Koha Cat Food | A Review of the Minimal Ingredient Pet Food Brand

What is Koha Cat Food?

Koha cat food is a brand of wet cat food that offers a variety of recipes with minimal ingredients and high moisture content. Koha cat food is made with premium quality meats, superfood veggies, and essential vitamins and minerals, without any junky fillers like potatoes, pea protein, grains, or carrageenan. Koha cat food is also free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, making it a natural and wholesome option for your cat.

Koha cat food has four main product lines: Limited Ingredient Diet Paté, Pure Shreds, Minimal Ingredient Stews, and Poké Bowls. Each product line has different features and benefits, depending on your cat’s needs and preferences.

Here is a brief overview of each product line:

Limited Ingredient Diet Paté: This is the most sensitive recipe from Koha, designed for cats with extreme food sensitivities or digestive issues. It contains only one meat per recipe, with novel protein options like duck, rabbit, and venison. It also has a smooth and creamy texture that is easy to digest and palatable for cats.

Pure Shreds: This is a product line for picky eaters, as it features delicious, shredded recipes in a savory broth. It is made with easily digestible meats, such as chicken breast, duck, and beef, and a superfood veggie blend of pumpkin, carrot, and spinach. It is also low in fat and calories, making it suitable for weight management.

Minimal Ingredient Stews: This is a product line for cats who enjoy tasty cuts of meat in gravy, without any junky fillers. It contains single meat options, such as chicken, turkey, and duck, that are ideal for cats with food sensitivities. It is also moisture-rich and easily digestible, helping to keep your cat hydrated and healthy.

Poké Bowls: This is a product line for cats who crave variety and excitement at mealtime. It features delicious combinations of red meat tuna and complementary proteins, such as salmon, lamb, and shrimp, in a savory gravy. It is made with non-GMO and wild-caught ingredients, and provides moisture-rich and balanced nutrition for your cat.

What are the Benefits of Koha Cat Food?

Koha cat food has many benefits for your cat’s health and well-being, such as:

It helps to avoid food allergies and intolerances, as it contains minimal and natural ingredients, without any common allergens or fillers.
It supports healthy digestion, as it contains easily digestible proteins, superfood veggies, and probiotics, and avoids ingredients that can cause inflammation or irritation in the gut.
It promotes hydration, as it contains 70-90% moisture, which is essential for your cat’s urinary tract health and kidney function.
It enhances skin and coat health, as it contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help to nourish and moisturize your cat’s skin and fur.
It satisfies your cat’s appetite, as it contains high-quality and palatable meats, and a variety of textures and flavors, that appeal to your cat’s natural instincts and preferences.

What are the Drawbacks of Koha Cat Food?

Koha cat food is a premium and high-quality cat food brand, but it also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of, such as:

It is more expensive than some other cat food brands, as it uses premium and novel ingredients, and avoids cheap and low-quality fillers. A 5.5 oz can of Koha cat food costs around $2.50, which is higher than the average price of wet cat food.
It is not widely available, as it is sold only in select online and offline retailers, and not in major pet stores or supermarkets. You might have to order it online or look for a specialty pet store that carries it in your area.
It might not suit every cat, as some cats might have different nutritional needs or preferences, or might not like the taste or texture of Koha cat food. You might have to try different recipes or product lines to find the best fit for your cat.

Koha Cat Food Canada

Koha cat food is a premium brand of canned cat food that originated in New Zealand and has recently expanded into the Canadian market. Koha aims to provide high-quality nutrition using ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients.

Some key points about Koha cat food in Canada:

Koha entered the Canadian market in 2019 and is steadily increasing availability across the country. It can now be found in pet specialty stores in most major cities.
There are currently 6 canned recipes available in Canada: Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Venison, Fish, and Rabbit. The ingredients and nutritional profiles vary between recipes.
All Koha cans in Canada are manufactured in New Zealand, with local Canadian ingredients when possible. The cans are BPA-free.
Prices range from $3.50 - $5.50 per 13 oz can, positioning Koha as a premium cat food brand in Canada. Discounts are sometimes available for bulk purchases.
Koha cat food meets AAFCO standards for complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages. All recipes are grain-free with high meat inclusions.
Koha does not use any artificial flavors, colors or preservatives in their cat food. They pride themselves on all natural, ethically sourced ingredients.

The growing availability of Koha cat food across Canada is good news for cat owners looking for a high-quality diet. The sustainably sourced meats, ethical manufacturing, BPA-free cans and all-natural ingredients make it an appealing option. More cat parents are catching on to the Koha brand as it cements its position in the Canadian premium cat food market.

Koha Cat Food Where To Buy

For cat owners interested in feeding the premium New Zealand brand Koha to their feline friends, here is a guide to where Koha cat food can be purchased in North America:

In Canada

Pet specialty chains: Koha is now carried in most major pet retail chains across Canada like PetSmart, Pet Valu, Ren's Pets Depot, Global Pet Foods
Independent pet stores: Many smaller, independent pet supply shops also stock Koha, especially those focused on natural and quality pet foods.

In the United States

Pet specialty chains: Currently Koha has limited availability in US chains like Pet Supplies Plus and PetFood Warehouse. Distribution is focused on the west coast.
Independent pet stores: As Koha expands in the US, independent stores specializing in premium and natural pet foods are likely to be the first to carry it.

Koha cat food is still establishing itself in North America, so availability is limited primarily to major urban centers for now. Cat owners not located near a retailer may need to purchase online. But as the brand grows, store availability is expected to improve across Canada and into more areas of the United States.

Koha Cat Food Rabbit

The Koha Rabbit cat food recipe is one of 6 canned varieties available from this premium New Zealand brand made with ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients. Here are some key details on the Koha Rabbit canned cat food:

Primary protein source is rabbit meat, supplemented by fresh green-lipped mussel meat.
Contains 10% fat and 10% protein minimum.
Free from grain, gluten, artificial colors and preservatives.
Comes in BPA-free 13oz cans.
Made in New Zealand with locally-sourced ingredients when possible.
Meets AAFCO standards for all life stages.
High moisture content from the canned format.
Chunks of rabbit in savory gravy.

The rabbit meat used in Koha cat food comes from free-range rabbits ethically raised in New Zealand. This makes it a novel protein source that is uncommon in commercial cat food. The unique protein and flavor profile may entice picky cats.

In addition to muscle meat, Koha includes fresh green-lipped mussel meat harvested sustainably from New Zealand's coastline. This supplies natural glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.

Compared to Koha's other recipes like Beef and Chicken, the Rabbit formula has a slightly higher calorie density at around 155 kcal/13 oz can. But it still derives most calories from protein rather than carbohydrates.

Overall, the Koha Rabbit cat food provides cats a natural, grain-free source of uncommon animal protein. It offers quality nutrition in a convenient canned format. Rabbit lovers should welcome this new high-protein, savory formula from Koha.

Koha Cat Food Reddit

Koha cat food is a lesser-known premium brand from New Zealand that is just starting to gain visibility and market share in North America. Here is a look at what cat owners on Reddit have been saying about Koha wet and dry cat food:

General Impressions

Comments indicate cat owners are impressed with the quality of ingredients, protein-rich recipes and ethical manufacturing standards of Koha cat food.
Most discussion focuses on the canned/wet food line which cat owners feel justifies the premium price tag.
There is limited discussion so far on Koha's dry food recipes.

Ingredient Quality

Users like that Koha does not use any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives and that all recipes are grain-free.
Meats like rabbit and venison are appreciated as novel protein sources not typically seen in cat food.
Several mentions of cats loving the taste and showing increased energy/health when switched to Koha.

Ethical Sourcing

Koha's commitments to sustainable fishing and ethical, free-range farming of meats like rabbit and venison resonates with many cat owners.
Manufacturing in New Zealand under stringent regulations and importing minimal ingredients also seen as a plus.
Some concerns raised on environmental impact of importing but overall positive feedback on ethics.

Price/Availability

Price seen as justified for the quality but budget buyers may find it expensive, especially for multiple cat households.
Lack of wide retail availability in the US/Canada makes purchase inconvenient for some. Many need to buy online.

Overall the Reddit discussions indicate cat owners are responding positively so far to the Koha brand and see it as a quality, though premium priced, option in the growing category of ethical and natural cat food. More reviews will emerge as Koha distribution expands in North America.

Koha Cat Food

Koha Cat Food Recall

As a relatively new brand of cat food in North America, Koha has yet to experience any product recalls or major controversies related to their pet food manufacturing and ingredients.

Here is a brief overview of Koha’s recall history and safety processes:

No Recalls: Since entering the North American market in 2019, Koha has not had any recalls or been associated with any incidents of contamination or illness.

New Zealand Made: All Koha recipes are produced in their New Zealand manufacturing facilities under stringent regulations. This limits risks associated with outsourced or co-packed foods.

AAFCO compliant: Koha meets Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages when fed as directed. This helps ensure nutritional adequacy.

Natural Ingredients: Koha avoids artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors—common culprits in many recalled pet foods. Their short, simple ingredients lists reduce risks.

Rigorous Supplier Audits: Koha thoroughly vets all ingredient suppliers and requires third party audits for quality and safety. This reduces ingredient risks.

Robust Quality Control: As a food producer themselves, Koha has strict product testing and quality control at their cannery to identify any problems before food is released.

While no pet food is 100% immune from potential recalls or safety issues, Koha’s New Zealand-based manufacturing, control over sourcing, and commitment to natural, ethical ingredients put them ahead of many brands in terms of minimizing recall risks. But as a newer brand, they do not have an extensive track record in North America yet. Their processes will remain important as they continue to grow.

Frequently Ask Questions about Koha Cat Food

Is Koha good for cats?

Yes, Koha is a high-quality grain-free cat food made with digestible proteins like chicken and salmon. It provides good nutrition for most cats.

Which cat food is best?

The best food depends on the cat's age, activity, and health. Pick foods with named meat proteins, moderate fat/carbs, and added vitamins. Grain-free, limited ingredient, or Wet foods are often good choices.

Koha ingredients?

Rabbit, peas, sweet potatoes, chicken fat, flaxseed, chicory root, salmon oil, vitamins/minerals. Grain-free.

For cats with IBD?

Yes, Koha's limited ingredients and digestible proteins like rabbit can aid cats with IBD or sensitive stomachs. Consult your vet.

Main ingredient in cat food?

Named meat protein (chicken, beef, etc.) should be #1 ingredient and 25-30% of food.

Signs of healthy food?

Named meat first
Moderate fat/carbs
Omega fatty acids added
No artificial additives
Supports healthy weight, energy, coat

First 5 ingredients?

1-2 Named meat proteins

3. Named fat source

4. Named carbohydrate

5. Named protein or fat

Conclusion

Quality cat foods should have named meat proteins like chicken, fish, or rabbit as the first ingredients. Grain-free options with digestible carbs like sweet potatoes are ideal for most cats. Koha is a healthy grain-free choice with limited ingredients that can benefit cats with sensitivities. In general, look for foods with identified meats, fats, and carbs in the first 5 ingredients to ensure high protein and nutrition.

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