nutrisource chicken and pea

NutriSource Pure Vita Cat Food Review

Is Pure Vita a wholesome choice for your cat? Find out in our unbiased Pure Vita cat food review.

The Cats.com StandardRating Pure Vita on What Matters

Weve analyzed Pure Vita 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 7/10
• Product Variety 8/10
• Price 5/10
• Customer Experience 9/10
• Recall History 5/10

Overall Score: 6.8/10

We give Pure Vita cat food a 41 out of 60 rating or a B- grade.

There Are Better Fresh Options

Pure Vita can be purchased at most pet stores but a crop of new fresh cat food delivery competitors offer better, fresher cat food delivered right to your door.

Here are our favorite fresh cat food delivery companies you can choose from today. Most offer a heavy discount on your first order so you can see how your cat likes it .

About Pure Vita

Clean white packages, a nod to the Costa Rican good life in its name, and the companys claim that Pure Vita provides pure and natural holistic pet foods for a long and healthy life imply that this brand is a clean, healthy choice for cats.

Pure Vita is owned by KLN Family Brands, a Minnesota company dating back to 1947. Thats when Darrell Tuffy Nelson started Pine Lakes Feed.

After operating the feed store for almost 20 years, Darrell and his son Kenny decided to expand into the manufacturing side of the pet food industry. They later expanded into the super premium market and in 2007, they started Pure Vita, their first holistic line of pet food.

Sourcing and Manufacturing

Pure Vita foods are made in a single company-owned facility in Perham, Minnesota. This facility is certified to the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety and inspected by the American Institute of Baking.

Has Pure Vita Cat Food Been Recalled?

While Pura Vita cat food has never been recalled, one of its dog foods was recalled in October of 2021. The recall involved potentially elevated levels of vitamin D in a single recipe. Over a thousand cases were pulled off the market. The company initiated the recall voluntarily, and there were no reports of illness.This was the first recall in the companys more than fifty years in business.

What Kinds of Cat Food Does Pure Vita Offer?

The Pure Vita lineup includes three grain-free dry foods, five canned recipes, and six types of freeze-dried treats. Theyre free of dyes, flavors, and preservatives that might harm your cat.

Pure Vita Cat Food Top 3 Recipes Reviewed

Chicken appears to be the primary protein source in this dry cat food.

Like all Pure Vita foods, this product features a single species protein source. Chicken and chicken meal lead the ingredient list, followed by a small amount of dried egg product.

Like many grain-free foods, it contains a healthy dose of peas and pea flour. These ingredients help to make the food cohesive, crunchy, and consistent, but theyre no better than unfashionable corn, soy, and wheat. Later on the ingredient list, the recipe includes a few more pea-sourced ingredients, including pea starch and pea fiber.

Chicken fat is the foods primary fat source. This is a good thing. Chicken fat and other animal-sourced fats are superior to the plant-derived oils sometimes found in cat food.

Part of the secret to this foods high palatability ratings is an additive called natural flavor. Usually made from hydrolyzed animal tissues, this ingredient is a concentrated source of the meaty flavor cats love.

In addition to its primary ingredients, the food contains a signature blend of minerals and digestive aids, including a yeast culture and chelated minerals.

Overall, this food has moderate protein content, moderate fat, and high carbohydrate content.

This food appeals to cats, is easy on the digestion, and seems to be made from high-quality ingredients.

That said, its not one of the best foods you can buy. As obligate carnivores, cats should eat a low-carbohydrate diet thats made primarily from muscle meat, organs, and fat. With peas taking up so much space in this entre, its a legume-laden meal better suited to an omnivorous eater.

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Pea Flour, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Yeast Extract, Pea Protein, Pea Starch, Pea Fiber, Dried Brewers Yeast, Tomato Pomace, Phosphoric Acid, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Dl Methionine, Carrots, Sunflower Oil, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate), Cranberries, Apricots, Cherries, Taurine, Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Mineral Oil, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate), Turmeric, Dried Chicory Root, Vitamins (Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, etc

Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Fat

Ingredients We Didnt Like: Peas, Pea Flour, Pea Protein, Pea Starch

Crude Protein: 32%

Crude Fat: 18%

Crude Fiber: 6.5%

Moisture: 10%

Ash: 10%

Protein: 35%

Fat: 20%

Fiber: 7.2%

Carbs: 27.7%

Protein: 34%

Fat: 43%

Carbs: 23%

Pros

• Made without animal by-products
• Cats love the way the kibble tastes
• Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
• Primarily made with animal-sourced fat
• Comes in a resealable, easy-to-use bag with a zip closure
• Contains the Good4Life system of minerals and digestive supplements

Cons

• High carbohydrate content

Salmon appears to be the primary protein source in this dry cat food.

While most other fish-based foods contain a mix of unidentified fish species, this food contains salmon and salmon alone. The first two ingredients are salmon and salmon meal.

The food contains sunflower oil as its primary fat source. While not bad for your cat, sunflower oil lacks the fatty acid profile found in animal fat.

The food contains a variety of peas and pea derivatives, with pea starch, peas, pea protein, and pea flour taking up plenty of label space. These ingredients primarily add carbohydrates, but they also increase the foods fiber and protein content.

The food also contains flaxseeds, sunflower meal, and alfalfa meal. Instead of the usual vaguely-named natural flavor were accustomed to seeing in cat food, this food contains natural salmon flavor.

Like all Pure Vita foods, the recipe is supplemented with the Good4Life System, which includes a combination of digestive aids and chelated minerals. It also contains a sprinkling of fruits and vegetables, including small amounts of carrots, cranberries, apricots, and cherries.

Overall, this dry food has moderate protein content with moderate fat and high carbohydrate content.

If youve been looking for a fish-based food that doesnt contain an ounce of chicken fat, eggs, and other ingredients that might irritate your cat, this kibble could be a good option.

That said, it goes heavy on peas and other high-carbohydrate ingredients and isnt particularly rich in protein, both signs that its a less-than-ideal option for your carnivorous feline.

The food has 407 calories per cup.

Salmon, Salmon Meal, Pea Starch, Sunflower Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid), Peas, Pea Protein, Pea Flour, Flax Seeds, Sunflower Meal, Alfalfa Meal, Natural Salmon Flavor, Yeast Extract, Calcium Carbonate, Dried Brewers Yeast, Dried Tomato Pomace, Phosphoric Acid, Choline Chloride, Salt, Dl Methionine, Carrots, Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate), Taurine, Cranberries, Apricots, Cherries, Lactic Acid, Turmeric, Dried Chicory Root, Vitamins (Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, D-calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Inositol, etc

Ingredients We Liked: Salmon, Probiotics

Ingredients We Didnt Like: Peas, Pea Flour, Pea Starch, Pea Fiber, Carrots, Sunflower Oil

Crude Protein: 31%

Crude Fat: 18%

Crude Fiber: 7%

Moisture: 10%

Protein: 34.44%

Fat: 20%

Fiber: 7.78%

Carbs: 37.78%

Protein: 28.51%

Fat: 40.21%

Carbs: 31.27%

Pros

• Appropriate for cats with food sensitivities and allergies
• Free of potentially-harmful additives
• Contains probiotics and digestive enzymes

Cons

• High carbohydrate content

What Do Customers Think of Pure Vita Cat Food?

The brands emphasis on single-species protein sources has made it popular among cats with food sensitivities and allergies. People also appreciate the care put into Pure Vitas packaging, praising its resealable bags and the freshness that they ensure.

Complaints range from palatability problems to concerns about the nutritional appropriateness of dry food in general.

Positive Reviews

I have a cat that would throw up on a regular basis and my vet recommended that I feed him a grain free, single protein food, so that we could see which meats he tolerates. The vomiting has stopped almost completely.The food feels substantial and somewhat moist and the bag has a nice Velcro strip to keep the bag closed and the food fresh. It seems kind of pricey but if my cat keeps doing well I will buy it again. Carol Lemias, reviewing Pure Vita Grain-Free Chicken & Peas Recipe

For a cat who is sensitive chicken and turkey, this is a great substitute. Nearly every other salmon cat food is salmon-flavored and contains either chicken meat or chicken fat. Pure Vita is the only brand I have found that contains no chicken at all. Kitty is so much happier on this food. Valbie, reviewing Pure Vita Grain-Free Salmon & Peas Entre

Negative Reviews

Dont let the gorgeous packaging fool you and notice how the ingredients are not proudly advertised. The facts about dry food are crazy and I dare every cat owner to read the amazing free information at catinfo.org The velcro strap does not seal and the fats go rancid and proliferate with bacteria. Grain Free is also a scam. Until I read the site I had no idea how bad dry food is and its a disgrace we force our pets to eat this species-inappropriate diet. My cat is currently hospitalized for a completely blocked urethra and almost died. I was caught off guard by the ridiculously expensive vet bill and saddened to learn about the hell male cats go through. IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS PLEASE READ FREE INFO: catinfo.org/feline-urinary-tract-diseases/ ANY BRAND OF WET FOOD IS BETTER THAN FEEDING ANY BRAND OF DRY FOOD Dr. Penrose, reviewing Pure Vita Grain-Free Chicken and Peas Entre

This bag made my cat sick. Opened it 4 days ago and all 4 days she threw up. She never throws up. Watch out! Dean, reviewing Pure Vita Grain-Free Salmon & Peas Entre

How Much Does Pure Vita Cat Food Cost?

Pure Vita is on the expensive side, particularly if you choose one of their wet recipes. Breaking it down in terms of cost per day, Pure Vita would cost about $4.38 per day if youre feeding a 10-lb cat. If you choose one of their dry cat food recipes, that price would drop to the range of $0.34 to $0.50 per day.

Overall, Is Pure Vita a Good Choice?

Pure Vita offers a diverse variety of limited-ingredient, single-species recipes, providing plenty of options for cats with food intolerances, sensitivities, and allergies.

Their dry foods arent among the best weve reviewedwed prefer Ziwi Peak, Dr. Elseys cleanprotein, or Tiki Catbut theyre slightly better than the average kibble.

If you can stomach the price tag, Pure Vita wet cat food is among the best you can buy. Their wet food has an outstanding combination of thoughtfully simple recipes, limited-ingredient formulations for sensitive cats, and enough meat to satisfy your carnivore.

Where To Buy Pure Vita Cat Food?

The company is committed to partnering with independent neighborhood stores and is not available in major pet retail chains. Click here to find a retailer near you.

The same applies to their online distribution. Pure Vita encourages customers to support small businesses by buying from their authorized online retailers, which include PetFlow, Anglers Outfitters, and Naturally Unleashed.

Not all of these authorized retailers provide a comprehensive selection. You can also purchase Pure Vita through larger online stores, including Amazon, eBay, Jet, Kmart, Petco, Sears, and Walmart.

NutriSource Grain Free Dog Food Review (Dry)

Home Reviews NutriSource Grain Free Dog Food Review (Dry)

NutriSource Grain Free Dog Food Review (Dry)

By Mike Sagman

Updated: March 22, 2024

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Review of NutriSource Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Which NutriSource Grain Free Recipes Get Our Best Ratings?

The NutriSource Grain Free product line includes the 17 dry dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

NutriSource Grain Free Seafood Select was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.

NutriSource Grain Free Seafood Select

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Salmon, menhaden fish meal, peas, pea flour, chicken fat (preserved with tocopherols and citric acid), pea starch, alfalfa meal, flax seeds, natural turkey and chicken flavor, dried tomato pomace, calcium carbonate, sunflower oil, potassium chloride, brewers dried yeast, salt, dl-methionine, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, selenium yeast), choline chloride, vitamins (vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), lactic acid, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Yucca schidigera extract, taurine, l-carnitine, calcium iodate, rosemary extract, yeast culture, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 7%

Red denotes any controversial items

Ingredient Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is salmon. Although it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, raw salmon contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

The second ingredient is menhaden fish meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.

Menhaden are small ocean fish related to herring. Theyre rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Whats more, in their mid-depth habitat, menhaden are not exposed to mercury contamination as can be typical with deep water species.

This item is typically obtained from the clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings of commercial fish operations.¹

The third ingredient lists peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, theyre rich in natural fiber.

However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.

The fourth ingredient is pea flour, a powder made from roasted yellow peas and also contains as much as 25% protein.

The fifth ingredient is chicken fat. This item is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The next ingredient is pea starch, a paste-like, gluten-free carbohydrate extract probably used here as a binder for making kibble. Aside from its energy content (calories), pea starch is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The seventh ingredient is alfalfa meal. Although alfalfa meal is high in plant protein (about 18%) and fiber (25%), this hay-family item is more commonly associated with horse feeds.

The eighth ingredient is flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided theyve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.

However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

After the natural turkey and chicken flavor, we find tomato pomace. Tomato pomace is a controversial ingredient, a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.

Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content, while others scorn it as an inexpensive pet food filler.

Just the same, theres probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But realistically, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this NutriSource product.

With 6 notable exceptions

First, we find sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is nutritionally similar to safflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3s, theyre considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.

Sunflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.

There are several different types of sunflower oil, some better than others. Without knowing more, its impossible to judge the quality of this ingredient.

Next, brewers yeast can be a controversial item. Although its a by-product of the beer making process, this ingredient is rich in minerals and other healthy nutrients.

Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system.

Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular dog is allergic to the yeast itself.

In addition, a vocal minority insists yeast can increase the risk of developing the life-threatening condition known as bloat. However, this is a claim weve not been able to scientifically verify.

In any case, unless your dog is specifically allergic to it, yeast can still be considered a nutritious additive.

Whats more noteworthy here is that brewers yeast contains about 48% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

In addition, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Next, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.

Dried fermentation products are also included in this food. Fermentation products are typically added to provide enzymes to aid the animal with digestion.

And lastly, this product contains selenium yeast. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, NutriSource Grain Free dog food looks like an above-average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 28%, a fat level of 17% and estimated carbohydrates of about 48%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 30% and a mean fat level of 17%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 45% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.

Which means this NutriSource product line contains

Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the pea products, alfalfa meal, flaxseed and brewers yeast, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a notable amount of meat.

Our Rating of NutriSource Grain Free Dog Food

NutriSource Grain Free is a dry dog food using a notable amount of named meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4.5 stars.

Highly recommended.

NutriSource Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to NutriSource through April.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.

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