Pacific Whiting Meal
Our ingredient score: 5 / 5 · Named animal protein · How We Score
Pacific whiting, also sold as Pacific hake, is a white-fleshed fish caught off the West Coast of North America. As a meal, the fish has been cooked and dried, with most of its water and part of its fat removed, so it adds much more protein to dry food than the same weight of fresh fish. The label names the species, so you know exactly which fish is in the food. Whiting and hake are on the FDA's list of fish lowest in mercury. Fish is a common food allergen in cats, so it will not suit every cat.
Common Questions
Is Pacific whiting the same as hake?
Yes. Pacific whiting and Pacific hake are two names for the same fish, Merluccius productus.
Is Pacific whiting meal safe for cats?
Pacific whiting meal is a dried protein made from Pacific whiting, a white fish caught off the West Coast of North America. AAFCO describes meals as cooked and ground products with most of the water and fat removed. It is a named fish, so owners know the species. Fish is a common food allergen in cats, so a cat with an allergy or other condition should have its diet set by a veterinarian.
Source: aafco.org
What is Pacific whiting meal?
Pacific whiting meal is Pacific whiting that has been cooked, dried and ground into a protein powder. Removing the water concentrates the protein, so a small amount adds more protein to dry food than the same weight of fresh fish. The fish is a lean white fish, and because the label names it, owners can tell it apart from generic fish meal.
Does whiting have a lot of mercury?
No, whiting is in the lowest mercury group in FDA and EPA fish advice. That advice is written for people, and it places whiting and hake on its Best Choices list, alongside fish like pollock and sardines. Swordfish and king mackerel are on the list of choices to avoid, the group with the highest mercury levels.
Source: fda.gov
What is the difference between Pacific whiting meal and whole whiting?
Pacific whiting meal is a dried, ground powder, while whole whiting is the fish with its water, organs and bones, used before any rendering. The meal packs more protein per pound because the water is gone. Whole whiting adds moisture at first, but much of that cooks off during kibble making. The two names can also refer to different whiting species, since several fish share that name.
How does Pettings score Pacific whiting meal?
Pettings gives Pacific whiting meal 5 out of 5 and lists it as a named animal protein. It appears on 2 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. Pettings scores it at the top because the fish is named on the label. Each food's page shows how the whole recipe scores overall.
How Foods With Pacific Whiting Meal Compare
Pacific Whiting Meal is on the label of 2 of the 149 dry cat foods we list.