Last Updated on June 17, 2024 by Indy the Cat
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History
Absolute Holistic Pet Food, established in 2018, has become a growing player in the pet food industry. Originating in Singapore, the company’s journey began with sourcing premium ingredients from New Zealand and introducing a line of air-dried dog food products. Their commitment to quality paved the path for expansion into feline nutrition. Today, they offer a diverse range of products catering to both cats and dogs, and their success has extended to international markets, including Australia
Although founded in Singapore, Absolute Holistic Pet Food seems to present itself on its website as an American company, complete with a U.S. address. Clearly positioning itself as an international player, the company aims for ongoing growth in the American market. Notably, Absolute Holistic joins a line of successful Singaporean companies in the pet food industry, including Kit Cat which we have covered in a previous review.
Absolute Pets has expanded its product range significantly, catering to a diverse range of pet requirements. Within their product lines, Absolute Bites offers a variety of single protein treats. Meanwhile, Absolute Plus introduces oral care products, supplements, and miscellaneous items such as flea spray, pet repellent, and even pet diapers. Among their initial offerings, Absorb Plus includes training pads and pet wipes, exemplifying the brand’s commitment to supporting pets and their owners throughout different life stages.
Recalls
To date, Absolute Pet cat food has not been recalled. In Australia, pet food recalls are only mandatory for brands that have decided to work within the Australian Standard for Manufacturing and Marketing of Pet Food (Standard AS5812:2017). All members of the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia comply with these standards and at the time of publishing, Absolute Pet is not a member of the Association.
Product Line Commentary
Today, we are looking at the Absolute Holistic Wild Tuna and Mountain Lobster cat treat. The packaging also mentions lobster bisque because apparently, combining tuna and lobster isn’t fancy enough! We know that creamy treats are all the rage these days, but what does Absolute Holistic do to set itself apart from the competition?
So, What is Mountain Lobster?
Undoubtedly, the core proteins catch our attention, but what exactly is mountain lobster? In Australia, we’re more accustomed to the term ‘Crayfish’ (or ‘Yabby’ in slang). Sounds quite fancy! Combining tuna and crayfish as the main proteins creates a flavor profile that will likely appeal to many cats.
As always, our usual take on fish related food products is to feed it more sparingly. Tuna is a known predatory fish which will be higher in toxins and heavy metals. While the product is intended as a treat and should be fed sparingly, adhering to that guideline means you won’t need to make significant adjustments. However, it’s still ideal to rotate with other brands and flavours occasionally.
Absolute Holistic focuses on sourcing main ingredients from New Zealand with an emphasis on sustainability and quality. But beyond the first two named ingredients, is there anything else that makes the product special?
From Fancy Ingredients to Generic Ones
Containing 9 ingredients (or 10, considering the thickening agent), this exceeds our preferred ingredient count. Of course, the number of ingredients do not tell the whole story; ingredient type and quality matter.
In our recent Absolute Holistic review, we observed that the brand draws inspiration from the raw diet, often referred to as the ‘Paleo diet’. You might be familiar with this diet, especially among fitness enthusiasts. Its philosophy revolves around consuming fresh, unprocessed, and nutrient-rich foods—a nod to the eating habits of our ‘hunter-gatherer ancestors’ during the Paleolithic era.
While it’s promising, treats often have a more concise ingredient list. Beyond the main proteins, we notice inclusions like fish extract, soybean oil, vitamin E, and fiber. Although direct supplements are acceptable, we expected to see more specific animal parts, especially since they aim to be a premium brand emphasizing ‘whole prey.’ Using high-quality whole ingredients could set them apart, especially in the competitive creamy treats market. Additionally, opting for an animal-derived ingredient instead of soybean oil would align better with feline preferences.
Commonly, treats contain conventional thickening agents. In this case, guar gum is used, which falls into the more controversial category—especially when some cats exhibit reactions. While research lacks absolute clarity on its long-term effects, if you have concerns, consider avoiding it altogether or feeding this treat in moderation.
Guaranteed analysis
Crude Protein (min) – 7%
Crude Fat (min) – 0.1%
Crude Fibre (max) – 1%
Moisture (max) – 88%
Dry Matter Basis
Dry matter analysis is not available from Absolute Pet. At 50kcal per 100g, Each tube comes in at about 6kcal. A nice calorie to package size ratio!
Where to Buy and Cost
While Absolute Holistic isn’t the most well known brand, you can still find it at various Australian retailers. At the time of publishing, the puree treats can found at numerous retailers such as Pet Circle and Vet n Pet Direct (different flavours).
Their packaging is 5 packets of 12g satchels for a total of 60g of treats. You will usually find this priced at around $5. At $1/tube, this may seem more expensive than other brands in the same market but we have to look at the total package. Since there is 60g of product in total, this is actually the same price point as the Kit Cat treat we reviewed previously.
Ingredient List
White Tuna Meat, Mountain Lobster, Water, Fish Extract, Fibre, Soybean Oil, Vitamin E, Thickening Agent (Modified Tapioca Starch, Guar Gum), Taurine
Nutritional Information
White Tuna Meat – source of meat protein
Mountain Lobster – source of fish protein
Water – source of hydration
Fish Extract – flavour enhancer
Fibre – source of fibre
Soybean Oil – source of protein and fatty acids. we usually do not see soybean oil as an ingredient though
Vitamin E – source of vitamin E
Thickening Agent (Modified Tapioca Starch, Guar Gum) – thickening agent. guar gum can be controversial and can have side effects
Taurine – essential amino acid
Indy’s Review
So does Indy the cat like it?
Yes, if you want to see Indy go nuts, take out a creamy treat for him. It’s hard to tell if there’s a preference in brand as he seems to be as excited for all the brands we have tried so far. Perhaps we’ll need to open up a few at the same time and see which one he prefers!
Thanks to the convenient way these treats are dispensed and Indy’s boundless enthusiasm, we often use these treats as rewards after tasks he’s less fond of—like vet visits or baths. They never fail to brighten his mood!
While Indy absolutely adores the taste of these treats and always craves more, it’s important to remember that treats should be given occasionally. We recommend owners offer treats from time to time.
The good
- Unique luxury ingredients
- Highly palatability for a treat
- Good source of hydration
- Also suitable for dogs
The bad
- More expensive than the average creamy treat
- Guar gum as a thickening agent
Rating
- Species appropriate (weight 0.3) – 9 / 10
- Ingredients (weight 0.3) – 7 / 10
- Recall Track record (weight 0.2) – 10 / 10
- Price (weight 0.2) – 7 / 10
Average Score – 8.5 / 10
Weighted Score – 8.4 / 10
The Bottom Line: These creamy treats stand out with their unique luxury flavours and are sure to be a hit with your cats (and dogs). We like picking these up when we want to give Indy a taste of something extra special!
If you spot an error in this article, please do not hesitate to let us know!
