Published Aug 22, 2021
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
We’ve rated Performatrin Ultra on ingredient quality, species-appropriateness, recalls, and more. Read our Performatrin Ultra cat food review to learn how this brand stacks up.
The Cats.com Standard— Rating Performatrin Ultra On What Matters
We’ve rated the brand on six key criteria for quality. Here’s how it rates in each of these six crucial areas.
Ratings
- Species-Appropriateness – 5/10
- Ingredient Quality – 5/10
- Product Variety – 6/10
- Price – 7/10
- Customer Experience – 7/10
- Recall History – 8/10
Overall Score: 6.33/10
In total, we give Performatrin Ultra cat food a 38 out of 60 rating or a C+ grade.
About Performatrin Ultra
The Performatrin pet food brand offers a diverse array of products for dogs and cats using high-quality ingredients without any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The brand claims to offer formulas tailored to the unique needs of different breed sizes, ages, and activity levels in both dogs and cats.
All of Performatrin’s pet products are scientifically formulated by their in-house pet nutritionist, though the brand doesn’t name this expert on their website. Neither do they provide any specific information about how they source their ingredients or where their products are manufactured.
Sourcing And Manufacturing
While the Performatrin website doesn’t provide much in the way of information about their ingredients or manufacturing, their pet food labels do. Performatrin pet food is manufactured in Canada using “domestic and imported ingredients.”
Though Performatrin appears to be a pet food company based in Canada, their products are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO for all life stages.
Recall History
To the best of our knowledge, the Performatrin pet food brand has not had a product recall to date. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to determine how old the company is, so it’s difficult to say whether the lack of recalls is due to quality brand management or simply being new to the industry.
What Kinds Of Cat Food Does Performatrin Ultra Offer?
The Performatrin Ultra brand offers over 50 different varieties of canned and dry cat food products. They offer recipes for adult cats and kittens as well as specialized formulas for healthy weight management and limited ingredient diets. Their canned foods come in pate, bisque, and stew textures, packaged in 3-ounce, 5.50ounce, or 13.2-ounce cans and 3.5-ounce bowls.
What Do Customers Think Of Performatrin Ultra Cat Food?
Because Performatrin Ultra cat food is only sold in stores and from limited online retailers, it was difficult to obtain a lot of information about the typical customer experience. On Supermarket.com, Performatrin Ultra has eight 5-star reviews and sixteen 4-star reviews.
Let’s take a look at a few customer reviews from some of the most popular recipes from this brand.
Positive Reviews
“My cat has been on the Ultra food for a year and a half now. Age 7, indoor neutered male, he was always asking for more food before. He actually leaves some on the plate with the Ultra food. Healthy shiny coat and energy to play more are also noticeable changes.” – Dinnertime for Francis, reviewing Performatrin Ultra Turkey, Salmon & Duck Pate
“I have two VERY picky eaters and it’s a pain to ever find a brand that they will both eat. This brand of cat food is one of the few items that they both enjoy and you would think I starve them with how they eat this food like candy/treats. Awesome stuff! Great value and I feel like I’m giving them the best.” – Amandajo8629, reviewing Performatrin Ultra LID Green Pea & Duck Formula
Negative Reviews
“I bought this for my cat thinking it would be the same chunkier texture like trout bisque but it is not. This flavor is more of a pate (which my cat does not like).” – Pb6050, reviewing Performatrin Ultra Grain-Free Salmon Bisque Cat Food
What Did Our Test Cats Think?
Bagel loved the green pea and duck formula dry food – so much that she chewed through the bag to sneak an extra helping when I left it on the counter! Kate Barrington / Cats.com
My test cats were very pleased with Performatrin Ultra cat food – both the dry food and canned food formulas. The dry food comes in small, triangular kibbles that should be easy for cats of all ages to chew and the canned food had a looser-than-average pate texture which made it easy to spoon out.
I also loved the packaging Performatrin Ultra uses. The resealable tops on their dry food bags are incredibly convenient and much easier to use than many brands.
Performatrin Ultra Cat Food – Top 3 Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Main Protein Source | Calories | Price | Our Grade |
| Performatrin Ultra Grain-Free Ocean Recipe Dry Cat Food | Dry | Ocean Whitefish | 455 kcal/cup | $0.18 per oz | C |
| Performatrin Ultra Limited Green Pea & Duck Formula Dry Cat Food | Dry | Duck | 422 kcal/cup | $0.25 per oz | D |
| Performatrin Ultra Grain-Free Turkey, Salmon & Duck Pate Canned Food | Wet | Turkey | 122 kcal/can (3oz.) | $0.31 per oz | B |
#1 Performatrin Ultra Grain-Free Ocean Recipe Dry Cat Food
This grain-free dry food features a trio of proteins including ocean whitefish, salmon meal, and herring meal as the top three ingredients.
Because there appears to be so much animal protein in this formula, I was a little surprised to see two sources of concentrated plant protein as well – potato protein and pea protein. Following canola oil as the primary source of added fat, there is a long list of plant-based ingredients including starchy options like dried potato and green peas.
While this recipe is free from by-products, vaguely named ingredients, and artificial additives, it appears to be a primarily plant-based formula with several inclusions of high-quality animal protein. As such, I can’t give it a high rating in terms of being species-appropriate for cats.
Ingredients
Ocean Whitefish, Salmon Meal, Herring Meal, Pea Protein, Potato Protein, Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Lentils, Dried Potato, Green Peas, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Coconut Oil, Pea Fiber, Dried Apple Pomace, Dried Tomato Pomace, DL-Methionine, Sodium Bisulfate, Choline Chloride, Dried Kelp, Chicory Root Extract, Dried Carrots, Dried Sweet Potato, Dried Apples, Salt, Dried Blueberries, Dried Cranberries, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary Extract, Ginger, Oregano, Dandelion, Parsley, Chamomile, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium bifidum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Carotene, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate).
| Ingredients We Liked | Ingredients We Didn’t Like | Common Allergens |
| Ocean Whitefish
Salmon Meal Herring Meal |
Pea Protein
Potato Protein Canola Oil Lentils Dried Potato Green Peas |
Fish |
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Includes three animal proteins as the first three ingredients
- No by-products or vaguely named ingredients
- Completely free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Cons
- Appears to be a primarily plant-based recipe
- Contains two concentrated sources of plant protein
- Doesn’t contain the moisture your cat needs
#2 Performatrin Ultra Limited Green Pea & Duck Formula Dry Cat Food
This limited ingredient diet from Performatrin Ultra contains a single source of novel animal protein – duck. Unfortunately, duck isn’t the first ingredient – green peas are. This formula also contains pea starch, pea protein, and pea fiber.
On the upside, this formula appears to be made with a simple list of main ingredients which, theoretically, could be beneficial for cats with food allergies and sensitivities. I don’t love peas for cats, however, especially not as a main ingredient over a source of animal-based protein.
This formula contains over 25% less protein than the previous, which isn’t surprising given the first ingredient. I do appreciate the use of chicken fat as the primary source of added fat but there are too many plant-based ingredients for me to give this formula a high rating for species-appropriateness.
Ingredients
Green Peas, Duck, Duck Meal, Pea Starch, Pea Protein, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Natural Flavor, Pea Fiber, Flaxseed, DL-Methionine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary Extract, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Carotene, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate).
| Ingredients We Liked | Ingredients We Didn’t Like | Common Allergens |
| Duck
Duck Meal Chicken Fat |
Green Peas
Pea Starch Pea Protein |
None |
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Limited ingredient formula for allergies/sensitivities
- Contains a single, novel source of animal protein
- Chicken fat provides a nutritious source of essential fatty acids
Cons
- Appears to be a primarily plant-based recipe
- Carbohydrate is the first ingredient on the list, not protein
- Contains some added (natural) flavor
#3 Performatrin Ultra Grain-Free Turkey, Salmon & Duck Pate Canned Food
Compared to the previous two dry foods, this canned food formula appears to be more animal-based. It contains turkey, turkey liver, salmon, and duck as four of the first five ingredients with no starchy, plant-based proteins like peas or potato protein.
That being said, this recipe does contain a few plant-based ingredients including several gums used as thickeners. The brewers dried yeast may be included as an added source of protein.
I do like that this recipe contains menhaden fish oil as a natural source of omega-3s, but it appears after both flaxseed oil and sunflower oil. All in all, however, the estimated carbohydrate content of this recipe is much lower than the previous dry foods which makes it more species appropriate.
Ingredients
Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey Liver, Salmon, Duck, Red Peppers, Carrots, Natural Flavor, Guar Gum, Tricalcium Phosphate, Sweet Potatoes, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Spinach Flakes, Brewers Dried Yeast, Xanthan Gum, Cassia Gum, Flaxseed Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Sunflower Oil, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Taurine, Salt, Inulin, Dried Kelp, Sodium Ascorbate (To Promote Color Retention), Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Dried Blueberries, Dried Cranberries, Dried Apples, Thiamine Mononitrate, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.
| Ingredients We Liked | Ingredients We Didn’t Like | Common Allergens |
| Turkey
Turkey Liver Salmon Duck |
Guar Gum
Brewers Dried Yeast Xanthan Gum |
Fish |
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Four of the first five ingredients are animal-based proteins
- No starchy plant ingredients or concentrated plant proteins
- Menhaden fish oil provides a natural source of omega 3s
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
Cons
- Contains a significant number of plant ingredients
- Made with several gums as thickeners
How Much Does Performatrin Ultra Cat Food Cost?
Performatrin appears to be a moderately priced cat food brand, though prices vary among their different product lines. The Performatrin Ultra line is a little more expensive than the original Preformatting line of products, possibly because it includes novel proteins and limited ingredient diets.
At the time of this review, Performatrin Ultra dry cat food ranges from $13.99 for a 2.5-pound bag up to $37.99 for a 13.2-pound bag, making the average cost for their dry food about $2.87 per pound or about $0.18 per ounce. Performatrin Ultra canned foods are about $0.31 per ounce.
For the average 10-pound cat who eats between 2 and 2.5 ounces of food per day, Performatrin ultra would cost about $0.30-$0.40 per day for dry food and around $1.00 per day for wet food.
Overall, Is Performatrin Ultra Cat Food A Good Choice?
While Performatrin Ultra uses high-quality animal ingredients in all their recipes, they are outweighed by starchy carbohydrates and plant-based proteins. The brand’s canned food formulas were much lower in added carbohydrate than their dry foods, but still contained a significant number of plant ingredients.
Overall, I can’t happily recommend Preformatting Ultra’s products as being species-appropriate for cats. This brand is also a little hard to find online and in stores, so you’re really better off going with a brand that’s more available and that uses more animal than plant ingredients.
Where Is Performatrin Ultra Cat Food Sold?
Because Performatrin is a Canadian company, you’re most likely to find it in-store in Canada. The brand appears to be sold in specialty pet stores and smaller independent retailers, though you can also purchase it online at PetSupermarket.com.
My cat was on Chicken Soup for the Soul cat food for several years and then I switched to the Performatrin Indoor Formula dry food because it was less of a drive to pick up. And within 2 years she developed urinary crystals. We moved about 8 months before we noticed she was sick so I don’t know how much the move/stress may have contributed but I hate wondering if it may have possibly been the food. But I don’t understand ingredients enough to know how much it may have been a factor.
Hi KatV! It’s great that you’re paying so much attention to your cat’s health and trying to find out what’s causing the problem so you can remedy it. Vets aren’t always sure what causes urinary crystals to form but it can sometimes be the result of an infection. Has your vet done any testing to see if that’s the case? Otherwise, it could be diet related but there aren’t any cat food ingredients that are specifically linked to this problem. Instead, it might be that a diet of only dry food doesn’t provide enough water to flush out toxins. If your cat doesn’t get enough water, the minerals could accumulate and contribute to urinary crystals. You might try switching him to wet food or at least including wet food in his diet to provide more moisture.
My cat is currently hospitalized for a urinary blockage after only 1 week on this food. There should be a warning label. YES there are ingredients that are waaayy to high in magnesium and that create an alkaline environment. Vets do know that diet is the cause of crystals 80% of the time. My cat had been on Royal Canin Urinary and unfortunatley the clinic didnt have any in and i thought I could get away with buying a bag of performatrin, I learned that lesson the hard way. This food, along with many other brands are known to clinics to cause crystals.
I wish I had looked at the reviews for this food last week before I fed it to our cats and seemingly killed one by doing so. She got sick on Monday night (after I fed them this food for the first time because we had run out of the regular food we feed them) She passed away on Friday evening from Kidney Failure, the only change at our house was this food. I agree with you that this should come with a warning.
not true – it does not matter how much water they normally drink, our cat drank probably 2-3 cups of water on her own in a day, died of Kidney Failure after being fed your cat food. the food was the only change and it came on so sudden when there had been nothing wrong with her before.
Drinking 2-3 cups of water a day is a huge amount, and excessive drinking is a symptom of kidney disease, so I would suspect that your cat was sick without you noticing—kidney disease can advance quickly. My condolences.
Thank you, I appreciate that, however She always drank that much from when we got her at 2.5 months old and she passed at 7 yrs with no hint of a problem in that time.
I see; thank you for explaining. I can’t make any assumptions or claims about what happened, but it does sound very troubling. Thanks for sharing your experience.
AVOID THIS FOOD!! My Mother in law’s cat would not eat it so she gave us the bag. I fed it to our 3 cats for 2 days – just this stuff because we had run out of the regular kind we use, so for 2 days the cats got this stuff – it was Sunday and Monday I fed it to them, By Monday night our youngest (7 yrs) was vomiting everywhere, the color of it looked like a slightly lighter color than the food. (I had never seen this color come out in her vomit before), She stopped eating, She stopped drinking and there was NO output anymore. She passed away on Friday evening from Kidney Failure, which I assume was caused by this food as other people have had issues with Urine – which is filtered by the kidney’s. She was healthy and had no sort of issues of ANY kind before I fed her this, It was the only thing that had changed – feeding her THIS food. DO NOT FEED THIS TO YOUR CAT!!
I wish I had read this sooner. Both of my cats are very ill with kidney failure after a few days of this food. I don’t know if they are going to survive, they’ve been in the hospital for two days on IV.
We got our Ragdoll from a breeder in Canada, she fed and recommenced this brand. Also, whats the difference between Performatrin, Performatrin Ultra, and Performatrin Prime?
Hello Lucy, apologies for the late reply! The Performatrin Ultra line seems to offer the widest variety and is marketed as “functional, whole food”, though that doesn’t mean much. The Performatrin Naturals line is marketed as a “natural” product, but a look at the ingredient list shows that it’s really not any more “natural” than food from the Ultra line and seems to rely heavily on sources of plant protein. As for the regular Performatrin line, this has been rebranded as Performatrin Prime, so the two are one and the same. These foods are supposed to focus on life stages and specific needs.