Wysong Optimal Line Dry Cat Food Review

Wysong Optimal Line dry cat food receives the Cat Food Advisor rating, 4.5 stars

This range of food has high levels of protein, some of which comes from animal protein.  However, plant-based protein is used, so this needs to be considered when evaluating the protein content.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Wysong Optimal Line product line includes two dry cat foods.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Wysong Restore 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 dried chicken. Dehydrated chicken is considered a meat concentrate and contains more than four times as much protein as fresh chicken.

The second ingredient is organic chicken.  Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.  ¹

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

The third ingredient is dried natural meat broth.  Although dehydrated broths can add flavor and a trace amount of protein and other nutrients, they can be considered of only modest nutritional value to a cat.

The fourth ingredient is chicken fat.  Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

The fifth ingredient is beet pulp.  Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.

Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.

We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most cat foods is entirely acceptable.

The sixth ingredient is gelatin, a colorless, flavorless, translucent, brittle substance that’s irreversibly derived from the collagen found in the skin and bones of animals. 

Although it consists mostly of protein (98-99% non-essential amino acids), gelatin is of only limited nutritional value to a cat.

The seventh ingredient is apple fiber which  includes the pulpy solids that remain after pressing apples to extract the juice. It is included here for its dietary fiber content.

The eighth ingredient is flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.

However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.

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.

There are two notable exceptions in this recipe.

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.

This food also contains chelated minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better cat foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Wysong Restore recipe looks like an above-average dry product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 72.2%, a fat level of 22.2% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 0%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 63.9% and a mean fat level of 18.9%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 20.9% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 29%.

This means this Wysong Optimal Line range contains above-average protein, below-average carbohydrate, above-average fat, when compared to typical dry cat food.

Has Wysong cat food been recalled in the past?

No, Wysong has never had a cat food recall. However, in 2009, the company did recall some of its dog foods, due to possible mold exposure. The senior recipe, maintenance recipe, and synorgon product were all affected. You can read more about it on the Dog Food Advisor.

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

Wysong corporation is a family run business that was established in 1979 by Dr Randy Wysong.  

Wysong is a US company based in Midland, Michigan.  Its ingredients are sourced from the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and Japan, with synthetic amino acids sourced from China.