Eukanuba cat food: super-premium or clever advertising?

Eukanuba cat food belongs to the super-premium class and includes two lines - everyday and medicinal. The products began to be manufactured back in 1969, and at that time it was difficult to believe that dry food could consist exclusively of natural ingredients, including meat. Over the years, the company has developed, the range of products has expanded, and today every breeder has the opportunity to choose a series that is optimally suitable for pets with certain physiological characteristics and diseases. The manufacturer uses mainly chicken and lamb as meat ingredients.

Eukanuba cat food: product range

The company pays great attention to quality control of the ingredients used and claims that all components are suitable for human consumption. The food is balanced and includes all the vitamins and microelements necessary for normal development and life.

Everyday food

The company produces a large range of dry food with different compositions and indications. The most popular product that is suitable for most animals is Eukanuba Adult Cat Food with Chicken

– balanced nutrition for adult animals over 1 year old. Contains 41% poultry, a natural source of taurine. The latter has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and ensures good vision until old age.

The food contains 35% protein and 22% fat.

Other types of dry food are intended for pets with certain characteristics:

1. For older cats
   - recommended for animals over the age of seven years, and designed to meet the needs of their body. Of the entire line, it contains the largest amount of protein, which allows you to maintain muscle mass - 38%. The fat content is also increased - 26%, from which the body will produce the main energy. The source of protein is natural chicken and turkey meat - 44% of the total mass.
2. Food for kittens, pregnant and lactating cats -
   suitable for feeding young animals aged from 1 month to a year. 43% consists of poultry meat. Includes docosahexaenoic acid, which has a beneficial effect on brain development. A large amount of antioxidants helps improve immunity, and healthy intestinal microflora is ensured thanks to prebiotics and fiber. Contains 36% protein and 23.5% fat.
3. For obese, castrated and sterilized cats -
   characterized by a reduced fat content, the amount of which is 13.5%. The amount of protein is 30%. Since castrated animals are prone to diseases of the genitourinary system, this product also has a reduced magnesium content. The source of protein is chicken and turkey meat, chicken offal and liver; all together reaches 35% content.
4. “Hair removal” is
   a product for animals that rarely go outside. Its composition is optimally balanced taking into account the needs of pets, and a special combination of natural fibers helps to quickly remove hair from the stomach. The feed contains 43% poultry. Includes 35% protein and 22% fat.
5. For cats with a sensitive digestive system
   - made from freeze-dried chicken and turkey meat - 27%, lamb meat - 14% and chicken liver - 8%. The food contains a large amount of vitamins, microelements and antioxidants. Moderately fermentable fiber from sugar beets promotes active absorption of nutrients. Includes 35% protein and 22% fat.

Wet food

Spiders are sold in convenient packages of 85 g, most of them are intended for feeding animals over 1 year old. For young animals aged 1-12 months, there is only one name “Pauchi for kittens with chicken”, in which the meat content reaches 26%. A similar product is also available for cats over 7 years old. Conventional canned food for adult pets uses a variety of meats in quantities of at least 4%.

You can offer your pet the following types:

• with beef;
• with a rabbit;
• with salmon;
• with Chiken.

Veterinary diet

The Eukanuba company also produces specialized veterinary food, which can also be in the form of dry and wet food:

1. Restricted Calorie
   – for overweight animals, has a low calorie, low fat formula. The product effectively stimulates metabolic processes in the body, thereby normalizing weight.
2. High Calorie
   – canned food intended for nutrition during stressful periods. Recommended for use after serious illnesses and operations. The food is made on the basis of easily digestible nutrients that have high energy value. The product is introduced into the diet gradually during recovery in accordance with the recommendations of the veterinarian.
3. Dermatosis LB
   – canned food for animals suffering from inflammatory skin diseases, food allergies and dermatitis. The food reduces hair loss and improves metabolism.
4. Urinary Oxalate
   is a food for cats with oxalate-type urolithiasis. It is characterized by a reduced calcium content, which contributes to the formation of oxalate stones.
5. Urinary Struvite
   – for cats suffering from struvite-type urolithiasis. This product contains components that increase the acidity of urine and thereby reduce the risk of stone formation.
6. Renal
   – food for pets with kidney disease. Characterized by low protein and phosphorus content. Supports kidney function in chronic renal failure.
7. Intestinal
   – for cats suffering from digestive system disorders. The food regulates fat metabolism and promotes recovery from diarrhea.

Types and composition

If Eukanuba produces all possible varieties of a complete diet for dogs, then food for purrs is a little limited. Eukanuba does not produce canned food for cats: only dry food, but it is also presented in a fairly wide range of products.

The food is often recommended by veterinarians as a dietary supplement for various disorders.

Ruler

Despite the lack of wet food in Eukanuba’s assortment, the variety provided by the dry food manufacturer is worthy of respect. The main ones:

• Adult Light, based on chicken meat. Dry food intended for sterilized cats, domestic cats that do not show a tendency to be active and, conversely, have a tendency to be overweight;
• Adult Maintenance rich in Chicken & Liver. Dry chicken pads for active cats from one year old. It contains not only meat, but also freeze-dried liver;
• Adult Maintenance rich in Lamb & Liver. The basis is lamb meat, but there is chicken and offal; intended for active cats from one year old;
• Mature & Senior. Crackers rich in proteins and antioxidants for older cats - from 11 years;
• Kitten Complete rich in Chicken. Harmonious and balanced dry food for kittens. In addition, it is suitable for pregnant and lactating cats. Kittens can be fed from 3 weeks to one year. Based on chicken meat;
• Adult Hairball Indoor. Specialized food for very clean cats that constantly form hairballs in their stomach. Designed for adult active pets.

A total of 13 types are produced, differing in packaging volume.

Compound

Each category of food from Eukanuba has an individual composition. However, on average, any of them contains at least 20% natural meat of the declared type. In addition, up to 10% chicken meat and chicken by-products. Typically, the specific gravity of meat components in any type of feed does not exceed 60%.

Eukanuba states that each piece of dry food is as balanced as possible and contains everything a cat needs for a full life, depending on its age category, health status, weight and breed characteristics:

• immunomodulators and antioxidants, in particular vitamin E, plant extracts and brewer's yeast;
• calcium and other mineral compounds to strengthen bones and teeth, as well as magnesium to prevent problems with the kidneys and urinary tract;
• special components for removing hairballs from the cat’s body;
• fiber to stimulate digestive processes, namely beet pulp. Raw materials for feed undergo moderate fermentation;
• Omega-3 and -6: fatty acids combined in a harmonious balance to improve your cat's appearance, namely healthy skin and shiny coat;
• The dry structure of the food helps prevent problems with tartar, inflammation of the gums and atrophy of the jaw muscles.

The composition necessarily contains fish meal and a dry whole egg. In addition, the Dutch add rice and corn grits. What the food definitely does not contain are preservatives, artificial colors and flavors.

Composition of Eukanuba feed

Let's look at the composition of Eukanuba cat food based on the product for kittens Chicken and Liver.

In first place it contains proteins of animal origin in the amount of 43%, the source of which is poultry. It is worth noting that it is difficult to judge its quality, since the manufacturer did not indicate what exactly is used for production - the meat itself or offal. Next are cereals - wheat, barley and rice, as well as wheat flour, which contain carbohydrates. Next comes whole dried egg and hydrolyzed animal protein, which are also good sources of protein. Fatty acids are found in fish and animal fat, brewer's yeast contains a lot of B vitamins, and fructo-oligo-saccharides act as a prebiotic that normalizes the digestion process. The list of supplements includes various minerals and vitamins. Sugar beet pulp is a source of fiber.

Manufacturer information

Eukanuba brand food has been known in the USA since 1969. They were created by the Iams corporation, but in 1999 it was sold to Procter & Gamble, and in 2014 to Mars. Today, the production of animal feed for the Russian market has been transferred to the Royal Canin plant in the Moscow region.

On the official website eukanuba.ru, the manufacturer talks about the high-tech process of creating pet food, as well as recipes that continue to be improved for the health of dogs. Products regularly undergo quality tests comparable to those of human food products. More than 120 different checks are carried out on each batch.

Advantages and disadvantages of Eukanuba

The advantages of this product include:

• high content of meat ingredients;
• protein in food is not of plant origin, but of animal origin;
• a large number of useful supplements (vitamins and microelements);
• availability of veterinary products;
• Quite a large assortment.

Among the disadvantages is the fact that it is impossible to accurately determine the quality of meat ingredients, since the manufacturer does not indicate what percentage of the actual meat and offal was used. There is also no clarification about the preservative used. A disadvantage for many pet owners will also be the relatively high cost, although there are many analogues that are more expensive.

Advantages and disadvantages

Here we can only summarize. The best indicators of the “pluses” of the Eukanuba brand are recommendations from veterinarians and reviews from happy owners, and they agree that:

• innovative developments, high standards, good quality natural raw materials suggest that the food will have the expected effect in the form of an active and happy cat;
• declared, “transparent” composition;
• the presence of lines for kittens and cats of different categories, including the elderly, as well as special “dietary” food Eukanuba;
• the use of plant extracts, fiber, brewer's yeast is a guarantee of the required amount of vitamins and minerals.

Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages. Among them are:

• no canned food Eukanuba, only dry;
• gradual decrease in the specific gravity of meat products;
• limited access. The food is not the most common and most likely you can only buy it online.

Eukanuba food prices

You can now see the current price of food and buy it right here from Yandex Market with fast delivery:

The price of Eukanuba cat food is quite high. Dry products can be purchased at the following prices:

• 0.2 kg – from 310 rub.;
• 2 kg – from 1200 rub.;
• 10 kg – from 5140 rub.

The price of a pouch is from 50 rubles. per bag.

Products from the veterinary line are a little more expensive. For example, High Calorie canned food weighing 170 g will cost 130 rubles, and a Restricted Calorie 12 kg package will cost from 5570 rubles.

Feeding standards

It is recommended to consult a veterinarian before starting use or before extending the period of use. Your veterinarian may make specific feeding recommendations for your cat or may ask you to use the standard portions listed on the feeding chart. Recommended period of use: compensation for impaired digestion: 3-12 weeks; reduction of acute intestinal malabsorption: 1-2 weeks; regulation of lipid metabolism: initially up to 2 months. Make sure your cat always has enough water to drink. Exclusively for feeding pets.

Weight, kg)

Reviews of Eukanuba food

Reviews about Eukanuba cat food are very varied, but most of them are still positive. The following is written about this product:

“Not knowing that cheap food can lead to dire consequences, we fed the cat Kitiket products. About a year later, constant digestive problems began - regurgitation and diarrhea. At the appointment, the veterinarian advised me to buy higher quality food, preferably premium food, and told me exactly what it included. Eukanuba was also included in this list. We decided to give preference to food for neutered cats, and we were satisfied. The cat eats with pleasure, going to the toilet has become regular and normal, and the fur has become more beautiful and shiny.”

The owner of a young British cat also left a positive review of Eukanuba dry food.

:

“We adopted a kitten at the age of six months and tried feeding it with different products. He refused some brands completely, others he ate, but without much pleasure. We decided to try Eukanuba food with lamb and chicken, he immediately liked it. We have been buying him for 9 months now, and so far there have been no complaints - the pet is healthy, cheerful and active. I liked that this product does not contain artificial colors or flavors; the content of meat products is also quite high. Of course, there are better quality foods, but in this price segment Eukanuba can be given a solid five.”

Every pet owner is probably interested in reading reviews from veterinarians.

about Eukanuba cat food. Here's what a specialist with twenty years of experience says about him:

“Each Eukanuba product includes only natural ingredients, which is a definite reason to buy it. The amount of protein and fat in it is at the optimal level, in addition, owners have the opportunity to select products in accordance with the physiological characteristics of the animal. The manufacturer offers a large number of foods for adult cats that have digestive problems and are overweight, suffer from urolithiasis, have suffered serious illnesses and surgeries, and many others. A plus is the addition of vitamins and microelements; the products also include a sufficient amount of fatty acids and antioxidants. All these features allow us to confidently recommend the product.”

History of creation

Dry food for cats and dogs "Eukanuba" was developed by Procter&Gamble.
In 2014, the brand was purchased. A special feature of the product was the addition of natural meat, which improved the composition. It undergoes sublimation, during which all liquid is removed, but the nutrients are retained. Specialists have developed unique formulas of ingredients. Cats are carnivorous animals and need protein for proper nutrition. The body does not absorb it from plants, so most cheap feeds are not beneficial. They contain large amounts of soy and corn, which are harmful.

The Eukanuba product contains only high quality animal proteins. Meat is used for this:

• lambs;
• Chicken;
• salmon

Specialists cooperate with well-known breeders. This allows you to observe how animals grow on dry food "Eukanuba"

It is important to monitor the occurrence of allergies, digestive disorders and other disorders - this is necessary to correct the formula

Conclusions about Eukanuba food

As evidenced by reviews from owners and veterinarians about Eukanuba cat food, these products are actually high quality in their segment. The food is well balanced and worth its price. The products are able to fully provide the animal’s body with the necessary amount of protein, fats and nutrients. When choosing, you should focus on the characteristics of your pet (in particular, if he has serious illnesses) and feed him in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations indicated on the package.

Advantages and disadvantages

pros

Eukanuba cat food has a number of positive qualities that are decisive for pet owners when choosing food among several manufacturers.

These include:

High quality products

Manufacturers pay special attention to it. Using only high-quality ingredients to produce food, they not only provide pets with food, but also make them healthier, stronger and more cheerful.

• The line has a large assortment for ordinary cats for every day, as well as dry medicinal food for pets with health problems.
• The food is nutritious enough that you can give your pets small portions of food. As a result, one pack will last for a long time. A small amount of food per day not only prevents the cat from overeating and gaining weight, but also significantly saves the owner’s money.
• This type of food has a positive effect on your pet’s coat, making it smoother and shiny. Therefore, Eukanuba dry food is often used by owners of show cat breeds. These include a chinchilla cat, a Nibelung cat or a British cat.
• Due to the high calcium content, the food also has a beneficial effect on your pet’s bones. They become stronger.
• Eating Eukanuba cat food daily will strengthen your pet's teeth.

A chinchilla cat's coat should look good - this is only possible with a healthy diet.

Minuses

In addition to the advantages, the series also has several disadvantages:

• A significant disadvantage, according to reviews from owners, is the high price of the line compared to other dry food.
• The daily nutrition line includes only Eukanuba dry food. There are no canned food or so-called pouches in it.
• The manufacturer began adding significantly less meat to the Eukanuba line for adult cats. If previously the feed contained about 40%, now it is no more than 20%.
• Eukanuba dry food contains not only animal proteins, but also plant proteins, which are less beneficial for pets.

If you use low-quality products to feed cats, their immunity will weaken. This will lead to the pet being more often exposed to various diseases.

Characteristics of premium feed

The premium class includes popular cat food in the mid-price category. They are sold both in specialized stores and in regular supermarkets. Such food in the form of a pouch can cost from 16 rubles per bag, and 400 grams of dry product will cost the cat owner from 100 rubles.

Premium food is sold even in regular stores

Features of the composition

The following can be used as feed components:

• meat and its processed products - at least 35%;
• animal protein (egg, milk, etc.) - at least 20%;
• offal (liver, heart, lungs, etc.) - 10%;
• components of plant origin (vegetables, cereals) - no more than 25%;
• vitamins and minerals;
• amino acids (including taurine);
• natural antioxidants.

Here are the ingredients that should not be in “premium”:

• sugar, cellulose, propylene glycol and other sweeteners;
• artificial colors (eg E127);
• synthetic antioxidants (for example, E320 or E321).

Manufacturers sometimes indicate that the food contains corn gluten (this is a compound of molasses and starch that remains after corn is processed). Some cat owners believe that such a component can be dangerous for the animal. Firstly, corn can cause allergies, and secondly, starchy foods can negatively affect blood sugar levels. However, gluten is found in almost every premium food; this is explained by the need to use cheap fillers. In addition, this product contains a lot of protein, as well as essential amino acids and vitamins.

The packaging of premium food must indicate the composition, analysis and presence of additives.

Table: differences between feeds of different classes

Advantages of premium food

The advantages of premium feed include several factors:

• they contain more meat than their economical counterparts;
• any additives are natural, not synthetic;
• low price;
• Some manufacturers offer lines for kittens, elderly and sick cats.

Veterinarians usually recommend premium dietary foods to their patients - they are just as inexpensive, but are of better quality than economy-class products.

Veterinarians trust most premium foods

Disadvantages of premium food

The main disadvantages of premium feed include:

• presence of flavorings and dyes;
• relatively low meat content;
• high content of plant components;
• indication of the “blurred” composition (for example, the presence of protein is indicated - 35%, of which at least 4% is chicken meat).

General characteristics and nutrition philosophy

In 1946, Peter Yams founded a pet food company called Yukanuba (“you can noo' bah”). To live up to its name (in jazz culture it meant being the best), the company pursues a special policy:

• strict selection of raw material suppliers;
• quality control of primary raw materials;
• a special approach to nutritional composition;
• cooperation with the largest dog breeders and kennel clubs;
• sanitary inspections and quality control of finished products by leading organizations in this industry.

Find out what the pros and cons of dry food are.

The manufacturer, in an effort to occupy a leading position in the feed market, cooperates with private breeders and nurseries, with dog handlers and veterinarians. Such an alliance helps develop products for completely different categories of pets:

• diet for four-legged animals with weight or health problems;
• for the smallest and oldest pets;
• maximum useful combination for miniature dogs and large, even giant breeds;
• A special place is occupied by the line developed for specific breeds.

All suppliers of primary raw materials for feed production undergo product safety testing, and all components must have a quality certificate. The food production plant and the products themselves are voluntarily tested by the leading body (The American Institude of Baking) for product quality certification.

The company cooperates with such recognized organizations as the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), as well as many European clubs.

Did you know? One of the oldest known dog breeds is the Saluki, their homeland is the Middle East. In Egypt, animals were kept in the families of the pharaohs, treated with respect, and after death they were mummified as members of royal blood.