Our Verdict
Heritage Ranch dry cat food is made up of seven recipes which each receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 3 stars.
This range lists either good quality animal meat or fish as the first ingredient. The recipes are free from artificial colors and flavors and contain prebiotic fiber to support healthy digestion.
Pros
- First ingredient animal meat or fish
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Contains prebiotic fiber which can help digestion
Cons
- High in carbohydrate
- Contains plant based protein
- Includes menadione
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage Ranch by H‑E‑B Grain-Free Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food - Chicken & Chickpea | 3 | U |
| Heritage Ranch by H‑E‑B Adult Indoor Grain-Free Dry Cat Food - Salmon & Chickpea | 3 | U |
| Heritage Ranch by H‑E‑B Senior Adult Dry Cat Food - Salmon & Brown Rice | 3 | U |
| Heritage Ranch by H‑E‑B Healthy Weight Adult Dry Cat Food - Chicken & Brown Rice | 3 | U |
| Heritage Ranch by H‑E‑B Skin + Digestion Support Adult Dry Cat Food - Chicken & Oatmeal | 3 | U |
| Heritage Ranch by H‑E‑B Adult Indoor Grain-Free Dry Cat Food - Chicken & Chickpea | 3 | U |
| Heritage Ranch by H‑E‑B Terrain High Protein Diet Adult Dry Cat Food - Salmon, Whitefish & Trout | 3 | U |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Heritage Ranch by H‑E‑B Terrain High Protein Diet Adult Dry Cat Food – Salmon, Whitefish & Trout 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.
Heritage Ranch by H‑E‑B Terrain High Protein Diet Adult Dry Cat Food - Salmon, Whitefish & Trout recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Salmon, chicken meal, turkey meal, potato protein, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), sorghum, tapioca starch, barley, white fish, trout, natural flavor, flaxseeds, ground miscanthus grass, dried egg product, dried sweet potatoes, potassium chloride, dried chicory root, minerals (iron amino acid complex, zinc amino acid complex, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, copper amino acid complex, copper sulfate, sodium selenite, manganese amino acid complex, manganous oxide, calcium iodate), salt, dried blueberries, dried carrots, dried cranberries, dried kelp, taurine, citric acid (preservative), mixed tocopherols (preservative), vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, pyridoxine hydrochloride, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin), choline chloride, rosemary extract.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4%
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 and third ingredients are chicken meal and turkey meal, meat concentrates that contain nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken or turkey.
The fourth ingredient is potato protein, the dry residue remaining after removing the starchy part of a potato.
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 actual meat content of this cat food.
The fifth 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 sixth ingredient is sorghum, a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.
Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, sorghum may be considered an acceptable non-meat ingredient.
The seventh ingredient is tapioca starch, a gluten-free, starchy carbohydrate extract made from the root of the cassava plant.
The eighth ingredient is barley, another carbohydrate that supplies fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a cat.
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 this recipe contains menadione, a controversial form of vitamin K linked to liver toxicity, allergies and the abnormal break-down of red blood cells.
Since vitamin K isn’t required by AAFCO in its nutrient profiles, we question the use of this item in any feline recipe.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Heritage Ranch by H‑E‑B Terrain High Protein Diet Adult Dry Cat Food – Salmon, Whitefish & Trout recipe looks like a below average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44.4%, a fat level of 17.8% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 29.8%.
As a group, the brand features an near-average protein content of 37% and a mean fat level of 15.2%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 39.9 for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 40.9%.
This means this Heritage Ranch dry range contains near-average protein, higher than average carbohydrate and near-average fat, when compared to typical dry cat food.
Final Word
These formulas offer good sources of protein, along with prebiotic fiber to aid digestion and omega-3 and 6 for a healthy skin & shiny coat. They do not contain any poultry by-product meal.
Has Heritage Ranch cat food been recalled in the past?
No.
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
Heritage Ranch cat food is owned by American supermarket H-E-B that is centered in Texas. The company was founded in November 1905 in Kerrville by Florence Thornton Butt.
Sources
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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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