#1
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What's 'ash' in pet food?
I've noticed from buying so many different holistic brands that the erm, nutrition label things will vary. There's a a couple things I don't understand, but 'ash' is at the top of my list. I just searched it on google and on here, and still really don't understand it.
My cats are on Blue Buffalo Wilderness for their 'main' dry diet but I supplement with whatever I feel like buying (Evo mostly, Before Grain and Halo sometimes too). The bag says Ash 7.0% min Is that good or bad or what? Is it only in dry food or is it in wet food? I never noticed it on wet food. Why are pet food labels so darn hard to understand?!! I spend a ton of time reading all those articles you guys post on how to read them and still get confused. Thanks much for any answers.. might not be back online tomorrow but will still check in asap.
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My cat is smarter than your honor student. Stop Dog Fighting ~ Neuter Mike Vick! ~ RIP Timmy ~ May 2009 - November 6th 2009 |
#2
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Ash is the total mineral content of a pet food, and all kibble contains it. Some are lower, some higher, but it is neccesary as it is minerals
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#3
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Min 7% is in line with Orijen, alittle higher than Wellness and less than Evo, the higher the meat content the higher the ash level is going to be.
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Avoid biting when a simple growl will do The Spirit Lives As Long As Someone Who Lives Remembers You - Navaho Saying |
#4
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#5
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This is why the Grain Free High protein high fat foods have higher ash values. Although meat does have higher minerals, meal is inclusive of bones, and this also contributes significantly to the ash content.
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#6
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Oh, so I guess that's why I never noticed it on regular brands like Friskies and Meow Mix before... because there's not meat in those XD
So, 7% is good I guess? Blue Buffalo claims "LifeSource Bits contain a precise blend of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists. These include ingredients that have been shown to help strengthen your cat’s immune system, support her specific life stage requirements and protect her from the negative impact of environmental toxins. And, unlike other brands that add vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, LifeSource Bits are “cold–formed” to preserve their full potency." So since they are 'cold formed' doesn't that mean there should be less ash? I never really understood the cold formed thing anyways, I think they don't actually cook their kibble and sort of freeze it raw. If that's possible.
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My cat is smarter than your honor student. Stop Dog Fighting ~ Neuter Mike Vick! ~ RIP Timmy ~ May 2009 - November 6th 2009 |
#7
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7% is neither good nor bad. This % is just the mineral content, and a higher or low level is generally doesn't mean anything. Except in the case where cats may need to be magnesium restricted ( and you need to look at magnesium specifically), or phosphorus restricted this number is just a number.
I am not sure what Blue Buffalo is saying as they have added chelated minerals in the ingredient profile, so I am not clear as to what they are saying regarding "unlike other brands that add vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, LifeSource Bits are “cold–formed” to preserve their full potency." Maybe someone else will have a look at that, or I am looking at the wrong food? |
#8
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Magnesium has to do with urinary health right? Or is that something else.
I'm basically trying to make sure all my cats are getting everything they need. They are all between 9 months and 2 and a half years. None of them have any problems other then Jack has FHV-1 but that's not related to food. I've read about urinary PH has to do with something else, and cats can get UTI's if they have too much of something. And I think at one point I read too much ash = UTI's. I really just don't understand how to read the Guaranteed Analysis XD I bought some Aunt Jeni's Home Made stuff today and it's defrosting now.... so I suppose it's okay to feed them regular kibble, canned food and raw food right? A variety would be good to keep them all healthy right? I'm glad this site's around, or else I'd still be feeding my cats Friskies and Whiskas and thinking wet food made their teeth rot (my grandmom still insists that's true!)
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My cat is smarter than your honor student. Stop Dog Fighting ~ Neuter Mike Vick! ~ RIP Timmy ~ May 2009 - November 6th 2009 |
#9
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Quote:
http://maxshouse.com/feline_nutrition.htm Quote:
__________________
"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler |
#10
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Ohhhhh I almost totally get it now. All my cats are dudes as far as I know (the kittens all appear to be male).. I only have Missy, Three Legged Missy and Socks that are female. Last time I was at the vets for Socks, Missy and Kasey getting a check up, the vet said I have to make sure that their food is approved for urinary tract health. I was like.... uhhh it has cranberries does that count? And he asked what I was feeding them and like most vets, had no idea what I was talking about He's a good vet otherwise though, but still into Purina and Science Diet.
Blue says: Magnesium 0.10% min I'm pretty much understanding the idea, and it seems like I'm doing everything right. My mom says that when a male cat gets a UTI that it's horrible. My one male cat doesn't eat wet food and will only eat dry food, but he drinks a normal amount of water so I suppose thats good enough. And while I'm here, is it possible to over dose a cat on Taurine? They get alot of taurine from their food, but almost daily they get CatSip cat milk which has extra taurine added into it. I'm getting so annoyed by commercial pet food brands I got a big bag of Chicken Soup for the cat lovers soul for 25$ to feed the stray cats. Cheapest I could find at the pet store I go to.
__________________
My cat is smarter than your honor student. Stop Dog Fighting ~ Neuter Mike Vick! ~ RIP Timmy ~ May 2009 - November 6th 2009 |
#11
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Not really. There hasn't been an upper limit established for cats regarding taurine amounts, and since it's water soluble, any excess should be eliminated. I can't find an online source for the amount of taurine in Catsip but I doubt it's terribly high. I routinely give my cat about 100mg/day of extra taurine in his food.
__________________
"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler |
#12
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Oh believe me I'm persistent with this darn cat. His mom refuses to eat wet food or scraps as well. I think he learned it from her. It's funny how a dirty smelly messed up stray cat who will eat anything can turn into a prissy little house cat so quick. She used to eat lots of wet food, but now she won't even eat table scraps like when my mom makes chicken, Socks will just ignore us when we try to feed her scraps. So she taught her son to be the same way. Missy eats wet food from time to time.
I will put some wet food on the end of a spoon and put it in their mouths and they will eat it and act like it's tasty, but then be all stuck up about it and not eat anymore. One time about 2 weeks ago I got Socks to eat some Innova Evo, but never again since then. CatSip has .005% taurine in it. It'd be more helpful if the told you what that was in mg or something.
__________________
My cat is smarter than your honor student. Stop Dog Fighting ~ Neuter Mike Vick! ~ RIP Timmy ~ May 2009 - November 6th 2009 |
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