern and Earthborn have only issued one recall.

Reviews

Natural Cat Food Earthborn Holistic Primitive Feline Grain-Free
 

Earthborn Holistic Primitive Feline Grain-Free Natural Cat Food contains no grains. Its main components are turkey meal and chicken meal.

Turkey and chicken meal are thought to be more nutritious versions of raw meat.

They have had the water and fat removed, thus they have a higher protein concentration and a reduced moisture content. Carnivores such as cats benefit from protein sources such as chicken and turkey.

The following component is pea. Although peas are a popular ingredient in dry cat food, we would prefer to see them farther down the list, especially since pea starch, pea protein, and pea fiber are also present.

This is referred to as ingredient splitting. If you combine these components, they may show even higher on the list than they do now, and may even overrun the meat ingredients at the very top of the ingredient list.

The components do contain chicken fat, which is high in fatty acids. Flaxseed contains omega-3 fatty acids but is not recommended for cats.

Vegetables and fruit are also included for antioxidants and vitamins. The dish has 40% protein, albeit it is probable that a significant portion of this protein is derived from the individual pea constituents.

Pros

• The basic ingredients are chicken and turkey meal.
• Ingredients that are grain-free
• There are no artificial ingredients.

Cons

• It contains peas and other pea-related substances.
• Flaxseed is not an excellent fatty acid source for cats.

 

Wet Cat Food Earthborn Holistic Monterey Medley
 

Monterey Medley is a fish broth with flaked fish. The principal ingredient in this diet is fish broth, which is thought to be good to cats. The following ingredients are skipjack tuna and mackerel.

Although we frequently connect cats with eating fish, it is not a particularly good food source for the animal. Thiamine, which cats require, is deficient in fish.

This has been added to the food and is mentioned as thiamine mononitrate in the ingredients, however you should avoid feeding cats fish too frequently.

Potatoes are also prominent on this food’s ingredient list, followed by sunflower oil. Neither of these substances is suitable for the species.

Cats would not eat these ingredients in the wild since they are high in glycemic index. Although sunflower oil is included as a healthy fat source, animal fat would have been a better choice.

Pros

• Derived from animal protein
• Ingredients derived from nature
• There are no hazardous substances.

Cons

• Fish is not good for cats.
• Several substances are species-inappropriate.

 

Adult Cat Food Earthborn Holistic Chicken Catcciatori Grain-Free
 

Earthborn Holistic Catcciatori cuisine is high in protein, which comes mostly from flesh animal sources, and has no artificial additives.

While it does contain potatoes and sunflower oil, its contents are usually thought to be of good quality and helpful to the species.

However, the dish is strong in carbs, thanks in part to the potato. This food’s key ingredients are chicken broth and chicken.

The next ingredient is potato, which cats rarely, if ever, consume as part of their natural diet.  The following ingredient is sunflower oil.

Similarly to potatoes, while this substance is not detrimental to cats and serves a legitimate purpose, it would be preferable if animal-based fats were included in this section of the ingredient list.

Pros

• Mostly makes use of meat-based proteins
• Protein-rich diet

Cons

• Ingredients such as potato are species-inappropriate.

 

Holistic Feline Vantage EARTHBORN
 

• Food Type: Dry
• Chicken meal, ground brown rice, pea protein, oatmeal, and dried egg product are the first five ingredients.
• Guaranteed Analysis: 36% protein minimum, 14% fat minimum, 5% fiber maximum, 10% moisture maximum
• Calories in a Cup: 415 kcal
• Price per pound or ounce: $2.07

This Feline Vantage recipe could be a wonderful alternative if you’re looking for a nutritious recipe for your cat and he doesn’t have any food allergies or sensitivities.

The first ingredient in this formula is chicken meal, which is a rich source of animal protein. Later on in the list, you’ll find more forms of animal protein such as dried egg, herring meal, salmon meal, and whitefish meal.

Remember that pea protein (a plant protein) is also listed.

This is not a grain-free dish, as it contains ground brown rice, oats, and ground barley. However, we do not believe that all grains are harmful.

Carbohydrates in your cat’s diet should come from digestible and nutritional sources, such as whole grains.

Other important components in this recipe include chicken fat, which is a good supply of vital fatty acids, and fresh fruits and vegetables, which are good suppliers of vitamins and minerals.

 

Holistic Wild Sea Catch by EARTHBORN
 

• Food Type: Dry
• Salmon meal, Pacific whiting meal, peas, pea protein, and pea starch are the first five ingredients.
• Guaranteed Analysis: 40% protein minimum, 18% fat minimum, 3% fiber maximum, 10% moisture maximum
• Calories in a Cup: 400 kcal per cup
• $2.29 per pound or ounce

This recipe, one of Earthborn’s most popular dry cat food formulae, contains a range of proteins, including salmon meal and pacific whiting meal. Eggs are also included on the ingredient list as an additional source of animal protein.

In addition to these animal proteins, pea protein is included. Pea protein is the fourth ingredient, yet peas are the third ingredient – there’s also pea starch. This is referred to as “ingredient splitting,” and it is something to look out for in pet food.

The ingredient lists for pet food are sorted by weight. Manufacturers can change their ranking on the list by dividing a single ingredient into many components.

Pea protein is separated from pea starch in this case, and both are mentioned separately from whole peas.

This makes determining how much of the overall protein composition in this formula originates from animal protein problematic.

Fortunately, two concentrated animal sources are at the top of the list.

 

EARTHBORN Catalina Catch Holistic Canned Food
 

• Food Type: Wet
• Mackerel, fish broth, shrimp, sunflower oil, natural tastes are the first five ingredients.
• 12% protein minimum, 2% fat minimum, 1.5% fiber maximum, 82% moisture maximum
• Calories per cup: 82 calories per can (3 oz.)
• Price per pound/ounce: $0.29

This recipe is packed with fish flavor and protein, using fresh mackerel and shrimp as the main ingredients. Fish broth adds some flavor as well as a good amount of moisture.

The predominant fat in this dish is sunflower oil. We prefer to see animal-based fats, but since the mackerel is fresh, we can assume it includes some fat as well.

Because fatty fish like mackerel are strong in omega-3s, the high omega-6 concentration of sunflower oil helps to balance things out.

This recipe includes additional vitamins and minerals, including chelated minerals. Chelated minerals are mineral supplements that have been chemically bonded to protein molecules, enhancing absorption and uptake.

 

Canned Food EARTHBORN Holistic RanchHouse Stew
 

• Food Type: Wet
• Beef broth, beef, dried egg product, poultry, and pumpkins are the first five ingredients.
• 8% protein minimum, 2% fat minimum, 1.5% fiber maximum, 83% moisture maximum
• Calories per cup: 138 calories per can (5.5 oz.)
• Price per pound/ounce: $0.29

This beef and chicken meal is ideal for cats who do not have dietary allergies or sensitivities. Fresh beef is the primary protein source, with chicken and fresh tuna as supplements.

Dried eggs and beef broth are also on the list for added taste and moisture.

Unlike the last recipe, this one includes pumpkins, potatoes, and carrots as supplementary carbohydrate sources. All of them are healthy components, yet they are heavy in starch.

This formula’s estimated carb level is less than 3%, thus it’s still a protein-rich dish.

 

Holistic Fin & Fowl Moist Food Pouch from EARTHBORN
 

• Food Type: Moist
• Tuna, tuna broth, chicken, tapioca, and sunflower oil are the first five ingredients.
• 12% protein minimum, 2% fat minimum, 1.5% fiber maximum, 82% moisture maximum
• Calories in a Cup: 69 kcal per pouch (3 oz.)
• Price per pound/ounce: $0.33

This wet food mix, made with fresh tuna and chicken, is low in carbs and strong in protein. Tapioca is the main carbohydrate element, however celery appears later on the list.

This recipe’s estimated carbohydrate content is extremely low; tapioca may be used primarily as a thickening in this mix. Tapioca is gluten-free because it is produced from cassava root.

In addition to these nutrients, our formula includes sunflower oil and vitamins and minerals to provide your cat with a comprehensive and balanced diet.

What Other Users Have to Say

What others are saying about Earthborn Holistic cat food:

“They have an unrivaled reputation for exceptional quality control and safety,” according to AllAboutCats.

KittyCatter — “To put it simply, you can feel comfortable about feeding any of Earthborn Holistic’s products to your cat.”

Amazon.com — Check out Amazon reviews from other cat owners and real Earthborn Holistic cat food customers here.

FAQs

How Much Is Earthborn Cat Food?

Earthborn Holistic is priced comparable to other natural, holistic, or organic brands.

Earthborn Holistic wet cat food would cost roughly $3.87 per day based on the company’s feeding suggestions for a 10-pound cat. The cost of Earthborn Holistic dry food would be closer to $0.35 per day.

Is Earthborn a Good Option in General?

Earthborn Holistic is one of the market’s most reliable brands. Their parent firm has been producing pet food for almost 70 years with no recalls. Their items receive mostly positive feedback, and most clients report their cats adore them.

Their dry feeds are manufactured without a by-product slurry and have a lower carbohydrate content than other brands. Their moist food is less appealing.

Most of their wet recipes have a high carbohydrate content when compared to other dishes, especially those at the similar pricing point.

Earthborn Holistic meals may not meet the most exacting carnivorous requirements, but they have an unrivaled reputation for exceptional quality control and safety.

Where Can I Buy Earthborn Cat Food?

Earthborn Holistic is available in pet specialty stores and online. Heartypet, PetFlow, Chewy, and other cat food suppliers sell their products online.

Conclusion

Earthborn Holistic has a limited selection of dry food and a larger assortment of wet food. They use natural ingredients, and the primary constituents in their cuisine are animal protein sources.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) believes that Natural Cat Food Earthborn Holistic Primitive Feline Grain-Free and Adult Cat Food Earthborn Holistic Chicken Catcciatori Grain-Free are the two most important and reliable products in the Earthborn cat food review. 

Despite the fact that many of their diets contain species-inappropriate ingredients, none are considered unsafe or potentially toxic.

The presence of probiotics and chelated minerals in their dry variety, which is manufactured in the United States, is a plus, as is the fact that no of the company’s food has ever been recalled.