Choosing the right food for your feline companion is a crucial decision for their overall health and well-being. Soulistic cat food aims to “Feed Your Cat’s Soul,” but the question remains: does it also nourish their body? This comprehensive review delves into Soulistic’s product offerings, ingredient quality, sourcing, and customer feedback to help you determine if it’s a suitable choice for your cat.
Soulistic Cat Food: An Overview
Soulistic is a cat food brand exclusively sold at Petco. It is manufactured by Weruva, a US-based, family-owned pet food company renowned for its high-moisture, meat-based products with simple ingredient lists. Soulistic cat foods are produced in a Thai facility that also manufactures human food and adheres to stringent international food safety standards set by the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
Product Variety and Lines
Soulistic offers a range of wet cat foods available in cans, pouches, and cups, categorized into three distinct lines:
- Original Recipes: These feature a variety of primary proteins such as chicken breast and whole fish loins.
- Pâtés: Formulated as smooth puréed foods, these come in fish-free or chicken-free options, making them suitable for cats with sensitivities or allergies.
- Moist & Tender: These recipes have a chunky, minced texture.
All Soulistic products are made with bone-free meat cuts, reducing ash content. They are free from animal or plant by-products, grains, gluten, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Review of Top Soulistic Recipes
1. Soulistic Good Karma Chicken Dinner in Gravy Wet Cat Food
This wet cat food features shredded chicken breast as the primary protein, served in a gravy thickened with tapioca starch. While its high moisture content is beneficial, the tapioca starch contributes to a significant carbohydrate level. The food is generally high in animal protein, with moderate fat and carbohydrate content, offering approximately 22.5 calories per ounce.
Key Ingredients: Water Sufficient For Processing, Chicken, Tapioca Starch, Sunflower Seed Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3), Ferrous Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement.
Pros: Made with named meats, free of by-products, grains, gluten, and artificial additives.
Cons: Relatively high carbohydrate content due to tapioca starch.
2. Soulistic Aqua Grill Tilapia & Tuna Dinner in Gravy Wet Cat Food
This fish-based recipe combines wild-caught tilapia and tuna in a gravy thickened with tapioca starch. Despite being grain-free, it contains a higher carbohydrate content than many other canned foods. The primary fat source is sunflower seed oil, and it uses xanthan gum as a binding agent. This food is rich in animal-sourced protein but has moderate fat and high carbohydrate content, providing about 19 calories per ounce.
Key Ingredients: Water Sufficient For Processing, Tilapia, Tuna, Tapioca Starch, Sunflower Seed Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Copper Sulfate, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K), Vitamin B12 Supplement.
Pros: Contains named meats, animal-sourced protein, and is rich in protein.
Cons: High carbohydrate content, reliance on plant-based fat, and is a fish-based recipe.
3. Soulistic Moist & Tender Chicken Dinner in Gravy Wet Cat Food
This minced wet cat food combines chicken and tuna in tuna broth, with gravy thickened by tapioca starch. The primary fat source is sunflower oil. It utilizes guar gum as a binder, which is considered safer than carrageenan. The food also contains celery powder as a natural source of preservative. This recipe is rich in animal-sourced protein with high fat and low carbohydrate content, offering approximately 28 calories per ounce.
Key Ingredients: Tuna Broth, Chicken, Tuna, Tapioca Starch, Sunflower Oil, Guar Gum, Calcium Sulfate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Celery Powder, Salt, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Taurine, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Biotin, Copper Glycine Complex, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K3), Potassium Iodide.
Pros: Primarily made from named meats, rich in animal protein, very low carbohydrate content, and free of artificial additives.
Cons: Fish-based ingredients are not ideal for all cats, and it primarily uses plant fat.
Customer Feedback and Recall History
Customers generally view Soulistic as a cost-effective alternative to other Weruva brands, with many cats enjoying the taste. Common criticisms include the low calorie density and the presence of starchy thickeners. While Soulistic itself has no recall history, another Weruva brand, B.F.F., experienced a recall in Australia in 2017 due to insufficient thiamine levels in specific products.
Cost and Overall Recommendation
Soulistic cat food is moderately priced. However, due to its lower calorie density, a larger quantity is often required to meet a cat’s daily caloric needs, potentially increasing feeding costs. For a 10-lb cat, daily feeding costs can range from $3 to $4.
Soulistic can be a good choice for cat owners seeking meals primarily composed of animal protein, free from fruits, vegetables, artificial additives, and non-nutritive fillers. However, potential drawbacks include its emphasis on fish-based options, which may not suit all cats, and varying carbohydrate levels across recipes. Careful selection is advised to manage carbohydrate intake.
Soulistic is exclusively available at Petco stores and online through Petco.com and Amazon.
