The Cal Nat controversy

[jbubbles]

I feed my cats California Natural and have been reading this thread with great interest and concern.
Forgive me for being dense, but checking out the corporate headquarters proves what exactly? How does it prove that they are pulling the wool over our eyes?

[garypen]

Ummm. It doesn't. In fact, it does quite the opposite. It assures people of a true physical presence.

OTOH, the fact that their corporate address is not listed on their website or packaging, and only a PO box is listed as a mailing address, does strike some people as odd and a little evasive.

[Geff]

I also posted this at itchmo, I think it may be helpful to other Cal Nat customers so am copying it here too.

Today I got a sample bag of Cal Nat Chicken & Rice Dry from a local pet store. The exp date is 7/23/08. I poured the food into a bowl & took a good look (or as good as I can with only 1 good eye) under bright light. The only thing I saw which concerned me was some of "the grit" which has been reported previously in the itchmo Natura photo thread. http://offplanet.50megs.com/
(though this bag has MUCH LESS of the grit then in the photo).

HOWEVER, when I compared it to the same food with exp date of 10/?/07 (I think the day is the 10th, but I won't swear to it, it could also be the 16th or 18th) that I have been feeding for the last several weeks I discovered that the 10/7 food also has the grit; maybe SLIGHTLY less of it. My kitty has done superb on the 10/7 food, so visually my opinion is that the 7/23/08 sample bag is acceptable. Odor is also about the same as the other. The new bag smells slightly stronger, but it hasn't been refrigerated like the old bag. I do NOT see ANY black specks, plastic, sutures, etc.

I am not in any way questioning the previous photos (in fact my opinion is that there has been a problem), but I can state that it appears that the 7/23/08 bag I just opened is ok.

I'm going to look at it one more time tomorrow, & then feed it & watch kitty closely.

[himimom1254]

Geoff,

I'm glad to hear your sample bag seems okay.  I've been feeding from 07/08, can't remember the exact date right now since I'm not at home and have not had any difficulties with it either.  Andy seems to be doing fine. 

I never got any resolution from my Better Business complaint.  Natura responded to me initially, but I didn't accept their response since it was just a "canned" response.  They said I never sent a sample to be tested which I had and supplied them with the sample number and ask that they post the results, but the company had until 9/7 to respond again and now the case is closed because there was no response.

I'm really not happy with their response, but I guess I'm not surprised. 

Unfortunately there are not a lot of choices for Andy since he has an extremely sensitive GI system and responds very well to CN.  sigh

[garypen]

It's always great to have a food that one's pets do well on. My cats enjoyed CalNat, and did well on it, much better than on Innova.

As long as it doesn't have any foreign objects, you appear to be safe. Just save those empty bags in case you experience any problems so you can refer to specific expiration dates and/or lot numbers. I would also save a sample from each bag in a tupperware container, as well, just in case.

Personally, I will continue to avoid Natura due to the way they have been responding to the recent complaints. Also, I don't see any evidence of them opening their own canning facility, as they promised 6 months ago. So, I'd say they have a bad habit of slinging bull****. Not, lies. Just bull****.

[Geff]

I never got any resolution from my Better Business complaint.  Natura responded to me initially, but I didn't accept their response since it was just a "canned" response.  They said I never sent a sample to be tested which I had and supplied them with the sample number and ask that they post the results, but the company had until 9/7 to respond again and now the case is closed because there was no response.

I think I've posted this somewhere else recently, but in my experience the BBB is just a corporate tool by the corporations & for the corporations.

[himimom1254]

I knew it wouldn't accomplish anything, but at least it's on record for all to see.   

[Geff]

I just opened a new bag with 8/23/08 exp of Cal Nat Chicken & Rice. It has quite a bit of "the grit" was had been previously reported here (the most I've seen in any bag), but I don't see anything else of concern. Kitty is happily eating it, I''ll post if there is any problem.

[Geff]

I've decided to bring the 8/23 bag back to the store. At first kitty was pleased. He ate a little bit, then stopped for water & resumed eating. This is new behavior, I have NEVER seen him drink water before in the middle of eating; it's always afterwards or completely separate.

After resuming, he ate a few more bites, them while still obviously hungry, he wouldn't eat any more of it. I opened 1 of the 2 November 2007 sample bags I have left & he went right back to eating with it.

I also noticed a horrendously salty taste in my mouth, which I believe came from just handling this food.

As the 7/23/08 exp sample we recently tried was fine & since I can't find anything else kitty can tolerate, I plan to try another batch with a different exp date.

[garypen]

Holy crap. Keep a close eye on your cat. That is so odd about YOUR symptom, too.

[Geff]

Hi Gary, thanks. Kitty seems fine. He only ate half a handfull. "The grit" issue has been around off & on for a few months with Natura. While I've decided not to feed it, the worst symptoms I've read about with this is excessive sneezing.......

According to the store where I bought it, Natura has admitted to a similar issue with another of their brands (I can't remember which one).

It feels weird that I'm not mroe freaked out; I think I'm becoming numb.

I really wish someone trustworthy like Wellness would duplicate the Cal Nat formula; after TONS of research I can't find ANYTHING similar.

[garypen]

I've basically lost trust in Natura. Too bad, as CalNat, on paper, is a great formula.

[Geff]

I posted the following at Itchmo, as PFC's are said to lurk there. It pretty much sums up my feelings:

My Second Open Letter To The Pet Food Companies:

After exhaustive research & testing, the only commercial food I can find that my kitty tolerates well & likes is California Natural Chicken & Rice. From what I can tell, their food is the only one that has no seafood, & no fruits & vegtables that don't agree with kitties with allergy problems like mine.

Unfortunately, I have come to the conclusion that Natura's quality control has become much less then it used to be.

If someone would start a new company making a formula(s) similar to Cal Nat, while making QUALITY CONTROL. HONESTY, & INTEGRITY your #1 priorities, I would gladly pay double what I pay for Cal Nat. I suspect many other pet food parents would do the same.

We just want quality food that our furr friends will thrive on. It shouldn't require revolutionary techniques to make safe healthy cat food!

The food I wish to buy will have no ingredients from China. No Menadione. No Garlic. No Onion. No Avocado. No Glutens. No out of date inaccurate labels, & no lies about a 6 month accuracy law that doesn't exist.

For my kitty specifically  (& others like him) their needs to be a flavor with no seafood of any kind & no fruits/veggies that a cat won't eat on their own in the wild. PFC's, Cats aren't people. Cats don't need or want the health food veggies that people do.

PFC's, if anyone reading this wants to honor my request, I suspect you'll get a ton of business.

I've been living in a fantasy that Natura is going to fix their problems. That doesn't appear to be happening. With my cat I feel like I may still have to either feed Natura & hope the salty, greasy "grit" doesn't harm him or home cook. I AM NOT HAPPY.

[himimom1254]

Geoff,

I just wanted to support what you wrote. 

I have a kitty with very a sensitive digestive system.  He can't eat all the fruit and vegetables that are in so many cat foods.   I hope another company will jump on the bandwagon and make a food like CN.  I've written to Wellness in hope they will consider making a similar food.

[jenny]

Already said it on itchmo, but I second the letter too!
Jenny