Our Verdict
Nature’s Harvest wet product range is made up of 10 recipes which each receive the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating, 5 stars.
This wet cat food is formulated with quality proteins and dietary fiber, along with botanical ingredients that offer a range of health benefits for cats.
All the foods are free from artificial preservatives, flavors and colors and there are recipes to support specific health issues including weight management, hairball control and allergies.
Pros
- No artificial preservatives
- Named meat and fish sources
- Recipes to support specific issues
Cons
- Expensive
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nature's Harvest Adult Chicken Pate Recipe | 5 | M |
| Nature's Harvest Beef and Ocean Fish Recipe | 5 | M |
| Nature's Harvest Duck Pate Recipe | 5 | G |
| Nature's Harvest Kitten Chicken Pate Recipe | 5 | M |
| Nature's Harvest Mature Chicken Pate Recipe | 5 | M |
| Nature's Harvest Ocean Fish Pate Recipe | 5 | M |
| Nature's Harvest Pork and Trout Recipe | 5 | M |
| Nature's Harvest Salmon and Trout Recipe | 5 | M |
| Nature's Harvest Turkey and Trout Recipe | 5 | M |
| Nature's Harvest Turkey Pate Recipe | 5 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Nature’s Harvest Duck Pate 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.
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Duck, duck broth, chicken, liver, peas, dried whole eggs, lentils, sweet potatoes, calcium carbonate, flaxseed, tricalcium phosphate, guar gum, choline chloride, salt, yeast extract, chicory root extract, yucca schidigera extract, pea fiber, alfalfa, pomegranate, apples, pumpkin, cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, taurine, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin c), zinc proteinate, vitamin e supplement, ferrous sulfate, iron proteinate, zinc sulfate, niacin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, copper proteinate, vitamin a supplement, selenium yeast, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, biotin, vitamin d3 supplement, vitamin b12, calcium iodate, and folic acid.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is duck. Duck is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of duck”. [1. Adapted by the Cat Food Advisor from the official definition for chicken published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, 2008 Edition]
Duck is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The second ingredient is duck broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a cat food, they are a common component in many wet products.
The third ingredient is chicken which, just like duck, is rich in the 11 essential amino acids a cat needs for growth and health.
The fourth ingredient is liver. Normally, liver can be considered a quality component. However, in this case, the source of the liver is not identified. For this reason, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this item.
The fifth ingredient is dried whole eggs, a dehydrated powder made from shell-free eggs. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The sixth 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 seventh ingredient is sweet potatoes, a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in a cat food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The eighth ingredient is calcium carbonate, likely used here as a dietary mineral supplement.
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.
However there are two notable exceptions:
This recipe also includes taurine. Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats associated with the healthy function of heart muscle and eye sight, and is crucial for maintaining good health in cats. We, therefore, view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
We also note the fact that this food also contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein which makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better cat foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Nature’s Harvest Duck Pate Recipe looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 43.2%, a fat level of 29.5% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 19.3%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 40.2% and a mean fat level of 33.9%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 17.9% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 84%.
This means Nature Harvest wet cat food contains average protein, below average carbohydrate and above average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.
Final Word
Nature’s Harvest wet cat food offers a range of formulas to suit cats at various life stages of life from kittens to more mature cats.
All the recipes provide quality proteins from named meat or fish sources and there is an emphasis on ensuring the foods support oral care, skin and coat condition, joint support, cognitive function and immunity, as well as gastrointestinal and metabolic systems.
Has Nature's Harvest cat food been recalled in the past?
No, Nature’s Harvest has never had any cat food recalls.
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
Nature’s Harvest was founded in Quebec, Canada, in 2004. Its aim was to create a wholesome diet for cats and dogs, sourcing as many ingredients as possible from Canada.
It has made a commitment to support local business and farmers and ensures the Canadian facilities it works with adhere to the strictest pet food regulations.
Nature’s Harvest products can be found in global pet foods stores nationwide.
Sources
Best cat foods
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Article reviewed by
Pet Nutritionist
Laura studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry.
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