Meow Mix Irresistables - soft
by Meow Mix
Overall Score: 66/100
Ingredients
- chicken (protein)
- wheat flour (carbohydrate)
- animal digest (additive)
- chicken by-product meal (protein)
- pea protein (protein)
- brewers dried yeast (other)
- glycerin (other)
- tuna (other)
- dried egg product (protein)
- water (other)
- animal fat (bha used as a preservative) (other)
- fish protein concentrate (protein)
- fish meal (preserved with ethoxyquin) (protein)
- phosphoric acid (other)
- dried cheese (other)
- salt (mineral)
- potassium chloride (mineral)
- sorvic acid (used as a preservative) (other)
- vegetable oil (other)
- titanium dioxide (color) (other)
- caramel color (additive)
- red 40 (additive)
- lactic acid (other)
- bha (used as a preservative) (other)
- yellow 5 (additive)
- yellow 6 (other)
Ingredient concerns
- Wheat (medium concern): Wheat is a common allergen in dogs and cats. While it provides digestible carbohydrates and some protein, it is frequently used as an inexpensive filler. Pets with wheat sensitivities may experience skin irritation, gastrointestinal upset, or chronic ear infections.
- Animal Digest (high concern): Animal digest does not specify the source species, making it impossible to trace or verify quality. It is essentially a palatability enhancer made from chemically or enzymatically broken-down animal tissues of unspecified origin. Pets with food allergies cannot safely consume products with generic animal digest since the protein source is unknown.
- Chicken By-Product Meal (medium concern): While nutritionally adequate, by-product meals can vary widely in quality and digestibility. They include parts like necks, feet, and intestines, which some consumers find objectionable. Quality control is less consistent than named muscle meat sources.
- Pea Protein (medium concern): Plant-based protein concentrates like pea protein can artificially inflate the total protein percentage on guaranteed analysis without providing the same amino acid profile as animal proteins. Associated with the FDA investigation into grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, though a causal link has not been definitively established.
- Caramel Color (high concern): Certain classes of caramel color (Class III and IV, produced with ammonia or ammonia-sulfite processes) contain 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), which has been classified as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans' (Group 2B) by IARC. California's Proposition 65 lists 4-MEI as a carcinogen. Like other color additives, it provides no nutritional benefit to pets.
- Red 40 (high concern): Provides no nutritional benefit whatsoever and is added solely for the visual appeal to human buyers, as dogs and cats have limited color vision. Multiple studies have raised concerns about behavioral effects in children, leading the EU to require warning labels on foods containing Red 40. Some animal studies have suggested potential genotoxicity, though results are debated. The FDA maintains it is safe at approved levels, but many veterinary nutritionists recommend avoiding artificial colors entirely.
- Yellow 5 (high concern): Like Red 40, Yellow 5 provides no nutritional value and is added only for appearance. It has been associated with hypersensitivity reactions and behavioral effects in children in multiple studies. Banned or restricted in several countries. The EU requires warning labels on products containing tartrazine. No legitimate reason for its inclusion in pet food.
Dry food, with grains, for the adult life stage.
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