Pros and cons of Now food as the basis of a cat's diet

• Posted by Maria
• Date: August 31, 2018

Nowadays, most owners feed their pets with industrial food, because natural food for animals is not table scraps, but a large amount of meat, issued according to strict rules, plus special additives. Dry food is not only convenient, but should theoretically provide the animal with all the necessary substances. But this cannot be said about every food.

• 2 Composition analysis
  2.1 Table: comparison of the required amount of nutrients in the diet of adult cats and kittens and the content of these substances in Now food
• 2.2 Video: review of Now food

What is Now food?

Today there are several classes of food on sale: economy, premium, super premium and holistic. The difference between them concerns primarily price and composition. Now food is a representative of the holistic class.

Now is produced by the Canadian company Petcurean pet nutrition, which is also the author of three other lines of holistic food: Go, Gather and Summit.

The Petcurean website contains information about the company and its products

There are several types of food in the Now line for cats:

• Now kitten - for kittens from 5 weeks to one year, it can also be given to pregnant and lactating cats. It is prepared using fresh meat and contains sufficient amounts of Omega 3 and 6 fats;
• Now Fresh Adult - for adult cats;
• Now Fish is a food for cats with sensitive digestion, which contains three types of fish and fresh vegetables. The cat's body always reacts very well to it;
• Now Senior - food for cats over 7 years old. Its composition is aimed at maintaining a healthy weight in older cats prone to weight gain and neutered cats. It has reduced fat content and increased the percentage of fiber for better digestion.

The Petcurean website presents the entire line of cat food

You can also choose the composition of the food - with poultry (turkey and duck) or fish (salmon and trout).

Advantages and disadvantages

For such nutrition, only selected products are used.
Now holistic food for cats has the following advantages:

• High quality components.
• High content of substances useful for cats.
• No grains that can cause allergies.
• Natural preservatives.

Among the disadvantages, veterinarians see the content of tomatoes in the Nau Natural food, which contain solanine, which is toxic to cats. It is not recommended to give food to your pet in large quantities due to the content of broccoli, since the vegetable contains isothiocyanates that are harmful to the animal’s body. It is also questionable to include peas in the composition, which causes bloating in the cat. If problems still arise due to the food, you can replace it with Go.

Composition analysis

A food that claims to be in the holistic class must have an impeccable composition. Let's look at the ingredients of Now Adult food.

• Like all cat food from this company, it is grain-free. This sets them apart from products from other manufacturers. Even Hills and Royal Canin recommended by veterinarians always contain corn and corn starch or flour in the first place. Since cats are carnivores, they do not need grain crops at all. Moreover, their intestines are shorter than those of herbivores and are not designed to digest such food, so cats may become constipated from a large amount of grain in their food;
• Like all Now foods, it does not contain gluten and chicken - the two foods that most often cause allergies in cats;
• Turkey fillet comes first in this food; trout, salmon and herring fillets take the first place in Now Fish food. During production, raw meat was used, and not “dehydrated animal proteins”, as in lower-class feeds, which can mean any by-products and waste;
• the next places are occupied by potatoes and peas, which are sources of carbohydrates, that is, energy for the animal;
• Next comes canola oil - it is obtained from rapeseed seeds of the Canola variety. It is a source of Omega-3 and Omega-6, as well as vitamin E. A little further in the composition is coconut oil, which is valuable for the same ingredients. Moreover, it should be noted that the oils are preserved in a natural way, without the use of chemicals;
• Also, the top five ingredients include eggs, which are highly recommended to be included in a cat’s diet. Along with meat and fish, they are a source of protein, and essential amino acids are necessary for animal health. Phosphorus, calcium and magnesium contained in eggs have a beneficial effect on joints, bones and blood vessels. This is especially useful for the growing organism of large breed cats;
• towards the end of the composition there are vegetables and fruits, among which there are many exotic ingredients such as papaya, pineapple and grapefruit. In the wild, cats naturally do not eat these fruits. There will be no harm from these products in the composition, especially since they are contained there in minute quantities, but perhaps a certain amount of vitamins will enter the animal’s body;
• Taurine is an amino acid that cats primarily obtain from meat. Strengthens the immune system, improves vision and coat condition, normalizes the functioning of the liver, kidneys and heart;
• aitamines A, E, C, D-3 and group B, minerals;
• L-Lysine is another amino acid that strengthens the immune system, musculoskeletal system and cardiovascular system;
• chicory is a source of oligosaccharides that promote the growth of beneficial microflora in the intestines;
• dried seaweed is a source of iodine and has a beneficial effect on the thyroid gland and metabolism. However, do not forget that algae can change the color of the fur. If you notice that your cat has turned brown, it is better to avoid food containing algae or liver. Although this is more relevant for breeders whose cats participate in exhibitions, owners of light-colored cats are also unlikely to like this effect;
• Yucca Schidigera extract is added to reduce the smell of cat waste products;
• Rosemary extract is a natural preservative.

Meat comes first in Now adults food

Below the composition on the package is an analysis of the ingredients.

• proteins - 31%. Growing cats need 30% protein, adults 25–30%. An increased amount can put too much strain on the kidneys, so there is no need to strive for a high percentage of protein in the feed;
• fats - 18%. Adult cats need approximately 15–20% fat, young cats - 20%. No longer necessary to avoid gaining excess weight.
• Fiber - 2.5%. Cats need approximately 3% fiber in their food. Older cats and animals suffering from excess weight and constipation need higher amounts of it;
• humidity - 10%. Don't forget that dry food's own moisture content will never be enough! A cat sitting on a drying mat should always have access to water. If your animal does not recognize liquid, then you can soak the dry food with water, obtaining some kind of canned food;
• ash - 6.5%. When they see the word “ash”, many buyers think that the food is of poor quality, since waste is added to it. In fact, the ash content of the feed shows the content of inorganic substances in the feed, that residue that does not burn, that is, minerals;
• phosphorus, magnesium, taurine, fatty acids, lactobacilli - all these are useful substances.

Table: comparison of the required amount of nutrients in the diet of adult cats and kittens and the content of these substances in Now food

Video: Now food review

Price and where to buy

You can buy food of this brand in online pet stores:

1. "ZooPassage" (link):
   Packaging 230 g - from 251 rubles;
2. Packaging 2.72 kg - from 1528 rubles;
3. Packaging 5.45 kg - from 2036 rubles;
4. Packaging 11.4 kg - from RUB 4,382.
5. "Old Farm" (link):
   Dry food Now Fresh 11.35 kg - from 3940 rub.
6. "ZooLand" Ekaterinburg (link).

Prices shown are current as of August 2021 and may change significantly over time. For the exact cost, see the pet store websites using the links above.

Feed evaluation

Advantages:

• Meat is in first place, and not in the form of dehydrated proteins, but fillet. As stated on the packaging, the meat was raised without added hormones;
• there are no grains, but fiber is present, which should have a beneficial effect on digestion;
• an adult cat weighing three to four kilograms needs only 40–55 g of food per day, which, firstly, indicates a fairly high protein content in it, and secondly, it is economical;
• contains useful vitamins and microelements; contains essential amino acids;
• balanced in composition of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
• natural preservatives, does not contain impurities and pests;
• the taste of the food will not deteriorate by the end of its shelf life;
• quite widespread;
• Competitive price - on par with premium foods and cheaper than many other holistic foods.

Flaws:

• contains pesticides in trace (extremely insignificant) quantities;
• flavorings are present.

Veterinarians' opinions on Now food vary widely. Some say they are too high in fruits and vegetables for a cat's diet, but others recommend this food to their patients and give it to their cats themselves. Most experts agree that Now foods are well balanced and can be the basis of a cat's diet.

Personally, I have twice encountered a sharply negative attitude towards holistics in general and Now food in particular. One veterinarian argued that holistic foods are not subject to such aggressive processing as other foods, and due to this they contain hormones and antibiotics. However, Now does not contain hormones, and gentle processing allows you to retain more nutrients. Another veterinarian said that according to her personal statistics, cats whose owners feed them holistic food are more likely to develop urolithiasis, but there was no evidence or scientific explanation for this.

There are definitely more advantages. Does this mean that the food is useful for absolutely all cats without exception? Of course not, animals with liver, kidney or intestinal diseases, as well as individual intolerance to some components, should eat food specially selected by a veterinarian.

Feedback from cat owners

I noticed that the cat eats more of this food. She asks less and doesn’t pester everyone around her)) After a month of using the food, her fur became as if it were plush. Everyone who knows my cat has noticed improvements in her fur.

Ketty-lala

https://irecommend.ru/content/novaya-shuba-dlya-koshki-vsego-za-1-mesyats-razbiraem-sostav

We have been feeding on it from the very beginning (about a year), when it first appeared in Russia. Before this we tried all the holistic methods. At the moment I don’t want to change anything. The wool is super!!!

fposad

https://www.mainecoon-forum.ru/printthread.php?t=8340&pp=1000

My cat really likes the food, she has been eating it with an enviable appetite for several years now. I often hear that cats find Now Natural appetizing. It smells really delicious - for cats, and very strong.

Olga Leprechaun

https://irecommend.ru/content/now-natural-kholistik-pomog-izbavitsya-ot-allergii

The best super premium cat foods

Foods of this class already contain vegetable proteins, but in minimal quantities. The food mixtures are balanced and contain a significant amount of meat. They are made without the use of dyes and look natural. The price of super-premium products is high, but the portions are smaller, so they are consumed much more economically.

"Hill's"

A well-known brand, famous for having a whole line of medicinal food. The company also offers a number of simple food sets of good quality in various types of packaging: in addition to the usual dry food, you can purchase canned food and wet food in bags. The menu includes food for kittens, adults and older cats.

✅ Advantages of food:

• Extensive range;
• Availability of healthy and nutritious food for sick pets;
• Balanced content of minerals and vitamins.

❌ Cons:

• Use of grain crops;
• Wet canned food and food in bags are of worse quality than dry food.

"Schesir"

A good line of food, its recipe has been selected and perfected for more than two decades. It is manufactured in Europe and Asia, so food for cats can be found in every corner of Russia. The sets are varied: soup, wet food in bags, canned food and dry food. There are also separate recipes for cats of different age categories: for example, 26 different menu options have been prepared for kittens! The diets offered contain a lot of exotic organics, so we advise you to choose food carefully to avoid allergies in your pets.

✅ Advantages of food:

• Lots of natural meat;
• A balanced combination of proteins, fiber and fats;
• The composition includes minerals and vitamins;
• Convenient packaging for storage and printing.

❌ Cons:

• Tropical fruits and vegetables can cause allergies;
• High price for products.

"Royal Canin"

Well-known products from a French company that has been providing pets with tasty and healthy food for more than fifty years. Prepares diets in the form of dry food and wet food, packed in pouch bags. The menu is varied and designed for cats of any age. There are separate diets for sick or weakened animals. When ordering or purchasing food, it is advisable to choose one that is made in Europe (the company also has production facilities in the Russian Federation), as it is made of a higher quality.

✅ Advantages of food:

• Balanced composition;
• Diversity;
• Long shelf life of dry food;
• Super-premium products contain a lot of proteins.

❌ Cons:

• The quality of Russian products is “lame”;
• Overpriced.

Conclusions about Nau food

Reviews about Now dog food are mostly positive; it’s rare that it’s not suitable for any dog ​​(but it still happens). Considering this and its good composition, the Dai Paw website recommends this food as the main food for your dogs.

Now Fresh food price

• Dry dog ​​food Now Fresh 0.23 kg - from 230 to 300 rubles;
• Now Fresh dry food for dogs 2.72 kg - from 1160 to 1860 rubles;
• Dry dog ​​food Now Fresh 5.45 kg - from 2165 to 2740 rubles;
• Now Fresh dry food for dogs 11.35 kg - from 4480 to 5545 rubles.

*Price may vary slightly depending on option, store and other factors.

Reviews from veterinarians and buyers about the food

In order not to make a mistake with their choice, owners often read reviews about the product, here are some of them:

• Dmitry, the happy owner of a Maltose puppy, says:

“I faced the problem of choosing food even when the puppy was very small. First, I searched for a long time on the Internet for the ideal product and found Now Natural specifically for puppies. I am happy with this food to this day. The dog eats the food with pleasure and looks great.”

• Owner of a five-year-old Toy Terrier dog, Ekaterina:

“I spent six months selecting the right food for my dog. I found the Now brand by accident in a store. My dog’s toilet problems immediately disappeared, his fur took on a healthier appearance, and his pet’s eyes stopped watering.”

• Veterinarian Dmitry 7 years of work experience:

“Animals fed NOW Natural holistic food for a year begin to look and behave differently. Their appearance becomes healthier, the pets' mood noticeably perks up. I would recommend this food as a permanent food.”

As for the forums, there are many good reviews from them. For example, these: