Our Verdict
Wysong Epigen dry cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating, 5 stars
This range offers a high protein diet, sourced from animal protein and is free from starch. It does contain some fruit and vegetables which are not considered appropriate for cats. However, with low carbohydrate content and fat content coming from recognisable animal sources, this food offers a well balanced diet.
Pros
- High protein level
- Low carbohydrate content
- High meat content
Cons
- Limited range
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wysong Epigen 90 | 5 | U |
| Wysong Epigen | 5 | U |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Wysong Epigen 90 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.
Wysong Epigen 90
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken meal, organic chicken, meat protein isolate, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), gelatin, natural flavor, coconut oil, chia seeds, taurine, calcium carbonate, calcium propionate (a preservative), choline chloride, dried apple fiber, fish oil, yeast extract, citric acid (a preservative), mixed tocopherols (a preservative), rosemary extract, inulin, yeast culture, (potassium chloride, zinc proteinate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate), (ascorbic acid [source of vitamin C], vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid), dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried lactobacillus lactis fermentation product.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3%
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 organic 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 meat protein isolate. Meat protein isolate, a product made by “separating meat protein from fresh, clean, unadulterated bones by heat processing followed by low temperature drying to preserve function and nutrition. This product is characterized by a fresh meaty aroma, a 90% minimum protein level, 1% maximum fat and 2% maximum ash”. 2
Contrary to what the name would normally imply, this item is not generic. According to Wysong (on its website), this ingredient is derived exclusively from pork meat.
This is a quality source of meat-based protein.
The fourth 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 fifth ingredient is gelatin, a colorless, flavorless, translucent, brittle substance that’s irreversibly derived from the collagen found in the skin and bones of animals.
Although it consists mostly of protein (98-99% non-essential amino acids), gelatin is of only limited nutritional value to a cat.
The sixth 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.
The seventh ingredient is coconut oil, a natural oil rich in medium-chain fatty acids.
The eighth ingredient is chia seeds. Chia seed, an edible seed nutritionally similar to flax or sesame. Provided they’re first ground into a meal, chia seeds are rich in both omega-3 fatty acids as well as dietary fiber.
However, chia seeds contain about 17% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this cat food.
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.
There are two notable exceptions in this recipe.
Firstly taurine, 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 view the presence of taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.
Also the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Wysong Epigen 90 recipe looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 70%, a fat level of 17.8% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 4.2%.
As a group, the brand features an near-average protein content of 68.3% and an mean fat level of 17.2%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 6.4% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 25%.
This means this Wysong Epigen range contains above-average protein, below-average carbohydrate, above-average fat, when compared to typical dry cat food.
Final Word
Wysong foods are made of high-quality products containing essential vitamins and minerals which is reflected in our 5 star rating.
Highly Recommended.
Has Wysong cat food been recalled in the past?
No, Wysong has never had a cat food recall. However, in 2009, the company did recall some of its dog foods, due to possible mold exposure. The senior recipe, maintenance recipe, and synorgon product were all affected. You can read more about it on the Dog Food Advisor.
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
Wysong corporation is a family run business that was established in 1979 by Dr. Randy Wysong.
Wysong is a US company based in Midland, Michigan. Their ingredients are sourced from the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and Japan, with synthetic amino acids sourced from China.
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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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