Ashland Farms Cat Meals Overview

Kate Barrington / Cats.com

Ashland Farms is an financial system model of cat meals offered by way of the retail chain Household Greenback. It’s an ultra-affordable choose however is it price placing in your cat’s bowl? Discover out on this detailed assessment.

The Cats.com Normal—Score Ashland Farms on What Issues

We’ve analyzed Ashland Farms and graded it in accordance with the Cats.com commonplace, evaluating the model on species-appropriateness, ingredient high quality, product selection, value, buyer expertise, and recall historical past. Right here’s the way it charges in every of those six key areas.

Meets AAFCO Pointers? Sure

We give Ashland Farms a 12 out of 25 ranking or an F grade.

Why Belief Cats.com

Earlier than reviewing Ashland Farms, I researched the model to find out its historical past, the place its merchandise are offered, and the way the meals is manufactured. I then bought three recipes—one kibble and two canned meals—and evaluated them objectively utilizing the data on the label. Lastly, I examined the three meals with my cats Bagel, Munchkin, and Biscuit.

In testing Ashland Farms cat meals, I made observations concerning the look, scent, and texture of the meals. My cats supplied their opinions on taste and basic enchantment. I additionally looked for buyer opinions to get a greater understanding of the typical Ashland Farms buyer expertise.

About Ashland Farms

Ashland Farms is a private-label pet meals line offered by the American selection retailer chain Household Greenback. It’s a model beloved for its nice costs, providing a few dozen totally different meals and treats for cats and canine.

Household Greenback supplies little or no details about the Ashland Farms model aside from to say the meals has “the vitamin and high quality elements your pet wants.” They point out “high-quality protein” and pure elements, however advertising and marketing phrases like these are fairly generic.

A 30-second video on the Household Greenback web site highlights the truth that the meals is made within the USA and mentions Ashland Farms’ family-owned amenities. Analysis revealed a number of farms throughout the nation known as Ashland Farm, but it surely’s unclear whether or not any of them are literally linked to the Household Greenback pet meals model.

Sourcing and Manufacturing

On-line details about the manufacturing of Ashland Farms pet meals is scarce. Some sources recommend Sunshine Mills, Inc. produces the pet meals, and knowledge on the packaging signifies that the product is distributed by Midwood Manufacturers, LLC.

Sunshine Mills is accountable for manufacturers like Evolve and Triumph. Additionally they have a strong private-label program with manufacturing amenities unfold all through the southeastern United States. Midwood Manufacturers, LLC is headquartered in Chesapeake, VA.

Household Greenback doesn’t state when the Ashland Farms model was launched however Household Greenback shops first opened in 1959 and Sunshine Mills was based a decade earlier. No particular info is obtainable concerning the sourcing of Ashland Farm’s pet meals elements. We weigh such a lack of know-how closely when ranking pet meals.

Recall Historical past

Ashland Farms cat meals has by no means been recalled on the manufacturing degree. It has, nonetheless, been recalled on the retail degree together with quite a few different merchandise saved and shipped from a Household Greenback Distribution Middle in West Memphis, Arkansas.

Household Greenback initiated the pet meals recall voluntarily in February of 2022 following an FDA inspection that exposed rats within the firm’s distribution heart. The recall included an extended listing of merchandise that had been shipped from the warehouse to 404 Household Greenback shops. The FDA’s announcement of the recall mentions the hazards related to rodents within the facility, together with the potential presence of Salmonella.

There’s no indication that Household Greenback obtained client complaints or stories of sickness associated to Ashland Farms pet meals concerned within the recall. Shops that obtained shipments of affected merchandise had been quickly closed and Household Greenback seems to have adopted finest practices in responding to and speaking concerning the situation.

What Sorts of Cat Meals Does Ashland Farms Provide?

This financial system cat meals model gives a restricted assortment of dry cat meals and moist meals in a number of totally different textures. Kate Barrington / Cats.com

The Ashland Farms model gives a restricted number of dry cat meals, moist cat meals, and treats. Product availability seems to differ from one retailer to a different and recipes could change relying on the elements accessible to the producer.

Among the merchandise Ashland Farms gives embody:

• Selection Combine Premium Dry Cat Meals
• Wholesome Necessities Premium Dry Cat Meals
• Beef Dinner in Gravy Moist Cat Meals
• Hen & Tuna Dinner Moist Cat Meals

Ashland Farms dry cat meals depends closely on refined grains, animal by-products, and synthetic components. Although the Wholesome Necessities dry meals I reviewed contains a number of named protein sources like rooster by-product meal and white fish meal, the listing of elements is closely skewed towards low-value plant elements. The model’s moist cat meals merchandise are not any higher.

Although they rely much less on carbohydrate fillers, the one Ashland Farms moist cat meals I might discover included the phrases “taste” and “dinner” within the product identify. The time period “dinner” falls beneath the Affiliation of American Feed Management Officers’ (AAFCO) 25% rule. This rule states that the named ingredient want solely comprise 10% of the entire product (25% by weight with out water). The flavour rule doesn’t dictate minimums, solely {that a} listed ingredient supplies the flavour.

What Did Our Take a look at Cats Suppose?

Whereas I didn’t have a excessive opinion of Ashland Farms’ high quality going into testing, I suspected my cats would possibly really feel otherwise. What low-cost cat meals like this lack in dietary worth and species-appropriateness, they usually make up for generally enchantment.

As suspected, Ashland Farm’s heavy use of animal fat and flavors made this model a success with my cats.

#1 Ashland Farms Wholesome Necessities Premium Dry Cat Meals

Ashland Farms dry cat meals is available in very small multi-colored kibbles which can be straightforward for many cats to chew. Kate Barrington / Cats.com

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This dry cat meals is formulated for cats of all life phases and does seem to satisfy AAFCO suggestions for important vitamins. Sadly, the recipe depends closely on refined grains (like corn and wheat) in addition to meat and poultry by-products and unspecific animal elements. Animal by-products aren’t essentially a problematic ingredient however once they’re unspecified it’s exhausting to guage the standard.

With elements like soybean meal and corn gluten meal on the listing, it’s exhausting to inform how a lot of the protein on this components really comes from biologically useful animal sources. The excessive carbohydrate content material and low moisture content material of this meals additionally detracts from its species appropriateness.

Whereas this dry cat meals seems to supply low organic worth, my cats discovered it extremely interesting. The multi-colored kibbles are very small and simple to chew and the product seems to have a meaty aroma some cats could like.

Elements

Floor Corn, Hen By-Product Meal (Supply of Hen Taste), Soybean Meal, Beef and Bone Meal (Supply of Beef Taste), Animal Fats (Preserved with Combined Tocopherols), Entire Wheat, Wheat Middlings, Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, Corn Gluten Meal, Pure Salmon Taste, White Fish Meal (Supply of White Fish Taste), Flaxseed, Brewers Dried Yeast, Fish Oil, Phosphoric Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Calcium Sulfate, Taurine, Added Coloration (Pink 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 2), Choline Chloride, Niacin, Vitamin E Complement, Vitamin A Complement, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Supply of Vitamin B6), Riboflavin Complement, Vitamin D3 Complement, Vitamin B12 Complement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Advanced, Folic Acid, Biotin, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite.

Elements We Appreciated: Beef and Bone Meal, White Fish Meal, Fish Oil

Elements We Didn’t Like: Floor Corn, Soybean Meal, Entire Wheat, Wheat Middlings, Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, Corn Gluten Meal, Added Coloration

Assured Evaluation

Crude Protein: 30%

Crude Fats: 9%

Crude Fiber: 3%

Moisture: 12%

Dry Matter Foundation

Protein: 34.09%

Fats: 10.23%

Fiber: 3.41%

Carbs: 52.27%

Caloric Weight Foundation

Protein: 30.66%

Fats: 22.34%

Carbs: 47.01%

What We Appreciated:

• Quite a few sources of animal protein
• Taste is basically derived from pure animal sources
• Small kibbles are straightforward for cats to chew

What We Didn’t Like:

• No dry meals supplies the moisture your cat wants
• Depends closely on refined grains and animal by-products
• Comprises synthetic colours
• Very excessive in carbohydrates

#2 Ashland Farms Beef Dinner in Gravy Moist Cat Meals

This beef-flavored moist cat meals has a shredded texture and a thick gravy. Kate Barrington / Cats.com

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Although this recipe is described as “beef taste moist cat meals,” the first ingredient is non-specific animal liver. Even so, there are quite a few named sources of animal protein together with rooster, beef, turkey, and ocean whitefish. There are additionally the identical meat by-products that seem within the dry meals recipe above.

Whereas this recipe nonetheless comprises corn, wheat, and soy elements, the general carbohydrate content material is decrease than Ashland Farms dry meals. It’s additionally a lot greater in moisture which helps hydration and will enhance digestibility. Sadly, the meals nonetheless comprises added shade and it’s thickened with guar gum which triggers free stools in some cats.

This moist cat meals has a shredded look at first look, but it surely’s clear the “shreds” are shaped items of the processed combination. Regardless, my cats loved the flavour and appeared to seek out the chunky texture and gravy interesting.

Elements

Water Enough for Processing, Animal Liver, Hen, Beef, Wheat Gluten, Meat By-Merchandise, Turkey, Ocean Whitefish, Soy Flour, Potato Starch, Pure Taste, Corn Starch, Guar Gum, Added Coloration, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Complement, Niacin Complement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Complement, Vitamin A Complement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Complement, Vitamin B12 Complement, Folic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Taurine.

Elements We Appreciated: Hen, Beef, Turkey, Ocean Whitefish

Elements We Didn’t Like: Wheat Gluten, Soy Flour, Potato Starch, Corn Starch, Guar Gum, Added Coloration

Assured Evaluation

Crude Protein: 9%

Crude Fats: 2.5%

Crude Fiber: 1%

Moisture: 82%

Dry Matter Foundation

Protein: 50%

Fats: 13.89%

Fiber: 5.56%

Carbs: 30.56%

Caloric Weight Foundation

Protein: 43.75%

Fats: 29.51%

Carbs: 26.74%

What We Appreciated:

• First three elements are animal-based
• Cats appear to seek out the flavour and aroma interesting
• Excessive in moisture to help hydration in cats

What We Didn’t Like:

• Comprises corn, wheat, and soy elements
• Guar gum could set off free stools in some cats
• Comprises some vaguely named animal elements

#3 Ashland Farms Hen & Tuna Dinner Moist Cat Meals

This rooster and tuna-flavored moist cat meals has a clean pate texture. Kate Barrington / Cats.com

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Much like the earlier components, this moist cat meals options quite a few animal proteins. It depends closely on meat and poultry by-products with two named sources of muscle meat or complete protein (rooster and tuna). Although nonetheless nothing near perfect, I’d select this recipe over the earlier one for my cats.

This recipe comprises fewer plant elements than the earlier, although white rice isn’t essentially the most nutrient-rich alternative. The meals additionally comprises nonspecific animal liver, guar gum, and added shade which might contribute to irregular digestion in delicate cats. It additionally comprises carrageenan which, although not confirmed as a dangerous ingredient to cats, comes with some controversy.

With its clean, moist texture, my cats discovered this Ashland Farms moist cat meals interesting as nicely. It’s a extra calorie-dense alternative than the earlier recipe, so cats could not must eat as a lot of it.

Elements

Meat By-Merchandise, Poultry By-Merchandise, Water Enough for Processing, Hen, Animal Liver, Tuna, Rice, Pure Taste, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Added Coloration, Salt, Nutritional vitamins, Choline Chloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Complement, Niacin Complement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Complement, Vitamin A Complement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Complement, Vitamin B12 Complement, Folic Acid, Carrageenan, Taurine, Minerals, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Proteinate, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate.

Elements We Appreciated: Hen, Tuna

Elements We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum, Added Coloration, Carrageenan

Assured Evaluation

Crude Protein: 10%

Crude Fats: 5%

Crude Fiber: 1%

Moisture: 78%

Dry Matter Foundation

Protein: 45.45%

Fats: 22.73%

Fiber: 4.55%

Carbs: 27.27%

Caloric Weight Foundation

Protein: 35.53%

Fats: 43.15%

Carbs: 21.32%

What We Appreciated:

• Seems to be a primarily meat-based recipe
• Wealthy in moisture to help your cat’s hydration
• Cats appear to seek out the flavour and aroma interesting

What We Didn’t Like:

• Comprises some vaguely named animal elements
• Guar gum could set off free stools in some cats
• Comprises added shade

What Do Prospects Consider Ashland Farms Cat Meals?

As a result of Ashland Farms cat meals is barely offered by way of Household Greenback, on-line buyer opinions are fairly scarce. Whereas Household Greenback has a presence on Trustpilot and Shopper Affairs, few opinions point out their pet meals model particularly.

Although Ashland Farms’ dry meals was very interesting to my cats, many shoppers on Household Greenback’s web site had a distinct expertise. Kate Barrington / Cats.com

Optimistic Critiques

“Purchased this bag particularly for a kitten. He ate it rather well with no complaints and is at present six months outdated. The opposite taste on this model didn’t obtain the identical enthusiasm although. He can have a full bowl and act like I’m ravenous him so I want to return to this one now.”

—HappyJack reviewing Ashland Farms Selection Combine Premium Dry Cat Meals on FamilyDollar.com, February 2023

“Cats and weaned kittens love this model. It’s sufficiently small for the kittens and engaging sufficient to not have to combine any moist meals in with it.”

—Wags reviewing Ashland Farms Wholesome Necessities Premium Cat Meals on FamilyDollar.com, September 2023

Although optimistic opinions for Ashland Farms are very restricted, a number of comfortable cat homeowners point out the product’s low value and excessive enchantment for his or her cats. Just a few prospects who had a great expertise in contrast Ashland Farms to different standard manufacturers like Meow Combine and 9Lives.

Unfavourable Critiques

“I purchased this on a whim as a result of I used to be broke and my cat wanted meals. I’ll admit I ended up shopping for it due to the best way the packaging appeared—it appeared to seem like it was extra on the pure facet vs large firms. My cat completely refuses to eat this!! I researched the elements and they’re all fillers and trash! I don’t suggest!”

—Yo Momma reviewing Ashland Farms Selection Combine Premium Dry Cat Meals on FamilyDollar.com, March 2023

“I don’t know what this meals is fabricated from. Not one of the cats will eat it. I bought this meals 3 times and needed to throw it away every time. What’s on this meals {that a} ravenous cat gained’t eat it? By no means will buy once more.”

—KSBS reviewing Ashland Farms Wholesome Necessities Premium Cat Meals on FamilyDollar.com, November 2022

Unfavourable opinions of Ashland Farms cat meals heart largely across the poor high quality of the elements. Many cats appear to refuse the meals solely and a few who did eat it skilled digestive upset or vomited shortly after.

How A lot Does Ashland Farms Cat Meals Value?

Pricing on Ashland Farms cat meals could differ amongst particular person retailers however, general, it’s one of many least costly cat meals manufacturers in the marketplace. Equally priced to financial system manufacturers like Fancy Feast and Meow Combine, this cat meals gained’t pressure your funds.

After I bought it, Ashland Farms moist cat meals value $0.95 per 5.5-ounce can and the dry meals value $11 for a 12-pound bag. That makes the per-ounce value of Ashland Farms dry meals just below $0.06.

Whereas Ashland Farms cat meals is undeniably low-cost, it’s not very energy- or nutrient-dense. The excessive focus of refined grains and different non-species-appropriate elements means your cat gained’t be capable of soak up vitamins as effectively from this meals as they’d a extra meat-based weight loss plan. They could find yourself needing to eat bigger parts and that, mixed with the poor organic worth, additionally means extra mess within the litter field.

The place Is Ashland Farms Cat Meals Offered?

As a result of Ashland Farms is a private-label model, it’s solely offered by Household Greenback. Availability could differ amongst varied shops, so use the Retailer Locator to see what native shops have in inventory.

You may also order by way of the Household Greenback web site however product choice is restricted and small-volume merchandise could require a minimal order. For instance, the minimal buy quantity for the 15-ounce bag is six luggage.

Although you’ll be able to’t buy Ashland Farms cat meals from main on-line retailers like Amazon and Chewy, you might be able to order it on-line out of your retailer of alternative and have it delivered by an organization that delivers groceries like Instacart.