Last Updated on June 18, 2024 by Indy the Cat
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History
Founded in 2017, the New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co embarked on a journey of creating high-quality, small batch specialty treats for canines with their product line, Woof. Following the success of their canine treats, the company expanded its offerings and introduced the Meow line in 2018, catering specifically to feline companions.
The visionaries behind this company are none other than co-founders Amber Cordero and Jacqueline Taylor. Inspired by the raw diet for cats and dogs, they set out to carve their own niche in the pet food market. It’s important to note that the New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co is distinct from the Natural Pet Food Group, which produces the popular brands Feline Natural and K9 Natural.
As advocates for premium quality, the New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co proudly sources its ingredients locally, with a commitment to fair trade practices. The company’s focus on using high meat content and omitting fillers like grains or rice aligns with their belief in providing optimal nutrition for pets. Furthermore, you will find that their products are free from gluten, corn, wheat, and soy, and they do not contain any artificial preservatives, or flavours.
Of course, as you know from our other reviews, New Zealand products are held in high regard due to the country’s reputation for offering some of the finest ingredients and standards globally. Their dedication to quality is evident through their compliance with AAFCO standards for their Meow treats. As of now, the company offers a wide range of cat food products, including both freeze-dried and air-dried cat food and treats.
Recalls
To date, Meow 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 New Zealand Natural Pet Food Group is not a member of the Association at this time.
Product Line Commentary
Meow cat food offers a unique range of products, and in this review, we will delve into their Lamb & Salmon freeze-dried cat treats. We have previously reviewed the Lamb and Hoki flavour treats, but which do we prefer? Read on!
Positioned as a premium cat food brand, Meow takes pride in its small-batch production, ensuring unwavering quality and meticulous attention to detail. The process of freeze-drying used to create cat food is both refreshingly simple and remarkably effective. It commences with freezing the food and then subjecting it to a vacuum to remove most of its moisture. Consequently, this method leads to significantly higher nutrient retention compared to traditional kibble and dry foods, resulting in a healthier and more nourishing choice for our feline companions.
Moreover, freeze-dried food and treats offer flexibility; they can be easily rehydrated with water. This provides an excellent means to enhance your cat’s daily hydration, particularly beneficial for those felines who might not consume enough water during the day. Additionally, for pet owners who have reservations about feeding a raw diet, Meow’s freeze-dried treats offer a compelling alternative. Drawing inspiration from the principles of raw diets, they provide a natural and wholesome option for your beloved cats. If you’re interested in exploring other freeze-dried treat options, consider taking a closer look at Meat Mates freeze dried treats.
Quality Whole Ingredients
We typically prefer treats with few ingredients, high meat content, and lower calories. Meow’s treats possess these qualities, but what truly distinguishes them is their versatility; they can serve as a meal or a topper, deviating from the conventional 10% calorie rule for treats.
Meow thrives on premium ingredients. Each component is clearly named, and the sustainably sourced New Zealand meat is a standout feature. The formula encompasses various Lamb cuts, King Salmon, Kelp, and Green Lipped Mussels. Lamb cuts contribute to a comprehensive nutritional profile, while King Salmon and Green Lipped Mussels enrich the treats with valuable omega-3 fatty acids. These vital nutrients collectively promote healthy skin, a lustrous coat, and agile joints, enhancing your cat’s overall well-being. Notably, Green Lipped Mussels, as highlighted in our previous reviews, serve as a premium ingredient, delivering essential nutrients and potent anti-inflammatory benefits.
Perhaps the only negative comes from the use of King Salmon rather than an ocean caught fish variety. While New Zealand has some of the highest regarding aquaculture practices in the world, farmed salmon remains among the most controversial farmed fish. King Salmon is found natively in the North Pacific ocean (and not New Zealand) and is considered a higher grade fish than Atlantic salmon.
With 6805 kcal/kg (292 kcal/cup), these treats provide approximately 681 kcal per 100g, making them very nutrient dense. If you’re generous with these treats, ensure you adjust your cat’s regular food intake accordingly. The analysis demonstrates a well-balanced profile: high protein, high fat, and very low carbohydrates.
Guaranteed analysis
Crude Protein (min) – 36%
Crude Fat (min) – 48%
Taurine (min) – 0.3%
Crude Fibre (max) – 3%
Moisture (max) – 5%
Additional Nutritional Profile Information
Unfortunately, Meow does not provide additional nutritional information on their treats.
Where to Buy and Cost
Meow cat treats can be found at a number of leading pet retailers. At the time of publishing, we can find the treats at leading retailers including Pet Circle and Pet Post.
Meow cat treats are usually priced around $11/packet (50g). Petpost provides the best pricing at the time of publishing with a price of $10/50g package. Compared to other treats, they are considered expensively priced. Since they can be effectively used as cat food or a treat, we recommend purchasing a larger package where possible.
Ingredient List
Lamb, King Salmon with ground bone, Lamb Green Tripe, Lamb Heart, Lamb Liver, Lamb Kidney, Kelp, NZ Green Lipped Mussels, Manuka Honey, Rosemary, Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, Hoki Liver Oil, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Salt, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Mononitrate)
Nutritional Information
Lamb – source of meat protein
King Salmon with ground bone – source of fish protein. ground bone provides added calcium and phosphorus
Lamb Green Tripe – source of protein (considered as muscle meat in the raw diet). contains enzymes that promotes a healthy gut
Lamb Heart – source of protein (considered as muscle meat in the raw diet)
Lamb Liver – source of protein and as an offal, it offers a natural form of essential vitamins/nutrients
Lamb Kidney – source of protein and as an offal, it offers a natural form of essential vitamins/nutrients
Kelp – source of magnesium, protein, Vitamin A, iodine, bromine, and phosphorous. minor source of fibre. supports metabolism and glandular function
Green Lipped Mussels – source of omega 3’s, anti-inflammatory benefits
Manuka Honey – potentially beneficial for its anti-bacterial, anti-viral and inflammatory properties, however it is high in sugar (research is still in its infancy though)
Rosemary – natural preservative. various vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants
Organic Virgin Coconut Oil – can aid the digestive tract, hairballs, improve the skin and coat and various other health benefits
Hoki Liver Oil – source of omega 3’s and other fatty acids supporting brain and eye development along with skin, fur and joint health
Choline Chloride – source of Choline
Taurine – essential amino acid that cats cannot synthesise in sufficient quantities. vital for heart, vision and more
Salt – essential mineral
Zinc Amino Acid Complex – source of Zinc
Iron Amino Acid Complex- source of Iron
Copper Amino Acid Complex – source of Copper
Manganese Amino Acid Complex – source of Manganese
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Mononitrate) – source of Vitamin B1
Indy’s Review
So does Indy the cat like it?
Yes! Just like the Lamb and Hoki, Indy digs this Meow flavour. Between the Hoki and Salmon products, he generally prefers Hoki. We think it’s because Hoki has a stronger fish smell and taste. It’s also a good thing since Hoki is one of the best fish ingredients for cat food.
With such care put into the overall product, Indy and I are still happy with this flavour, but between the two we both prefer the Lamb and Hoki. Still highly recommend this one for your feline friend!
The good
- All quality named meat ingredients
- Very species appropriate treat with no additives or junk ingredients
- Doubles as a food or a treat
- Highly palatability
Neutral
- Some ingredients may offer health benefits but research is in its early stages
The bad
- Expensive
Rating
- Species appropriate (weight 0.3) – 10 / 10
- Ingredients (weight 0.3) – 9.5 / 10
- Recall Track record (weight 0.2) – 10 / 10
- Price (weight 0.2) – 6 / 10
Average Score – 8.9 / 10
Weighted Score – 9.1 / 10
The Bottom Line: Thoughtfully sourced and meticulously crafted treats from New Zealand. If your cat enjoys freeze-dried pellets, this treat is sure to be a hit!
Disclosure: We received these treats courtesy of Petpost and have worked with them to share the review on social media. This however does not influence how this product was reviewed.
If you spot an error in this article, please do not hesitate to let us know!
