Tanya

 

 

 

 

 

TANYA'S

COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO

FELINE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

 

Please note that all payments are made in US dollars and

are not tax deductible since I am a private individual

 

Just Diagnosed? Click Here

 

 

   

US CAT FOOD BRANDS: HELPFULNESS RATINGS

 

HOME


Site Overview


Just Diagnosed? What You Need to Know First


 

WHAT IS CKD?


What Happens in CKD


Causes of CKD


How Bad is It?


Is There Any Hope?


Acute Kidney Injury


 

KEY ISSUES: PROLONGING LIFE


Phosphorus Control


Hypertension

(High Blood Pressure)


Proteinuria


Anaemia


Potassium Imbalances


Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infections) and Urinary Tract Infections


Metabolic Acidosis


Kidney Stones


 

KEY ISSUES: HELPING YOUR CAT FEEL BETTER


Nausea, Vomiting, Appetite Loss and Excess Stomach Acid


Maintaining Hydration


The B Vitamins (Including Methylcobalamin)


Constipation


 

CAT FOOD DATA


Ways of Assessing Food Content, Including What is Dry Matter Analysis


How to Use the Food Data Tables


USA Canned Food Data


USA Dry Food Data


USA Cat Food Brands: Helpfulness Ratings


USA Cat Food Brands: Contact Details


 

SUPPORT


Coping with CKD


Tanya's Support Group


Success Stories


 

SYMPTOMS


Important: Crashing


Alphabetical List of Symptoms and Treatments


Fluid and Urinary  Imbalances (Dehydration, Overhydration and Urinary Issues)


Waste Product Regulation Imbalances (Vomiting, Appetite Loss, Excess Stomach Acid, Gastro-intestinal Problems, Mouth Ulcers Etc.)


Phosphorus and Calcium Imbalances


Miscellaneous Symptoms (Pain, Hiding Etc.)


 

DIAGNOSIS: WHAT DO ALL THE TEST RESULTS MEAN?


Early Detection


Blood Chemistry: Kidney Function, Potassium, Other Tests (ALT, Amylase, (Cholesterol, Etc.)


Calcium, Phosphorus, Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism


Complete Blood Count (CBC): Red and White Blood Cells: Anaemia and Infection


Urinalysis (Urine Tests)


Other Tests: Ultrasound, Biopsy, X-rays etc.


Renomegaly (Enlarged Kidneys)


Which Tests to Have and Frequency of Testing


Factors that Affect Test Results


Normal Ranges


International and US Measuring Systems


 

TREATMENTS


Which Treatments are Essential


Fluid and Urinary Issues (Fluid Retention, Infections, Incontinence, Proteinuria)


Waste Product Regulation (Mouth Ulcers, GI Bleeding, Antioxidants, Adsorbents, Azodyl, Astro's CRF Oil)


Phosphorus, Calcium and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (Calcitriol)


Phosphorus Binders


Steroids, Stem Cell Transplants and Kidney Transplants


Antibiotics and Painkillers


Holistic Treatments (Including Slippery Elm Bark)


ESAs (Aranesp, Epogen etc.) for Severe Anaemia


General Health Issues in a CKD Cat: Fleas, Arthritis, Dementia, Vaccinations


Tips on Medicating Your Cat


Obtaining Supplies Cheaply in the UK, USA and Canada


Working with Your Vet and Recordkeeping


 

DIET & NUTRITION


Nutritional Requirements of CKD Cats


The B Vitamins (Including Methylcobalamin)


What to Feed (and What to Avoid)


Persuading Your Cat to Eat


2007 Food Recall USA


 

FLUID THERAPY


Oral Fluids


Intravenous Fluids


Subcutaneous Fluids


Tips on Giving Subcutaneous Fluids


How to Give Subcutaneous Fluids with a Giving Set


How to Give Subcutaneous Fluids with a Syringe


Subcutaneous Fluids - Winning Your Vet's Support


Dialysis


 

RELATED DISEASES


Heart Problems


Hyperthyroidism


Diabetes


Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)


Pancreatitis


Dental Problems


Anaesthesia


 

OBTAINING SUPPLIES CHEAPLY


UK


USA Online


USA Local (Fluids)


Canada


 

SAYING GOODBYE


The Final Hours


Other People's Losses


Coping with Your Loss


 

MISCELLANEOUS


Prevention


Feline CKD Research, Including Participation Opportunities


CKD Research in Other Species


Share This Site: A Notice for Your Vet's Bulletin Board or Your Local Pet Shop


Canine Kidney Disease


Other Illnesses (Cancer, Liver) and Behavioural Problems


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SITEOWNER (HELEN)


My Three CKD Cats: Tanya, Thomas and Ollie


Contact Me


Home > Diet and Nutrition > USA Cat Food Brands Helpfulness Ratings

 


Overview


 

This is an alphabetical list of how helpful I have found the various US cat food brands to be when I have tried to obtain information about their cats foods for my food data tables.

 

This table is not rating the food composition or quality, it relates only to how responsive each brand has been to my enquiries.

 

The information here is now quite old (2017). I will update it when I next update the food data tables (scheduled for late 2025/early 2026) but in my experience, manufacturers who have previously been unhelpful do not suddenly become helpful, though the reverse is certainly true.

 

I try to contact the manufacturers in writing, either via e-mail, web form or social media, so as to avoid any misunderstandings. It can be difficult for me at times because some of them want my address and I don't have a US address to give them. Why they need an address in the first place is beyond me, I really don't need glossy brochures, I just want cold hard facts.

 

Please check below before contacting me to ask about a food missing from the tables, because chances are I have tried and failed to obtain information, or perhaps the brand was introducing new foods for which the data were not available when I asked. I also skipped some brands, either because I know from experience that they are not helpful but also because this project takes a lot of time (two solid months) and I do have to sleep occasionally!

 

Generally speaking, smaller manufacturers are more helpful than the big players, though Hill's is a notable exception, providing all of its information on its websites throughout the world.

 

Many of the big players say that it is too difficult to provide the information because they make so many foods. I imagine they also make big profits, and should be prepared to spend some of those profits on providing information to their customers.

 

Some brands refuse to speak to me but are graciously prepared to speak to my vet. How many vets have the time to speak to cat food manufacturers about food choices for their clients' cats?

 

All things being equal, I would try to use the helpful manufacturers first, and vote with your feet when it comes to unhelpful manufacturers.

 

The contact details for the various brands are here.

 

These details relate to the USA, though the manufacturers' websites may offer links for Canada and other countries.

 


Rating System


 

Provided the information on their website so I don't need to contact them.

I had to contact them but they provided the information promptly.

They provided information but took some time to do so, or could only provide guaranteed analysis.

They provided some information but not all, and stopped responding to me.

They responded to my enquiries but never actually managde to give me any information.

Did not respond or refused to engage with me.

 


Brands in Alphabetical Order


 

1-9

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y

Z

 

1-9

Brand

My Experience My Rating

365 Everyday Value

I have not been able to get the webform to work and no e-mail address is provided. They might be helpful, but I don't know because I can't reach them!

9Lives

Used to respond helpfully, have refused to speak to me since the takeover by JM Smucker.

 

A

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Acana

Responded to e-mail after three days and supplied requested information. Sodium level for some foods not available at time of enquiry.

Adirondack

Company itself has stopped responding to my e-mails. PR company provided some information following a tweet but is unable to provide DMA figures and does not have data for all foods.

Addiction

Have responded to my e-mails, but have never actually managed to provide any information.

Against the Grain

Information is on their website, also respond promptly to e-mails.

Alley Cat

Refuse to help

Almo Nature

Impossible to obtain meaningful data, they simply do not appear to understand the concept of dry matter analysis and say that their foods are basically just the same as their ingredients, so if I look up, say, chicken, that should be sufficient. The mind boggles.

 

Vitamin D intoxication caused by ingestion of commercial cat food in three kittens (2013) Wehner A, Katzenberger J, Groth A, Dorsch R, Koelle P, Hartmann K, Weber K Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 15(8) reported on three kittens in Germany who became ill after eating a commercial food containing too much Vitamin D. One recovered, one was put to sleep, the third has ongoing kidney damage. The commercial food in question was Almo Nature Kitten with Chicken food. It had a declared amount of Vitamin D3 of 6488 IU/kg (dry matter) but analysis showed that the food actually contained 202,155 IU/kg (dry matter).

Annamaet

Responded to my e-mail after a week and provided the requested information.

Applaws

Have responded to my e-mails, but do not have the information available. The UK side (Applaws is UK-owned) has not responded to my tweet.

Artemis

Responded on the same day to my initial e-mail, took a few days to obtain all the data.

Aunt Jeni's

Information is on their website.

Authority

After a great deal of nagging, they managed to give me data for two foods. They then suddenly informed me that they will not share information outside the company because it is proprietary. Have ignored my tweet.

AvoDerm

Did not initially respond but did so when reminded ten days later and provided information for all their foods.

Azmira

It took a few e-mails from me but they did eventually provide the information, albeit only as guaranteed analysis.

 

B

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Best Feline Friend

Information is on their website.

Beyond

I know they received my enquiry but I have had no response.

Blackwood's

Company itself has stopped responding to my e-mails. PR company provided some information following a tweet but is unable to provide DMA figures and does not have data for all foods.

Blue

Have consistently refused to speak to me since 2010. Will not even give me the information for their new therapeutic kidney diet!

Bravo!

Information is on their website.

 

C

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Canidae

Respond promptly to e-mails, provide information as requested.

Cats in the Kitchen

Information is on their website.

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Took a couple of weeks but provided all the requested information.

 

D

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Dad's

Took a few days and provided all the requested information.

Darwin's

Have responded to my e-mails, and have tried to provide information, but sadly it is not in usable form.

Dave's Petfood

Have not responded to repeated e-mails or a tweet.

Diamond

Have not responded to repeated e-mails or tweets.

Dogswell

Responded after a few days and a few e-mails, but could only provide guaranteed analysis figures.

Dr Tim's

Respond promptly to e-mails, provide information as requested.

 

E

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Eagle Pack

Responded the same day and provided all the requested information.

Earthborn Holistic

Took a few days but were able to provide all the requested information.

Evanger's

Have given me data for a couple of foods, are working on the others.

EVO

Information is on their website.

Evolve

Have not responded to webform enquiries. Responded to my tweet giving me a contact but I have heard nothing since.

Exclusive

Responded within a couple of days and provided all the requested information.

EZComplete

Information is on their website.

 

F

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Fancy Feast

We have written merrily back and forth via e-mail and twitter. Have I obtained the data for a single food from them? Nope. Since people have asked me not to delete older data, I have included data from 2014 but can offer no reassurances that these are still accurate.

Farmina

Provided information for some of their foods after a couple of weeks. No response received re the remaining foods.

Feline Caviar

Took about a week but provided all the requested information.

Feline Cuisine

Took about a week but provided all the requested information.

Feline Natural

Responded within a couple of days to my initial enquiry with dry food data but have not responded to further requests for the canned food data.

FirstMate

Took about three weeks (including the Christmas holiday period) but provided all the requested information.

Fresh is Best

Information is on their website.

Friskies

We have written merrily back and forth via e-mail and twitter. Have I obtained the data for a single food from them? Nope. They want to mail it to me, which is tricky. Since people have asked me not to delete older data, I have included data from 2014 but can offer no reassurances that these are still accurate.

Fromm

Information is on their website.

Fussie Cat

Provided information for some of their foods after a couple of weeks. No response received re the remaining foods.

 

G

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Gather

Respond promptly and even send the data in a format personalised for my food data tables.

Go!

Respond promptly and even send the data in a format personalised for my food data tables.

Grace

Information is on their website.

Grandma Lucy's

Respond to e-mails but do not understand the concept of DMA analysis so are unable to assist.

 

H

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Halo

Responded the same day, though it took a little time to obtain all the information. Data for their new foods are not yet available.

Health Extension

Took a few days but were able to provide all the requested information, though some of it was as fed so I had to crunch the numbers.

Hill's

Information is on their website.

Hi-Tor

Have not responded to webform enquiries. Responded to my tweet giving me a contact but I have heard nothing since I wrote to that address.

Holistic Natural

Took a few days but were able to provide all the requested information.

Holistic Select

Responded the same day and provided all requested information.

Horizon

Responded within a day and provided all requested information.

Hound & Gatos

Responded promptly with the data for a few foods, have not heard anything about the remaining foods despite sending them e-mails and tweeting.

 

I

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

I And Love and You

Responded within a couple of days and provided the requested information.

I Luv My Cat

Sent me inaccurate information and did not respond to further enquiries.

Iams

Did not initially respond to e-mail enquiries, but responded via twitter with the requested information.

Impulse

Responded the same day, though it took a little time to obtain all the information. Data for their new foods are not yet available.

Instinct

Responded to my e-mail within a day and provided the requested information.

Instinctive Choice

Responded on the same day to my initial e-mail, took a few days to obtain all the data.

 

K

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Kasiks

Took about three weeks (including the Christmas holiday period) but provided all the requested information.

Koha

Responded the same day and provided all requested information.

 

L

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Life's Abundance

Responded on the same day to my initial e-mail, took a few days to obtain all the data.

Lotus

Responded to my e-mail within a day and provided the requested information. The information differs from that on their website and they have not responded to repeated requests for an explanation of this.

 

M

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Meow Mix

Used to respond helpfully, have refused to speak to me since the takeover by JM Smucker. Since people have asked me not to delete older data, I have included data from 2014 but have no idea if these are still accurate or even whether all the foods listed still exist.

Merrick

Respond promptly and provide all the requested information. The information on the recently introduced foods is not yet available.

Muse

They provided some information to a member of my support group. I have not yet tried contacting them myself because I have a pitifully poor success rate with Purina to date.

 

N

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Natural Balance

Used to respond helpfully, have refused to speak to me since the takeover by JM Smucker. Since people have asked me not to delete older data, I have included data from 2014 but have no idea if these are still accurate or even whether all the foods listed still exist.

Natural Planet

Information is on their website, though numbers need crunching and no calorie information provided.

Natural Value

Respond to e-mails but have not provided any information to date.

Nature's Logic

Information is on their website.

Nature's Recipe

Used to respond helpfully, have refused to speak to me since the takeover by JM Smucker. Since people have asked me not to delete older data, I have included data from 2014 but have no idea if these are still accurate or even whether all the foods listed still exist.

Newman's Own

Responded within a couple of weeks and provided the requested information.

Now!

Respond promptly and even send the data in a format personalised for my food data tables.

Nulo

Took about ten days but provided all the requested information.

Nutrience

Refused to help if I wanted to share the information.

NutriSource

Information is on their website, though numbers need crunching.

Nutram

Have not responded to my e-mail.

Nutro

No response to various e-mails and a tweet, though they received my enquiries because they acknowledged receipt.

 

O

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Organix

Responded the same day and provided the requested information.

Orijen

Responded to e-mail (took a couple of days) and supplied requested information. The data for their new foods are not yet available.

 

P

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Party Animal

Have not responded to repeated e-mails or tweets. Presumably too busy partying...

Performatrin

Took about a week but provided all the requested information.

PetGuard

Have not responded to repeated e-mails or tweets.

Petite Cuisine

Used to respond promptly, but e-mail to my previous contact bounced back, no contact details on the website and a tweet to an employee (Petite Cuisine are not on twitter) went unanswered.

Pinnacle

Responded within a day and provided all the requested information.

PMI Nutrition

Responded within a couple of days and provided all the requested information.

Precise

Information is on their website.

Pride

Responded within a day and provided the requested information.

Primal

Have not responded to my webform enquiry.

Pro Pac

Took a few days but were able to provide all the requested information.

Pro Plan

We have written merrily back and forth via twitter. Have I obtained the data for a single food from them? Nope. Since people have asked me not to delete older data, I have included data from 2014 but can offer no reassurances that these are still accurate.

Prowl

Information is on their website.

PureVita

Most of the information is on the website. Have not responded to my enquiry about the suspiciously high sodium level in one food.

Purina

We have written merrily back and forth via twitter. Have I obtained the data for a single food from them? Nope. They want me to call them, which is difficult. Since people have asked me not to delete older data, I have included data from 2014 but can offer no reassurances that these are still accurate.

 

R

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Rachael Ray Nutrish

Have not responded to repeated e-mails or tweets.

Rad Cat

Information is on their website.

RAWR

Have not responded to my e-mail enquiry.

Rayne

Information available on their website, also respond promptly to e-mails.

Redbarn Naturals

Information available on their website apart from sodium, responded promptly to a request for the sodium data.

Regal

Responded promptly, but were only able to provide guaranteed analysis figures.

Royal Canin

Declined to assist because they make so many different foods that it is too much work, though did provide information on their renal foods. Royal Canin Canada appeared more likely to help but I could not access their webform to complete my enquiry (perhaps because I am in a different country).

 

S

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Serengeti

No response (other than automated responses so I know they have received my messages).

Sheba

Provided information for some of their foods but have ignored requests for additional information.

Simply Nourish

Have responded to my e-mails, but have never actually managed to provide any information.

Solid Gold

Responded within a couple of days, provided a lot of information promptly but some of the figures were only available as guaranteed analysis.

Stella and Chewy's

Told me they don't have any information available, and even if they did, I may not share it.

Soulistic

Information is on their website.

SPORTMiX

Responded promptly, but do not have the information available.

Spot's

Responded the same day, though it took a little time to obtain all the information. Data for their new foods are not yet available.

Star Pro

Information is on their website.

Summit

Respond promptly and even send the data in a format personalised for my food data tables.

 

T

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Taste of the Wild

Responded promptly and provided the requested information, though it took a while to obtain all of it.

Tender & True

Have responded to my e-mails, and have tried to provide information, but sadly it is not in usable form.

Tiki Cat

Responded to e-mail (took a few days) and supplied requested information. The data for their new foods is not yet available.

Trader Joe

Took a week to respond and provided the canned food data. Have not responded to requests for the dry food data.

Triumph

Have not responded to webform enquiries. Responded to my tweet giving me a contact but I have heard nothing since I wrote to that address.

 

U

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Under the Sun

Respond promptly to e-mails, provide information as requested.

 

V

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

VeRUS

Responded to e-mail within a couple of days and supplied requested information. The data for their new foods are not yet available.

 

W

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Wellness

Responded the same day and provided all requested information.

Weruva

Information is on their website.

Whiskas

Respond to e-mails but have not provided any information to date.

Whole Earth Farms

Respond promptly to e-mails, provide information as requested.

Wild Frontier

Refused to help because the information is proprietary (even though their competitors post this information on their websites)

Wysong

Information is on their website.

 

Y

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

Young Again

Information is on the website, also respond promptly to e-mails.

 

 

Z

Brand

My Experience

My Rating

ZiwiPeak

Information is on the website.

 

Not Yet Contacted

I admit it, I stopped. Perhaps I will contact these brands in due course, but I need a break and to focus on other aspects of the website. Please note, some of these brands are Canadian or Italian and not widely available in the USA.

 

4Health

Kirkland

Pets 4 Life

Cat Chow

Kit 'N Kaboodle

President's Choice

Companion

Krogers

Primal

Compliments

Lick Your Chops

ProNature

Cornucopia

Maxximum

ProSeries

Country Pet Naturals

Monge

Pure Balance

Country Value

Natural Life

Redmoon

Deli-Cat

Ovenbaked Tradition

Robert Abady

Fresh Pet Select

Nature's Harvest

Sojos

Goodlife Recipe

Nova

Special Kitty

Grreat Choice

Nutripe (Dogs only now)

Urban King

Great Life

Petreet

Wegmans

 

 

 

 

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This page last updated: 14 June 2025

 

Links on this page last checked: 14 June 2025

 

   

*****

 

TREATING YOUR CAT WITHOUT VETERINARY ADVICE CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

 

I have tried very hard to ensure that the information provided in this website is accurate, but I am NOT a vet, just an ordinary person who has lived through CKD with three cats. This website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat any cat. Before trying any of the treatments described herein, you MUST consult a qualified veterinarian and obtain professional advice on the correct regimen for your cat and his or her particular requirements; and you should only use any treatments described here with the full knowledge and approval of your vet. No responsibility can be accepted.

 

If your cat appears to be in pain or distress, do not waste time on the internet, contact your vet immediately.

 

*****

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