Because they said so?

But they said it's a myth?

Taken directly from the Purina Pro website

Purina says -

Grain-free diets are healthier.
It’s a myth
Many pet owners believe that grain-free pet foods are easier to digest, provide pets with better nutrition and are less likely to cause allergies than pet foods containing grain.

-Purina 

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I will colour my comments in blue -I would not want anyone to think this is something I would ever say.

Information that I will link from other sites will appear in Brown and Green
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I am one of those silly pet owners that believe in the grain free hype.

Can they change my mind?

......highly unlikely.

But let's pretend that I know nothing about pet food or cats in general. 

I will read what everyone has to say , look at their research and figure out fact from fiction.

*******
Properly processed grains are highly digestible.

• While uncooked grains are poorly digested by dogs and cats, (In general - Uncooked grains are poorly digested by everyone. Grains are made to last from season to season - they have evolved to last this way. So they have to be soaked and allowed to sprout or cracked, flaked, popped, puffed or ground.)  properly cooked grains in pet foods are highly digestible.   

 But are they meant to fed in high quantities to Fido and Fluffy?

"In the wild, your cat would be eating a high protein, high-moisture, meat/organ-based diet, with a moderate level of fat and with only  approximately 1-2 percent of her diet consisting of carbohydrates. The average dry food contains 35-50 percent carbohydrate calories.  Some of the cheaper dry foods contain even higher levels."
-Catinfo

• Dogs and cats can digest the carbohydrates from grains with an efficiency of greater than 90%

Good for them - should they?
Because there is a certain enzyme which Cats and Dogs actually lack -Amylase in their Saliva - This enzyme aids in the digestion of Carbohydrates  

 

 'During digestion, carbohydrates start out as polysaccharides, which are large starch molecules that are broken down into disaccharides, which are two, linked-sugar molecules. Disaccharides are then further broken down into even smaller simple sugars, known as monosaccharides that are then absorbed into the blood so that the body can then use them.'

When you start chewing,(cats tend to inhale their dry food) food is mechanically broken down into smaller pieces. You also produce saliva, which contains amylase that mixes with your food ( But Fluffy can not do this part). Amylase is a digestive enzyme that chewing activates and which hydrolyzes or breaks downs starch into monosaccharides. Amylase breaks down starch in your mouth into a maltose, a disaccharide, which is made up of two glucose molecules. 

-Role of Amylase in Digestion

 "Most mammals produce amylase in the saliva, but dogs and cats do not. This reflects their expected diet of meat and organs from prey. Herbivores and omnivores have flat molars that crush and chew food, but the carnivore’s dentition is perfectly designed to capture and kill prey, and to rip and tear meat from bone. Carnivores don’t spend much time chewing; nor do they consume many carbohydrates, so there is no need for amylase in the mouth." 

 -Digestive Enzymes 

 

 

 Diets containing grains provide excellent nutrition.
In general yes - For Fluffy and Fido? No

• Grains are carbohydrates, which are an important source of energy.

That's fantastic, if only our pets could use them for that.

• Grains also contain fiber, which supports gastrointestinal health and decreases the total fat and calories in a diet.

Fiber is good

• Essential fatty acids and other nutrients in grains contribute to a healthy skin and coat.
• Concentrated protein sources from grains, such as corn gluten meal, can be highly digestible sources of many essential amino acids

Cats do not have a dietary requirement for carbohydrates.  The metabolic requirement for glucose in the cat is derived from protein (glucogenic amino acids) and fat (glycerol).  Cats are adapted to a protein- fat-rich, carbohydrate-poor diet. -Feline Nutrition 


Grains are unlikely to cause allergies.

• Less than 1% of dogs are sensitive to grains.

How do you know that? seriously when was this study done? can I see it?

• True food allergies are caused by immune reactions to proteins in the diet.

I agree - and you must know that your grains and plants also contain protein

• Allergies to proteins in grains can occur, but are far less common than allergies to other protein sources, such as beef or dairy.

It seems as though the current knowledge on allergies is lacking. If a vet gives bag of 'hypoallergenic' pet food - chances are that if it was a food allergy it will go away.

This is because they hydrolyze the protein - basically they break it down till it can not produce any sort of immune reaction.  ******
Here is Purina HA dry cat food ingreidents 

Rice starch, hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, partially hydrogenated canola oil preserved with TBHQ, hydrolyzed chicken liver, tricalcium phosphate, powdered cellulose, corn oil, hydrolyzed chicken, sodium bisulfate, DL-Methionine, potassium chloride, choline chloride, tetra sodium pyrophosphate, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, phosphoric acid, salt, guar gum, taurine, lecithin, magnesium oxide, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, manganese sulfate, niacin, calcium carbonate, citric acid, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, BHA (a preservative), riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite.

 

 

 

 Here is Royal Canin Hypoallergenic dry cat food ingredients

Brewer's Rice, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavors, Powdered Cellulose, Vegetable Oil, Dried Beet Pulp, Monocalcium Phosphate (source Of Vitamin C), Fish Oil, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Fructooligosaccharides, Sodium Silico Aluminate, Salt, Taurine, DL-alpha Tocopherol Acetate (source Of Vitamin E), Inositol, Niacin Supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, D-calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (vitamin B6), Riboflavin Supplement (vitamin B2), Thiamine Mononitrate (vitamin B1), Vitamin A Acetate, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Choline Chloride, DL-methionine, Marigold Extract (Tagetes Erecta L.), Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite And Rosemary Extract (preserved With Natural Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid)

                                                   

 

                        

   Here is Science Diet ZD dry cat food ingredients

 Brewers Rice, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Hydrolyzed Chicken, Soybean Oil, Powdered Cellulose, Lactic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Sulfate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Potassium Chloride, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement , Folic Acid), Taurine, Iodized Salt, Dicalcium Phosphate, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Beta-Carotene, Natural Flavors.

 

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Your pet can not live off of those diets. 

Those companies are making money off of your animals needs - needs that are more than likely caused by foods like theirs in the first place. 

I do not believe any of these foods to be a good option. 

There are other options.

Limited Ingredient Foods can give you a good start in finding a culprit  - btw if your pet does well on those food you can stay on them! 

Stop messing around with your pets health. 

 

It is very hard for me to believe anything that Purina has to say. 

If they did not profit so highly off of their grain filled foods - then maybe I would start to listen.

If feeding a good grain free high meat protein from a named source was cheap then chances are everyone would be on the grain free train. 

But it's not.

It may even be cheaper to create a anti grain free propaganda based website ...

Just saying...

As always - these are just my opinions - it is important to not believe everything you read - think about what that person has to profit off of what they are saying?

What do I have to profit?..well it does give me a warm fuzzy feeling to think an animal may suffer less because someone read a post of mine - decided to do their own reading and found a way for Fluffy and Fido to feel better in less time...with less undue stress on their bodies. 

Pet Food Ingredients - Name Continued

Names continued - 

d/d- Skin Support ( darn, I wanted to say designated dumbass)

Duck & Green Pea formula - Feline

Ingredients -

Ground Yellow Peas, Pea Protein Concentrate, Duck, Ground Green Peas, Pork Fat, Powdered Cellulose, Calcium Sulfate, Chicken Liver Flavor, Fish Oil, Lactic Acid, Choline Chloride, DL -Methionine, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Glyceryl Monostearate, Iodized Salt, Potassium Sulfate, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement , Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Dicalcium Phosphate, Cysteine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Phosphoric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Natural Flavor.

• Highly digestible single intact animal protein source and single carbohydrate source to help avoid common food sensitivities
• High levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that help nourish the skin and coat
• Combination of antioxidants helps maintain a healthy immune system and skin barrier function
• Two different novel protein sources to provide more choices in managing food sensitivity

Interesting points - kinda sorta full of crap..but interesting. 

A cats digestive system is not designed to deal with peas, pea protein, yellow or green. 
A cat in the wild will never be caught hunting a legume. 

If it wasn't hard enough to digest, they added powdered cellulose.
Cats also lack the need to hunt a Pine Tree. 

I do not see the reasoning behind it's use in regards to this food. 

Let's see if I can find something I like better...

Natural Balance - Green pea & Duck

We use to use this when we had cats with sensitive stomachs.

Ingredients - 

Peas, Duck, Duck Meal, Pea Protein, Canola Oil, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Taurine, DL-methionine, Natural Mixed Tocopherols, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Folic Acid.

• I still am not a fan of the Pea - it isn't normal for a cat to eat. 

• The Canola Oil  - although some do not like it - has vitamin e, omega 3 - these would be beneficial for the skin.

If you have a cat suffering from skin allergies - you may not need a prescription diet to fix the problem. 

• You will have to do your homework - find a food that has limited ingredients - high quality protein and very little grain - or Grain Free!

Avoid foods known to have high histamine levels  - such as fish and processed meats.

You need to trust your brand. Trust they are sourcing their meats from a reliable and responsible company. 

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e/d- No Food Name - I suggest Feline/Canine Eating Disorders - they exist! Just think of the money they could make off of Bulimic Cats! Or Pica, that would probably be very profitable in dogs.

Eating Disorders are not to be taken as a joke, it is very possible some animals have a psychological aspect to why they over eat or restrict.

That would make for an interesting post.
*****************

f/d- No Food Name - I suggest Fad or Fake or Fraud Diet....wait, it may already exist.

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g/d- Early Cardiac Healthy Aging

Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Pork Fat, Chicken By-Product Meal, Soybean Mill Run, Pork Protein Isolate, Lactic Acid, Chicken Liver Flavor, Calcium Sulfate, Fish Meal, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Citrate, Natural Flavor, DL-Methionine, Iodized Salt, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Phosphoric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors.

• Reduced phosphorus to minimize stress on aging kidneys
• Reduced sodium to help maintain normal blood pressure
• Optimal fat levels to reduce pancreatic workload
• Added taurine to help maintain normal heart muscle function

So a senior kitty cat food?
Fluffy will be so happy.

What do senior cats need?

• Lower protein

• Lower Fat

As stated above- 

• Reduced phosohorus & sodium. 

They tend to lose a bit of their senses as they age - not just random meowing at the top of the stairs because - well I have no idea. ( Cubby will not divulge that information)

• Taste and Smell - Since they have basically evolved to trust their senses, this may be one of the reasons an old cat will suddenly shun their food.

Teeth - if they still have them - if not then texture is even more important. 



This one was a bit harder than I anticipated. Probably because I was looking for a Senior food - and not just food. 

I should just look for food. 
As I have said before, in the wild there are no mice marked kitten, adult, and senior. 

A high quality food with a medium amount of protein, stick to your lean meats. 
Grain free is still best, if not grain free then at least corn free.

Wet food is a fantastic option - teeth or no teeth.

Instead of totally changing your current food - try different version of the same. 

pate, chunks, shredded, cubed, flaked. 

If the idea is just to get your senior cat to eat - mix the good with the meowchow - trick the old fur faces with the cat version of cheese on broccoli.

That only worked with me once.  

Pet Food Ingredients - M - Myth Busting Buster

M

Myth Busting Buster ( This may be a bunch of posts )
 

First I would like to address the Myth or Fact? section on the Purina web sites.

This irks the crap out of me!


In this post we shall talk about my old friend - Corn
I really am sick of researching corn, I may start getting attacked by corn in my dreams. 
A whole new version of Children of the Corn.
 
What they state :

 

"Corn is an excellent source of many nutrients." 

 

So is excrement

 

"Corn gluten meal is highly digestible."

 

 An iphone may be digested if it is rendered into a powder form.

"Corn is not a common cause of allergies."   

 

Since the reaction if a corn allergy tends to be itching and scratching, and a vet would probably suggest a 'hypoallergenic diet'

So lets take a look at Purina HA- Hypoallergenic Feline Formula

If you guys love corn so much, then why is there only corn oil in your HA food? and it's the seventh ingredient on the list. 

Why not make it second or third like your Cat Chow?

 

"Corn does not appear on the list of most common food allergies in dogs or cats."

Here

Here

Here

Here

"Corn is a high-quality ingredient."  

 

In Corn Flakes & Corn Starch

If it is such a 'high quality ingredient' why is it used in almost all low quality, low cost pet food? 

How does a company stay afloat putting such 'high quality' foods into their $5.99 bags of Cat Chow?

If corn is  such a good thing then why are you making some of your Pro Plan line - Corn Free?

 

"There are five grades of corn quality according to the USDA; grades 1 and 2 are traditionally used in human food products."

"Purina's standard for all of its pet foods is grades 1 and 2"

 

You do realize that humans have a hard time digesting corn right? 

Even top grade AAA corn is still corn. 

The point is, I think corn sucks. 

Cats don't need it.

I swear, it's like you guys buy corn by the bushel or something. 

 

At under $ 4.00 a bushel and $157.00 a metric Ton - You guys might be on to something. 

With the price of Beef rising and the price of Corn dropping...It would be silly to buy a lot of that meat type stuff.

Corn, because we like money.