Does Blue Buffalo contain carrageenan

Blue Buffalo and Carrageenan...

After a long battle between me and Olive, I finally gave in and allowed him to eat his Blue Buffalo Wilderness canned food. I tried changing him to a more healthier food, but to no avail. He preferred his old food, and refused to eat much of his new canned diets.

I decided to do more research regarding Blue Buffalo's ingredients, and to my surprise, Blue Buffalo's Chicken & Turkey canned flavor does

not

contain carrageenan! Which is great. It's very difficult to avoid carrageenan since it's such a popular (and cheap) stabilizer & food thickener.

However... this brings me to my question.

Blue Buffalo's Chicken and Turkey

is the

only

flavor they sell without carrageenan (that i'm aware of...)

How come Chicken & Turkey does not contain carrageenan, but all the others do? Is there other Blue Buffalo wet foods that don't contain carrageenan that I'm not aware of? Or is this a labeling mistake?

I picked up a 12 pack of the food today - that's also a new shipment - and all 12 of them do not have carrageenan labeled in the ingredients list...

Carrageenan In Dog Food

What Is Carrageenan?

Carrageenan is a carbohydrate structure that is derived from red edible Seaweed. The process to create Carrageenan from Seaweed involves combining it with an Alkali.

What confuses many is that Carrageenan has multiple spellings, but they are almost always the same ingredient. Examples of alternative spelling that is commonly seen include Carageenan, Carrageenan, and Carrigeenin.

One of the most crucial facts about Carrageenan is that it offers little to no nutrition, including a negligible portion of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

Also, Carrageenan does not offer any notable quantity of any required vitamins or minerals for dogs or cats.While it is most commonly found in pet food recipes, Carrageenan can sometimes be found in human food as well.

Examples of products for human consumption that may contain Carrageenan include Ice Cream, Milkshakes, and other desserts.

Carrageenan In Dog Food

Carrageenan is most commonly used as an ingredient in canned, wet, or moist dog food as well as cat food.Some research that we found would say that at one point in time, as much as seventy percent of commercially produced canned dog food included Carrageenan in varying quantities.

However currently, this percentage is estimated to be far lower, but it is still a significant proportion.

Carrageenans essential purpose in dog food recipes is to act as a thickening agent to bind the ingredients together and give the food a consistent texture and appearance.

Thickening agents are important components in canned pet food as if they are absent, this can cause the protein-rich ingredients present to become unappealing or to have an unpleasant texture.

Thickening agents can also be described as binding agents, emulsifiers, gelling agents, or stabilizers.

While these terms mean slightly different things, it is safe to bundle them together when they are mentioned in relation to pet food, as they are very similar.

Some alternative thickening agents or binding agents that are commonly found in pet food recipes include starches, like Potato Starch and Tapioca Starch, or gum-like ingredients, such as Xanthan Gum and Guar Gum.

Risks of Carrageenan

While opinions are mixed, some studies have shown that Carrageenan can cause several health problems in dogs, including Gastrointestinal Inflammation as well as increased rates of intestinal lesions, ulcerations, and in extreme cases, malignant tumors.

The malignant tumors are particularly concerning for dogs owners as these can be cancerous.

However, the cause of these health issues is a by-product that is produced from the Carrageenan production process known as poligeenan.

Poligeenan is the low-molecular form of Carrageenan, which can be harmful, and Poligeenan is the cause of the symptoms mentioned above.

The reason that some dogs experience these symptoms is due to an immune response that some dogs will inhibit after digesting Carrageenan.

This immune reaction is the cause of the inflammation, and then sustained inflammation is then the cause of the more severe side effects.

However, Poligeenan is supposed to be separated and removed from the Carrageenan during production, but some believe this doesnt always take place or isnt 100% effective.

There are strong opinions by some pet food bloggers and enthusiasts that Carrageenan has no place in dog food and would go as far as to say that it should be banned.

One very strong example to support this sentiment is that Carrageenan has been banned for use in baby formula or baby food in the European Union, which is often a world leader in identifying harmful substances.

While this ban was precautionary and not fully substantiated, it does give a strong suggestion that Carrageenan could be harmful.

Moreover, in 2016, the use of Carrageenan was banned in the United States for foods that are categorized as Organic.

Many in the industry were disappointed at this decision and claimed that it would result in fewer organic options available for consumers.

Dog Food Brands That Use Carrageenan

Carrageenan is one of the most common ingredients in wet dog food recipes and is used by a number of well-known and established dog food brands.

In fact, while researching the use of ingredients in dog food recipes, we found that of the 100 most popular wet dog food recipes on Chewy.com, 48 of them contained Carrageenan as an ingredient, which is almost a majority.

However, this pales in comparison to Guar Gum which was found in 73 of the 100 recipes but is comfortably above others like Xanthan Gum or Cassia Gum.

Some examples of pet food brands that use Carrageenan that you may recognize include Pedigree, Rachael Ray Nutrish, FreshPet, Wellness, Blue Buffalo, Newmans Own, Nutro, Purina Pro Plan, Purina One, Royal Canin, and Hills Science Diet.

The inclusion of Purina, Royal Canin, and Hills in this list is significant as these three brands are considered the leaders of the industry and perform the most research on formulation and ingredients.

Their continued use of Carrageenan, despite its controversy, shows that they believe it is an appropriate dog food ingredient.

You can see an example of the use of Carrageenan in a dog food recipe below, where it is featured in the ingredient list of Purina Pro Plans Classic Adult Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice Entree recipe.

In this recipe, Carrageenan is present in a very small quantity, even below salts, but is alongside Guar Gum, and these two ingredients act in unison to bind the food together.

However, as we eluded to earlier, Carrageenans use has seen some decrease in recent years as some brands have chosen to move away from it and use alternatives that are deemed safer or more natural.

Some brands have taken this to the extreme and have gone as far as to display or advertise that their products are Carrageenan-free.

If you wish to avoid Carrageenan or other thickening agents entirely, then it may be wise not to feed your dog canned or wet dog food.

While dry dog food is far from perfect, it does not require thickening agents such as Carrageenan and instead relies on vegetable ingredients like Legumes and Starches.

Best Cat Foods Without Carrageenan

Quick answer: Carrageenan is a seaweed thickener used in many wet cat foods. It has no nutrition value.

Linked with irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, and inflammatory conditions like arthritis.

5 Best Cat Foods Without Carrageenan

I filtered popular cat foods for carrageenan. All are the best rated from my testing.

All are suitable options but Tiki Cat After Dark is the best quality overall with plenty of variety.

More below in this guide to the best cat food without carrageenan.

I have a background in nutrition and research and test most of the products recommended.

This article isnt a replacement for medical advice.

Seemore about us here.

What to Look For in the Cat Food Without Carrageenan?

Quick answers:

• What is carrageenan: Thickener from red seaweed (Irish Moss).
• Used in: Mostly gravy based wet cat foods. Some brands use it more than others.
• Why bad: Linked with inflammatory conditions including colitis, arthritis, irritable bowel disease and colon cancer.
• Is it safe: FDA regards it as generally safe in small amounts.
• How to know its in cat food: Check ingredients list for carrageenan and other names like E407, Irish moss, algin, gelling agent, seaweed extract and chondrus.

Long answers:

What is Carrageenan?

Carrageenan is a thickener.

Its mainly used in wet cat foods (usually gravy based). You wont usually find carrageenan in dry cat food, because its a thickener.

Carrageenan is made fromred seaweed products(also called Irish Moss). Whilst its technically natural, its still linked with harm.

Carrageenan in Cat Food

Carrageenan is found in many wet cat foods.

The reason is to thicken cat food for a desirable texture. Gravy and pate based cat foods tend to use carrageenan more often.

Some brands tend to use carrageenan more often than others. For example, Blue Buffalo use carrageenan a lot, whilst Hills Science Diet dont seem to use it.

Why Is Carrageenan Bad for Cats?

Degraded carrageenan may causeinflammatory conditions including:

• Colitis
• Arthritis
• Irritable bowel disease
• Colon cancer

Some carrageenan degrades with digestion. Degraded carrageenan is used totest models of inflammation.

The amount of carrageenan used to cause digestive disorders ismuch higher than found in cat food(less than 1%). Carrageenan isgenerally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the FDA.

Tolerance studies existfor rats and dogs, but none for cats. Asafety panelsuggest 750mg/kg wet feed is safe for cats (extrapolated from dog safety research).

Problem?

You wont get information on how much carrageenan is in your cat food. Although its likely very small, the grey area is a problem.

How to Identify Carrageenan in Cat Food?

Heres how to find out if carrageenan is in your cat food.

Check the Ingredients List

By law, cat food has to include an ingredients list. Its usually on the back or side.

As carrageenan is a minor ingredient, it will usually be down the list so check carefully.

Check Ingredients Online

Buying online?

Some retailers dont put out ingredients list, but others do.

Hitcontrol + F(command + F for mac users) to see if theres any carrageenan in your chosen food. Make sure you get the spelling right.

Heres an example on Chewy:

Check Other Names for Carrageenan in Cat Food

Be careful.

Some countries use numbers for additives, including carrageenan. In Australia, for instance,carrageenan is E407.

Words like gelling agents or stabilizercan include gums and carrageenan. If you see these terms, its best to stay on the safe side.

Heres a longer list of names for carrageenan to watch for:

• E407
• Irish moss
• Algin
• Seaweed extract
• Polysaccharide
• Red seaweed extract
• Carrageenan gum
• Chondrus
• Carrageenin
• Thickeners
• Gelling agents
• Vegetable gum

Resources:

How to Find the Best Cat Food Without Carrageenan?

Make sure you choose cat food that meets your cats dietary needs. Check for a statement of nutritional adequacy on the label.

This shows your cat foodmeets AAFCOs nutrition guidelines for:

• Growth:Kittens (up to 1 years)
• Maintenance:Adult cats (1-7 years)
• All life stages:Kittens or adults
• Supplemental:Occasional feeding only (not complete)

AAFCO dont set nutrition guidelines for senior cats. Find guidelines atAmerican Association of Feline Practitioners(AAFP) website.

Most cat foods suitable for all life stages are better choices for older cats.

Choose High Protein Cat Food

Protein is the most important nutrient for cats and theirpreferred food source as carnivores.

The nutrient is high in animal foods like chicken, fish, turkey, and beef. Youll want to make sure you choose foods high in these ingredients.

Grain-based protein (e.g. wheat gluten) islower quality. This type of protein has fewer essential amino acids, which are what cats need to use to fuel muscle strength.

As a general rule, aim for 40% protein on a dry basis.Use a calculatorto check.

Learn more:

Can Carrageenan Be Avoided in Cat Food?

Yes, you can avoid carrageenan in cat food.

Whilst the thickener is widely used theres enough options to choose from that are carrageenan free.

Remember, that dry cat food doesnt contain carrageenan, so thats fine to use.

Which Cat Foods Use Carrageenan?

From my research:

• Daves Pet Food Naturally Healthy
• Fussie Cat Premium
• Friskies
• Merrick Purrfect Bistro
• 9 Lives Hearty Cuts
• Blue Buffalo Freedom
• Natural Balance
• Royal Canin Kitten

This list isnt exhaustive and only includes cat foods Ive research and/or tested.

It may not reflect all products from the brand or future changes.

What Cat Food Does Not Have Carrageenan in It?

Based on my research, the following cat food doesnt have carrageenan:

• Tiki Cat After Dark
• Ziwi Peak
• Feline Natural
• Fancy Feast Classic
• Wellness Core
• Hills Science Diet
• Sheba Perfect Portions
• Purina Pro Plan
• Purina One
• Tiny Tiger
• Hound & Gatos

FAQ

Quick answers:

• Is carrageenan only found in canned cat food? Yes, its commonly used as a thickener in canned cat food.
• Does Whiskas cat food contain carrageenan? Most likely, since it contains gelling agents which may include carrageenan.
• Is carrageenan present in Royal Canin cat food? Yes, its found in products like Royal Canin Kitten, Adult Instinctive, and Indoor.
• How safe is carrageenan in cat food? Its safety is not well established. While the FDA considers it generally safe in small amounts, theres no direct research on its effects in cats.
• What are the side effects of carrageenan in cats? Degraded carrageenan is linked to conditions like colitis, arthritis, irritable bowel disease, and colon cancer.
• Does Purina Pro Plan contain carrageenan? Generally, no. However, the Friskies line, which is part of Purina, does contain carrageenan.
• How can you avoid carrageenan in cat food? By carefully checking the ingredients list and being cautious about vague terms like vegetable gum or gelling agents.
• Does chicken contain carrageenan? No, chicken itself does not contain carrageenan.
• Is carrageenan banned in Australia? No, it is still legal to use in Australia (check for gelling agents or E407).
• Which milks contain carrageenan? Many processed milks, especially kitten milk products, contain carrageenan.
• Why is carrageenan used so widely? Its a thickener that prevents food from being runny, used in many human and pet foods, as well as in other products like toothpaste and shampoo.
• Does Hills Science Diet cat food have carrageenan? No, carrageenan isnt found in the Hills Science Diet range to my knowledge.
• Does Sheba cat food contain carrageenan? No, Carrageenan is not present in Sheba wet cat foods to my knowledge.

Long answers:

Is Carrageenan Only in Canned Cat Food?

Yes.

Carrageenan is a thickener that is used in sauces and liquid foods to create a more desirable texture thats less runny.

Does Whiskas Have Carrageenan?

Most likely.

Whiskas contains gelling agents, which may contain carrageenan.

Its a cheaper cat food (most have carrageenan). A location specific brand, so double check.

Does Royal Canin Cat Food Have Carrageenan?

Yes.

Products with carrageenan:

• Royal Canin Kitten
• Royal Canin Adult Instinctive
• Royal Canin Indoor

Another location specific brand, so double check where you live.

Is Carrageenan Safe in Cat Food?

Its not well known whether carrageenan is truly safe in cat food.

The amount of carrageenan used to cause digestive disorders is much higher than found in cat food (less than 1%). Carrageenan is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the FDA.

Tolerance studies exist for rats and dogs, but none for cats. A safety panel suggest 750mg/kg wet feed is safe for cats (extrapolated from dog safety research).

However, there is no direct research into cat food.

What Are the Side Effects of Carrageenan in Cats?

Degraded carrageenan is linked with inflammatory conditions including:

• Colitis
• Arthritis
• Irritable bowel disease
• Colon cancer

Is Carrageenan in Purina Pro Plan?

No, it doesnt appear so.

Carrageenan isnt in the following Purina Pro Plan products:

• Purina Pro Plan Senior Adult 7+ Seafood Favorites Pate Variety Pack Canned Cat Food
• Purina Pro Plan Chicken & Turkey Favorites Variety Pack Canned Cat Food
• Purina Pro Plan Adult White Meat Chicken & Vegetable Entree in Gravy Canned Cat Food
• Purina Pro Plan Adult Seafood Stew Entree in Sauce Canned Cat Food
• Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult 11+ Classic Salmon & Tuna Entree Canned Cat Food

Please check each product as future product mixes may change.

Purina have one line of cat food that does contain carrageenan, which is Friskies.

Does Friskies Have Carrageenan?

Yes, I have found carrageenan in Friskies wet canned cat food.

Friskies products with carrageenan:

• Friskies Pate (all flavors)
• Friskies Farm Favorites

Friskies Shreds is carrageenan free as of the writing of this article.

How Can You Avoid Carrageenan?

The best way to avoid carrageenan is to check the ingredients list carefully.

If youre unsure about an ingredient, check online to see if it may contain carrageenan. In some cases its best to err on the side of caution with vague ingredients (e.g. vegetable gum, gelling agents).

Does Chicken Have Carrageenan?

No, chicken doesnt have carrageenan.

Is Carrageenan Banned in Australia?

No, carrageenan is still legal to use in Australia.

What Milks Have Carrageenan?

A lot of processed milks have carrageenan.

Many kitten milk products contain carrageenan and other vegetable gums. This gives consumers an attractive looking texture.

Why Is Carrageenan in Everything?

Carrageenan is a thickener that stops food from being runny and watery. Its used in a lot of human products including milkshake and ice-cream.

Its even used for other purposes including toothpaste and shampoo. Gravy based and pate cat food often uses it to help get a desirable texture.

Does Hills Science Diet Have Carrageenan?

Apparently not.

I went through a range of Hills Science Diet and Prescription Diet cat foods. None had carrageenan.

This doesnt guarantee every single product is carrageenan free. Always double check.

Does Sheba Cat Food Contain Carrageenan?

No.

Ive checked a range of Sheba wet cat foods, and none contained carrageen.

Includes Perfect Portions Pate, Cuts in Gravy and Bistro.

Conclusion

Carrageenan is a thickener used in wet cat food linked to cancer and irritable bowel disease.

Whether the small amount is harmful isnt clear, but avoiding it is good for peace of mind.

Dry cat food doesnt contain carrageenan, but its common in gravy based wet foods. Check the ingredients carefully.

Comparison of our top 3 picks: