Canned Cat Food - Nature's Variety

*Disclaimer: The info I present here is from my research, and I cannot verify the information 100%. Please contact the company or use this information at your own risk for your pets.

I have been researching many different cat foods recently because of health problems with my cats. One suggestion Dr. Lisa Pierson of catinfo.org has made is the use of grain-free canned Nature's Variety. Through my research I have discovered that the canned cat food and canned dog food are probably the one and the same. They both have this  If you are a multiple cat household, it would save you money to purchase the 13.2 oz Nature's Instinct Dog canned for $2.99 versus the 5.5 oz Nature's Instinct Cat canned variety for $2.49 at my local Petco.

Ingredients for canned Chicken Formula for Cats from Nature's Variety's website:

Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Ground Flaxseeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Eggs, Peas, Carrots, Lecithin, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Tricalcium Phosphate, Salt, Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley.

Ingredients for canned Chicken Formula for Dogs from Nature's Variety's website:

Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Ground Flaxseeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Eggs, Peas, Carrots, Lecithin, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Tricalcium Phosphate, Salt, Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley.

Nature's Variety Instinct Chicken Formula for Cats Nutritional Analysis:

Calories121 per 3 oz can 222 per 5.5 oz can
Guaranteed AnalysisCrude Protein (min): 11.0% Crude Fat (min): 8.0% Crude Fiber (max): 3.0% Moisture (max): 75.0% Calcium (min): 0.25% Phosphorus (min): 0.20% Vitamin E (min): 25 IU/kg Taurine (min): 0.05% *Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) (min): 30 mg/kg *Omega 6 Fatty Acids* (min): 1.00% *Omega 3 Fatty Acids* (min): 0.20%
VitaminsVitamin A: 44125.652 IU/kg Vitamin D: 346.645 IU/kg Vitamin E: 34.396 IU/kg Thiamin (Vitamin B1): 4.336 mg/kg Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 5.239 mg/kg Pantothenic Acid: 9.947 mg/kg Niacin: 46.437 mg/kg Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): 3.136 mg/kg Folic Acid: 1.139 mg/kg Biotin: 0.199 mg/kg Vitamin B12: 0.026 mcg/kg Vitamin C: 41.211 mg/kg Choline: 1779.957 mg/kg	MineralsCalcium: 0.384% Phosphorus: 0.307% Magnesium: 0.029% Sodium: 0.114% Potassium: 0.273% Chloride: 0.181% Iron: 41.824 mg/kg Zinc: 54.763 mg/kg Copper: 5.965 mg/kg Manganese: 9.221 mg/kg Iodine: 0.756 mg/kg Selenium: 0.089 mg/kg Ash: 2.206%	Amino AcidsArginine: 0.665% Histidine: 0.269% Isoleucine: 0.517% Leucine: 0.787% Lysine: 0.852% Methionine: 0.270% Methionine-Cystine: 0.508% Phenylalanine: 0.432% Phenylalanine-Tyrosine: 0.772% Threonine: 0.411% Tryptophan: 0.136% Valine: 0.489% Taurine: 1020 mg/kg

Nature's Variety Instinct Chicken Formula for Dog Nutritional Analysis:

Calories531 per 13.2 oz can 222 per 5.5 oz can
Guaranteed AnalysisCrude Protein (min): 11.0% Crude Fat (min): 8.0% Crude Fiber (max): 3.0% Moisture (max): 75.0% Calcium (min): 0.25% Phosphorus (min): 0.20% Vitamin E (min): 25 IU/kg *Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) (min): 30 mg/kg *Omega 6 Fatty Acids (min): 1.00% *Omega 3 Fatty Acids (min): 0.20%
VitaminsVitamin A: 44125.652 IU/kg Vitamin D: 346.645 IU/kg Vitamin E: 34.396 IU/kg Thiamin (Vitamin B1): 4.336 mg/kg Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 5.239 mg/kg Pantothenic Acid: 9.947 mg/kg Niacin: 46.437 mg/kg Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): 3.136 mg/kg Folic Acid: 1.139 mg/kg Biotin: 0.199 mg/kg Vitamin B12: 0.026 mcg/kg Vitamin C: 41.211 mg/kg Choline: 1779.957 mg/kg	MineralsCalcium: 0.384% Phosphorus: 0.307% Magnesium: 0.029% Sodium: 0.114% Potassium: 0.273% Chloride: 0.181% Iron: 41.824 mg/kg Zinc: 54.763 mg/kg Copper: 5.965 mg/kg Manganese: 9.221 mg/kg Iodine: 0.756 mg/kg Selenium: 0.089 mg/kg Ash: 2.206%	Amino AcidsArginine: 0.665% Histidine: 0.269% Isoleucine: 0.517% Leucine: 0.787% Lysine: 0.852% Methionine: 0.270% Methionine-Cystine: 0.508% Phenylalanine: 0.432% Phenylalanine-Tyrosine: 0.772% Threonine: 0.411% Tryptophan: 0.136% Valine: 0.489% Taurine: 1020 mg/kg

As you can see, they are exactly the same! It is much less expensive for the company to make one formulation and sell it in different cans than it is to have to make two different formulations. I haven't checked yet, but there are also other fomulations that are probably the same such as venison, beef, lamb, duck which may be good options if your cats have allergies. This little trick could save you money!

I haven't tried this food yet as I'm not sure about the clay that is included in the ingredients and it is more expensive than the Innova and Wellness that I currently use. I am also going to be posting more foods that I think are exactly the same with ingredients. Hopefully this will also help to see if companies change their formulations and ingredients over time which has occurred.