TEMPTATIONS creamy puree is a wet cat food made by The J.M. Smucker Company. It comes in a variety of flavors like tuna, salmon, chicken, and seafood medley. The puree has a smooth, pudding-like texture that many cats find palatable. However, some cat owners have concerns about the safety of this product. Here is an in-depth look at TEMPTATIONS creamy puree and whether it is safe for cats to consume.
Ingredients
The first thing to examine is the ingredients list for TEMPTATIONS creamy puree. According to the product labels, the main ingredients are:
- Meat broth
- Various meat or seafood ingredients depending on flavor (tuna, salmon, chicken, etc.)
- Vegetable broth
- Tricalcium phosphate
- Guar gum
- Carrageenan
The primary protein sources come from actual tuna, salmon, chicken or seafood. This is a good sign, as cats need plenty of animal-based protein in their diet. The broths provide moisture to create the puree texture.
The tricalcium phosphate is a calcium supplement added to support bone health. Guar gum and carrageenan are thickeners used to give the puree its smooth, pudding-like consistency.
Overall, the ingredients look standard for a wet cat food product. There are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The ingredients align with federal regulations for complete and balanced cat food.
Nutritional Analysis
Analyzing the guaranteed analysis provides further insight into the nutritional makeup of TEMPTATIONS creamy puree:
| Crude Protein (min) | 11% |
| Crude Fat (min) | 5% |
| Crude Fiber (max) | 1% |
| Moisture (max) | 78% |
The crude protein meets the minimum requirements for adult cat foods. The 11% protein comes from the meat, poultry or seafood as the primary ingredients.
The 5% crude fat provides essential fatty acids for skin and coat health. Cats also use dietary fats for energy.
The guaranteed analysis shows TEMPTATIONS puree is high in moisture, which is expected for a wet food formula. The moisture content helps keep cats hydrated.
Overall, the nutritional makeup indicates TEMPTATIONS puree can sufficiently meet a cat’s basic dietary needs.
Cat Food Safety Standards
All cat foods sold commercially in the United States must adhere to regulations set by the FDA, USDA, and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Here are some of the mandatory safety standards:
- Manufacturing facilities must follow good manufacturing practices (GMPs) for pet food production.
- Pet food companies need FDA approval for ingredient sources, processing methods, and packaging.
- Cat foods must contain the proper nutritional balance for the life stage they are marketed for, such as kitten, adult, or senior.
- Pet foods cannot contain harmful levels of toxins like mercury, lead, arsenic or cadmium.
- Companies must report any adverse events related to their products.
TEMPTATIONS creamy puree is produced in Smucker’s own manufacturing facilities which follow the above safety regulations. The company states the product is complete and balanced for adult cat maintenance.
Feeding Trials
Pet food companies like Smucker’s are not legally required to perform feeding trials on new products before releasing them to market. However, many companies voluntarily conduct palatability and digestibility tests.
For reference, Smucker’s confirmed to PetfoodIndustry.com that TEMPTATIONS cat treats underwent feeding trials during product development. We can reasonably assume similar testing was done on the TEMPTATIONS puree formulas.
Feeding trials involve having cats eat the new food as their sole diet for 6-12 weeks. Researchers monitor the animals for signs of nutritional deficiencies, poor coat quality, inappropriate weight changes, or digestive upset. Issues noticed during feeding trials would require formula adjustments before finalizing the product.
The fact that TEMPTATIONS treats went through feeding trials indicates the company’s willingness to confirm the safety of newly developed cat food items.
Quality Control Measures
Pet food experts recommend looking for strong quality control when evaluating a cat food brand. Smucker’s states they have controls in place to ensure safety and consistency for TEMPTATIONS products:
- Suppliers must meet quality standards for ingredients.
- Incoming ingredients are inspected and analyzed upon arrival.
- Manufacturing equipment is thoroughly cleaned between production runs.
- Finished products are sampled and tested to verify nutrition and safety.
- Routine facility audits are performed.
These measures help control risks and confirm TEMPTATIONS puree meets the company’s specifications during all stages of production.
Customer Reviews
Looking at real-world customer experiences can provide added insight into how pets tolerate a particular cat food. Overall, TEMPTATIONS creamy puree receives positive reviews from cat owners:
- Many cats appear to love the taste and texture.
- Owners say it has a noticeable aroma that attracts picky eaters.
- Several mention their cats readily lick the bowls clean after eating.
- Some cats seem to tolerate the puree better than chunks or shredded textures.
- A few reviews say the product helped underweight cats gain weight.
Satisfied customers report TEMPTATIONS puree is palatable and easy for cats to digest. This aligns with the feeding trials likely conducted by the manufacturer.
Of course, individual animals can have different sensitivities. A few negative reviews note cases of vomiting or diarrhea after eating. However, the majority of feedback indicates good tolerance.
Conclusion
Based on an analysis of the ingredients, nutritional adequacy, manufacturing practices, and customer experiences, TEMPTATIONS creamy cat puree appears to be a safe cat food option.
The ingredients comply with pet food regulations and contain decent protein sources. The nutritional analysis meets minimum standards for complete adult cat food.
Smucker’s has quality control procedures in place and likely tested the product in feeding trials. Additionally, most cat owners find their pets enjoy the puree and demonstrate good digestibility.
As with any new food, cat owners should transition slowly and monitor their cat’s condition. But overall, TEMPTATIONS creamy puree can be part of a nutritious diet for cats. Following portion guidelines on the label will help avoid overfeeding. For cats needing a soft, smooth texture, TEMPTATIONS puree provides a high-moisture supplement to dry kibble.