HALO DRY CAT FOOD REVIEW
Update: This formula has been changed and now the new formula is Halo Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe. I will be making a review of this new formula soon.
Halo uses fresh meat and vegetables in their recipes. Halo has formula with natural ingredients free of artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. They use fresh meat in the recipe and a complete package of vitamins and minerals designed to be easily absorbed by your cat’s body. They don’t use by-products and either corn, wheat or wheat gluten.
We will review Halo Spot’s Stew Cat Grain-Free Chicken recipe, analyzing its 5 main ingredients, Pros, Cons and final conclusion.
Halo Spot’s Stew Cat Grain-Free Chicken (3LB)
This formula is a natural alternative diet made without grains that could be associated with aggravating allergies. It contains real meat, no rendered meat or meal from chicken, poultry, lamb, fish or plants. It doesn’t have artificial colors, favor or preservatives. This recipe has butcher-quality chicken, whole egg, farm-raised vegetables and fatty acids (Omega-3 and 6)
Ingredients:
Chicken, Eggs, Pea Protein, Vegetable Broth, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Whole Peas, Chicken Liver, Flax seed, Salmon Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Pea Fiber, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Green Beans, Carrots, Blueberries, Alfalfa, Cranberries, Zucchini, Calcium Sulfate, DL- Methionine, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Inulin, Salt, Vitamins (Folic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Bitartrate, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Ascorbic Acid, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Magnesium Proteniate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium longum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein 33.0% (Min), Crude Fat 18.0% (Min), Crude Fiber 6.5% (Max), Moisture 10.0% (Max), Ash 6.5% (Max), Taurine 0.1% (Min), Omega 6 Fatty Acids* 3.1% (Min), Omega 3 Fatty Acids* 0.50% (Min) *Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles.
ANALYSIS OF FIRST 5 INGREDIENTS OF HALO SPOT’S STEW CHICKEN
Chicken: 2 stars. It adds water weight contained in the chicken’s muscles. Less percent of protein.
Eggs: 4 stars. Good source of protein, eggs is free of shell.
Pea Protein: 4 stars. Good source of vegetable protein.
Vegetable Broth: 2 stars. Good source of flavor. It doesn’t add protein or healthy fats.
Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid): 3 stars. Good source of energy and flavor. Fat has been preserved with Vitamin E and C.
What are the Pros and Cons of Halo Formula?
By knowing the pros and cons of Halo formula you have a better understanding about this cat food and can decide if this is what your cat needs:
PROS
- No by-products
- No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
- No rendered meats.
- Ocean and freshwater fish
- Vitamins and minerals
- Fatty Acids (omega3 and 6)
CONS
- It only informs 2 of 11 essential amino-acids cats need (in food analysis).
- Peas are a good ingredient depending on the position on the list. In this formula, peas are in third position which adds proteins to the formula, but it also adds carbohydrate (sugar). It could be not good for obese cats or cats with diabetes.
- Vegetable broth adds flavor but not proteins.
CONCLUSION
Halo Spot’s Stew Cat Grain-Free Chicken contains a mixed of animal and vegetable proteins and fats.
Though the first 5 ingredients are the largest part of the formula, I consider the first 3 to rate a cat food because it really shows the quality of the proteins. Considering its 3 first ingredients the formula rates in average 3.3 stars. If we take down 1/2 of a star because it has carbohydrates on the first ingredients, the average rates it’s 2.8.
Halo contains Methionine and Taurine which are very important amino-acids. This Formula is high in proteins and a good maintenance diet of a very active cat, preferably an outdoor/indoor cat, but this dry food only lists 2 of 11 amino-acids cats need in the food’s analysis.
The smell of this cat food is a little eggy, my cat Sophie didn’t like it, but that’s just my cat. Yours could have a different taste.
Marie says
Cant find a date on this review, but Halo dry food formula now contains “Dream Coat” which includes SOY. I wish they had not added this.
Lorena Ávila says
Hello Marie, thanks for the comment. I will be making a review of the new Halo formula soon. Thank you.
Joan says
What are ur thoughts on blue wilderness
Lorena Ávila says
Hi Joan, what formula are you referring to?
Julia says
Started my cats on the dry chicken and liver formula for healthy weight. All four eat it up which has never happened. My one female no matter what quality brand I used would vomit several times a week. Since I started her on the halo food she has not vomited in weeks. This is a first. My one male has had IBS since a kitten and I’ve noticed his stool is much more solid.
Lorena Ávila says
I am happy to hear your cats are doing good with Halo. It’s important to find the exact cat food that will make cats healthy and happy.