With a variety of cat food in the market, one brand you can choose is Rachael Ray. But it would also be best to consider certain ingredients like grains before feeding your cat. We have done the research so you'll find out if Rachael Ray cat food is grain-free.
Rachael Ray formulated a grain-free line of dry and wet cat food. Grains like rice, wheat, and corn can cause digestive problems to cats with food sensitivities. Instead of grains, the cat food formula includes carbohydrates like potatoes or peas. Hence, your cat can get a complete and balanced diet.
Aside from being grain-free, the cat food is also free from gluten and filler ingredients. If you want to make a switch from your regular kibbles to zero grain, you can always consult your vet. Read further to learn more about grain-free cat food.
Why Is Grain-Free Cat Food Good For Cats?
Cats are natural carnivores and should have a high protein and less carbohydrate diet. Generally, grain-free diets for cats are not harmful. Cats can still eat grains, but too much carbohydrate is harmful to felines.
Also, take note that cats can have grain allergies. You can have your cat diagnosed through series of tests before feeding them. The usual allergic reactions of cats to grains include hair loss, digestive problems, or itchy skin.
If you want to keep your cats healthy, it is best to select cat food suitable for them.
Is Rachael Ray Cat Food Healthy For Cats?
Celebrity chef Rachael Ray and Ainsworth Pet Nutrition ventured into creating nutritional pet food in 2008. The company started with dog food, then eventually made another line for cats. There was also a subsequent acquisition by J.M. Smucker to help the brand gain its position in the pet food market.
Their wide range of Nutrish wet and dry cat food caters to the needs and preferences of most cats. If you want to switch to healthier alternatives, you can choose Rachael Ray cat food.
There is no specific age marketed for their cat food. Hence, there are no particular formulas for kittens and senior cats. You can feed your cats their Longevity line at all stages of their cat life. For kittens, you cannot feed them the Nutrish Indoor Complete Cat Food.
If you have cats allergic to grains like corn, wheat, and soy, the Zero Grain line is a great choice. There is nothing to worry about the carbohydrate needs of your cat. Their cat food replaces grains with potatoes, peas, or tapioca.
Below are some benefits your felines can get from Rachael Ray cat food:
- Well-balanced and complete diet
- Promoting healthy digestion
- Live probiotics
- Vitamins and minerals
- No artificial additives and preservatives
- Good for sensitive tummies
For more information on caloric content, read through this post: How Many Calories In Rachael Ray Cat Food?
What Are The Ingredients In Rachael Ray Cat Food?
When choosing the right cat food, you have to be keen on the ingredients. Especially if your cats are picky eaters or taking some medications, you have to follow their preferences. With quality and natural ingredients, your cats can enjoy safe and delicious meals.
We have listed here some ingredients of Rachael Ray cat food:
- Real meat (like chicken or beef)
- Fish (tuna, salmon, and other seafood)
- Corn gluten meal
- Veggies (pumpkin, peas, spinach, lentils, carrots, potatoes, beet pulp)
- Fruits (cranberries)
- Flaxseed
- Dried dandelion
You can also refer to the ingredients glossary from the Rachael Ray website. It would be best if you ask your vet if you need to avoid specific ingredients.
Is Rachael Ray Nutrish A Good Cat Food?
The Rachael Ray Nutrish cat food line started in 2014 with both wet and dry varieties. The brand claims that Nutrish is so nutritious because of the natural and simple cat food recipe. Your cats can get the nutrients they need with the essential vitamins and minerals included in their formula.
Nutrish states that their cat food recipes follow the Association of American Feed Control Officials' nutrient profiles for cats. You can check if the packaging has an "all life stages" marking. The label means that you can feed the cat food for kittens to senior cats.
If you are unsure of what to feed your cats, you can always consult your vet if you can include Nutrish in your cats' diet.
Are There Any Recalls On Rachael Ray Cat Food?
There was one recall last June 2015 for five varieties of Rachael Ray Nutrish wet cat food.
In the case, there were 11 reports linked to the recalled cat food. In the investigation, the products have high levels of vitamin D. This was due to the choice of fish in the cat food formula. Vitamin D is essential to regulate calcium and phosphorus in cats. If your cats ingested too much, it would cause health issues.
According to Petful, there were controversies about the Nutrish products. In 2018, there were allegations that Nutrish contains glyphosate, a herbicide that causes pet cancer. The court dismissed the lawsuit twice. In 2019, the US FDA identified Nutrish as one of the 16 pet food brands associated with heart disease.
Ainsworth addressed to the public that they had already implemented quality control procedures. Since then, there has been no recall or lawsuit against Rachael Ray cat food.
Is Rachael Ray Dry Cat Food Safe?
Rachael Ray's dry cat food is safe. The brand uses high-quality ingredients from trusted suppliers. The company complies with the Pet Food Industry (PFI) best practices for food safety and quality assurance. There are also independent third-party audits that assess manufacturing in their production facilities.
Rachael Ray offers a variety of dry cat food that includes Peak Ultra Premium, Super Premium, and Zero Grain product lines. The first few ingredients you can see are the proteins like chicken, beef, or fish. The dry cat food formula also includes essential supplements like taurine, which is critical for cat growth.
In terms of kibble size, Rachael Ray dry cat food line is smaller compared to other brands. Hence, your cats can easily chew and swallow their food. The dry food formula is crispy and crunchy that your cat's unique palate will love.
If you want to moisten Nutrish dry cat food, you can try mixing 2 cups of Rachael Ray Nutrish with 1/4 cup of water. Refer to the feeding instructions on each packaging to feed the dry cat food to your kittens.
What Ingredients In Cat Food Are Bad For Cats?
Even if cat food is a good treat for your cats, you should also be aware of any harmful ingredients. There can be artificial fillers that are toxic, indigestible, or even carcinogenic. Regardless of the brand, it is best to do thorough research before buying.
Check the following ingredients of commercial cat food that can be bad for your cats:
- Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
- Carrageenan
- Caramel
- Cellulose
- Dextrose and glucose
- Garlic and onions
- Glyceryl monostearate
- Iron oxide
- Meat & poultry bone meal and by-products
- Food coloring (red, yellow, and blue)
- Sodium nitrite
- Sodium tripolyphosphate
- Titanium dioxide
- Wheat gluten
- Rice
- Soy
The list might overwhelm you, but you have to keep your cat healthy. The complex formulations of cat food can cause hyperactivity, weight gain, and other illnesses. Giving your cat safe and nutritious food should always be a priority. Also, never compromise price with the quality of cat food you feed.
Aside from the ingredients, check if your pet food has a "human-grade" label. That means the processing involves more regulations and quality controls. On the contrary, feed-grade pet food would include by-products, fillers, and chemicals that could harm your cats.
You also have to look for a "Made in the USA" mark. Cat owners should be particular about the origin of the ingredients. Some countries may not have good practices when processing pet food.
In Closing
Rachael Ray has a line of grain-free wet and dry cat food. Removing grain in your cats' food can avoid digestive upsets and help your cats get a balanced diet. You can choose Rachael Ray if you are going for healthier cat food alternatives.
Even though Rachael Ray cat food is safe and nutritious, you always have to ask your vet for specific ingredients to avoid. As much as possible, check the cat food ingredients and labels before buying. After all, the safety and health of your cats should always be your priority.
You can read more about cat food articles from these previous posts:
Can I Put Catnip In My Cat's Food?
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