Ontario food is a Czech brand inspired by Canadian quality. The manufacturer positions its wet products for cats as complete, super-premium products that contain all the necessary substances for a healthy animal life. Let's see if this is true.
Ontario wet food is packaged in 400 g cans. The inscription “real meat” immediately catches your eye. real meat. We will talk about packaging more than once below.
There are only 4 types of flavors:
- with chicken and turkey;
- with chicken and rabbit;
- with beef and salmon;
- for kittens with chicken, shrimp and rice.
On the front of the label it is noted that salmon oil has been added to the food, and in the version with beef and salmon - sunflower oil.
Ontario Cat Food Review
In Russia, food from this manufacturer appeared not so long ago, in 2013, although in a number of countries by that time it had already gained popularity. Despite this, Russian pets have already fallen in love with the food, earning the trust of their owners. The composition of the food was carefully thought out by Canadian nutritionists and veterinarians, taking into account all the needs of cats.
The food does not contain “weight” ingredients. And the presence of selenium in them can be considered an advantage, since it helps eliminate problems with the heart, liver and joints, and is very useful for animals with poor immunity. In addition, a chelate is added to the feed, which helps the body absorb vitamins.
The range of food is varied, the line is built in a classic style: kittens - adult cats - older cats. In addition, there are five different canned foods available. This means that even the most capricious cat will definitely like something.
Manufacturer
Ontario pet food is produced by the Czech company Placek Pet Products Ltd., and in Russia the official supplier of their products is . Founder of Placek Pet Products Ltd. is Dusan Placek, who came up with the idea to organize a family business in 1989. Today it is a huge holding company supplying pet products to the markets of Slovakia, Latvia, Poland, Russia and Ukraine. In addition, they own a large network of retail stores in EU countries.
The company is also developing the concept of its own brands, one of which is Ontario. Although the brand cannot boast of a history of several decades, it was created only in 2004, but in such a short time this brand has successfully gained popularity and trust of dog lovers in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania and Latvia. It was presented in Russia in 2013.
The formula and recipe of the food was developed in Canada with the participation of specialists in the field of animal nutrition, scientists and veterinarians. Thanks to this, the name “Ontario” appeared, as well as the familiar symbol of Canada - a maple leaf in red and white - emblazoned on every pack of food next to the name. The manufacturer is proud of its progressive product quality control system, assures that their ingredients do not contain GMOs and comply with all EU requirements and standards. This can be confirmed by the impressive award in the field of animal nutrition Global Pets Forum Award 2014, which this manufacturer has received.
Compound
An overview of the composition can be done using the example of Ontario food for sterilized cats.
The first point is at least 31% chicken meat and poultry products, which is not surprising, because this component is a source of protein. But hydrolyzed poultry protein is a flavoring additive.
Second and third place goes to corn with rice; They are sources of carbohydrates and contain very little vegetable protein. This fact allows us to confidently state that of the 33% of protein contained in food, almost the entire part is of animal origin.
The packaging indicates that the composition contains salmon oil and poultry fat, but what kind of poultry fat is added to the feed is not indicated. These ingredients act as sources of fatty acids.
Hydrolyzed poultry liver in the feed is a natural flavor additive; it is also rich in minerals and vitamins.
Fiber is dried apples, and representatives of vitamin B are brewer's yeast.
To reduce the smell of feces, Yucca Schidigera extract is added to the food.
Ontario Feed Composition Analysis
First of all, let’s note that on each pack of dry food there is the inscription “low grain formula,” which means low grain content. Plus, the packaging states that the diet consists of 60% meat (or fish/chicken), rice (or potatoes) and herbs. It is also worth noting that many Ontario brand diets contain salmon oil, chelated minerals, tomatoes, organic selenium and prebiotics. These supplements are very important for the body of every dog; they help strengthen the cardiovascular system, improve immunity and prevent aging.
In order to provide a detailed review, we looked at the ingredients in Ontario's chicken and potato food for medium breed dogs over one year of age. Its nutritional value is expressed by the following parameters:
- Protein – 26%
- Fat – 15%
- Moisture – 10%
- Ash – 7.1%
- Fiber – 2.9%
- Ca (calcium) – 1.6%
- P (phosphorus) – 1.1%
- Na (sodium) – 0.2%
- Mg (magnesium) – 0.08%
Based on these figures, it can be judged that the feed contains 39% carbohydrates. This criterion is indicative of super-premium diets, and in our case it is within the generally accepted norms. The remaining percentages show that this diet is designed more for a dog living in an apartment with an average level of physical activity. In other cases (increased activity, enclosure keeping in the cold season), the owner either needs to increase the portion of food or select a more nutritious diet.
Before evaluating the components of this recipe, you need to remember that there are standards that require the manufacturer to place all the ingredients in the composition in descending order (those with the largest percentage are listed first). Therefore, the most important are always the first 4-5 positions, since from them you can understand what the food is made of. All other components can only slightly improve or worsen the finished formula.
Let's move on to the first five ingredients:
- Dehydrated chicken meat – 32%
- Potato flakes – 24%
- Rice
- Dried apples
- Chicken fat
Then hydrolyzed chicken protein (4%), brewer's yeast, as well as fish oil and dried carrots are indicated. This is followed by prebiotics (MOS and FOS) and a mixture of algae. Rounding out the herbs are fennel, thyme, cinnamon, anise, cloves, rosemary and yucca.
The manufacturer gives the exact percentage of content of only a few components; how much, for example, rice was put here, one can only guess.
Main components
- Component No. 1 – dehydrated chicken meat – is the main source of animal protein. It is slightly inferior to fresh chicken, since this product has already been heat-treated and dried before preparing the feed. However, if high-quality raw materials were used, then the component itself can be classified as a good and high-quality source of protein. Chicken is very digestible in dogs and is therefore considered a desirable ingredient in their diet.
- Number 2 is potato flakes. They serve as a source of low-glycemic carbohydrates and fiber. Carbohydrates give your pet energy, and potato fiber effectively cleanses the intestines and has a positive effect on its microflora. Potatoes also do not cause allergies and contain vitamins and minerals. Potato flakes are produced using steam drying. In this case, peels and low-quality potatoes are most often used. Many manufacturers replace cereals with potatoes, thus improving the recipe. However, in large quantities, not a single plant product is advisable in a dog’s diet.
- Ingredient No. 3 – rice – a dietary cereal, the main advantage of which is its hypoallergenicity. Its benefits depend on the type of rice: white, brown, broken. In this case, there are no clarifications, so most likely the cheapest raw materials were used. Rice in animal feed is often used instead of wheat or corn, but if it is listed among the first ingredients in the composition, then its role is to reduce the cost of the product.
- Ingredient No. 4 – dried apples – are rich in pectin, antioxidants, as well as vitamins and minerals. The fiber contained in apples is very useful, even a small amount of it can improve digestion, make stool look good, plus it fights toxins in the intestines. Apples also contain carbohydrates.
- Component No. 5 - chicken fat - the most common type of fat used in finished feed. Very useful for animals due to its high content of linoleic acid. Indispensable for maintaining healthy skin and beautiful coat of pets. Provided that natural preservatives are used, it is a quality ingredient.
Brief conclusions
Of course, high-quality protein and fat in the food recipe are strong arguments in favor of this diet, but the fairly high content of potatoes in the company of rice clearly outweighs the amount of chicken. According to some veterinarians, this is a disadvantage of the food, given that dogs primarily need proteins of animal origin, rather than plant proteins.
Other feed components
Further in the composition, the manufacturer uses a completely standard set of ingredients for the super premium segment, and does not stand out in any way from the general background of its competitors. See for yourself:
- The sixth place in the composition is given to hydrolyzed chicken protein, but in fact it serves to add flavor to the food, and only partially plays the role of a nutritional component.
- Fish oil, although available in small quantities, supplements the diet with beneficial Omega acids, which are extremely necessary and beneficial for animals. Its quality largely depends on the degree of purification of the fat and the type of fish from which it is extracted. Here we see only a general formulation and no specifics, which most often means a mixture of fats from different types of fish of low quality.
- Brewer's yeast is rich in B vitamins, a very useful additive in the diet of animals. It promotes better absorption of nutrients and normalizes metabolism. Brewer's yeast is also important for dysbiosis, as it helps beneficial bacteria colonize the intestines.
- Dried carrots are a source of many vitamins and microelements; even after drying, they retain most of them.
- Algae are a storehouse of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes and phytonutraceuticals; They cleanse the intestines well of toxins, increase and improve metabolism.
The collection of seven types of herbs present in the composition is a factor that positively influences the overall impression of the recipe. According to the manufacturer, the total amount of medicinal herbs in the food formula is 4%. The medicinal properties of plants have long been used to improve the health of the body or prevent various diseases. Herbal medicine mainly acts in a comprehensive manner: strengthens the immune system, protects body cells from aging, and promotes the elimination of toxins.
Product range
Ontario food belongs to the premium class, and their line is divided into three main groups:
- for kittens from 8 to 12 months;
- for adult cats;
- for sterilized (castrated) animals.
On the Russian market, food can be seen in dry and canned forms.
Dry food
The line of complete dry food consists of five different types, which are packaged in bags of 400 g, 2 kg and 10 kg. It includes:
- Ontario Kitten (for kittens, as well as cats during pregnancy and lactation)
For kittens and cats that are pregnant and lactating, a balanced diet is especially important, because growing organisms must develop correctly, and cats must produce healthy kittens. This food is made using a special technology that allows you to preserve nutrients to the maximum. It contains a lot of meat, which makes the food very tasty and the animals will be provided with protein.
- Ontario Adult (for adult cats)
This food is complete and made from high quality ingredients. The percentage of chicken meat and offal in it is 32%. The package contains 32% protein, 14% fat, and 10% carbohydrates.
- Ontario Adult Ocean Fish (for adult cats, with fish)
Dry food for adult animals containing 18% salmon meat, 17% chicken meat and offal. The content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the package is 31%, 15% and 10%, respectively.
- Ontario Adult Indoor (for domestic cats)
Dry complete food intended for pets. It contains 27% chicken meat and offal, as well as 5% fish products. The content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the package is 27%, 13% and 10%, respectively.
- Ontario Adult Castrate – for castrated cats.
Dry food for animals that have undergone sterilization or castration. It contains quite a lot of chicken meat and offal (32%). The content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the package is 33%, 12% and 10%, respectively.
Canned food
Wet cat food from this manufacturer is sold in 400-gram cans. Based on taste, food is divided into four types:
- Beef and salmon
- Chicken and rabbit
- Chicken and turkey
- Chicken, shrimp and rice (for kittens)
Canned food is made from selected ingredients, selected taking into account all the cat's needs. Light turkey, tender chicken, fatty salmon and juicy beef are sure to please the furry gourmet. The main thing is to choose the right food for him with the preferred taste.
Ontario canned food is prepared from selected meat and natural meat broth. Sunflower oil added to them has a beneficial effect on the skin and fur of kittens and cats, and also acts as a preventative against cardiovascular diseases. This is due to the fact that the oil contains a lot of magnesium, vitamin E and Omega-6. And to maintain cat health at a good level, vitamins and minerals are added to canned food.
Range
The Ontario brand produces dry diets, wet food and treats for dogs. The entire food range consists of 33 different menus, which are very convenient to navigate, as they are divided into several main categories.
In the dry food segment, there are food lines for small, medium and large dogs. In each of them, diets are further divided according to age criteria:
- Puppy/junior - for puppies and growing animals (from 1 month to 12 months - for mini breeds, from 1 to 24 months for large breeds);
- Adult - adult pets (from 1 to 8 years - small breeds, starting from 2 years - large and giant types of dogs);
- Senior – dogs of advanced age (over 8 years old, not included in the Medium line);
Among the flavors offered, you can choose lamb, beef or fish and rice, as well as chicken and potatoes. Moreover, all diets except those based on chicken are hypoallergenic formulas.
Of the special diets in Ontario's food portfolio, there is only one item - the Weight Control diet, intended for overweight pets, based on dietary turkey meat and potatoes. It is only available in the Mini and Large dogs lines.
The line of wet food consists of 15 different diets, mainly intended for adult dogs. Puppies are offered two options for canned food: with chicken, rice and flaxseed oil in a 400 gram jar, as well as pieces of chicken and cartilage in a 200 gram jar.
Three more wet food options are 320 gram portioned pouches designed for one meal. They differ only in taste: beef with vegetables, chicken and vegetables (carrots, peas and celery), and lamb with rice.
The entire main range of this category is canned food in cans of 200, 400 and 800 grams with a large selection of flavors. In addition to the standard chicken, beef and fish, there are also more exotic combinations of ingredients, such as goose with cranberries or veal with sweet potatoes and dandelion, and for the most discerning palates there is venison with cranberries and safflower oil.
Overall, the Ontario team of nutritionists did a great job, because the range of products is not only diverse, but also functional. And the presence of a series of canned goods is an additional big plus for the company. Ontario wet food for dogs will certainly be appreciated by even the most picky pet with its exquisite taste, which is confirmed by the words of gratitude from dog lovers who are trying to please their pets.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of Ontario cat food include:
- meat and meat ingredients as the main source of protein, no vegetable protein;
- good mineral and vitamin complex;
- a line that contains dry and wet types of food;
- attractive price.
The disadvantages of food from this manufacturer include:
- there is no clarification on the packaging about what meat ingredients it contains;
- there is no clarification about the antioxidants used, and the information that they are “allowed in the EU” is clearly not enough;
- low prevalence of food; it cannot be found in every pet store.
Price and where to buy
A wide range of Ontario cat food can be found in online stores that specialize in selling pet supplies. As for the cost, it depends on the type of food, as well as the volume of the pack. So,
- Ontario Kitten will cost 222 rubles (400 g), 734 rubles (2 kg) or 2371 rubles (10 kg).
- Ontario Adult - for adult cats - 212 rubles (400 g), 669 rubles (2 kg) or 2157 rubles (10 kg).
- Ontario Adult Ocean Fish - for adult cats, with ocean fish - 219 rubles (400 g), 708 rubles (2 kg) or 2274 rubles (10 kg)
- Ontario Adult Indoor - for domestic cats - 199 rubles (400 g), 629 rubles (2 kg) or 2039 rubles (10 kg).
- Ontario Adult Castrate - for castrated cats - 639 rubles (2 kg) or 2083 rubles (10 kg).
A jar of Ontario canned food (400 g) will cost 135 rubles.
Reviews of Ontario cat food
The food from this manufacturer is a fairly new product for the Russian market, so there are not as many reviews about it as about other, more popular foods. But we still managed to find a few.
Reviews from veterinarians
Igor Viktorovich (veterinarian)
Premium Ontario cat food made in the Czech Republic. I carefully studied its composition, and I can say that this is a good product. It is especially good to feed it to your pets in winter, because the food contains a sufficient amount of fat and is filling. The food contains components that promote the proper functioning of the genitourinary system. I was also pleased with the absence of dyes and chemical preservatives in the food. Vegetable protein is not added during the production of feed; its main source is meat and meat ingredients. In addition, the vitamin and mineral complex is selected very well.
The range of feeds is wide, the line is designed in such a way as to cover different age groups and characteristics of the animals’ condition. Food is sold in dry and canned forms, so every owner will be able to choose food for their animal, even the most picky eater. I recommend this food.