Cat Food FAQ

We're passionate about providing the best and safest food for cats! We test every batch beyond required testing, not only to ensure it meets the nutrient requirements, but also to be absolutely sure there are no contaminants, such as those that are involved in pet food recalls.

• No Pinto Canyon foods, or any foods baked at our baking facility have ever been recalled in over 20 years of baking pet food!
• All grains are tested for mycotoxins, with standards well above the industry.
• We use a "loss in weight" system to verify the amount of each ingredient as it's added: our system verifies both the increased weight of the product and the decreased weight of the ingredient or supplement added.
• We have a third-party laboratory test every batch — above and beyond required testing. If all cat food were tested as extensively as ours there wouldn't be any recalls!

This is a great question! Some pet food manufacturers are promoting the idea that more protein is better. However, too much of anything is not good, and protein is no different.

All pet food in the U.S. is formulated per the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO); AAFCO bases their requirements on feeding trials done by the National Resource Council (NRC). Taking into account the average digestibility of protein, AAFCO requires a minimum of 26% in adult cat foods on a dry matter basis. Our Turkey Recipe for Cats & Kittens has 34% Crude Protein on a dry matter basis, significantly more than is required.

The amount of protein in Pinto Canyon foods exceeds the amount required by AAFCO, but we don't overdo it. Our high-quality, highly-digestible meats and fish, along with freshly-ground grains and other choice ingredients, provide just the right amount of premium proteins while maintaining the appropriate balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

Another great quality of oven-baked food is that it doesn't swell and get all gross when wet, so if your cat prefers wet food, or has sensitive teeth, just add a little lukewarm water over the kibble, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and your cat will enjoy a wet meal!

Ash is an indicator of the level of mineral in the food. Often we think, "Is there fireplace ash in my pet's food?" There is no fireplace ash in your pet's food, and it's not something to avoid in food. To the contrary, when referring to food analysis, the term "ash" refers to the mineral content of the food—minerals that are essential to life!

To determine the mineral content of food, a test is performed where a food sample is completely burned at a controlled temperature; the remaining "ash" contains primarily minerals (including calcium, phosphorous, iron, zinc and selenium) because they don't dissipate when burned. It was once thought that the level of ash was an important factor in the production of bladder stones, but it is now known that there are many factors involved, and ash is not useful in determining if the food will contribute to the formation of bladder stones.

No, do not give your cat vitamin supplements without consulting your veterinarian. Our foods are complete and balanced; you do not need to feed your pet additional supplements unless recommended by your veterinarian. Your cat may receive harmful amounts of some vitamins and minerals if they're fed supplements in addition to their food. From the Pets.WebMD.com website: "Giving your cat more vitamins or minerals could cause more harm than good... Remember, more is not always better." Cat Vitamins and Supplements: Do They Work?