Tundra for Cats

Full Review of Tundra 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 21% of Orijen Tundra 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 significantly below average for a Dry Cat Food.

Despite being significantly below average, this carbohydrate proportion is still above ideal. That being said it is a satisfactory level especially given this is an overestimate. The source of this carbohydrate content is a range of legumes such as Chickpeas and Peas. These 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 37% of Orijen Tundra 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 protein proportion and should be sufficient for the majority of cats. This protein is sourced from a very wide range of red meat and fish including Goat, Trout, and Venison. Meat and fish such as this are considered high-quality sources.

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 42% of Orijen Tundra 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 is a very satisfactory level of fat and should be more than sufficient to fulfill the energy needs of the most active of cats. This fat is from the huge range of meat and fish ingredients. Fish in particular contains higher levels of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids which are known to provide a range of health benefits.

Calorie Density

Overall Orijen Tundra Cat Food contains an average of 4120 kcal/kg or 535 kcal per 250ml/130g 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 – Tundra 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 Tundra Cat Food contains more than ten sources of meat or fish.

The primary meat source present is Goat. Goat is considered a high-quality source of protein. Goat contains a range of minerals including Iron and Potassium. Unfortunately, just like Beef and Boar, Goat contains a high concentration of water. Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Goat. However given that Goat is the first listed ingredient, its proportion will still be relatively high even after the cooking process.

Wild Boar is considered a high-quality source of meat. Unfortunately, Boar contains a large amount of water. This moisture will be evaporated during the cooking process leaving a smaller amount of Boar.

Another meat source present is Venison. Venison is considered a high-quality source of protein. Venison has lower levels of saturated fat than other red meats. It also contains a similar range of vitamins and minerals such as Iron and Vitamin B6. Unfortunately, Venison does contain a high concentration of water. Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Venison. However given that Venison is the third listed ingredient, its proportion will still be relatively high even after the cooking process.

Char is considered a high-quality source of meat. Unfortunately, Char contains a large amount of water. This moisture will be evaporated during the cooking process leaving a smaller amount of Char.

Another meat source present is Duck. Duck is a considered a high-quality source of protein. It contains considerably higher levels of selenium and phosphorus than other meats. Unfortunately, Duck does contain a high concentration of water. Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Duck. However given that Duck is not one of the primary ingredients, its proportion will be relatively low after the cooking process.

Mutton is considered a high-quality source of meat. Unfortunately, Mutton contains a large amount of water. This moisture will be evaporated during the cooking process leaving a smaller amount of Mutton.

Another fish source present is Trout. Trout is considered a high-quality source of protein. Trout has a range of benefits including very high levels of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids. In addition, it is rich in Potassium, Vitamin B12 and Trout contains fewer contaminants such as Mercury than other fish. Unfortunately, just as with meat, Trout contains a high concentration of water. Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Trout. Given that Trout is the not a primary ingredient, its proportion will likely be relatively low after the cooking process.

In-Depth None-Meat Ingredient Review

Chickpeas, Peas, and Lentils are 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. While the protein and fiber of legumes may make them sound beneficial, they are not a part of a cats natural diet and contribute to high levels of unneeded carbohydrates. In addition, the protein they provide less amino acid coverage than meat-based protein and is far less digestible. Legumes in anything but low quantities should be considered a low-quality cat food ingredient.

Pumpkin is a high-quality vegetable ingredient and a beneficial addition to a cats diet. Pumpkin contains high levels of a variety of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Potassium. However, Pumpkin is probably best known for the Dietary Fiber it can contribute. This fiber can improve and regulate digestion. Finally, Pumpkin does not contain significant levels of plant-based protein. This lack of protein prevents Pumpkin being used solely to inflate protein levels like other vegetables, such as Peas, often are.

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 – Tundra Cat Food

Goat, wild boar, venison, arctic char, duck, mutton, steelhead trout, duck liver, wild boar liver, wild boar kidney, mackerel meal, whole pilchard, lamb meal, mutton meal, alaskan cod meal, blue whiting meal, duck fat, herring meal, whole red lentils, whole green lentils, whole green peas, whole chickpeas, whole yellow peas, whole pinto beans, lentil fiber, mutton tripe, herring oil, goat heart, goat kidney, goat liver, venison heart, venison liver, mutton liver, wild boar heart, whole navy beans, freeze-dried goat liver, freeze-dried venison liver, whole pumpkin, whole butternut squash, whole zucchini, whole parsnips, carrots, whole apples, whole pears, kale, spinach greens, beet greens, turnip greens, dried brown kelp, whole cranberries, whole blueberries, choline chloride, zinc proteinate, mixed tocopherols (preservative), copper proteinate, 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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