4health Special Care (Wet) Review

The 4health Special Care wet product range is made of three recipes which all receive 3.5 stars.

This cat food boasts a meat-first ingredient list and each recipe supports a specific health issue, including weight management, skin & coat care and sensitive stomach.

The table below shows each recipe in the range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile.

Recipe and Label Analysis

4health Special Care Adult Sensitive Stomach Formula Turkey Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is turkey. Turkey is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey”. ¹

Turkey is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.

The second ingredient is poultry broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a cat food, they are a common component in many wet products.

The third ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.[1. Association of American Feed Control Officials]

Chicken is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.

The fourth ingredient is poultry liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.

The fifth ingredient is water, which adds nothing but moisture to this food. Water is a routine finding in most wet cat foods.

The sixth ingredient is poultry heart. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing to us humans, heart tissue is pure muscle – all meat. It’s naturally rich in quality protein, minerals and complex B vitamins, too.

After natural flavor, we find calcium carbonate, likely used here as a dietary mineral supplement.

The ninth ingredient is miscanthus grass, also known as elephant grass. Miscanthus is a non-GMO source of crude fiber.

From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.

This recipe has three notable exceptions.

Taurine, an essential amino acid for cats associated with the healthy function of heart muscle and eye sight, and is crucial for maintaining good health in cats.

We view the presence of taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.

Next we find, canola oil. Unfortunately, canola can be a controversial item. That’s because it can sometimes (but not always) be derived from genetically modified rapeseed.

Yet others cite the fact that canola oil can be a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids.

In any case, plant-based oils like canola are less biologically available to a cat than fish oil as a source of quality omega-3 fats.

Lastly, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, a controversial form of vitamin K linked to liver toxicity, allergies and the abnormal break-down of red blood cells.

Since vitamin K isn’t required by AAFCO in its nutrient profiles, we question the use of this item in any feline recipe.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, 4health Special Care Adult Sensitive Stomach Formula Turkey Recipe looks like an above-average wet product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 47.2%, a fat level of 25% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 19.8%, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 53%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 44.1% and a mean fat level of 25%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 22.9% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 56%.

This means the 4health, Special Care wet product line contains above-average protein, below-average carbs and above-average fat when compared to typical wet cat food.

Has 4health cat food been recalled in the past?

Yes, 4health has had two recalls.

In 2012, Diamond Pet Foods, which makes 4health, recalled all 4health foods manufactured in Gaston, South Carolina, due to potential salmonella contamination.

In 2013, Diamond recalled several cat food brands, including 4health, due to potentially insufficient thiamine levels.

You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.

To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.

About

4health is a pet food company owned by Tractor Supply Company, a home and ranch company based in Tennessee. 

This company was founded in 1938 as a mail-order tractor part supplier. However,  it has now grown to sell a wide variety of products including pet food and supplies. 4health brand is one of its biggest selling products made by Diamond Pet Foods.