Sheba cat food: reviews from veterinarians, where to buy and composition

Sheba food for cats

Sheba is a popular cat food produced by . This food is inexpensive (25–30 rubles per bag), so it is available in almost every store that sells animal food.

produces many familiar products, including animal feed

was founded in 1911 (Washington State). The company's first brand was chocolate bars. The new product took root on the world market, and the company grew into a huge corporation. Mars currently produces confectionery (Snickers, Twix, M&M's, etc.), food (Uncle Ben's, etc.) and animal food (Pedigree, Chappi, Royal Canin, etc.). These products have been produced in Russia since 1991. There are representative offices in large cities (Samara, Krasnodar, Novosibirsk, etc.).

Product class

The manufacturer classifies Sheba food as a premium product. However, such a statement is often a marketing ploy, and most veterinarians and cat owners do not agree with it. In general, food is divided into classes based on several characteristics - composition, price, advertising. The composition of the feed indicated on the pack is not detailed, so problems often arise with its analysis.

In particular, for example, 11 g of protein per 100 g of product is indicated (11% is obtained). This is not enough for the food to become premium. But in comparison with economy-class feeds, this is a good amount (Whiskas, Kitiket, etc. contain 8% protein). Sheba food does not contain artificial colors or preservatives, but some buyers do not believe that the food actually does not contain them.

Sheba is cheaper than super premium food, but 2 times more expensive than regular economy class food. For example, a “Kitiket” pouch can be bought for 13–15 rubles, and a “Sheba” will cost 28 rubles. “Sheba” is advertised as often as its cheap “brothers”. But some cat owners believe that aggressive advertising of this kind is not a way to “impose” an unsuitable product, but a promising investment of money. The more people know about the food, the faster it will sell and the more it can be produced.

The slogan of one of Sheba's advertising campaigns is “Resistance is futile,” but such statements are not always associated with a large amount of meat in the composition.

It is believed that the highest quality, expensive cat food is not advertised at all. Yes, for example, I only recently learned about some holistic products, although in our city (Penza) they have been selling them for several years (albeit on order). If I saw an advertisement for the most expensive food on TV, I might want to find/order it.

Advantages and disadvantages of Sheba food

The advantages of Sheba include the following qualities:

• the food does not contain soy or cereals;
• food is produced in a wide range of flavors;
• You can purchase such a product in any supermarket;
• low price.

But there are also several negative qualities:

• according to most veterinarians, Sheba is not a complete food (although the packages indicate the opposite);
• the composition is not indicated in detail (perhaps some undesirable components are simply not indicated);
• Specialized lines and variations of dry food are not produced.

Previously, when I had very little experience in raising cats, I tried to contact a veterinarian with every question. And then I began to notice that veterinarians themselves do not always know well the features of the composition of the product they recommend. Nowadays, I consult on nutrition issues very rarely, only if I can’t find the answer to my question on the Internet.

Meat ingredients in “Sheba” range from 4 to 14%, but what exactly the components are contained (fillets, fish heads, bird feathers or liver) is not indicated

Allergy

In most cases, dry food can cause an allergic reaction in an animal, expressed by baldness, itching, and gastrointestinal disorders. However, do not confuse individual intolerance to any ingredient in food with an allergy.

Until now, a general picture of the allergic reaction of cats to food has not been identified. Initially, it is recommended to exclude from the animal’s diet those foods that it has recently eaten. If positive changes do not appear, then there is a possibility that the antigen is not food at all, but, for example, dust or synthetic bedding. Sheba cat food has positive reviews from veterinarians and pet owners in this regard. Although the product line of this brand does not contain special food for animals with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract. All foods are free of flavors and dyes.

Assortment and features of feed

There are 4 series of Sheba wet food:

• "Pleasure"
• "Delicatesso";
• "Naturel" (Naturalle);
• "Mini" (Mini);
• "Appetito"

They all differ in composition, packaging design and flavor options.

"Sheba Pleasure"

Sheba Pleasure food is available in two flavors:

• chicken with turkey or rabbit;
• tuna with salmon;
• beef with rabbit or lamb;
• chicken and duck meat;
• veal with tongue;
• trout with shrimp.

These are the usual pieces of pressed meat in a liquid sauce. Packaging: 50 or 85 g bags, as well as 85 g jars. A bag of food (85 g) will cost 28–30 rubles.

Table: composition of Sheba Pleasure food

Photo gallery: some Pleasure series products

Before feeding the animal, the food must be warmed to room temperature.

Food in bags can be stored at temperatures from 4°C to 35°C and relative humidity no more than 75%

The composition of canned rabbit and beef contains meat and offal (beef minimum - 20%, rabbit - 5%)

Shrimp-trout food contains meat and by-products (at least trout - 20%, shrimp - 5%)

The color of the bag depends on the flavor option, but the design on the packaging matches other foods in this series

"Sheba Delicatesso"

"Sheba Delicatesso" is available in the form of fricassee and pate. There are several flavor options:

• rabbit with duck and vegetables;
• turkey with Bechamel sauce;
• salmon;
• poultry meat;
• veal with chicken;
• beef.

The first option is meat products and vegetables cut into pieces. Pate is a kind of pate, but not a homogeneous mass, but in slices. Available in polymer jars with a foil lid (the volume is like that of a spider). The “Delicatesso” series food is more expensive than the “Pleasure” series - from 35 rubles per can.

Table: composition of Sheba Delicatesso food

Photo gallery: some products from the Delicatesso series

The fricassee packaging shows a beautiful dish with colorful vegetables and clearly defined pieces of meat, but in reality the mass is more uniform

Real bechamel sauce is made from milk, cream and flour, so it cannot be in cat food; outwardly, “Delicatesso-bechamel” is pieces of meat in a whitish sauce

Salmon "Delikatesso" contains the smallest amount of animal protein - meat and by-products, fish and fish by-products (including salmon - at least 4%)

An adult cat weighing 4 kg requires 3 packages of Sheba Delicatesso per day, since 1 jar equals 1 serving

Beef pate from Sheba Delicatesso has the maximum protein content in the entire series - 10.5 g per 100 g of feed

"Sheba Naturel"

Sheba Naturel is small portions with a combination of two flavors. Flavor options:

• sea ​​fish;
• chicken with turkey or duck;
• beef and lamb.

The manufacturer describes this product as whole pieces of meat or fish in a delicate sauce. Some cat owners have noticed that the contents are not exactly like the picture on the packaging. Available in 80 g bags. The average price of 1 serving is 28 rubles.

Sometimes I buy smaller packs of cat food. I just think that since one brand produces a product in the same price category, the volume of the pack can be smaller if there is more meat (it may not be profitable for manufacturers to put a lot of meat in a large package).

Table: composition of Sheba Naturalle food

When choosing food for your cat, carefully read the ingredients. It is important not only to list absolutely all components and their exact percentages, but also where a specific component ranks in the list of ingredients. For example, in Naturel with the taste of fish, meat and offal are listed in third place, and products of animal origin (for example, industrial waste in the form of feathers, hooves, etc.) in second. This means that there is the most fish (14%), animal protein (second and third) is less than 14%, and taurine and minerals are contained in minute quantities.

Photo gallery: some Naturalle series products

Most cats eat fish food with greater appetite than meat food (no heat treatment completely destroys the smell of fish)

The energy value of Sheba Naturalle chicken and turkey food is 55 kcal per 100 g of product

Sheba Naturalle chicken duck and chicken turkey have almost the same composition

Sheba Naturalle with beef and lamb contains meat and by-products (beef minimum 4%, lamb - 2%)

"Sheba Mini"

Sheba Mini is a classic wet food in a miniature package. The volume of 1 serving is 50 g. There are 4 flavor options: chicken, duck, salmon and beef. This is the most budget option of Sheba, the average price of 1 sachet is 18 rubles.

Table: composition of Sheba Mini food

Photo gallery: Mini series products

An adult cat weighing 4 kg requires 5 sachets of Sheba Mini food per day

Salmon Sheba contains fish and fish by-products (including salmon - at least 4%)

100 g of Sheba Mini food with duck flavor contains at least 8% protein

Sheba Mini food with beef flavor and chicken flavor has the same energy value - 40 kcal

"Sheba Appetito"

"Sheba Appetito" is a food in the form of two types of meat in jelly. Flavor variations:

• chicken with turkey;
• beef with rabbit;
• veal with tongue;
• tuna and salmon.

They are produced in 85 g bags, and the average price per serving is 28 rubles.

Some cat owners noted that cats like this series of food the most. Unlike most other wet foods, the jelly in this product does not liquefy when heated. In addition, Appetito contains the highest protein content.

Table: composition of Sheba Appetito food

Photo gallery: Appetito series products

An adult cat needs 3 sachets of Sheba Appetito with chicken and turkey per day, while pregnant and lactating cats need 4-5 sachets.

100 g of Sheba Appetito with beef and rabbit contains 9 g of protein

The nutritional value of Sheba Appetito with veal/tongue and beef/rabbit is completely the same

Sheba Appetito series food is found less often on store shelves than others

Treats for cats

The Sheba brand does not have special treats for cats. Some cat owners purchase Sheba Classic as a treat. This is a high-calorie food in unusual polymer cans with a volume of 80 g. An adult cat requires up to 40 g of this product per 1 kg of body per day.

Sheba Classic is available in the following flavors:

• sautéed chicken breasts;
• assorted chicken and duck;
• tuna cocktail with selected shrimp;
• juicy tuna in a delicate sauce;
• tagliatta made from chicken and tender beef.

A jar of this food costs from 85 rubles, but the manufacturer indicates the best composition. For example, the “Saute of Chicken Breasts” contains 30% chicken meat, and the canned “Juicy Tuna” contains up to 45% fish fillet (however, tuna fillet is only 4%).

Classic series feeds contain up to 13% protein per 100 g of product

“Sheba Classic” is found in stores less often than other foods from this manufacturer, and if it does appear on the shelves, it is quickly sold out.

Medicinal feed

Sheba does not produce veterinary lines, and all products from this manufacturer are recommended to be given only to healthy cats.

A veterinarian I know told me that canned foods like Sheba can be easily given to cats with poor appetite. In fact, I have noticed that when my cats start to feel mopey, the appetizing sight of the pieces in jelly or sauce immediately makes them want to eat the whole portion. In addition, such products contain much more moisture than dry ones.

Reviews from veterinarians

As a veterinary specialist, I recommend Sheba Pleasure food in pouches. This cat food contains moderate amounts of protein, fat, minimal carbohydrates and a high concentration of dietary fiber. Suitable for pets who are prohibited from eating dry kibble for health reasons (deposition of salts and minerals in the kidneys, tartar), and for cats who drink little water.

Sheba Pleasure food contains all the necessary macro- and microelements that help strengthen the cat’s body. I recommend giving it to adult cats, older kittens closer to a year old, as well as cats with any diseases.

How to replace Sheba food

If Sheba food is not available in the store or it is not possible to purchase it, then it can be replaced with other foods of different classes:

• premium (Royal Canin, Gourmet);
• superpremium (Leonardo, Brit Care);
• holistic (Moonlight).

Photo gallery: wet food to replace Sheba

Royal Canin is the most popular premium cat food in Russia

Gourmet wet cat food is produced in France and Russia by Nestle Purina Petcare

positions its product as complete nutrition

claims that its products are made only from natural, hypoallergenic and easily digestible ingredients

You can buy Moonlight food only in a specialized store (most often it is delivered to order)

Table: characteristics of replacement feed