Our Verdict
Pronature dry product range is made up of three recipes which all receive the Cat Food Advisor highest rating, 3.5 stars.
This range of food is relatively high in fiber which can help cats who experience hairball problems. Carbohydrate content is also high, so this needs to be considered, but in general this food offers a good dry food option.
Pros
- Rich in fat
- Added vitamins and minerals
Cons
- Relatively low in protein
- High in carbohydrate
- Contains plant based protein
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pronature Chicken Recipe Kitten | 3.5 | G |
| Pronature Chicken Recipe | 3.5 | M |
| Pronature Chicken With Lamb Recipe | 3.5 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Pronature Chicken 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.
Pronature Chicken Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken meal, corn, chicken fat naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols, oatmeal, dried beet pulp, corn gluten meal, whole flaxseed, natural flavor, pea fiber, lecithin, menhaden fish oil, salt, choline chloride, potassium chloride, sodium bisulfate, calcium propionate (as a preservative), dl-methionine, taurine, ferrous sulfate, alpha-tocopherol acetate (a source of vitamin E), zinc oxide, yucca schidigera extract, nicotinic acid, dried cranberries, rosemary extract, manganous oxide, d-calcium pantothenate, zinc proteinate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin A supplement, cholecalciferol (a source of vitamin D3), manganese proteinate, biotin, sodium selenite, copper proteinate, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, folic acid.
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 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 third 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 fourth ingredient is oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and can be (depending upon its level of purity) gluten-free.
The fifth ingredient is dried beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.
We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most cat foods is entirely acceptable.
The sixth ingredient is corn gluten meal. Gluten is the rubbery residue remaining once corn has had most of its starchy carbohydrate washed out of it.
Although corn gluten meal contains 60% 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 seventh ingredient is whole flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.
The eighth ingredient is natural flavor. Natural flavors doesn’t give us much information about the particular ingredients included in this cat food for flavoring purposes.
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.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Pronature Chicken Recipe looks like an average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 31.1%, a fat level of 20% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 40.9%.
As a group, the brand features a below average protein content of 31.5% and an above-average fat level of 17.8%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 42.7% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 56%.
This means this Pronature dry range contains lower than average protein, higher than average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical dry cat food.
Final Word
This range of food is relatively low in protein, whilst being high in fat and carbohydrate. Plant-based ingredients are included which needs to be considered when evaluating the protein content.
Has Pronature Dry cat food been recalled in the past?
No. Pronature has not had a product 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
Pronature is a family-owned business which was established in 1969.
All Pronature ingredients and products are sourced and manufactured in Canada and are distributed to more than 20 countries.
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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