Our Verdict
Earthborn Holistic dry product range is made of two recipes which all receive the Cat Food Advisor rating of 3.5 stars.
This cat food range is formulated with wholesome ingredients such as chicken and fruits and vegetables. It provides complete nutrition and a balanced diet without the use of grains, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Pros
- Contains good meat-based protein
- Chelated minerals
- High protein levels
- Contains probiotics
- High in fat
Cons
- Contains pea protein and other plant-based protein
- Low moisture content
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Earthborn Holistic Wild Sea Catch | 3.5 | A |
| Earthborn Holistic Primitive Feline | 3.5 | A |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Earthborn Holistic Wild Sea Catch 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.
Wild Sea Catch recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Salmon, pacific whiting meal, whitefish meal, pumpkin, tapioca, peas, pea protein, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), dried egg, flaxseed, natural flavor, apples, blueberries, carrots, cranberries, spinach, sodium bisulfate, dried chicory root (a source of inulin, a prebiotic), choline (choline chloride), salt, potassium chloride, taurine, dl-methionine, l-lysine, vitamins [vitamin E (α-tocopherol acetate), vitamin C (l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (calcium pantothenate), vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin A (vitamin a acetate), vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), vitamin B7 (biotin), vitamin B9 (folic acid), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity)], minerals [zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite], yucca schidigera extract, rosemary extract, probiotics [dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product].
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is salmon. Salmon is 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 and third ingredients are pacific whiting meal and whitefish meal.
Whitefish are a marine or freshwater species native to Canada and the California coast.
Because fish meal is considered a meat concentrate, it contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations. 1
The fourth ingredient is pumpkin. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.
The fifth ingredient is tapioca, a gluten-free, starchy carbohydrate extract made from the root of the cassava plant.
The sixth ingredient is peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this cat food.
The seventh ingredient is pea protein, what remains of a pea after removing the starchy part of the vegetable.
Even though it contains 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 meat content of this cat food.
The eighth ingredient is canola oil. Unfortunately, canola can be a controversial item. That’s because it can sometimes (but not always) be derived from genetically modified rapeseed.
Yet others cite the fact that canola oil can be a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids.
In any case, plant-based oils like canola are less biologically available to a cat than fish oil as a source of quality omega-3 fats.
We’re pleased that the flavorings used are natural, but more details are required to give any further information about these natural flavoring ingredients. Flavorings are used to make the foods more appealing and tasty for our cats.
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 3.5
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Earthborn Holistic Wild Sea Catch recipe looks like an average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 40%, a fat level of 15.6% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 36.4%.
As a group, the brand features a near-average protein content of 40% and a near-average fat level of 15.6%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 36.4% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 39%.
This means the Earthborn Holistic product line contains higher than average protein, near average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical dry cat food.
Final Word
Earthborn Holistic dry cat food provides complete nutrition and a balanced diet without the use of grains, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
It is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO cat food nutrient profiles for all life stages.
Has Earthborn Holistic cat food been recalled in the past?
Yes.
In 2021, Midwestern Pet Foods, Evansville, Indiana issued a voluntary recall of specific expiration dates of certain dog and cat food brands including CanineX, Earthborn Holistic, Venture, Unrefined, Sportmix Wholesomes, Pro Pac, Pro Pac Ultimates, Sportstrail, Sportmix and Meridian brands produced at its Monmouth, Illinois. It was investigated by the FDA.
For more information about this recall, you can read this article.
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
The Earthborn Holistic cat food brand is owned by Midwestern Pet Foods. It is a fourth generation, family-owned and operated business founded in 1926, in Indiana, as a small milling company.
The company specializes in producing nutritional dog and cat food recipes, oven-baked biscuits, and treats.
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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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