We've known this for a long time, haven't we?
Crappy ingredients = necessary supplementation
I have an issue, however, with calling the foods provided as examples as "premium".
I think that there are grocery brands:
Poultry by-product meal, ground yellow corn, wheat flour, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, brewers rice, beef tallow preserved with mixed-tocopherols (source of vitamin E), fish meal, brewers dried yeast, animal digest, phosphoric acid, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, tetra sodium pyrophosphate, calcium chloride, choline chloride, dicalcium phosphate, salt, taurine, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, vitamin supplements (E, A, B-12, D-3), L-Alanine, riboflavin supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, biotin, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, copper sulfate, citric acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), calcium iodate.
Brewers rice, poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), ground yellow corn, soybean meal, animal liver flavor, chicken, turkey, phosphoric acid, calcium carbonate, natural and artificial flavors, potassium chloride, salt, brewers dried yeast, choline chloride, added color (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2 and other color), zinc sulfate, taurine, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite.
Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Meal, Corn Grits, Chicken Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Sodium Bisulfate, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), DL-Methionine, Brewers Dried Yeast, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (source of vitamin B2), Inositol, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Carbonate).
Then, there are Specialty Store brands:
Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Brewers Rice, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Liver Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Sulfate, Choline Chloride, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Iodized Salt, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract.
Chicken Meal, Ground Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Poultry Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Rice Flour, Natural Flavors, Rice Protein Concentrate, Herring Meal, Soybean Oil, Sunflower Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Dried Vegetable Fiber (Carrots, Celery, Beets, Parsley, Lettuce, Water Cress, Spinach), Yeast Culture, Potassium Chloride, Menhaden Fish Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Choline Chloride, Dried Egg Product, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Inositol, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Extract, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Dried Chicory Root, Cranberry Powder, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement (source of Vitamin B2), Calcium Iodate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of Vitamin B1), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of Vitamin K activity), Folic Acid.
Chicken meal, brown rice, rice, corn, corn gluten meal, chicken fat, natural flavors, pea fiber, wheat gluten, rice hulls, dried beet pulp, soybean oil, calcium sulfate, sodium silico aluminate (zeolite), dried brewers yeast, fructo-oligosaccharides, dried egg powder, anchovy oil (source of EPA and DHA omega 3 fatty acids), salt, potassium chloride, taurine, choline chloride, L-lysine, DL-methionine, sodium tripolyphosphate, vitamins [DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), niacin, biotin, riboflavin (vitamin B2), D-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A acetate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement], trace minerals [zinc oxide, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite], decaffeinated green tea polyphenols, Lcarnitine, preserved with natural mixed tocopherols (source of vitamin E) and citric acid, rosemary extract.
And then there are what I would consider TRUE premium foods:
Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken Meal, Chicken, Potatoes, Eggs, Barley, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and ascorbic acid), Rice, Herring, Sunflower Oil, Apples, Carrots, Milk (lactose free), Fish Oil (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Garlic, Alfalfa Sprouts, DL-Methionine, Taurine, Sodium Ascorbate, dl-Alpha Tocopherol, Freeze Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Freeze Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Freeze Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Freeze Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Beta Carotene, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 supplement, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Biotin.
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Rice, Ground Barley, Ground Rice, Chicken Fat(preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a natural source of Vitamin E), Natural Chicken Flavor, Salmon Meal, Chicken Liver, Cranberries, Tomato Pomace, Olive Oil, Chicory Root Extract, Cranberry Extract Powder, Cranberry Fiber, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B-12 Supplement), Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Kelp, Chondroitin Sulfate, Glucosamine, Hydrochloride, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Enterococcus Faecium, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Taurine, Rosemary Extract.
Chicken Meal, de-boned Chicken, Whole Brown Rice, Whole White Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols a source of vit. E), Salmon Meal, Natural Chicken Flavor, Sunflower Oil, Rice Bran, Dried Apples, Dried Carrots, Potato, Dried Cranberries, Flaxseed Oil, Whole Dried Egg, Salmon Oil (a natural source of DHA). Suncured Alfalfa meal, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Vitamins ( Vitamin E , Vitamin C, Niacin, Inositol, Vitamin A, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ribolflavin, Beta Carotene, Vitamin D3, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12), Minerals ( Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), DL Methionine, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Rosemary.
Lastly, there are grain free premium foods - this is the category that I now consider "Super Premium":
Fresh deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, russet potato, fresh deboned salmon (a natural source of DHA and EPA), herring meal, sweet potato, fresh deboned lake whitefish, peas, fresh deboned walleye, chicken fat (naturally preserved with vitamin E and citric acid), chicken liver, salmon meal, fresh deboned turkey, fresh whole eggs, fresh deboned herring, sun-cured alfalfa, salmon oil, chicory root, dehydrated organic kelp, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, apples, cranberries, saskatoon berries, black currants, choline chloride, psyllium, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile flowers, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, sea salt, vitamin supplements (vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, niacin, vitamin C, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12), mineral supplements (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium), dried Lactobacillus acidophilus product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product.
Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Tapioca, Pumpkinseeds, Salmon Meal, Alfalfa Meal, Montmorillonite Clay, Chicken Liver Flavor, Chicken Liver, Dried Kelp, DL-Methionine, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Beta Carotene, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Sea Salt, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Inulin, Flaxseed Oil, Apples, Chicken Eggs, Cottage Cheese, Cranberries, Freeze Dried Chicken, Freeze Dried Turkey, Freeze Dried Turkey Liver, Freeze Dried Turkey Hearts, Carrots, Ground Chicken Bone, Butternut Squash, Ground Flaxseeds, Broccoli, Lettuce, Spinach, Salmon Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Parsley, Honey, Blueberries, Rosemary Extract, Alfalfa Sprouts, Olive Oil, Persimmons, Duck Eggs, Pheasant Eggs, Quail Eggs, Sage, Clove.
Turkey, Chicken, Chicken Meal, Herring Meal, Potato, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a natural source of Vitamin E), Eggs, Turkey Meal, Natural Flavors, Apples, Carrots, Tomatoes, Cottage Cheese, Dried Chicory Root, Taurine, Herring Oil, DL-Methionine, Lecithin, Rosemary Extract, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Riboflavin, Beta Carotene, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid), Minerals (Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Cobalt Carbonate, Calcium Iodate), Direct Fed Microbials (Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium thermophilum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product).
Foods that are considered "premium" tend to fall into the "specialty store" category - that is, food that is not sold in the grocery store, is available only to pet stores, but falls short in quality - in terms of an ingredient list that people would consider "premium." The only thing different between Cat Chow and Hills, as far as I can tell, is their price and real estate.
The only reason I'm making such a case out of this is that I'm sick of the pet food industry bastardizing terms such as "premium". There should NOT need to be an AAFCO definition of these terms in order to be sure that the PFCs aren't blowing smoke - sadly, even an AAFCO definition is unlikely to make a difference. They'll just call them something else that sounds lovely and continue filling them with the same garbage.
As for the "nutrient dense" issue, again there are several meanings. I don't consider the top two categories as "nutrient dense". I consider them "vitamin dense" and "mineral dense" but the visions that the term "nutrient dense" evokes do NOT mesh with what is in those packages.
Even the third category, and yes, the fourth category, fails in some instances. There are many grain free brands out there now that I consider to be full of fillers and artificial additives. Corn is not the only enemy - an excess of anything but high quality meat and meat meals is to be avoided. Yes, it's true that these days it seems you need a PhD in nutrition to read a pet food label - and to that I say thank doG for itchmo and other sites and individuals who strive to educate the public.
I think what we've proven here is that brand name and packaging have little to do with safety. Quality has little to do with safety. Labels have little to do with safety. It's terrifying, but it seems that relentless determination is the only thing that is going to ensure our safety.
Sorry for the soap box... I'm a little frustrated today.
