"Savarra" cat food: review, composition, range, pros and cons, reviews from veterinarians and owners

Composition, class and release form

Savarra cat food is a fairly young brand, present on the pet products market since 2014. The product was developed in Russia and is sold only in the country, and is manufactured in the UK. The production is equipped with the most modern equipment. Compliance with quality standards is monitored at all stages from the selection of raw materials to packaging.

The manufacturer states that Savara food is holistic, that is, it is better than most super-premium food. This is confirmed by the composition of the feed:

Main Ingredient

The basis of the food is natural meat. Its content ranges from 67% to 77% depending on the type of feed. Manufacturers use turkey, duck and lamb. Moreover, Savara has a mono-meat composition, that is, each specific product in the line contains only one type of meat.
Source of carbohydrates - brown and white rice, oats, peas.
Fats include turkey fat and salmon oil.

In addition, the food contains:

Brewer's yeast;
flax seeds;
vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, spinach);
fruits (apples);
berries (cranberries, blueberries);
vitamins and minerals;
natural flavors.

Today, only dry food is produced, packaged in 400 g, 2 and 15 kg. Each package is equipped with a zip-lock, which allows you to preserve the freshness of the product for a long time and facilitates the process of storage and use.

Savarra food

Savarra food appeared in Russia in 2014 and over the past 4 years has earned many positive reviews from cat and dog owners. But in 2020 they began to package it in Russia, which raised many questions and doubts among buyers. However, Savarra sellers claim that this is a temporary situation due to the re-equipment and modernization of the packaging process at production, and soon the feed will again be packaged outside our country.

Who is the manufacturer

The food is produced at the Golden Acres facility in the UK, which is indicated on the product packaging and confirmed by the corresponding barcode.

The official website of the manufacturer and a Russian-language website with a detailed description of the products.

Product sellers claim that most feed ingredients are of English origin.

What class does it belong to?

Savarra food belongs to the super-premium class; moreover, the manufacturer presents it as holistic, indicating this on the food packaging. The main features of super premium food are the predominance of meat in the composition, the absence of grains and the use of natural preservatives and antioxidants. Savarra fully meets these criteria. As for holistic food, all components of such products must be suitable for human nutrition and have a “holistic” composition that fully provides the animal with the necessary nutrients and is detailed, in percentage terms, on the packaging.

Not every super premium food is holistic, but every holistic food is definitely super premium.

In the upper right corner of the packaging you can see the inscription “holistic” - this is how the manufacturer indicates that the food belongs to the highest class

Is Savarra holistic? In terms of the quality of the ingredients and the integrity of the composition, perhaps yes, at least that’s how the manufacturer evaluates their products. However, the percentage of food components in the composition is not indicated; only the total content of meat and meat products (about 70%) is presented on the packaging, more like an advertising ploy. So the final decision on determining the class of food remains with its consumers.

For everyday feeding

When choosing food for daily feeding, it is necessary to take into account the age, health status and lifestyle of the pet. For healthy adult cats and cats, the Savara brand offers the following food:

Savarra Adult Cat. The food contains 71% meat ingredients, based on fresh lamb meat. The optimal amount of protein fully satisfies the needs of an adult animal leading an active lifestyle.
Savarra Indoor Cat (for cats living indoors without walking). 73% of the diet is duck meat. Duck meat contains a lot of unsaturated fatty acids, which support the activity of the cardiovascular system and brain function. Vitamin A normalizes the condition of the skin and coat, and also improves vision.

For everyday feeding

Compound

There is nothing superfluous in Savarra brand food. Duck meat is an optimal source of amino acids, duck fat is a source of unsaturated acids. B vitamins, vitamins K, E, A improve vision and brain function, make the coat thick and shiny.

Low-calorie lamb meat is digestible better than other types of meat and contains the entire necessary set of microelements and vitamins necessary for the full development of the animal. The selenium contained in the composition activates the immune system.

Turkey is also a dietary meat, very light and tender, full of nutrients. The vitamin and mineral complex contained in it improves metabolic processes and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

By age category

The manufacturer also took care of kittens up to one year old. For them, the line of feeds has its own product:

Savarra Kitten is based on dietary tender turkey meat, which contains many nutrients that are easily absorbed by the young body. Turkey contains magnesium, which strengthens the nervous system, phosphorus, which has a beneficial effect on bone formation, and sodium, which normalizes metabolic processes in the body. Since the main task of nutrition at this age is to ensure the full development and growth of the animal, the meat content in the feed is 77%. In addition, thanks to the balanced content of microelements and vitamins, the food helps maintain and strengthen the health of the kitten.

According to numerous reviews, Savara kitten food is excellent for pregnant and lactating cats. The product fully meets their increased need for nutrients and nutrients.

The remaining representatives of the line are intended for animals aged 1 year and older.

Feed cost and sales points

The average cost of Savarra feed is 350 rubles. for 400 g and 1350 rub. for 2 kg. On sale you can find large packages of 15 kg. They cost 8500–8700 rubles. This allows you to reduce the average price of 1 kg from 700–900 rubles. up to 550–600 rub. Purchasing large bags may not be profitable if there is only one cat in the house. Food spoils quickly, so large packages are suitable only for owners of nurseries or shelters.

The website contains a map showing the addresses of stores selling Savarra feed. Their type is indicated there (wholesale, retail or online market), which is very convenient for buyers: they do not need to spend a long time looking for a supplier and checking whether they can sell only 1-2 packages.

For restricted feeding

Preventive cat food is represented in the line by three products:

Savarra Sensitive Cat (for adult cats with sensitive digestion). The product contains 74% meat ingredients (based on lamb meat). Lamb is easy to digest, low in calories, and low in fat. Dietary meat contains enough nutrients, microelements and a full range of amino acids necessary for animals. Lamb protein is rich in selenium, which strengthens the immune system.
Savarra Light/Sterilized Cat (for cats that are overweight and sterilized). 67% of it is meat ingredients. The basis of the food is tender dietary turkey meat, which is useful primarily due to the large amount of vitamins E and A, as well as sodium, which ensures the normalization of metabolism. Thanks to the addition of L-carnitine to the product, fat metabolism is optimized and, as a result, excess weight is gradually lost.

For overweight pets

Savarra Hairball Controlfora Cat (helps get rid of hairballs in the stomach). The food is intended primarily for representatives of long-haired breeds. Thanks to the sufficient amount of fiber (this food contains alfalfa in addition to berries, cereals and vegetables), the wool swallowed during licking does not roll off. It intertwines with fiber fibers and is then excreted through the intestines. The product is based on fresh duck meat, the content of meat components is 69%.

Most veterinarians give positive reviews about Savara food, confirm its benefits and recommend the brand for cats that need specialized nutrition.

Detailed characteristics of Savarra feed

Officially, Savarra food belongs to the super-premium class, but the manufacturer also leaves the Holistic mark on the packaging. This causes confusion. If you focus on quality, diets should be placed between the holistic and super-premium categories: they are slightly less than the former in composition, but they are better than most representatives of the latter class.

It would be better if the manufacturer removed the Holistic label from the packaging: this misleads buyers and causes justified complaints from animal owners

The assortment is not very large: they produce only 6 varieties of dry food. There are no pates or spiders. However, this is sufficient for most pet owners. Personally, I think that this is much better than marketing ploys in the form of imaginary line extensions. This is done, for example, by the Royal Canin brand. The manufacturer slightly changes the proportions of vitamins and minerals, and then presents it as a specialized diet for cats of different breeds. It wouldn’t be such a shame if food actually helped avoid health problems. I have two Persian cats living at home: one is almost 10 years old, the other recently turned 5. The first one has been eating specialized Royal Canin food for Persian cats since childhood. At the age of 4 she developed kidney problems, which are typical for this breed, but usually appear closer to old age. The second one eats Savarra food, we only visit the veterinarian for vaccinations. Perhaps this is due to individual characteristics, but in my impression, Savarra diets are universal and equally well support the normal state of health in representatives of different breeds.

Table: Savarra feed range

Name of food	Peculiarities
Sensitive Cat	The food recipe has been developed taking into account the needs of animals with sensitive digestion. The manufacturer uses lamb as the main source of animal proteins. It is low in calories, easily digestible and low in fat. This allows you to minimize the load on the gastrointestinal tract and prevent the occurrence of digestive disorders. Cats with hypersensitivity often develop associated skin and coat problems. The manufacturer solved this problem by introducing an additional source of animal proteins - dehydrated salmon meat. It contains unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins A and E. Beneficial substances accelerate cell regeneration and help create a protective film on the skin. The latter allows you to retain moisture inside, which prevents drying out and peeling. By eliminating nutrient deficiencies, hair loss decreases. The fat film maintains natural shine.
Light/Sterilized Cat	Light/Sterilized Cat food is suitable for spayed and neutered male and female cats, as well as overweight animals. The composition of the diet helps solve several problems at once: the formulation prevents the formation of stones in the urinary system and the formation of excess fatty tissue. The manufacturer uses turkey, a dietary meat, as the main ingredient. It has a relatively high sodium content. It helps maintain normal water-salt balance. The preventative supplement L-carnitine reduces appetite and promotes the breakdown of fatty tissue. The composition contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which prevent joint destruction due to excess weight. Apple, cranberry and blueberry naturally regulate urine acidity, preventing mineral deposits from forming into stones.
Kitten	The food is given to kittens from 1 month to 1 year. The diet is characterized by a high concentration of vitamins, minerals and fats. This is due to the daily needs of kittens: babies require more nutrients, since their internal organs and systems are actively developing and growing. The manufacturer uses turkey as a source of protein. It is not only better digestible and less stressful on the gastrointestinal tract, but also hypoallergenic, so Savarra food is an excellent option for owners of kittens who are intolerant to chicken. Adding salmon oil helps strengthen the immune system and prevent central nervous system disorders. The food contains apple, blueberries and cranberries, so it can be given to spayed and neutered kittens, provided they are not overweight.
Indoor Cat	The food is intended for cats living indoors. Typically, such diets are low in calories, since inactive animals increase the risk of excess weight, but the manufacturer Savarra decided to take a different route. Indoor Cat food contains more easily digestible vitamins, amino acids and fatty acids. This helps improve vision, maintain cardiovascular health, prevent the occurrence of dermatological diseases, etc. This effect was achieved by using duck as the main ingredient. Most likely, such a decision is associated with risks caused by the cat’s inactivity and the lack of additional food in the diet: mice, poultry and other game that can be caught on the street. The disadvantages include too high calorie content (389 kcal per 100 g) and fat content (20%). This food is not suitable for overweight cats with digestive disorders.
Hairball Control	The manufacturer offers a comprehensive solution to the problem of hairball formation in the stomach. The main ingredient of the food is duck, which contains more different amino acids and has a higher concentration of vitamin A. Together with salmon oil, it reduces the intensity of shedding in cats. Additionally, the food contains more sources of fiber: alfalfa, carrots, oats, etc. Plant fibers prevent hairs from sticking together. This prevents the formation of large lumps that can block the intestines and cause obstruction. Fiber promotes the timely removal of hair from the stomach along with feces. Plant fibers are present in their natural form and are relatively delicate, so the risk of negative reactions even with increased sensitivity is minimal.
Adult Cat	Standard food for adult cats. Contains general preventive additives: brewer's yeast, flaxseeds, Yucca Schidigera, etc. The manufacturer classifies the food as hypoallergenic, although this is not entirely true. The composition contains several types of meat (lamb and salmon), as well as dehydrated eggs. There is no chicken, wheat or corn, but eggs can also cause allergies due to the presence of bird protein. Also, if a negative reaction occurs, it will be difficult to understand what exactly caused it, since the food contains several types of grains and animal ingredients. Hypoallergenic foods are more likely to contain one source of protein and carbohydrates.

Compound

In general, the compositions of the feed are identical and differ only in the types of meat and the set of preventive additives, so it will be enough to consider one sample. As an example, we chose kitten food. Most often, it is the highest quality in the line, since babies need more nutrients and the most natural sources of nutrients.

The granules of all feeds differ in shape and size, so owners can choose the appropriate option based on the animal’s eating habits

Savarra Kitten food contains the following ingredients:

fresh turkey meat;
dehydrated turkey meat;
brown rice;
rice;
oats;
turkey fat;
Brewer's yeast;
peas;
flax seeds;
natural flavor;
salmon oil;
vitamin A;
vitamin D3;
vitamin E;
amino acid chelate zinc hydrate;
iron amino acid chelate hydrate;
manganese amino acid chelate hydrate;
amino acid chelate copper hydrate;
methionine;
taurine;
Yucca Schidigera;
apple;
carrot;
tomatoes;
seaweed;
cranberry;
blueberry.

Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not indicate the percentage, although this is desirable for super-premium foods and mandatory for holistic people. The buyer can only guess about the real state of affairs, since the composition contains a lot of both cereals and meat components. The first place is occupied by fresh meat, but its share is significantly reduced after heat treatment. There are more plant components in total, since the manufacturer adds many different varieties: rice, brown rice, oats, etc. Most likely, the food contains about 35–40% meat, and 45–50% grains. Compared to other diets, this is a good indicator. Not the best, but not the worst either.

The color of the granules is not as dark as we would like: this is due to the excess of cereals in the composition

What is captivating is that the manufacturer uses pure meat without additives. Not all companies can boast of this. At best, corporations add whole carcasses without internal organs; at worst, they add a mixture of dubious offal. Cats absorb nutrients from muscle tissue well. They receive much less nutrients from other parts, which can cause amino acid deficiency. With Savarra food you don't have to worry about this. On the other hand, the manufacturer still adds taurine to the feed, which indirectly indicates a shortage of meat ingredients. Perhaps the company is simply playing it safe.

The packages have special fasteners, which prevents premature spoilage of the food.

There are practically no anonymous names in the list of ingredients. If it is yeast, then the manufacturer indicates that it is brewer's yeast. The type of meat and the source of fat have been specified. There is no exact information about the nature of the origin of the natural flavor, but this may be due to a production secret. Although, of course, it would be better if the company did not hide the composition. The owner of the animal must know what he is buying.

Some customers have reported that suppliers puncture the packaging to allow air to escape to make it easier to transport, so it is important to check the integrity of the bag before purchasing

There are preventive additives in the food, but there is nothing special on the list. Blueberries and cranberries prevent the development of urolithiasis. Carrots, apples and tomatoes improve intestinal motility. Yucca Schidigera reduces fecal odor. The manufacturer introduces most of the beneficial substances into the composition not in the form of separate additives, but together with whole ingredients. This is preferable for cats, since they better absorb vegetables, fruits and berries rather than vitamin-mineral complexes.

Cost and Availability

The average price for 1 kg is 650–700 rubles. Large bags (15 kg) have recently gone on sale. They are more profitable: on average, 1 kg in such packaging costs 550 rubles. However, it is recommended only for nursery owners to purchase large packages. Otherwise, the food will spoil before the cat eats it. This amount turned out to be a lot even for my two pets. On average, my cats eat 100 g of granules per day, i.e. 3 kg per month. Even when stored in airtight containers, the food remains fresh for a maximum of 2 months, then it begins to go rancid due to contact with air. I only found out about this when the cats suddenly refused food. I called a veterinarian I know and he advised me to buy another bag. This worked, the cats managed to get hungry and immediately pounced on the food. Eating spoiled food can cause poisoning and even infection, so it is important to monitor the freshness of the food.

Savarra food is sold only in the Russian Federation. It may be possible to purchase the company’s products from partners and resellers in other countries, but this will be problematic. You can’t find Savarra diets in all pet stores, so it’s better to order food online.

Feeding recommendations

Due to the high meat content, excess food can be difficult for a cat to tolerate and negatively affect its condition. Therefore, before feeding, you should carefully study the manufacturer’s recommendations indicated on the packaging.

The required amount of Savara feed per day is calculated based on the weight of the animal. For kittens the norms are as follows:

0.35-0.7 kg – 27-45 g per day;
0.7-1.8 kg – 45-68 g per day;
1.8-2.8 kg – 68-76 g per day;
2.8-5 kg – 76-100 g per day;
5 kg and more – from 100 g per day.

Standard for adult cats:

1-2.5 kg – 30-45g per day;
2.5-3.5 kg – 45-50 g per day;
3.5-5 kg – 50-55 g per day;
5 kg and more – from 55 g per day.

- Yummy!..
It should be remembered that for adult animals two feedings a day are enough. Kittens need to be fed 3-4 times.

Table: feed to replace Savarra

Name, country of origin	Class	Percentage of meat in composition	Peculiarities	Price
Wildcat, Germany	Holistic	80%	A very large percentage of meat in the composition, grain-free composition, no potatoes, many vitamins and minerals in the composition, natural preservatives	From 1950 rubles for 3 kg
Acana, Canada	Holistic	From 50% and above	The percentage of all main components is indicated, does not contain wheat and corn, contains many vitamins and minerals, is easy to find in stores	From 1500 rubles for 1.8 kg
Farmina N&D, Serbia	Holistic	From 50% and above	Natural composition, there are low-grain and grain-free foods, a veterinary line, natural preservatives and antioxidants in the composition, a variety of flavors	From 1000 rubles per 2 kg
Brit Care, Czech Republic	Super premium	40–50%	Does not contain wheat and corn, has a line of wet food, is widely distributed in stores	800–1000 rubles per 2 kg
Leonardo, Germany	Super premium	40–50%	Natural ingredients, natural preservatives (tocopherols) are used, there is a line of wet food and vitamin supplements	From 1000 rubles per 2 kg
1st Choice, Canada	Super premium	From 35% and above	Natural preservatives, good vitamin and mineral supplement, has a wet food line, easy to find on sale	From 1300 rubles for 2.7 kg

Photo gallery: feed to replace Savarra

ACANA Grasslands consists of 75% duck, egg, fish and turkey and 25% fruit and vegetables

Leonardo Adult Cat Poultry Grain Free contains predominantly fresh poultry meat and no grains.

In the Farmina Natural & Delicious food series you can find many delicious flavors for your pet, such as wild boar meat with apple

Among 1st Choice food there are products both for animals of different ages and with health conditions, for example food for cats with allergies

The name of the food Wildcat (wild cat) reminds that cats are predators who primarily need meat

The undoubted advantage of this line of food is the excellent combination of price and quality.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of Savarra food:

excellent quality, fully consistent with European standards;
high content of animal protein, most of which is obtained from fresh meat;
each type of food contains one type of meat - this allows you to choose a diet for pets with allergies;
absence of foods that can cause allergies (for example, beef, chicken, soy, corn, wheat);
only natural additives, including preservatives and flavors;
rich, balanced composition, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants;

Disadvantages of the food include:

high cost;
small assortment;
insufficient prevalence (rarely found in pet stores);
lack of percentages of components on the packaging.

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the advantages are the following factors:

Compliance of the composition of the declared information. During Roskachestvo's research, no deviations were found.
Has a zip fastener. It helps keep food fresh longer by limiting the supply of oxygen.
Relatively high meat content compared to other super-premium and lower Savarra foods. Meat in the first and second positions is a good result. The products are inferior to some holistic ones, but this is expected.
Almost complete absence of allergens. Contains no wheat, corn, soy or gluten. Eggs are present and may cause allergies in some cats, but this is rare.
Several types of dry food. The wide range is not made for appearances: ready-made diets really differ in composition and set of preventive additives. In most cases, food does its job.
Using quality ingredients. The composition does not include offal or whole carcasses, but meat. If it is fat, then the source is indicated. The meat is used fresh.
Relatively low cost. When compared with other super-premium brands, the price of Savarra food differs by 10–30%.

The disadvantages include the following factors:

Increased calcium and phosphorus content. It does not exceed the norm, but the concentration is close to borderline. In some animals this can cause the development of diseases.
The presence of cereals in the composition. This is normal for super-premium foods, but I would like to see a grain-free formula in the line, even if it is relatively expensive.
Availability of vitamins, minerals and acids in the form of supplements. Nutrients in their natural form are better absorbed by the body.
No percentage of ingredients. The key disadvantage of Savarra feed. The manufacturer stated that about 70% of the composition is meat components, but the buyer cannot verify this. In addition, fresh meat comes first. Its actual proportion in the finished dry food will decrease due to water evaporation. There is less liquid in cereals; they are located immediately after meat, so their total amount is probably higher.
May cause adverse reactions in some cats. This happens extremely rarely, but still alfalfa can provoke a hormonal imbalance.
It may spoil ahead of schedule. This was found out during research. Most likely, few antioxidants and preservatives were added to the food. On the one hand, this is good, because synthetic substances can harm the body. On the other hand, spoiled food is no less dangerous, since bacteria begin to multiply in it. If the granules spoil prematurely, they become rancid, so the cat may refuse to eat if the package has been opened for a long time.

Controversial factors include the use of predominantly one type of meat in feed. This prevents the occurrence of allergic reactions and helps to identify the irritant in the event of the development of individual intolerance, but the pet does not receive a varied set of amino acids, vitamins and microelements. This is compensated for by additives, but I would like to see useful substances in their natural form.

For domestic cats

It is no secret that if an animal lives in an apartment, its diet should be very varied, since it does not have the opportunity to go outside and find useful plants. An ideal option for a city cat is a special diet with duck and rice “Sawara”. Cat food, a review of which highlights the clear improvement in the pet’s health since switching to this diet, is becoming increasingly popular. Rich in protein, minerals and fiber, a balanced diet based on duck meat strengthens the immune system and normalizes digestion in a mustachioed pet. Nutritional value: proteins 30%, fats 20%, fiber 1.5%. Additionally, the composition includes omega-3 and -6, essential amino acids, vitamins A, D3, E, methionine and taurine. Rosemary extract acts as natural antioxidants.

Review of Savara cat food

The Savara brand is available in limited versions, but the available range satisfies the needs of cats of all age categories. Since the product composition contains healthy, selected and natural ingredients, the food can be used for cats of different breeds.

The food is produced exclusively in dry form. The Savara line includes a variety for feeding pets with sensitive digestion and a balanced food for small kittens. Savara is also produced for sterilized cats with dietary turkey meat, food for cats that do not have the opportunity to walk, and food for pets that are allowed to walk. There is a specially produced food for long-haired breeds that helps eliminate hairballs.

Price and where to buy

You can buy this food in the following online pet stores:

"Zoopassage" ():
Dry food Savarra 2 kg - from 1536 rubles;
Dry food "Savara" 15 kg - from 9270 rub.
"ZooMag"():
Packaging 2 kg - from 1536 rubles;
Packaging 12 kg - from 7050 rub.
Yandex Market" ().

Prices shown are current as of April 2020 and may change over time. For exact prices, check the pet stores using the links above.