A few weeks ago we received a bag of this Salmon Recipe, grain- and potato-free food by Nutrisca®. The folks at Catswell® asked the kitties to try it and let Catswell know their thoughts.
Here’s what the company has to say about this dry food.
- Rated 9-10 on the Gylcemic Index (<55 is considered low glycemic)
- each recipe is formulated with protein sourced from a single category (such as poultry or fish) to help with food sensitivities
- Low in carbohydrates to align with a carnivore’s diet: No grains, potatoes, gluten, corn, wheat or soy
- Antioxidant-rich ingredients such as Vitamin A and E help maintain a healthy immune system
- With cranberries to maintain urinary tract health
- Natural with added vitamins and chelated minerals
As the purchaser, all of this sounds so healthy and good for my kitties. And the food is made in the USA, which I like. However, the felines can’t read and only know if they like the way their food tastes.
Let me start by saying, all of our cats eat only two things: Purina® Cat Chow® and Purina Friskies® Ocean White Fish and Tuna Classic Pate. They do not get any people food. We have tried other flavors of the Friskies, and the current one is the only flavor that most of them will eat. Fiona and Giulietta will often not eat any canned food, and on other occasions, they will take of few bites. The remainder gobble up the Friskies. Each gets 1/8 of a small can twice each day.
With the idea of maybe finding something that Fiona, especially, would like, I filled the upstairs cat bowl with the Nutrisca while leaving the Purina in their downstairs bowl. I believed it wouldn’t be a fair test if only the Nutrisca was available. They had to have a choice.
Usually I fill their upstairs bowl at night prior to bedtime, and it is nearly empty every morning. With the Nutrisca, this has not been the case. Usually in the morning, I find that very little has been eaten.
I have observed Lily Olivia, Misty May and Astrid eating the Nutrisca. Lily has a hard time keeping it in her mouth as the pellets are quite small (about the size of a pea at 3/8″ across) and she only has one upper fang. She has remained persistent, however, even when she has had to pick the same piece up a few times. Misty May and Astrid have not had this same problem.
So of the eight cats, three will eat it. That means the success rate for the Nutrisca, at least in our household, is 37.5 percent. I would have liked that to be higher as this food seems as if it would be a healthy option for all the kitties, from 15-year-old Lily Olivia down to one-year-old Calista Jo. But with only three liking it, I would not purchase this food.
I was sent a four-pound bag to try. On-line at CATSWELL and Chewy.com, the cost for that is $12.99. The cost for the 13-pound bag is $33.99. At Petflow.com the cost per bag was $15.99 and $37.99. For us, even the lower price would not be cost effective if only three cats out of eight will eat it.
Disclaimer: I thank CATSWELL® for the opportunity for the kitties to try and and me to review Nutrisca® Salmon Recipe dry food for cats. I was not compensated (other than receiving one four-pound bag of the product) for this review, and the opinions expressed are mine exclusively.
I’m going to bookmark your site along with preserve looking for brand spanking new information
We are three very picky eaters 🙂
I used to be a really picky eater but lately I’ve been a little more eclectic! I won’t eat the “premium” wet foods (I like Fancy Feast and Whiskas) but I will go for the fancy-dancy dry stuff–right now I’m on a Royal Canin streak. You just never know!
How bittersweet that Abby won. Concats to her Mom and Marg. We’re not big fans of a dry diet. Recently we read an article which confirmed our suspicions. Even though my fave wet food is Fancy Feast Grilled Tuna, TW makes sure I eat other foods as a precaution in case there’s ever a recall or something. Back in the olden days, Faith would only eat one thing and if the store didn’t have any, Grandma would panic.
That was an honest review. Between the 3 of us, we don’t always like the same foods either.
whoa..smoke de salmon N flip it on de grill guys…we can post on YUR blog again !!!
thanx for de ree view on de foodz…we all ways enjoy an honest oh pinion on stuff….
N ya gotta try …gotta try…classic seafood entree…pate … friskies….. ore marinerz catch ore sea capn’s…..
it bee seer ee iz lee good:)
manee conga rats two marg N crew N abby N crew…we noe both familieez R gonna loves de book 🙂 ~~~~~~~~
Concats to your winners! What nice people they both are with such wonderful kitties. You couldn’t have had better winners!
I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t care for it. I have all my teefs but I prefer smaller sizes. xoxoxox
Well, when it comes to food you just never know til you try! Congrats to Marg & Abby!
It was very nice of them to offer it to you to try.
I having had a very bad experience with Catswell and still trying to get my cat back to good health after it would have turned them down. I am surprised their food is made in the US but their treats are made in China. Maybe their newest recall will help them realize it is not good business to make cat food items out of the country.
Hmmm. Seems rather expensive even for a boutique food.
Congrats to Abby and Marg
Purrs
You are so nice to have such great contests. Congratulations to the winners!
Concats to the winners of the books……and thanks for an honest review of the cat food. We’ve tried so many different foods with Sam and he just isn’t amenable to change for one thing, but has always been VERY selective PERIOD with his food choices. Some foods may be a whole lot better for our cats but if they won’t eat them – what’s a Cat Mom to do?! 😀
Pam
Concats to the winners. The food looks really tasty. But we think you’re missing out on not getting any human food. Trust us, cupcakes are totally worth it.
Oh yum, that looks nice! And it’s great to see things made in the USA and grain free. I wonder if we’ll get this brand out here?
You guys are picky! I bet we’d ALL eat this food!
Well done to the winners. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
After the Catswell and Dogswell jerky recalls (made in China), I am glad to read that Nutrisca is made in the USA.
Congratulations to Marg and Abby on winning the book!