Fit and Trim for Cats

A Full Review of Fit and Trim Cat Food by Orijen

Nutritional Analysis

The ideal nutrition for a cat is a high amount of protein, a medium amount of fat. Cats do not require carbohydrates in their diet. However, they can safely consume small amounts of carbohydrates with minimal effect.

Carbohydrate Content Analysis

Cats use carbohydrates as a simple energy source. Cats do not require carbohydrates in their diet and they are commonly added to reduce cost and increase shelf life. As the chart above displays, a maximum of 22% of Orijen Fit and Trim Cat Food calories are derived from carbohydrates. Please note that this is the maximum amount of carbohydrates as calculated by the guaranteed analysis. In reality, this value of carbohydrates is likely to be a lot lower. This is below average for a Dry Cat Food.

Despite being below average, we still consider this level of carbohydrates to be too high. This is a poor reflection of a cats natural diet. The source of this carbohydrate content is a range of legumes. Legumes such as Peas, Lentils and Chickpeas are considered one of the better sources of carbohydrates.

Protein Content Analysis

Cats use Protein for growth, development, and maintenance. Excess protein can be burned as calories. As the chart above displays, a minimum of 44% of Orijen Fit and Trim Cat Food calories are derived from protein. Please note that this is the minimum amount of protein as calculated by the guaranteed analysis. In reality, this value of protein is likely to be higher. This is significantly above average for a Dry Cat Food.

This is a very satisfactory level of protein and will be more than sufficient to fulfill a cats dietary need for protein. This protein is from a variety of sources including poultry such as Chicken and Turkey and fish such as Flounder and Herring. Meat and fish ingredients such as this are considered high-quality sources and a natural part of a cats diet.

Fat Content Analysis

Cats use Fat for a concentrated energy source. In addition, fats also play a role in development and maintenance. As the chart above displays, a minimum of 34% of Orijen Fit and Trim Cat Food calories are derived from Fat. Please note that this is the minimum amount of fat as calculated by the guaranteed analysis. In reality, this value of fat is likely to be a lot higher. This is above average for a Dry Cat Food.

This level of fat is satisfactory but not particularly impressive. This fat content will provide a concentrated energy source for most cats but may not be sufficient for those who are more active. This fat is sourced from a range of poultry and fish ingredients such as Chicken and Flounder. The fish ingredients provide a very healthy proportion of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids which are known to provide a range of health benefits.

Calorie Density

Overall Orijen Fit and Trim Cat Food contains an average of 3750 kcal/kg or 428 kcal per 8oz. cup

Disclaimer

Once again please note that the values in this section are calculated using the products guaranteed analysis. The guaranteed analysis only lists the minimum and maximum values and as a consequence, these can sometimes be an inaccurate representation. As a rule of thumb, most cat foods will contain slightly more protein and considerably more fat than their guaranteed analysis. This will have the knock-on effect of reducing the relative amount of carbohydrates present. However also note that every cat food is different and some will be considerably closer to the guaranteed analysis than others.

Guaranteed Analysis – Orijen – Fit and Trim Cat Food

Pet foods in the United States are legally required by the AAFCO to have a guaranteed analysis on their packaging. A guaranteed analysis must display certain nutritional information. This is similar to how nutritional values are now commonly displayed on food for human consumption. The information that must be displayed includes Crude Protein, Crude Fat, Crude Fiber, and Moisture. Some guaranteed analysis will contain additional information. The guaranteed analysis for this product is listed below.

Ingredient Analysis

The ingredients of a pet food are displayed as a list in descending order. Those listed at the start of the list make up the majority of a pet foods content. Therefore the quality of these core ingredients is the most important factor in determining the quality of a pet food. However, later ingredients should not be ignored, especially if they are deemed potentially dangerous or harmful.

In-Depth Meat/Fish Ingredient Review

The meat ingredients of a cat food are probably the most important ingredients. Orijen Fit and Trim Cat Food contains more than ten sources of meat or fish.

The primary meat source present is Chicken. Chicken is considered a high-quality source of protein. In addition to being a fantastic protein source, chicken has high levels of Niacin and Vitamin B6. Unfortunately Chicken does contain a high concentration of water. Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Chicken. However given that Chicken is the first listed ingredient, its proportion will still be relatively high even after the cooking process.

Chicken and Turkey Giblets are considered a high or average quality source of meat depending on their ingredients. Giblets are the innards of a bird and contain organs such as the liver or heart. These can contain higher quantities of vitamins and minerals than traditional meat cuts as well as high levels of protein.

Another meat source present is Turkey. Turkey is a considered a high-quality source of protein. Some of the beneficial nutrients contained in Turkey include Vitamin B6 and Niacin. Unfortunately, Turkey does contain a high concentration of water. Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Turkey. Given that Turkey is not one of the primary ingredients, its proportion will be relatively low after the cooking process.

Eggs are a highly nutritious pet food ingredient and are considered a high-quality source of protein. Eggs contain a huge variety of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, Vitamin B2 and B12, Selenium, Phosphorus and many others. In addition to this, they contain a high proportion of protein and healthy fats such as the Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids.

Another fish source present is Flounder, Flounder is considered a high-quality source of protein. It is known for being a  particularly lean source of protein in comparison to other fish. However, it does contain high levels of salt and lower levels of the Omega 3 Fatty Acid than other fish. Unfortunately, Flounder contains a high concentration of water. Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Flounder. Given that flounder is not one of the primary ingredients, its proportion will be relatively low after the cooking process.

Another fish source present is Herring. Herring is considered a high-quality source of protein. The Vitamin B12 is extremely abundant in Herring. In addition to this, similar to other fish, Herring is very rich in the Omega 3 Fatty Acid. Unfortunately, Herring contains a high concentration of water. Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Herring. However given that Herring is not one of the primary ingredients, its proportion will be relatively low after the cooking process.

In-Depth None-Meat Ingredient Review

Orijen Fit and Trim Cat Food contains Peas, Lentils and Garbanzo Beans (also known as chickpeas). These are all members of the legume family of vegetables. Legumes are famous for having a relatively high amount of protein for a vegetable. Legumes also contain a high amount of fiber, which is important for healthy digestion. Pet foods often use legumes as a replacement for grains in grain-free pet food. Protein from vegetables such as legumes should not be a replacement for protein from meat. Instead, it should act as an additional protein source.

Squash, which is closely related to Pumpkin, is a positive addition to cats food. Squash contains high levels of Vitamin A and C similar to fruit such as Apples and Pears. In addition to this, Squash also provides a plentiful supply of Beta Carotene. Comparable to Pumpkin, Squash is high in fiber which can help regulate digestion. However, it is essential to be aware that Squash needs to have its seeds and skin removed to be suitable for dogs. The removal of the skin and seeds will take place during the manufacturing process of commercial cat food.

Dried Chicory Root or Chicory Root Extract is an additive or supplement to cat food. It can provide a range of health benefits including soluble fiber to enable regular passage of stool, probiotics to aid and promote digestion, as well as potentially eliminate or prevent intestinal worms. While these benefits are not fully proven, there is strong evidence behind them. The proportion of Chicory Root used in most cat food recipes is tiny and does not contribute meaningful nutrition. Find out more in Dried Chicory Root In Dog Food.

Full Ingredient List – Orijen – Fit and Trim Cat Food

Deboned chicken, chicken liver, turkey liver, deboned turkey, whole eggs, arrowtooth flounder, turkey heart, whole atlantic herring, chicken heart, cod liver, dehydrated chicken liver, dehydrated turkey liver, dehydrated sardine, dehydrated chicken, dehydrated turkey, dehydrated herring, whole red lentils, whole chickpeas, whole green peas, whole green lentils, whole pinto beans, whole navy beans, natural chicken flavor, apple fiber, lentil fiber, whole yellow peas, dehydrated pumpkin, dehydrated butternut squash, chicken cartilage, dried kelp, freeze-dried chicken liver, freeze-dried turkey liver, freeze-dried cod liver, whole pumpkin, whole butternut squash, kale, spinach, mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens, whole carrots, whole red delicious apples, whole bartlett pears, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, choline chloride, zinc proteinate, mixed tocopherols (preservative), thiamine mononitrate, chicory root, turmeric, sarsaparilla root, althea root, rosehips, juniper berries, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product.

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