Feed manufacturer
The production of Gina cat food belongs to the Russian limited liability company Magna. The products are created in specialized factories abroad, and the specified company has been a customer and importer of ready-made diets for animals of its own brands since 1996. The organization owns several food series at once; its product portfolio includes the following brands of cat food:
- Gina - made in Denmark and Thailand;
- Gina Elite - factories are located in Canada and the UK;
- X-Cat - Italian production;
- Mi-Mi is a canned food produced in Thailand.
Features of Gina food
Gina cat food belongs to the super premium category. This means that high-quality ingredients with low allergenicity were used in its creation. So, products of this type should not contain either corn or wheat, which are often poorly tolerated by cats. The assortment includes two product lines: dry diets and wet food in pouches.
Dry diets
The supply of dry food is limited to only 4 types of diets:
- Kitten 33 - for kittens, pregnant and lactating cats;
- Cat 33 - for active and show cats;
- Cat 30 - for adult cats with a normal activity level;
- Cat Rabbit&Rice - for adult cats with a normal activity level.
Photo gallery: dry cat food “Gina”
Feed is available in several packaging options: 1, 3, 7.5 and 18 kg. In all types, the granules are rounded triangular in shape, flat, measuring 6 by 6 mm (only food for kittens and nursing cats measures 10 by 10 mm). The cost of feed, according to the official website, is 400–455 rubles per 1 kg.
The number in the name of the food has a specific meaning - it indicates the percentage of protein contained in the diet.
Let's take a closer look at the main components of food for adult cats Cat 30:
- Chicken meat and sea fish fillet were used as protein sources (the manufacturer does not specify which one). The wording “chicken meat” allows us to judge that a mixture of poultry muscle tissue and skin was used without the addition of entrails, feathers and bones. This component is easily absorbed in the cat’s body, and its location in the first position in the composition indicates its large share. Sea fish fillet is in 5th place in the composition and is also a valuable product for animals.
The main source of protein in the feed is chicken, which is in first place among the ingredients
The calorie content of food for adult cats is 3880 Kcal per kg. According to the manufacturer's recommendations, an animal weighing 4 kg should receive 62 grams of product per day, which is 240 kcal. Considering that the average requirement of an adult healthy 4-kilogram animal with moderate activity is about 200–240 kcal (50–60 kcal per 1 kg of weight), the food fully satisfies such needs.
Feeding rates are indicated on the official website and on each pack of food.
Table: comparison of dry food from the Gina line
- chicken's meat;
- lamb meat;
- rice;
- barley;
- oats;
- sea fish fillet;
- beet;
- chicken fat;
- fish fat;
- egg;
- Brewer's yeast;
- probiotics.
- methionine;
- lecithin;
- taurine;
- tryptophan;
- synthesized taurine;
- vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, D3, E, K, C, biotin (H), PP;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- phosphorus;
- zinc;
- iron;
- copper;
- sodium.
- chicken's meat;
- lamb meat;
- rice;
- barley;
- oats;
- sea fish fillet;
- peas;
- beet;
- chicken fat;
- fish fat;
- Brewer's yeast;
- probiotics.
- methionine;
- lecithin;
- taurine;
- tryptophan;
- synthesized taurine;
- vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, D3, E, K, C, biotin (H), PP;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- phosphorus;
- zinc;
- iron;
- copper;
- sodium.
- chicken's meat;
- rabbit meat;
- rice;
- barley;
- oats;
- beet;
- chicken fat;
- fish fat;
- probiotics;
- fructooligosaccharides.
- methionine;
- lecithin;
- taurine;
- tryptophan;
- synthesized taurine;
- vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, D3, E, K, C, biotin (H), PP;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- phosphorus;
- zinc;
- iron;
- copper;
- sodium.
The following conclusions can be drawn about the composition of dry food:
- the manufacturer does not indicate the percentage of protein components, which makes it impossible to judge their quantity;
- animal and fish oil in the diets are not specified, and products of unknown origin among the ingredients do not inspire confidence, because their benefits cannot be judged;
- lack of variety of vegetables;
- the additional presence of synthesized taurine indicates that there is not enough animal protein in the feed, so the most important amino acid is added separately;
- in general, the composition, although not rich, consists of natural ingredients and provides the animal with both calories and nutrients.
Wet food
Canned food "Gina" is produced in pouches and comes in several types:
- chicken with tuna;
- tuna and sardine;
- tuna and beef;
- tuna in sauce;
- tuna with vegetables;
- tuna with squid.
The cost of one pack is from 62 to 82 rubles, depending on the specific taste; one pack contains 85 grams.
Table: comparison of compositions of canned food for cats
- tuna fillet - 50%;
- broth - 44.3%;
- beef fillet - 4.5%;
- gelatin - 1.2%.
- tuna fillet - 43.5%;
- broth - 43.9%;
- tuna pate - 11.4%;
- gelatin - 1.2%.
- tuna fillet - 50%;
- broth - 44.3%;
- sardine - 4.5%;
- gelatin - 1.2%.
- chicken fillet - 42%;
- broth - 52.3%;
- tuna fillet - 4.5%;
- gelatin - 1.2%.
- tuna fillet - 50.4%;
- broth - 43.9%;
- squid - 4.5%;
- gelatin - 1.2%.
- tuna fillet - 49.2%;
- broth - 43.9%;
- carrots - 3.4%;
- cereals - 2.3%;
- gelatin - 1.2%.
What food to replace “Gina”
Foods that can replace “Gina”:
- premium: Royal Canin, Science Plan;
- super premium: Pronature Original, Bozita, Monge;
- holistic: Farmina N&D (“Farmina”), Grandorf (“Grandorf”), Now (“Nau”).
Photo gallery: replacement feed
Royal Canin is a popular brand not only among cat owners, but also among veterinarians
Hill's has a wide veterinary line - there are foods for cats of different ages and with various diseases
Bozita" is different in that this food also contains exotic products (for example, lobster and venison)
Pronature food does not contain grains, corn and soy, which are often included in cat food to increase volume.
Holistic foods such as Go can also be consumed by humans, since the product is based on high-quality natural ingredients
Table: replacement feed
Class | Type | Name | Manufacturer country | Flavors | Main cast | Release form | Availability of special lines | Kitten food | Price |
Premium | Dry and wet | Royal Canin | France | Meat, fish, turkey, chicken | Content:
| Packages of 400 g, 1.5 and 3 kg, 6 kg, pouches, jars and sachets of 85 g and 195 g | There are veterinary and preventive foods for cats of different ages and breeds | Medium Junior, Pediatric Queen, Mother & Babycat | Up to 500 rubles (400 g) |
Science Plan | Content:
| Pouches of 85 g, bags of 350 g, 1.5 kg, 3 kg and 7 or 8 kg | Preventive feeds have been developed for animals of different ages (sterilized, prone to disease, etc.) | Kitten and Healthy Development (suitable for pregnant and lactating cats) | From 200 rubles (350 g) | ||||
Superpremium | Dry | Pronature Original | Canada | Chicken, lamb | Content:
| Packages of 340 g, 2.72 and 5.44 kg, 11.3 kg | Classic Recipe (from 2 months) | ||
Dry and wet | Bozita | Sweden | Chicken, fish, venison, beef, lobster, liver, duck, lamb | Content:
| Tetrapacks of 190 and 370 g, bags of 400 g, 2 and 10 kg | Feline Kitten | From 168 rubles (370 g) | ||
Dry | Monge | Italy | Fish, anchovies, rabbit, shrimp, liver | Content:
| Sachets of 100 g, bags of 400 g and 1.5 kg | There is preventive food for sterilized/neutered animals and therapeutic food (for diabetes, urolithiasis, etc.) | Kitten | From 950 rubles (1.5 kg) | |
Holistic | Dry and wet | Farmina N&D | Italy, Brazil, Serbia | Chicken/pomegranate, fish/orange, boar/apple, lamb/blueberry, ocean fish, beef, rabbit | Content:
| Packages of 300 g, 1.5 and 10 kg, cans of 85 and 405 g | There is preventive food for spayed/neutered cats of different ages | N&D Cat Chicken & Pomegranate Kitten (for kittens, pregnant and lactating cats) | From 410 rubles (300 g) |
Grandorf | Belgium | Lamb/rice, meat/rice, white fish/potatoes | Content:
| Pouches of 70 g, bags of 400 g, 2 kg | Kitten | From 370 rubles (400 g) |
Gina Elite food
Unlike the Gina reviewed, Gina Elite food belongs to the holistic category - nutrition for animals of the highest class. It produces only in the form of dry rations in several forms:
- for adult cats with duck and rice;
- for adult cats with salmon, grain-free formula;
- for adult cats with chicken and rice;
- for sterilized cats;
- for cats with sensitive digestion;
- for kittens.
Photo gallery: Gina Elite food range
The products of the line are packaged in packages of 1, 3 and 15 kg. There are no medicinal or wet food under this name.
The holistic category explains the significant differences in composition compared to Gina diets. Let's look at the components of a diet for adult cats with duck and rice:
- Duck meat (31%) is the only meat component in the composition that provides the bulk of the protein. Considering that the guaranteed analysis contains 30% protein, most likely this means dehydrated meat.
In the food, duck meat is in first place as the main source of protein.
The total energy value of this food is 3810 kcal per kg of product, but the consumption rate is lower than that of the super premium food from the same company - 50 grams for a cat weighing 4 kg.
Advantages and disadvantages
Feeds of this level often have the same disadvantages:
- they are not widely available;
- high price.
By purchasing Gina and Gina Elite, you can be absolutely sure that your cat is provided with the best nutrition, because:
- the product meets the declared quality;
- the composition is maximally adapted to the needs of the pet;
- A large selection of not only dry, but also wet food guarantees satisfaction of the whims of any gourmet.
GINA for cats
The food is available in two versions (elite and super-premium), differing only in protein content. But it does not fall below the physiological norm of daily consumption. The quality of the food is good, but there is an interesting nuance with the carbohydrate component. There are no grains in the composition at all. At first glance, this is good, the food is hypoallergenic. But everything is ruined by the high content of brown rice; it is even found in food for cats with specific needs. The fiber it contains is difficult and takes a long time to digest, which makes the food unsuitable for older animals and cats with sensitive digestion. Brewer's yeast is present in small quantities. They quickly reduce shedding, improve coat quality, and eliminate skin peeling and itching. But many animals have pronounced allergic reactions to this component. The granules are too small and do not do a good job of cleaning teeth. According to this criterion, Gina is not suitable for large breeds. This food can only be used as the basis of the diet for absolutely healthy young animals. But it is better to combine or alternate it with other high-quality feeds.
The food is indeed made abroad, but is packaged in Russia, and in premises unsuitable for this. I once got into a conversation at a dog show with one girl, and she told me that she sells this food, and her husband works in a warehouse where the food is packaged. I also met a girl at a cat show who claimed that all her kittens were poisoned by this food. I don't know if this is true or not.
Gina's kitten food contains 52% meat, fish and chicken liver. Calorie content per 100 g of product - 463 kcal. At the norm per 1 kg of weight - 80 kcal. My kitten eats one handful. The daily dose of calories is enough to provide the kitten with energy in a smaller portion. The food contains a meat component and fiber. The dish is ready to use and only requires water next to the bowl. 1 kg costs 540 rubles. Food in the form of small hearts. Compared to kibbles for adult cats, food for kittens is small and soft. I’m even a little upset that in a couple of months I need to change to adult food, it has such a good consumption, but it’s too high in calories for an adult cat.
It is always beneficial to take a product that is not promoted and has excellent quality. Gina super-premium is many times more profitable than its classmates from Canada Origin and Akana. Gina contains everything a predator needs. Everything is spelled out clearly and clearly, excluding offal, entrails, scales, tails and hooves. The product is indicated and what part is taken, for example: Atlantic fish - fillet. Having tried this food, the cat will not eat anything else (this means cat food of the lower classes, if you want to transfer it to a higher class or natural products, it is possible, without harm to health). There is no point in comparing the appearance, all croquettes/crackers/baked squares look the same, but the smell of the food is distinctive - pronounced, alluring, appetizing and surprisingly not disgusting. It does not contain cheap corn, which plays a role in the formation of constipation, but what is there is pleasantly surprising: blueberries, spinach, pumpkin, dried apples, beets, carrots. This is the super-premium class: when everything is made from clearly agreed upon parts of the product in advance, everything is fresh and will not harm the animal. I think a huge advantage is that the food is not promoted, thanks to this it costs several times less, there are no expenses for advertising and no expenses due to the hype. No advertising stimulation, just food. High quality food.
The Gina brand produces both premium and holistic foods. I bought both options, in both cases the quality is excellent, the only difference is in the protein content (there is no less than 28%) and useful additives. In all cases, the food is grain-free, which makes it hypoallergenic. But with all its advantages, food from three cats suited only two. The whole problem is brown rice, which has a high fiber content. Stomach problems began due to difficulties with digestion. Not all cats are suitable for brewer's yeast, but there aren't that many. And there is some mystery with the composition; the manufacturer decided to hide what meat he uses in production - fresh or dehydrated. To saturate the holistic, less than premium is required. Cats eat all flavors with great appetite. There were no difficulties with the transition to Gina after cheaper food. But the holistic pets immediately refused to eat, so they had to use premium as an intermediate stage.
I buy only the Elite series food of this brand, they are holistic and produced in Canada, and this guarantees high quality. In the first place in the list of ingredients is pure meat (minimum 47%), followed by fish fillet and chicken liver. The latter component is not particularly beneficial for the skin, especially when consumed daily, but its share is small. The carbohydrate component is provided by rice, barley and oats. Many natural sources of vitamins include beets, apples, cranberries and blueberries, peas, pumpkin and spinach. The food quickly normalized digestion due to the presence of prebiotics. We are not talking about any grains, corn, soybeans, offal, bone meal and other unhealthy, low-nutrient nonsense. The price of the food is rather high, but it corresponds to the high quality. It's not always easy to find Gina on sale, but online stores always have it. The granules are small, large cats find it uncomfortable, they simply swallow them, sometimes causing mild vomiting or bloating. The composition of the food is very close to the natural diet. The assortment includes many different flavors and many different packaging, the largest is 18 kg, very convenient if the herd of cats is large. There is no addiction to the food, cats do not overeat and do not drink too much afterwards. They have more than enough energy, they sleep well, the quality of their fur is excellent, and their stool is normal. But all this had to wait; positive changes did not happen immediately.
“Gina hebol control for impaired elimination of hairballs” was recommended to us after gastric lavage, during a blockage and the cat’s complete refusal to eat. Unfortunately, our cat has a rare deviation in the spontaneous dissolution of hair, there is not enough acidity and the hair is very long, the hair is trapped while washing, it accumulates until the stomach is completely filled and we almost ruined it by missing the accumulation. This causes pain and discomfort, the cat refuses to eat, goes to the bowl and cries. We ate this food for 3 months and a repeat ultrasound showed no blockages. The wool comes out through the mouth, which in turn prevents the wool from getting stuck along the intestines and forming blockages. I mistakenly thought that this type of food dissolves all the wool in the stomach, but this is not so - the wool simply regurgitates. Gina's food contains a lot of oils and fibers, and a lot of probiotics. And the cleansing properties occur thanks to the herbs included in the composition: flaxseed, peas. We are recommended to do an ultrasound every 3 months; if the accumulation occurs again, surgical intervention is indicated. All hope is for Gina. The only thing I think is that the composition is very clumsily written, everything is written in approximate quantities.
I give my castrated cat wet food 2-3 times a week, replacing his main meal. I couldn’t settle on anything specific. Murzik seems to eat everything, but I’m more picky than he is. I pay attention to all the little details in the composition. If the food is normal, it can be very expensive; cheap is not an option. And I bought Gina’s canned food at a promotion with a 50% discount; in total it cost me 27 rubles. Most likely this was due to the fact that the expiration date was coming to an end. The cat lost his appetite, as soon as he smelled the smell, he began to meow and licked the cup until it was shiny. The composition is excellent, the price even without a discount is also tolerable, so for now we are stuck with these canned goods. They perfectly complement the main diet. Dried meat does not have a very rich meat composition; Gina, on the contrary, is rich in protein, it contains tuna and sardines. The portion seems small to the cat, he would gobble up more, but this can cause weight gain, so I restrain his desires. And these feelings of insufficient satiety only in the first five minutes after eating, then the cat realizes that it is full and stops asking.
Review of Gina Elite cat food
Gina Elite dry cat food is produced in Canada and the UK, by GA Pet Food Partners, respectively. The official website is https://gina.ru/, it provides information about the composition, feeding standards, etc. This food is positioned as holistic.
It should be noted that Gina Elit food is manufactured to order from the Russian company, so there is no information about this brand on the official websites of the above factories. The same company imports Gina (not to be confused with Gina Elite), Wildy, X-CAT, X-DOG, Mi-Mi food.
The GA Pet Food Partners plant in the UK also produces Dukes Farm dry food sold in Beethoven.
Composition of Gina Elite food
Let's take a look at the composition of Gina Elite food using the example of the Cat Active Grain Free option (for active cats), produced in Canada. You can see it in the image (click on it to enlarge for easier reading):
On the left is a photo of the composition from the packaging, on the right is a screenshot from the official website.
The first three ingredients - turkey meat 46%, ocean fish fillet and egg - are sources of protein. Not specified, fresh or dehydrated turkey meat is used. However, given the 38% protein in the analysis and the lack of other protein-rich ingredients, it is likely that dehydrated meat is used.
Flaxseed, alfalfa, sunflower oil and fish oil are sources of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Brewer's yeast is rich in B vitamins. Sweet potatoes and peas are sources of carbohydrates. It’s really strange to see them so far down in the composition, given their location after brewer’s yeast - at most there are a couple of percent of them. And this is unlikely, because if you add up the percentages of substances from the guaranteed analysis, it turns out that there should be at least 20% carbohydrates.
Pumpkin, spinach, broccoli, peppers, dried apples, pears, carrots, bananas are primarily sources of fiber, although they also contain various beneficial substances. Cranberries and blueberries have strong antioxidant properties. Dried seaweed is rich in iodine.
Gina Elite produced in the UK - belongs to the super premium class (formulas Adult Cat Duck & Rice, Grain Free Adult Cat Salmon, Cat Sensitive) and to the premium class (formulas ADULT CAT Sterilized, KITTEN, ADULT CAT Chicken & Rice).
Rosemary and chicory root extract are antioxidants. Yucca Schidigera extract reduces the odor of excrement. There is nothing dangerous among the other ingredients; they all act as sources of various beneficial substances.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the food include:
- the main source of protein is meat and fish;
- grain-free composition (feed produced in Canada);
- natural preservatives and antioxidants are used (tocophelorus, rosemary extract);
- relatively low price (compared to many analogues).
Disadvantages of Gina Elite food:
- feed produced in the UK contains wheat and corn;
- not very common, sold in few pet stores.
Description of additives in feed
Turkey broth is used as a flavor and aroma enhancer in the diet. This is a fairly common practice in the industry. This food also contains yucca extract - it can be regarded as a technological component. According to the manufacturer, it is designed to reduce the unpleasant odor of feces, but strictly speaking, even with it, the excrement of any cat will not smell like roses.
The list of ingredients also includes various herbal additives - tomatoes, carrots, chicory, cranberries. These are all sources of fiber, and most likely there is very little of each in the feed. Chicory also serves as a source of the prebiotic inulin, which helps normalize the balance of intestinal microflora. In addition, vitamin and mineral balancing supplements are listed in detail on the packaging.
Cat food Gina Elite - reviews
Despite the fact that food under the Gina Elite brand has been sold in Russia for a long time, there are not so many reviews about it. We've shared a few of the ones we found below.
Reviews from veterinarians
Customer Reviews
My cat has been using Gina Elite food for sterilized cats for a couple of years now. I always ordered 3 kg bags, they are more economical in price and need to be purchased less often. The cat ate with pleasure, there was no stomach upset, and his fur was shiny. But the cat refused to eat the food from the last bag she bought, and when she looked closely at it she saw mold! The shelf life was still half a year.
I contacted the store, apologized and offered to replace the food. I thought a little and decided to try a different brand. Now we eat Gou, it is more expensive, but there are almost no negative reviews about it, and after the mold situation I found a lot of negative reviews about Gin.
We have been feeding the entire nursery with Gina Elite dryer for two years now, there are no complaints, I recommend it to everyone. Before this, for about seven years, all cats ate Royal Canin, and everything was fine too. They changed the food only because the imported cat’s fur began to look flattering. We tried Gina Elite on the recommendation of someone from our breeders club. Within about a month, the cat's fur was restored.
The other cats were transferred to make it more convenient, otherwise it would be difficult to ensure that one did not eat food from the others. No one had any negative consequences, and in the end they stayed at Gin. In terms of price, this food is no more expensive, especially when bought in large bags.
Our cat ate Bozita for a long time, but 2 months ago, in order to save money, we switched to Gina Elite, his friends recommended it. The first Canadian-made package went well, but the second time they took it in a different English-made package. As a result, the cat became constipated and could not go to the toilet normally for a couple of days.
Customer Reviews
Elena, 32 years old. We found my cat by chance in the entrance. He was so fluffy and cute that I couldn’t resist and took him with me. Now we live together, which I am very happy about. From the very beginning, I decided to feed him good food. And I spent a long time getting acquainted with all the material about food for cats in order to make the most accurate choice. At first we ate Pronature. But after a year of feeding, the cat began to eat it with less pleasure and appetite, and often did not finish eating. I had to reconsider my views on feeding and select new food. On the counter in the pet store I noticed a new product; I had never seen it in any store before. The seller said that the food is of Canadian quality and there is a special food intended for sterilized cats. I was very pleased with the composition, so I decided to buy a kilogram package. The daily intake is less than the food I used before. This allows you to save significantly. You can find food for any cat and kitten, so I will recommend it to my friends.
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Christina, 28 years old. I have a British Fold cat. I have been using Gine Elite food for feeding her for a long time. I love the difference it makes to my cat's appearance. Excellent health, silky soft coat and generally appears active and cheerful. I chose this food based on its composition and reasonable price. It contains a lot of protein ingredients and carbohydrates. Also pleasing is the presence of fiber and a large complex of vitamins. Prices for other foods in the same class are much higher, so I don’t plan to switch to another food yet. If you are looking for a quality and inexpensive food, then I think this will suit you.