Our Verdict
Azmira dry product range is made of one recipe which receives the Cat Food Advisor rating, 2 stars.
Although this dry food does not contain by-products, wheat gluten, or rice protein concentrate, it does not name good quality meat sources in its first eight ingredients. It is low in protein and high in carbohydrate content.
Pros
- No plant protein in main ingredients
- Does not contain by-products
- Affordable
Cons
- Contains more than one ingredient deemed controversial
- Low in protein content
- Very high carbohydrate
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Azmira Classic Cat Formula | 2 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
A detailed recipe and nutrient analysis of the Azmira Dry Classic Cat Formula is given below.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Azmira Dry Classic Cat Formula
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken meal, whole ground brown rice, whole ground soybeans, whole ground wheat, whole ground corn, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), tomato pomace (source of lycopene), vitamins (choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement (source of B3), vitamin c supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), folic acid, vitamin D supplement, vitamin K supplement, biotin, inositol, vitamin B12 supplement), flaxseed, natural flavors, herring meal, dried whey, chicory root, dl-methionine, minerals (calcium carbonate, zinc oxide, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, manganese oxide, copper sulfate, sodium selenite, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate), potassium chloride, taurine, dried parsley flakes, kelp meal, yucca schidigera extract, vegetable oil, citric acid, lecithin, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The second ingredient is whole ground brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a cat.
The third ingredient is whole ground soybeans. Even though soybeans contain over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.
And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label — a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this food. We rarely consider soy a preferred component in any cat food.
The fourth ingredient is whole ground wheat. Like corn, wheat is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain. And aside from its energy content, this grain is of only modest nutritional value to a cat. For this reason, we do not consider wheat a preferred component in any cat food.
The fifth ingredient is whole ground corn. Corn is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain. And aside from its energy content, this grain is of only modest nutritional value to a cat.
The sixth ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid. Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The seventh ingredient is tomato pomace. Tomato pomace is a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup. Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content, while others believe it’s often used as an inexpensive pet food filler.
As the presence of fiber in a cat’s diet is shown to have great importance, we view the inclusion of tomato pomace in this food as a positive.
The eighth ingredient is vitamins (choline chloride), an essential B vitamin that naturally occurs in both plants and animals. It is found in meat, eggs, fish, liver, soybeans and wheat germ. Because a cat cannot store choline chloride in its body, the nutrient must be replenished to avoid a deficiency. Choline chloride is a supplement required by both AAFCO and the FDA.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
Recipe star rating: 2
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Azmira Dry Classic Cat Formula looks like a below average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 33.3%, a fat level of 12.2% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 46.4%.
This means this dry cat food contains lower than average protein, higher than average carbohydrate and near average fat, when compared to typical dry cat food.
Final Word
The Azmira dry cat food does not name good quality meat sources in its first eight ingredients and is low in protein and high in carbohydrate content.
It is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO cat food nutrient profiles for all life stages.
Cat Food Advisor would not recommend this product line.
Has Azmira cat food been recalled in the past?
No.
You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.
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About
Azmira Holistic Animal Care was founded by Dr Lisa S. Newman in 1982. It is located in Tucson, Arizona, United States and has representation in many different countries all over the world, including Singapore, Japan and China.
Azmira produces many different types of products, including dog food, cat food, ferret food, homeopathic remedies and herbal extracts.
Sources
Best cat foods
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Article reviewed by
Veterinarian
Dr Georgia Jeremiah has a first class honors degree in comparative pathology with field experience in anatomic and clinical pathology, studying disease processes in a multitude of species.
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