Our Verdict
Health Extension Freeze-Dried Raw product range is made of three recipes which all receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4 stars.
This food is made using good quality named meats as the first ingredient. The freeze-dried raw formula, in addition to the inclusion of fruit and vegetables, means this range provides a nutritious and complete diet for your cat.
Pros
- High quality animal meat sources
- Freeze-dried raw formula
- Limited ingredients
Cons
- Includes plant based proteins
- Lack of moisture
The table below shows each recipe in the range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Health Extension SuperBites Freeze-Dried Raw - Salmon Recipe | 4 | U |
| Health Extension SuperBites Freeze-Dried Raw - Beef Recipe | 4 | U |
| Health Extension SuperBites Freeze-Dried Raw - Chicken Recipe | 4 | U |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Health Extension SuperBites Freeze-Dried Raw Salmon recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Health Extension SuperBites Freeze-Dried Raw Salmon
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Salmon, chicken, lentils, carrots, sweet potato, blueberries, salmon oil, salt, green beans, organic apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, turmeric, black pepper, mixed tocopherols (rosemary extract).
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is salmon, an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega-3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every cat to sustain life.
The second ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”. 1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The third ingredient is lentils. Lentils are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, lentils contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.
The fourth ingredient is carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fifth ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in cat food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The sixth ingredient is blueberries. Blueberries are a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The seventh ingredient is salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to cats and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
The eighth ingredient is salt (also known as sodium chloride). Salt is a common additive in many cat foods. That’s because sodium is a necessary mineral for all animals – including humans.
Salt can often be found in cat foods to promote cats to drink more water too. This is a means of increasing their hydration and diluting their urine which helps to reduce the likelihood of urinary stones forming.
However, since the actual amount of salt added to this recipe isn’t disclosed on the list of ingredients, it’s impossible to judge the nutritional value of this item.
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.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Health Extension SuperBites Freeze-Dried Raw Salmon recipe looks like an above-average freeze-dried raw product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 38.5%, a fat level of 21.4% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 32.1%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 36% and a mean fat level of 21.4%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 34.6% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 60%.
This means the Health Extension Freeze-Dried Raw range contains near-average protein, near-average carbohydrate and above-average fat, when compared to typical freeze-dried raw cat food.
Final Word
Health Extension uses only ethical and sustainable means to source high-quality ingredients which is evident in the freeze-dried raw range.
Has Health Extension cat food been recalled in the past?
No. Health Extension cat food has never been subject to a recall.
You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.
To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.
About
Vets Choice is the company behind Health Extension. It started making pet food in 1963 but was rebranded in 2015 to become Health Extension.
The ingredients are sourced from around the world, including the United States, France, Canada, and New Zealand, although most of Health Extension’s cat foods are made in the company’s United States facility. It is worth noting that some of their canned formulas are manufactured in Thailand.
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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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