Pure Vita Cat Food Review

Company Information

The history of this family-owned pet food company dates back to 1947 and begins with the father of the current owner. He was called Darrell Nelson but was known as “Tuffy” and he established an animal feed company called Pine Lakes Feed in Minnesota. A couple of decades later, his son (Kenny Nelson) returned to the family home after studying away and joined with his father to form Tuffy’s Dog Food Company. Kenny Nelson still owns the company today.

For four decades, Tuffy’s concentrated on providing economy pet food but at the turn of the century they switched their focus to premium products. Their initial products were in the NutriSource Super Premium range. This was so successful that they expanded in 2007 and added their Pure Vita range. After another huge success, they introduced Natural Planet Organics in 2009. The company remains in family ownership and boasts a highly experienced management team and workforce.

The company prides itself on using only the highest quality raw ingredients which are always fresh and are tested at the point of delivery against a set of stringent specifications in terms of protein content, moisture and ash. They have also invested in state-of-the-art equipment so that they can be at the forefront of developing new pet food products. The research focuses on pet nutrition and quality testing.

One notable detail is that the company operate out of a manufacturing plant that exclusively produces pet food. At the facility, there is a chemistry laboratory used for product testing. Extensive quality control is used to assess formulation, palatability, appearance, aroma and digestibility. Because the products are made to order, they are always fresh.

The company’s attention to detail extends to the manufacturing processes, packaging and even transport. Ingredients are measured with pinpoint accuracy which ensures that every bag of food is exactly the same. Only the highest quality packaging is used to guarantee freshness and palatability. Even the trucks are inspected for cleanliness.

Why Choose This Brand?

• Company ethos and environmental credentials

This is a well-established and respected family firm who have built a reputation for quality control and integrity. The products are all natural and suitable for the needs of cats of all life stages and lifestyles including kittens, adults and seniors, cats with allergies and cats with an indoor lifestyle.

There is a company ethos of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Protecting the environment is important to this company. Steps are taken to reduce, reuse and recycle supplies and equipment. Corrugated items, plastic and paper are recycled and some packaging is composted. The company offices are cooled and heated using a geothermal system that emits no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gasses and uses little electricity. Donations are made to many US humane societies and rescue organizations. This is all part of the company commitment to pets.

• Product safety

Pure Vita products have never had a safety recall incident. The commitment to animal safety was consolidated in 2015 with the opening of a new production plant. The plant was designed to meet the most stringent standards for pet food safety. The layout segregates employee movements and airflow to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. There is a state of the art facilities for cooking, drying, coating and cooling the food.

Further expansion is planned which will continue to reduce or eliminate bio-contamination whilst also increasing the capacity of production and efficiency. The range of premium and exotic protein sources is likely to increase, giving your pet a wider choice of flavors and dining experiences.

The brand is made from a single animal protein source, such as chicken, so you know exactly what your kitty is eating. It can be purchased as a grain-free option for cats with allergies and is full of natural ingredients such as cranberries and apricots which provide valuable antioxidants. This brand also features the special ‘Good 4 Life System’ which supports healthy digestion in cats. Only natural preservatives are used thus avoiding artificial ingredients.

Ingredient Analysis

Pure vita products meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) protocols for cats of all ages. Cat food needs to contain the correct proportions of the following macro-nutrients.

• Protein: This is essential for the growth and repair of tissue and also provides energy. In this range, it is provided by a single animal source such as chicken. You will know exactly what meat your cat is eating which is useful for allergies.
• Carbohydrates: Cats do not need a lot of carbohydrates. They can be used as a cheap filler in pet food as they do not cost a lot. The grain-free products in this range do not have corn, wheat, and soy which are common allergens. However, they do have pea flour which is viewed by some experts as a filler and which adds to the carbohydrate content of the recipe.
• Fats: These are also needed for energy and can be used by the body to fuel the metabolism. Too much fat can lead to obesity.

You may also like our Grain Free Cat Food Review.

Micronutrients

The Pure Vita range contains a special blend of nutrients called NutriSource® Super Premium Nutrition. It is designed to support a healthy gut and aid digestion. This leads to well-formed poop and less mess in the litter tray!

The main element of Nutrisource Pure Vita cat food is that the food is made from real chicken or other meat as the primary ingredient. To this is added rice, barley and oatmeal formula which are highly digestible. There are omega 3 and omega 6 oils to help the food pass through the gut as well as Sel-Plex® selenium, Vitamin C and natural anti-oxidants. They are no animal by-products or whole corn which can cause digestive issues. There are also no artificial preservatives as preservation is achieved by tocopherols.

Pros & Cons