Does Simply Nourish, a PetSmart exclusive brand, live up to its promise of simple, back-to-basics nutrition for your cat? As pet owners, we’re constantly seeking the best for our feline companions, and that starts with their diet. Simply Nourish positions itself as a natural and wholesome option, but what does that truly mean? This in-depth Simply Nourish Cat Food review, crafted by the food experts at foods.edu.vn, will explore the brand’s offerings, ingredient quality, and overall value to help you make an informed decision.
We’ve rigorously analyzed Simply Nourish based on the Cats.com standard, a benchmark for evaluating cat food quality. Our assessment covers six crucial aspects: species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history. Let’s dive into how Simply Nourish stacks up in each of these key areas.
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Ratings Breakdown:
- Species-Appropriateness: 5/10
- Ingredient Quality: 6/10
- Product Variety: 7/10
- Price: 8/10
- Customer Experience: 8/10
- Recall History: 10/10
Overall Score: 7.3/10
Cats.com Grade: B (44 out of 60)
Simply Nourish cat food earns a respectable B grade, scoring 44 out of 60 in our comprehensive evaluation. But what lies behind this score? Let’s delve deeper into the brand and its products.
Unpacking Simply Nourish Cat Food: Brand Overview
Simply Nourish emerged onto PetSmart shelves in May 2011, becoming part of the retailer’s expanding portfolio of private-label brands. This arrival aimed to cater to the growing demand for “natural” pet food options.
Dr. Mark Finke, a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences and PetSmart’s nutrition expert, stated in a Business Wire release that Simply Nourish’s philosophy is to simplify pet nutrition. They achieve this by using “carefully-sourced, wholesome ingredients that are recognizable to pet parents, such as real deboned chicken and a superfood blend of real fruits and vegetables.”
This marketing approach taps into the “natural pet food” trend, emphasizing buzzwords like “real,” “superfoods,” and “wholesome.” However, it’s essential to move beyond marketing claims and scrutinize the actual ingredients and nutritional value of simply nourish cat food. Let’s examine the facts to determine if Simply Nourish truly delivers on its promises.
Simply Nourish: Sourcing and Manufacturing Transparency
Understanding where pet food ingredients come from and how it’s made is crucial. Simply Nourish dry cat food is produced in Utah, USA, while their wet food formulas are manufactured in Thailand. According to a Simply Nourish representative, the brand prioritizes ingredient sourcing based on the manufacturing location. Products made in Thailand primarily utilize Thai-sourced ingredients, whereas those made in the United States predominantly use US-sourced ingredients. This level of transparency about sourcing and manufacturing locations is commendable and provides pet owners with valuable insights into the brand’s processes.
Simply Nourish Recall History: A Clean Record
For pet owners, food safety is paramount. Reassuringly, Simply Nourish boasts a clean recall history. There have been no reports or records of Simply Nourish cat food recalls to date. This spotless record offers peace of mind, indicating a commitment to quality control and safety in their production processes. This is a significant advantage for simply nourish cat food, as recall history is a critical factor when choosing a pet food brand.
Exploring the Simply Nourish Cat Food Product Range
Simply Nourish offers a diverse range of both wet and dry cat food options, categorized into four distinct lines to cater to various feline needs and preferences.
- Whole Health: This line focuses on providing balanced nutrition for overall health and addresses specific life stages, from kittens to senior cats. These recipes aim to meet the general wellness needs of cats at different ages.
- Limited Ingredient Diet: Designed for cats with sensitivities or allergies, these recipes simplify the ingredient list, typically featuring a single animal protein source and a single carbohydrate source. This approach helps minimize potential allergens and makes it easier to identify and manage food sensitivities.
- Grain-Free: As the name suggests, the Grain-Free line eliminates grains from the formulas, catering to owners who prefer grain-free diets for their cats. These recipes often substitute grains with alternative carbohydrate sources like potatoes or peas.
- Source™: The Source line stands out as a high-protein, lower-carbohydrate option. These recipes prioritize animal-based protein sources and reduce the inclusion of carbohydrates, aligning with the carnivorous nature of cats.
All Simply Nourish cat foods are formulated without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and they explicitly exclude animal by-products. This commitment to avoiding artificial additives and by-products is a positive aspect of the brand’s formulation philosophy, appealing to health-conscious pet owners looking for simply nourish cat food options.
Simply Nourish Cat Food: Top 3 Recipes Analyzed
To give you a clearer picture of Simply Nourish cat food quality, we’ve selected and reviewed three of their popular recipes, representing different product lines and food types.
| Product Name | Food Type | Price (per lb/oz) | Our Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simply Nourish Source Fish & Chicken Recipe High-Protein Grain-Free Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food | Dry | $5.00/lb | B- |
| Simply Nourish Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Kitten Dry Cat Food | Dry | $0.13/oz | B- |
| Simply Nourish Essentials Tuna Recipe Adult Chunks in Gravy Canned Cat Food | Wet | $0.30/oz | B- |
#1 Simply Nourish Source Fish & Chicken Recipe High-Protein Grain-Free Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food
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This simply nourish cat food recipe from the Source line emphasizes its high-protein, grain-free nature, targeting adult indoor cats. Fish is listed as the first ingredient, suggesting it as the primary protein source. Source recipes are designed to prioritize meat content and reduce carbohydrates compared to typical dry cat foods.
Ingredient Breakdown:
The ingredient list begins with “fish,” a somewhat generic term. This could encompass various fish species, potentially including less desirable types not typically consumed by humans. Following “fish” is chicken meal, a concentrated protein source derived from rendered chicken. Turkey meal and deboned chicken are also included, contributing further animal protein.
Instead of grains, this recipe utilizes potatoes and peas as carbohydrate sources, common in grain-free formulas. Canola oil is the primary fat source, which is less ideal than animal-derived fats like chicken fat or salmon oil, which are richer in omega fatty acids. Fiber is provided through flaxseed meal, tomato pomace, and pea fiber.
Essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are added to ensure nutritional completeness. Small amounts of dried chicory root, cranberries, sweet potatoes, and carrots are present, appearing lower in the ingredient list.
Nutritional Profile:
This recipe has a moderate protein content, low fat, and moderate carbohydrate levels. It provides 367 calories per cup.
Ingredients We Appreciate: Deboned Chicken
Ingredients of Concern: Dried Potatoes, Dried Peas, Flaxseed Meal
Guaranteed Analysis:
- Crude Protein: 39%
- Crude Fat: 16%
- Crude Fiber: 8%
- Moisture: 10%
Dry Matter Basis:
- Protein: 43.33%
- Fat: 17.78%
- Fiber: 8.89%
- Carbs: 30%
Caloric Weight Basis:
- Protein: 37.19%
- Fat: 37.06%
- Carbs: 25.75%
Pros:
- Lower carbohydrate content compared to many dry cat foods.
- Rich in animal-sourced protein.
- Free from artificial additives.
Cons:
- Vaguely named “fish” ingredient.
- Still relatively high in carbohydrates for a dry food.
- Dry food inherently lacks the hydration cats need.
#2 Simply Nourish Chicken & Rice Recipe Kitten Dry Cat Food
simply nourish chicken kitten food bag
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This simply nourish cat food recipe is specifically formulated for kittens, aiming to provide the necessary nutrients and energy for growth. It’s a grain-inclusive option, combining chicken with rice.
Ingredient Breakdown:
Deboned chicken is the first ingredient, followed by chicken meal, both excellent sources of animal protein. Deboned chicken is fresh chicken with moisture, while chicken meal is a dehydrated, concentrated protein source. Both are considered highly digestible for cats.
Brewers rice is included, a rice byproduct with limited nutritional value for cats. Canola oil is again the primary fat source, less desirable than animal fats. Tomato pomace, dried chicory root, and flaxseed serve as fiber sources. “Animal flavor,” derived from chicken according to Simply Nourish, enhances palatability.
Oatmeal is added as a second grain and carbohydrate source. Salmon oil, a beneficial source of omega-3 fatty acids, is a welcome addition as a secondary fat source. Small amounts of dried cranberries, sweet potatoes, and carrots are present, providing some vitamins and minerals, although cats are better adapted to obtain these nutrients from meat.
The formula is fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids for complete nutrition.
Nutritional Profile:
This kitten formula is rich in protein with moderate fat and carbohydrate content, providing 399 calories per cup.
Ingredients We Appreciate: Deboned Chicken, Salmon Oil
Ingredients of Concern: Brewers Rice, Canola Oil, Tomato Pomace, Oatmeal, Flaxseed, Dried Carrots, Dried Sweet Potatoes
Guaranteed Analysis:
- Crude Protein: 38%
- Crude Fat: 18%
- Crude Fiber: 4%
- Moisture: 10%
- Ash: 8%
Dry Matter Basis:
- Protein: 42.22%
- Fat: 20%
- Fiber: 4.44%
- Carbs: 24.44%
Caloric Weight Basis:
- Protein: 36.64%
- Fat: 42.15%
- Carbs: 21.21%
Pros:
- Primarily made from meat.
- Low in plant protein compared to some brands.
- No animal by-products.
- Free of artificial colors and preservatives.
Cons:
- High in carbohydrates for a cat food, especially kitten formula.
#3 Simply Nourish Essentials Tuna Recipe Adult Chunks in Gravy Canned Cat Food
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This simply nourish cat food wet food recipe features tuna as the primary protein source in a gravy format. Wet food is generally a more species-appropriate choice for cats due to its higher moisture content.
Ingredient Breakdown:
The recipe starts with tuna and fish broth, followed by chicken, chicken liver, and dried egg product, contributing animal-based protein and nutrients. Potato starch and guar gum are used as thickeners, increasing carbohydrate and fiber content.
“Natural flavor,” typically derived from hydrolyzed animal tissue, enhances palatability. Sunflower oil is the primary fat source, again, less ideal than animal fats. Flaxseed meal and cranberries provide fiber and antioxidants. Essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids ensure nutritional completeness.
Nutritional Profile:
This wet food is high in protein with low fat and moderate carbohydrate content, providing 72 calories per 3-oz can.
Ingredients We Appreciate: Chicken Liver, Chicken
Ingredients of Concern: Potato Starch, Guar Gum, Sunflower Oil, Flaxseed Meal
Guaranteed Analysis:
- Crude Protein: 9.5%
- Crude Fat: 2%
- Crude Fiber: 1.5%
- Moisture: 82%
- Ash: 2.7%
Dry Matter Basis:
- Protein: 52.78%
- Fat: 11.11%
- Fiber: 8.33%
- Carbs: 12.78%
Caloric Weight Basis:
- Protein: 57.03%
- Fat: 29.16%
- Carbs: 13.81%
Pros:
- No animal by-products.
- Primarily animal protein sources.
- Free of artificial additives.
Cons:
- Relatively high carbohydrate content for a wet food.
- Relies on plant-sourced fat.
Customer Perspectives on Simply Nourish Cat Food
Customer reviews for simply nourish cat food are generally positive, highlighting the brand’s palatable recipes, good ingredients for the price, and affordability. However, some negative reviews mention issues like food dust and formula changes affecting palatability for some cats.
Positive Reviews:
“Like us our pets like to change things up, got this flavor as a change and being non grain. They like it; really like it! all 3 cats will eat this flavor. If you are looking for a dry food for your cat read the content of this bag. Our cats look and feel better eating this brand of dry food.” – catrrack, reviewing Simply Nourish Source Fish & Chicken Recipe
“We rescued 2 kittens who were very sickly. Skinny, terrible diarrhea. After Vet visit we started with the can and a just a tiny bit of KMR sprinkled in. They ate so well from the start. The transfer to dry food of same brand was easy. I like that I understand the ingredients. And it is very affordable.” – RussianBlues, reviewing Simply Nourish Chicken & Rice Recipe for Kittens
Negative Reviews:
“This cat food seems great on paper…grain free, good ingredients, cheap. But there is so much food dust in these bags. It makes a mess, and my cat won’t eat it.” – duckybeans, reviewing Simply Nourish Source Fish & Chicken Recipe
“The feral kitties I take care of they changed the formula last year, I thought I would give it try again and no go the birds ate it the cats didn’t.” – Juls, reviewing Simply Nourish Chicken & Rice Recipe for Kittens
Simply Nourish Cat Food: Cost Considerations
Simply Nourish dry cat food is positioned as a budget-friendly option. Daily feeding costs for dry recipes are estimated at around $0.26 for an average 10-lb cat. However, their wet food is considerably more expensive, costing approximately $2.40 per day. The affordability of the dry food makes simply nourish cat food an attractive option for budget-conscious pet owners.
Final Verdict: Is Simply Nourish Cat Food a Good Choice for Your Cat?
Simply Nourish generally offers a slightly better value proposition compared to other cat foods in the same price range. Notably, the Source line was recognized as a budget-friendly pick in our top 10 best dry cat foods roundup.
Simply Nourish appears to prioritize ingredient quality and minimize artificial additives compared to many similarly priced brands. While some recipes, particularly dry food options, contain significant amounts of plant protein and starches, the Source line distinguishes itself with a higher animal protein content and reduced carbohydrate levels.
Ultimately, simply nourish cat food can be a reasonable choice, especially the Source line, if you are seeking a more affordable option that still emphasizes natural ingredients and avoids artificial additives. However, for optimal feline health, especially for cats with specific dietary needs or sensitivities, exploring higher-quality, animal-protein-rich alternatives may be beneficial. As with any cat food, carefully consider your cat’s individual needs and consult with your veterinarian to determine the best dietary choices.
Where to Purchase Simply Nourish Cat Food
Simply Nourish is exclusively available through PetSmart, both in their physical stores and online platforms, including PetSmart.com and Chewy.com. This exclusive availability means you’ll primarily find simply nourish cat food at these retailers.
