Nature's Table cat food

Nature's Table is a new Russian brand of cat food, which belongs to the Mars Corporation, a world-famous manufacturer of food and other products for pets (Royal Canin, Kitekat, Perfect Fit The manufacturer claims to use only natural ingredients without added soy, artificial flavor enhancers, preservatives, or colorings. However, as practice shows, manufacturers often skimp on raw materials and add unwanted components, so the health claims of their products don't always match reality. Is this true for Natures Table cat food? We'll explore this in this review.

Types of feed

Nature's Table's range of products includes two forms of release: dry croquettes and wet Each package contains the manufacturer's recommendations for serving sizes when feeding only one type of food, as well as when feeding a combination of both.

Dry food

The dry kibble line offers complete nutrition for adult cats in 190g and 650g packages. Each product is based on a single source of natural animal protein, the presence of which derives its name:

• Chicken.
• Turkey.
• Salmon.

Spiders

The wet food line includes four pouches in 85g packages, designed for adult cats. Similar to dry kibble, each product is formulated with a single source of animal protein, which is the number one ingredient:

• Beef in sauce.
• Chicken in sauce.
• Turkey in sauce.
• Salmon in sauce.

Compound

To analyze the ingredients of Nature's Table, let's take their dry turkey cat food for adult cats as an example. On the packaging, the ingredients are typically listed in descending order of quantity. The top five ingredients in the list can be used to judge the quality and healthiness of the food. For this product, the top of the list looks like this:

• turkey;
• wheat;
• corn;
• rice;
• fats and oils (animal fat, vegetable oil, fish oil);

Next on the list are broth, salt, vitamins and minerals, yeast, vegetables and greens (dried sugar beet pulp, peas, carrots, tomatoes, spinach, chicory) and, lastly, chicken eggs.

In terms of nutrient content, the picture looks like this:

• Proteins – 41 g.
• Fat – 14.5 g.
• Ash – 8.5 g.
• Humidity – 6 g.
• Fiber – 1.7 g.
• Calcium – 1.8 g.
• Phosphorus – 1.4 g.
• Vitamin A – not less than 500 IU.
• Vitamin D3 – not less than 40 IU.
• Vitamin E – not less than 30 mg.

Squirrels

Turkey, listed first on the ingredients list, is a good source of animal protein that cats easily digest. However, neither the quantity nor the form used (fresh, raw, or dry) are specified. Typically, turkey refers to a mixture of raw muscle tissue and skin (with or without bones) from poultry carcasses. Chicken egg is also used as an additional source of animal protein, but since it's listed last, it's unlikely to have any significant impact on the animals' bodies.

Fats

Nature's Table uses three components as a source of fat in its food: animal fat, vegetable oil, and fish oil, which are designed to provide the cat's body with omega-3 and omega-6 acids, vitamins A, D, and E to maintain healthy skin and coat, but again, their percentage content and the raw materials used are not indicated.

Carbohydrates

Wheat, corn, and rice, listed in second, third, and fourth place, are sources of carbohydrates and increase the overall protein content of the product. However, wheat and corn are cheap ingredients that create a false sense of satiety and can cause allergies, gastrointestinal upset, obesity, and diabetes. Since grain ingredients are listed first on the ingredient list, they act as inexpensive fillers and provide benefits to the pet's body, which primarily requires meat.

Additional additives

Additional components in Nature's Table:

• Broth is a component most often found in canned foods, but is sometimes added to dry croquettes as well, primarily as a natural flavoring and to enhance taste. It also serves as a low-concentration source of animal protein (provided high-quality fish or meat is used). Since the manufacturer does not specify the raw materials used for its production, this component should not be relied upon.
• Salt serves as a source of minerals, a seasoning to enhance flavor, and a natural preservative. However, since salt is naturally present in many foods and ingredients, adding it is not necessary to avoid excess accumulation in the body.
• Yeast – used as a source of B vitamins, helps maintain healthy skin and coat, and normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Thus, the main drawbacks of Nature's Table dry food are the high grain content and the lack of precise ingredient listings, which makes it impossible to objectively assess their impact on animal health. Other drawbacks include the use of salt, which can trigger kidney disease, and the lack of labeling of the substances used as preservatives.

Summarizing the analysis of the composition, we can conclude that Nature's Table diets can be classified as middle-class only due to the fact that they use natural meat as the main component, and not grains and types of meat of unknown origin (such as meat or bone meal), typical of economy-class products.

Prices

Prices for Nature's Table products vary depending on the type of food and packaging size:

• from 95 rubles per 190 g package of dry food;
• from 280 rubles per 650 g package of dry croquettes;
• from 35 rubles per pack of 85 g pouches.

Products can be purchased both in brick-and-mortar stores and online. The latter sometimes offer promotions and discounts that make prices more attractive, but keep in mind the additional shipping costs.

Reviews

Among the reviews from veterinarians, we were unable to find any recommendations for using Nature's Table dry food as a main diet or wet pouches as an additional treat.

Among cat owners, reviews of Nature's Table cat food are predominantly negative, although there are some positive ones. While this food isn't outright bad, you can find better options at similar prices with a more balanced and high-quality composition. It's also important to note that Nature's Table dry kibble and pouches are only suitable for healthy pets; if your cat has any health issues, it's better to use premium or super-premium foods.

Irina, owner of two cats:

"I picked up a Nature's Table chicken pouch at the store to try, attracted by the attractive packaging and the manufacturer's promise of natural ingredients. It was the latter that raised questions upon closer inspection, as good food lists the percentages of ingredients and their exact names. The smell also reminds me of cheap Whiskas and similar products, and the cats only licked the sauce a couple of times before leaving the bowls, so I had to throw everything out. Bottom line: I won't buy it again and won't recommend it!"

Dima, owner of the British cat Max:

"We usually don't buy dry food for our British cat without reading reviews, but we had to take a chance one day: we suddenly ran out of our usual Perfect Fit, and at the nearest store, our eyes fell on Nature's Table turkey. We'd tried products from different manufacturers before, and not every one of our picky eaters would eat it, but this one ate it with gusto and no ill effects."

Rita, Murka's owner:

"The first couple of days of feeding dry food went smoothly, but then the cat started vomiting at night because we were used to leaving a portion in the bowl for several days, which, for some unknown reason, the cat began eating throughout the day. Then she even decided to try one of the kibble herself, and it turned out to be terribly salty, which is absolutely unacceptable for a cat's diet. So, despite all the promises of naturalness, health benefits, and the beautiful packaging, the food inside is completely unnatural, unlikely to benefit the pet and may even be harmful."

Read also:

• Friskies cat food
• Purina One cat food
• Night Hunter: Cat Food