Is whiskas good for cats
Whiskas Cat Food Review
Weve taken a critical look at this iconic brand, evaluating Whiskas manufacturing, safety record, ingredient quality, and more. Get the facts in our unbiased Whiskas cat food review.
The Cats.com StandardRating Whiskas on What Matters
Weve analyzed Whiskas and graded it according to the Cats.com standard, evaluating the brand on species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history. Heres how it rates in each of these six key areas.
Ratings
- Species-Appropriateness 7/10
- Ingredient Quality 4/10
- Product Variety 3/10
- Price 8/10
- Customer Experience 8/10
- Recall History 9/10
Overall Score: 6.5/10
We give Whiskas cat food a 39 out of 60 rating or a C+ grade.
Whiskas Cat Food Video Review
About Whiskas
The brand that would become Whiskas was created in 1936. Then called Kal Kan, it was one of the first pet food brands in existence. By the time the brands name changed to Whiskas in 1988, it was on track to become a staple in pantries around the world.
The brand is owned by Mars Petcare, one of the planets top-earning pet food companies which also owns other popular brands such as Iams, Royal Canin, Nutro and more. With international distribution and a presence in almost every grocery and pet food store, Whiskas is one of the most recognizable and well-known brands in the world.
Sourcing And Manufacturing
With Whiskas available in so many countries, its hard to pin down exactly where all of their foods are made. It appears that at least some of their products sold in the United States are made in Virginia by a co-packing company, so its easy to assume that the company partners with other manufacturers around the world.
If you want detailed information pertinent to Whiskas food sold in your country, contact your local Whiskas customer support team.
Has Whiskas Cat Food Been Recalled?
Yes, but only in Canada. After 60 years in the industry, Whiskas announced its first voluntary recall, which involved several varieties of dry cat food sold in Canada.
While the company attributed the 2021 recall to a raw ingredient not meeting their quality standards, retailer Costco Wholesale revealed that the cause was the potential for mycotoxin contamination.
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds created by certain types of mold. This mold most often develops on rice, corn, and other grains. To our knowledge, there were no reports of illness related to this recall.
What Kinds Of Cat Food Does Whiskas Offer?
Whiskas is a bottom-of-the-line budget brand focusing on old-fashioned, affordable foods. Their selection includes dry food and wet recipes packed into pouches. All of their recipes feature beef, poultry, or fish, either in combination or as standalone main ingredients.
Whiskas Cat Food Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
Chicken appears to be the primary protein source in this wet cat food.
Like the food above, this food is not just made up of cuts of chicken. Instead, the food chunks appear to be extruded hunks of chicken, meat by-products, wheat gluten, and other additives.
Whiskas explains that the meat by-products in this recipe are derived from cows, pigs, and sheep. Though by-products arent necessarily badthey sometimes contain some of the most nutritious parts of the animaltheyre not necessarily good, either. Animal by-products may consist of minimally-nutritious animal parts like noses, ribs, and skin, or they could focus on highly-digestible organs and muscle meat. We just dont know.
And for cats with food sensitivities, this vaguely-named ingredient introduces too many variables for successful intolerance management.
Unlike the first cat food on this list, this Whiskas recipe doesnt contain any BHA or BHT, but it does contain added colors.
Overall, this food has high protein content with moderate fat and low carbohydrate content.
With a mix of named and nameless meats, the inclusion of wheat gluten and corn starch, and its use of added colors, this food is not a top choice. That said, its macronutrient distribution is in the carnivore-appropriate zone and sets it apart from other foods that are loaded with starchy, plant-sourced ingredients. If you need an affordable food that delivers species-appropriate, meat-based nutrition, this might be one to consider.
Sufficient Water For Processing, Chicken, Meat By-Products, Wheat Gluten, Corn Starch, Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Glycine, Salt, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Added Colors, Guar Gum, Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Iodide), Taurine, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Dl-Methionine.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Fish Oil
Ingredients We Didnt Like: Meat By-Products, Wheat Gluten, Corn Starch, Added Colors, Guar Gum
Crude Protein: 8%
Crude Fat: 3%
Crude Fiber: 1%
Moisture: 84%
Protein: 50%
Fat: 18.75%
Fiber: 6.25%
Carbs: 25%
Protein: 41.48%
Fat: 37.78%
Carbs: 20.74%
Pros
- Low carbohydrate content
- Cats like the way the food tastes
- Affordable for almost any budget
Cons
- Contains meat by-productsmay not be a highly-digestible or high-quality food
- Comes in small plastic pouches
What Do Customers Think Of Whiskas Cat Food?
Whiskas is a popular brand. People around the world buy and rely on it every dayand cats like it, too. While most customers feed their cats Whiskas without ever writing a review, most of those who do have good things to say.
Whiskas gets some negative feedback, too. Reviewers on ConsumerAffairs, for example, give it an overall satisfaction rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars. Some say their cats got sick after eating Whiskas. Some say the food wasnt fresh. Others found foreign objects in the food.
What, exactly, are real customers saying about Whiskas cat food? Lets read a few customer reviews.
Positive Reviews
Whiskas Tender Bites has been a god send for our thirteen year old domestic shorthair orange tabby Fireball. Poor thing went through a bout of depression after her bonded sister passed away. She lost any and all desire for food and treats. We didnt want to give up on her because she had been diagnosed and treated for lymphoma a few years prior. So we felt like if she could get through that, she could get through this. She dropped down to a very alarming 4lbs, before we made the decision to start force feeding her. After several nights of baby food, kmr, broths, etc. she finally started to come back around to eating on her own.
We wanted her food to be as appetizing as possible, but didnt have the money or resources to spend an arm and a leg on cream of the crop, better than human food cat food. She we tried Whiskas and she went CRAZY over it. She started out just lapping the gravy/juices but progressed into eating the meat bits. Once her appetite returned to normal, she couldnt get enough! At one point, we were feeding her three packets a day to help her put on weight. And it worked in less than four month she was back up to 6lbs.
I appreciate Wiskas Tender Bites as they are affordable (Amazons Subscribe and Save has the best deal), come in easy to open pouches and are apparently quite delicious. And while the ingredients may not be super duper organic and premium, real meat is the second ingredient next to water for processing. Plus I mean this food basically saved my kittys life and helped her get back into a much healthier weight range! Shaigirl, reviewing Whiskas Tender Bites
My cats just love it. Great product. It is convenient, fresh and tasty. The cats lick their plates and the kittens just love it too. I would recommend it in fact I do. When I sell a kitten I always suggest they feed the whiskas purrfectly chicken. Henri, reviewing Whiskas Purrfectly Chicken Entree
Negative Reviews
I agree with some of the other reviews regarding this product. The last several cases I have purchased have all dark meat and the gravy is dark. The feral cats I feed leave the meat. It is a waste. I will order it one or two more times, but if it continues to look like this, I will stop buying it. maggie, reviewing Whiskas Purrfectly Chicken Entree
Ive got two kittens that dont seem to mind this food. My 9 year old cat, at first sniff she walked away. But later on when she was too hungry, shell eat it. The two times that she has eaten, she has gotten ill. The first time, she threw up afterwards. Second time, she threw it up again, however, she remained sick for two days. She ended up with bloody diarrhea for a day and then less bloody soft but solid stool the second day. Honestly, I would not risk your furry loved ones health for a cheap cat food option. J W, reviewing Whiskas Tender Bites Favorite Selections
How Much Does Whiskas Cat Food Cost?
Whiskas cat food is one of the cheapest brands on the market. Their wet foods cost about $0.07 per ounce or roughly $0.63 per day for the average 10-lb cat. Whiskas dry cat food costs half as much per ounce and, if youre feeding the same 10-lb cat, it would cost about $0.08 per day.
This makes Whiskas cat food some of the cheapest you can buy.
Overall, Is Whiskas A Good Choice?
Whiskas may be a good option if youre looking for a flavorful, affordable, meat-based food, but their recipes arent the best.
Read the label closely to make sure youre choosing one of their BHA and BHT-free recipes and avoid those that contain caramel color. If your cat seems to have a sensitive stomach, consider trying another brand that uses only named meats. Whiskas use of meat by-products makes it difficult to identify and eliminate problem ingredients.
Where To Buy Whiskas Cat Food?
Whiskas cat food is sold in groceries, big box stores, and pet food stores around the world. You can also find it online on Amazon, Chewy, Walmart, and other online retailers that sell pet food.
Also Read:
Is Whiskas Good For Cats? Discover the Truth Here
Yes, Whiskas cat food is generally considered good for cats, with high protein content and a wide selection of flavors.
Is your cat special to you? You want the best nutrition for your pet. Lets investigate the advantages and disadvantages of Whiskas. That way, you can decide if its the right food for your furry friend.
Cats can be picky eaters. Providing them with the right food can be hard. Whiskas is a popular cat brand. Is it right for your pet? We looked closely at Whiskas. To help you make better choices for your kitty.
Whiskas cat food began in the 1930s. It used the slogan Tender chunks scientifically balanced. The brand says its food looks and tastes like fresh meat or fish. But it also gives cats the nutrition that they need. To stay healthy and happy. Some cat owners love it. But other pet parents think it does not meet their cats nutritional needs.
Nutritional Benefits of Whiskas
Crude Protein | 8.00% |
---|---|
Crude Fat (min.) | 4.70% |
Crude Fiber | 0.30% |
Moisture | %84,00 |
Ash | 1.40% |
Whiskas is a top-notch brand offering complete and balanced nutrition for cats of all ages. They have formulas designed to meet the dietary needs of adult cats, senior cats, and kittens. Plus, they have food varieties for both indoor and outdoor cats.
Whiskas meals provide all the vitamins, minerals, and proteins cats need to stay healthy. Animal proteins like chicken, fish, or beef are their main sources of energy. Plus, they have essential fatty acids to help with skin and coat health. Plus, theres omega 3 from fish oil for joint mobility, vision health, and immunity; taurine for cardiac function; zinc for skin integrity; and B vitamins for rapid growth in kittens.
Whiskas products are free from artificial colors or flavors, so theyre natural choices. Their portion sizes help you serve up something fresh without wasting any. In short, Whiskas provides everything your cat needs to stay fit, build strong bones and teeth, and enjoy the delicious taste of protein-rich ingredients in every meal!
Ingredients of Whiskas
Whiskas is a brand of cat food. It contains many components to give cats nutrition and dietary help. Ingredients vary but may include: cereals, fish derivatives, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Whiskas is tailored to cats individual needs.
Common ingredients are
- ground maize, wheat flour, poultry meat meal, and liver meal for protein;
- vegetable oil for energy;
- taurine for eye health;
- essential fatty acids for skin health;
- vitamins A, D3, and E for bones.
Plus, some recipes have veggies for fiber, omega 3, and 6 for coats.
Whiskas also has a special formula for cats who stay indoors. This has fewer calories, but still gives plenty of protein, minerals, and carbs from maize for energy. All these ingredients make a balanced diet for your cats long-term health.
Pros and Cons of Whiskas
Whiskas is a popular brand of cat food with a wide range of wet and dry kibble. Its important to consider the pros and cons when selecting food for your cat. Heres a guide to help you decide.
Pros:
- Easily available and affordable.
- Nutritious ingredients like chicken and fish.
- Also contains essential vitamins and minerals.
- Formulated to be tasty to cats.
Cons:
- Lacks fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Possible fillers like corn and wheat can cause health risks.
- May contain artificial colors and flavors, which can be bad for cats.
Tips for Feeding Whiskas to Cats
Whiskas is a cat food brand thats become popular in recent years due to its range of flavors, textures, and milk. Though its marketed as a complete meal, consider giving your cat additional sources of protein if theyre not getting enough from Whiskas. Here are some tips when feeding Whiskas to cats.
- Ensure the food meets all their nutritional needs. Whiskas has vitamins, minerals, and nutrients cats need. But if you dont give them extra sources of protein or fats, their diet will be imbalanced. Pick flavors with the right proportion of ingredients for your cats individual needs.
- Also, watch the amount of dried food you give your cat each day. Too much can lead to gastrointestinal problems like constipation or diarrhea. A guideline is to feed no more than 1/2 cup daily. This keeps their diet balanced without overfeeding them.
- Provide your pet with plenty of fresh clean water. Change it daily to make sure they stay hydrated and healthy.
- Nutritionally rich treats can be fed sparingly as part of a healthy diet. But dont overfeed treats they shouldnt replace meals and can contribute to obesity if given too often.
Alternatives to Whiskas
Whiskas are widely available for pre-packaged cat food. Even though the company claims it has essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, cats can still benefit from different diets. There are alternatives to Whiskas that meet a growing cats nutritional needs.
- Dry food provides good nutrition for cats of all ages. It contains fresh meat, veggies, and grains in a crunchy formula. It has more protein than wet food, and lower moisture, which helps cats urinary tracts stay healthy.
- Canned or pouched wet food has moisture and flavor. It has more animal-based proteins than dry food. Taurine is also included to support heart health and vision development.
- A Barf (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet is made of raw meats like beef, chicken, and fish. This diet gives balanced nutrition and avoids many allergies. But, it needs thawing every day and requires more effort.
- Homemade diets are mostly cooked proteins, veggies, and grains. You and your vet can choose what to include, and you monitor the amounts fed each day. Homemade diets are palatable and cost-effective compared to store-bought options.
Conclusion
All in all, the evidence suggests Whiskas is a suitable feline grub. Even though it may not be as nutritious as experts wish, it does contain proteins, fats, and carbs which help cats stay healthy. Whats more, Whiskas offers extra advantages like dental care and joint upkeep. So, if you give your kitty a balanced diet and add in any extra nutrients they need, Whiskas can be a great way to meet your cats needs.