Instinctive Choice?

[CC]

I like the look of Instinctive Choice canned cat food.  Seems to be from the Healthy Pet Net company like Life's Abundance.  However, I can only find info on where LA is made, not IC (Ohio Pet Foods and Menu).   Does anyone have any more information or personal experience with this brand?  Thanks!

[jeannie]

I ordered a case of Instinctive Choice back in March...my 2 kitties will not touch it....and believe me I've tried this several times....they'd rather starve...in all fairness they are rather picky eaters anyway.

[CC]

Called the company and they said it is made at Menu Foods Ohio Plant.  They also said it is in their contract that the product has to be made first thing in the morning when the lines are clean.

I think I'm going to stick with it for now--I'm more afraid of grains and American Nutrition products than Menu at the moment.  I like the highly carnivorous nature of the food.  Too bad it only comes in 3 oz cans.

[bixlo]

You're on the right track.  The canned (Instinctive Choice) is made a Menu (not sure which plant at Menu, though) and the dry (Life's Abundance) is made by Ohio Pet Foods (here's a link to their website: http://www.ohiopetfoods.com/Recall.htm).

I tried the samples and my cat's like the wet, the dry and the treats.  The dogs liked their samples as well.  Thing is, I'm not sure I like the whole Amway approach.  Although I have no complaints about the way the operate (one of the reps called me and emailed me the day the Natural Balance recall happened because she remembered from my sample order that I was feeding that food.  Of course, I already knew about it because of Itchmo but still - that was very very good of them to do that.  I might, if I ever need a backup food, definitely try their food.

[jean s]

Hi All--

I, too, am turned off by the Amway-ish sales pitch. But, my cat loved the sample pack, so I ordered a bag of LA. In the meantime, I emailed a question asking them the origination of their ingredients. OPF says on their website that they only use domestically grown grains. So I asked if LA used OPF's inventory of ingredients, or used outside suppliers. They responded with a ridiculous marketing form letter, ignoring my questions. I wrote again--more forthright this time. I pointed out that we want information, not merely company assurances. Haven't heard anything back yet.

It's really important when dealing with these companies to not settle for the answer that our ingredients are sourced from US suppliers. This simply means that the middleman is a US company: Wilbur-Ellis is a US supplier! We must ask for the country of origin of the ingredients if we want to be sure the meat/grains are raised/grown domestically. And from what I've learned on Itchmo's forums, GMO needs to be avoided because those grains have pesticides grown into them! And there's some pretty good evidence that the combination of GMO and melamine/cyanuric acid may be part of the problem.

So, I'll keep this bag, but will probably cancel my autoship in favor of Innova bought locally.

[CC]

I did order a case of the Instinctive choice canned cat food.  My impression is that it is a high quality grain-free food.  My diabetic cat used to a carnivorous diet liked it a lot, but the former dry food addict is less enthusiastic.  I'm considering buying it again but the downsides are: expense, since only comes in 3 oz cans, and having to order online.

I will say it smells a lot and is floating in water, but this was not a downside for my cats--they like and require lots of extra moisture.

[jenny]

I received a reply from them.  It didn't answer my question about where their products are made (although you all did above).  It answered my questions about ths protein sources, but didn't really answer the question about where the ingredients come from.  As we've learned, sourced in US doesn't mean it came from here.   

We appreciate your taking the time to contact us directly.  At
HealthyPetNet, nearly all of us are pet parents, too.  And we understand
your concern about the safety of your companion animal’s food.  For
nearly a decade, we’ve provided truly superior products in order to
ensure the long-term health and happiness of companion animals.  Very few
companies invest as many resources as we do to ensure that the every
ingredient in our foods, treats and supplements will contribute to the
well being of your pets.

As you are probably already aware, the chemical melamine has been detected
in wheat gluten, corn gluten and rice protein concentrate.  All of these
contaminated ingredients were imported from Chinese companies.  None of
our products include any of these contaminated ingredients. 

Aside from the contamination issue, we consider these ingredients to be
inferior sources of protein, and therefore do not use them in any of our
products.  In fact, we have never used ingredients like these, and you
have our assurances that we never will.  Our foods, treats and supplements
include only human-quality ingredients sourced from trusted U.S. suppliers.
 

You can have absolute confidence in the complete safety of all of our
products. 

Please know that we remain absolutely dedicated to providing products to
ensure the long-term health and happiness of your companion animals.

We look forward to the opportunity to provide for all your companion
animal needs for years to come.

Very best regards,
Trilogy / HealthyPetNet Customer Service

[Offy]

2 of my cats eat the Wet food. They will not eat the kibble.

I wrote asking about the phosphorus content & I asked who would do their canned food if Menu doesn't survive. I have not received an answer.

Since this wet is Scooter's main food source (my youngest 10mths) plus some wet kitten food, I may pull the autoship as soon as I find a replacement...and I'm looking for one.

[jenny]

I received this email from them today.  But, keep in mind - I didn't realize that the calories were posted on the web page and this is the same person that told me the calories 'she thought' were 470 per can.  The web page says 116.  Makes me wonder if the info I'm sent is even 1/2 accurate.  Plus, I think customer service would do better if they just provided me the information, instead of telling me I can just look it up myself online.  I realize now that the calories were on the web page, but I have not found the rest of the info there.  Even if it is, just answer people's questions.

The Instinctive Choice our canned cat food PH IS 6.6-6.8, SODIUM . 13%,
CALCIUM .35%, PHOSPHORUS .29%. You can also go to our web site
trilogyonline.com under pets and look up our food.