Choosing the right food for your feline companion is a critical decision for their health and well-being. Now Fresh, a brand by Petcurean, aims to provide high-quality, fresh ingredients for cats. This review delves into the brand’s offerings, examining their ingredient quality, product variety, pricing, and customer reception to help you determine if Now Fresh is the optimal choice for your cat.
The Cats.com Standard: Evaluating Now Fresh
Cats.com assesses cat food brands across several key criteria: species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product variety, price, customer experience, and recall history. Now Fresh received the following ratings:
- Species-Appropriateness: 5/10
- Ingredient Quality: 9/10
- Product Variety: 7/10
- Price: 6/10
- Customer Experience: 8/10
- Recall History: 6/10
Overall Score: 6.2/10 (B-)
About Now Fresh and Its Manufacturing
Founded in 1999, Petcurean, a Canadian pet food company, developed the Now Fresh line. The brand emphasizes sourcing ingredients primarily from North America, with a strong focus on Canadian suppliers. While the ingredients are human-edible, the final products are manufactured in pet food facilities. Now Fresh dry recipes are produced in Ontario, Canada, while wet food production occurs in both Ontario and New Jersey, with patés and stews made in Wisconsin. These facilities are certified by reputable authorities, including the EU, FDA, and CFIA.
Recall History of Now Fresh
Petcurean has experienced one recall in its history, involving its Go! Natural brand in 2003. Since then, Now Fresh and other Petcurean brands have not been subject to recalls or market withdrawals.
Now Fresh Product Lineup
The Now Fresh range includes both wet and dry cat food options. All recipes are grain-free, gluten-free, and formulated without synthetic preservatives.
In-Depth Reviews of Top Now Fresh Recipes
1. Now Fresh Grain-Free Adult Recipe Dry Cat Food
This dry food features deboned turkey as the primary protein source, avoiding rendered meat meals and by-products. However, the high water content in fresh meat means that after processing, its position on the ingredient list might be lower than implied. The formula includes potato flour, peas, and pea fiber, contributing to its carbohydrate content. Whole dried egg, deboned salmon, and duck are also present. The primary fats are coconut and canola oil, and the kibble is fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, along with probiotics and prebiotics for digestive health.
This recipe is characterized by moderate protein and fat content, with a high carbohydrate level, suggesting it’s a fundamentally plant-based option for cats. It contains 444 calories per cup.
- Key Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Potato Flour, Peas, Potatoes, Pea Fiber, Whole Dried Egg, Tomato, Canola Oil, Flaxseed, De-boned Salmon, De-boned Duck.
- Pros: Made without animal by-products, human-edible ingredients, free of artificial additives, palatable for cats.
- Cons: High in carbohydrates, primarily plant-based ingredients, relatively low protein, uses plant-derived oils instead of animal fats.
2. Now Fresh Grain-Free Senior Weight Management Recipe Dry Cat Food
Almost identical to the adult recipe, this formula is specifically designed for senior cats (over 7 years old) needing weight management. It features lower protein and calorie content and reduced fat. Deboned turkey is the first ingredient, followed by eggs, salmon, and duck. Starchy vegetables like potato flour, peas, and pea fiber appear high on the ingredient list, along with potatoes and tomatoes. Canola and coconut oil are the main fat sources, which may not provide the full spectrum of fatty acids cats require. The food is supplemented with synthetic nutrients and enhanced with prebiotics and probiotics.
This senior formula has low protein, moderate fat, and high carbohydrate content, categorizing it as a plant-based food. It contains 393 calories per cup.
- Key Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Potato Flour, Peas, Pea Fiber, Whole Dried Egg, Potatoes, Tomato, Flaxseed, Apples, Canola Oil, De-Boned Salmon, De-Boned Duck.
- Pros: Made with high-quality ingredients, appealing taste for cats, aids in weight management, free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
- Cons: High carbohydrate content, low meat content, uses plant-derived oils instead of animal fat.
3. Now Fresh Grain-Free Pork Paté Wet Cat Food
This paté features deboned pork as the primary ingredient, with turkey bone broth providing moisture. Bone broth is a nourishing ingredient rich in glucosamine and chondroitin. Deboned salmon is included further down the ingredient list. Potatoes, peas, tapioca, cranberries, sweet potatoes, and apples contribute to the carbohydrate content. Similar to other Now Fresh recipes, it uses canola and coconut oil for fat. Xanthan gum is used as a thickener, which, while not universally harmful, isn’t considered a species-appropriate ingredient.
This wet food has low protein, moderate fat, and high carbohydrate content. While it offers nourishing bone broth and avoids by-products, its significant carbohydrate level and reliance on plant-based oils make it less than ideal for obligate carnivores. It contains approximately 28 calories per ounce.
- Key Ingredients: Deboned Pork, Turkey Bone Broth, Potatoes, Carrots, Peas, Tapioca, Cranberries, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Deboned Salmon, Flaxseed, Canola Oil, Xanthan Gum, Coconut Oil.
- Pros: Made without animal by-products, features named meats, includes nourishing bone broth, free of artificial additives.
- Cons: High carbohydrate content for a wet food, relies on plant-sourced oils instead of animal fats.
Customer Feedback on Now Fresh
Customer reviews for Now Fresh cat food are generally positive. Many pet owners appreciate the ingredient quality and report that their cats enjoy the taste. The Grain-Free Adult dry food, for instance, has a high average rating on Chewy. Positive feedback often highlights the palatability and perceived quality of ingredients. However, some negative reviews mention that certain cats may not readily accept the food, and the price is sometimes noted as being on the higher side.
Pricing of Now Fresh Cat Food
Now Fresh occupies a middle-ground price point, falling between mass-market brands and premium pet foods. The estimated daily feeding cost for an average 10-lb cat is around $0.52 for dry food and approximately $3.26 for wet food.
Conclusion: Is Now Fresh a Suitable Choice?
Now Fresh stands out for its commitment to excluding artificial additives and utilizing high-quality, fresh meats. However, its recipes often contain a substantial amount of plant-based ingredients and are relatively high in carbohydrates, while sometimes being lower in protein and relying on plant-derived oils rather than animal fats. While it may be a suitable option for cats who thrive on it, it may not be the most optimal choice compared to other brands that more closely align with a cat’s carnivorous dietary needs. For those considering Now Fresh, focusing on the wet food options might offer a more species-appropriate balance.
Where to Purchase Now Fresh Cat Food
Now Fresh cat food is available through various pet specialty retailers and online platforms, including Chewy and Amazon. You can locate a retailer near you by visiting the Petcurean website.
