Rachael Ray Cat Food Review

Are you thinking about feeding your feline friend the Rachael Ray brand? Whether you have this brand in your shelves or plan to buy it, you will find my Rachael Ray cat food review very useful. In my opinion, the quality of ingredients used in food recipes, where they are sourced, and the process of manufacturing significantly influence how safe the food is for your cat. A brand’s recall history is also a major contributor.

So, does Rachael Ray adhere to all these guidelines to make it fall into the appropriate cat food category? That is what I will be looking at today and more. But before that, what do we know about this brand?

About Rachael Ray 

Nutrish was introduced into the pet food industry in October 2008 where Rachael Ray’s inspiration was thrived by the need to make nutritious dog food for her treasured canine friend, Isaboo. The Nutrish cat food variety was launched in 2014 as a branch of a “Shelter Cats Are Beautiful” campaign that was conducted in 16 cities. Currently, Nutrish has approx. 19 products in its brand line for both wet and cat foods. Nutrish partnered with Ainsworth Pet Nutrition in 2008 with the aim to produce high-quality dog food that uses natural ingredients after the death of many pooches.

The company is headquartered in Meadville, PA., and was purchased by the J.M. Smucker Company from Ainsworth Pet Nutrition in April 2018.

What makes cat food good?

If you want your cat to live a long, healthy life, his or her diet must include proper nutrition. According to Cornell Feline Health Center, good cat food should contain the vital nutrients they need to thrive. Unlike dogs, your cat is a meat-eater which means that their diet has to primarily contain animal products. Other nutrients that ought to be in your cat’s daily diet are amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids, and minerals. It should also meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the US Food and Drug Administration labeling regulations.

Is Rachael Ray cat food safe?

Technically speaking, Rachael Ray cat food is considered dependable as most of the recipes in the dry and wet variety include premium ingredients that are good for cats. In addition, the safety of any pet food is influenced by where the ingredients are sourced. Rachael Ray insists on not using any China-sourced ingredients in their cat foods. But since most artificial vitamins, amino acids, and minerals come from China, that raises eyebrows.

I also love the company’s transparency in talking about where they get their ingredients from as well as keeping pet owners up-to-date with any info they should know. This information can be found on both the firm and FDA websites.

Ingredients

Most of Rachael Ray’s ingredients for making cat and dog foods, as well as treats and other pet food products, come from Canada, United States, New Zealand, Europe, and Australia. All these countries have the best ingredients, from lamb to real fish and sources of novel proteins like Kangaroo, they offer the best. You can be sure that your feline companion is eating the highest quality ingredients if they come from these trusted suppliers.

Where are Rachael Ray pet foods manufactured?

Rachael Ray Nutrish dry cat food variety is manufactured in facilities owned by Ainsworth Pet Foods which are located in Frontenac, Kansas, and Meadville, PA. The brand’s wet cat food variety, on the other hand, is made at the J.M Smucker’s facility in Thailand.

Types of Rachael Ray Cat Foods

Rachael Ray Nutrish manufactures and sells two commercial cat foods, including dry and wet cat foods. These products vary greatly in water content, digestibility, protein levels, taste, and caloric density. Nutrish offers 3 dry cat food lines, including Ultra Premium, Super Premium, and Zero Grain. Nutrish wet cat food, on the other hand, comes in 4 product lines, including Peak Ultra Premium, Purrfect Entrées, Grain-Free, and Purrfect Broths.

Check out below for more info on these kinds of cat foods.

Rachael Ray dry cat food review

Rachael Ray dry cat food ranks pretty high when it comes to nutritional value and balance, as well as ingredients quality and palatability. The 3 product lines of the brand’s dry variety offer 10 products. Ultra Premium cat food includes 5 balanced recipes with fish or meat as the primary ingredient. Super Premium is best for muscle maintenance with high protein content and grain exclusive, while Zero Grain is ideal for cats with grain sensitivities. However, these formulas do contain high amounts of carbs.

What I like:

• Highly palatable
• Quality ingredients
• Good value for money
• No by-products, gluten, or fillers

Drawbacks:

• Excess carbohydrate content

The amount of moisture in dry cat foods is somewhere between 6% and 10% and based on how it is prepared, it includes a list of ingredients that vary greatly. The kibbles are then coated with ingredients such as animal fat to make them mouthwatering for your cat. Kibbles are fairly expensive, and this is evident with Rachael Ray Nutrish which is why it scores 7.5/10 in terms of budget-friendliness.

Nutrish dry cat food is made with highly digestible ingredients which makes it a good option for most felines regardless of their age.

Rachael Ray wet cat food review

The brand’s wet cat food variety is the most palatable even for fussy eaters with different palates, premium ingredients as well as a range of textures to suit varying cat needs. Its four lines have different nutritious recipes that your cat will love. Nutrish canned include animal-based meats such as beef, chicken, and more while Peak is protein-rich with whole meats. Purrfect Entrées are grain-free with special ingredients while Purrfect Broths are nutrient-rich gravies served as kibble toppers. Unfortunately, Rachael Ray’s wet cat food has lots of plant-based ingredients.

What we like:

• High water content
• Premium ingredients like yellowfin tuna, mackerel, sardine and more
• Zero fillers & grains

Drawbacks:

• Complaints about some cats disliking the fish taste

Canned or wet cat foods contain at least 75% moisture content which makes it a terrific source of dietary water. Unlike dry cat food, the wet variety is predominantly delicious even for picky eaters like yours. However, wet cat food comes with a significantly higher price tag than dry cat food. That is why I give Rachael Ray 6/10 in terms of quality, palate, and appropriateness.

Has Rachael Ray been recalled?

Rachael Ray has been a victim of recalls for high levels of vitamin D in their wet cat food variety in 2015. Five different wet foods were pulled from the shelves as well as two variety packs for the same reasons. Prior to that and after, no recalls have been made.

Additionally…

Rachael Ray was, in 2018, involved in a Class-Action Lawsuit that was later dismissed following complaints from a consumer about the possible presence of glyphosate, a hazardous herbicide. This claim was also evident in a 2015 research conducted by Stephanie Seneff and Anthony Samsel. The dual also found traces of this weed killer in most popular brands, including Rachael Ray’s 9Lives Indoor Complete and Super Premium. This class-action lawsuit has been dismissed twice.

The brand was also featured in the FDA’s list of 16 pet food brands that might be linked to heart disease in cats and dogs during the 2019 Heart Disease Investigation. None of these brands, however, have been recalled since the investigation is still ongoing.

How much does Rachael Ray cat food cost?

When it comes to price, Rachael Ray’s cat foods are among the low-priced brands in the pet food market, both in brick-and-mortar stores and online. If you could, it is available in price tags similar to ones you can buy in a grocery store, only more nutritious with above-average quality.

Let us say, for instance, that your feline pal needs 200 calories a day of Rachael Ray’s most popular wet food. That would cost you approx. $1.55. Given that amount, you can only assume that their top dry cat food will cost less.

Where can I get Rachael Ray Nutrish cat food?

You can buy Rachael Ray Nutrish cat food in online stores such as Amazon here and there are other options such as Chewy, Walmart, and more. The brand is also available in pet stores around your locality if you look closely.

What customers say about Rachael Ray Nutrish cat food

Positive: Most cat owners say that their feline pals love the palate of most Rachael Ray cat food recipes, and each parent gives a different reason and is fond of one variety than the other. The thing that is common in almost all is the budget-friendly pricing of these products and availability.

Negative: On the other hand, however, some cat owners complain about their cats not liking the food because they hate the smell or the taste of specific recipes, especially ones with seafood or fish. So, does your cat love Rachael Ray’s cat food? If yes, why? If not, why? You are free to post your comments below.

FAQs

Which one is better between dry and wet cat food?

In my opinion, what matters most about your cat’s food has more to do with nutritional value than whether it is dry or wet. Commercial diets for cats with high-quality ingredients, zero fillers, and a variety of recipes are the best option for your cat. But if you must choose a type, it will depend on what your feline likes most and whether there are any underlying health issues.