Am I the only one who finds this sickening?

[jackrussellgirl]

Originally Posted by naturestee

I disagree with the multiple protein source simply because of sensitive/allergic kitties.

Please give a better argument than that. I have sat through multiple nutrition lectures and I have always been told that multiple protein sources are the only way to provide all the nutrition, unless its egg. There is no way an animal is going to get all the omegas and proteins the need unless they are eating multiple protein sources. I don't mean to sound rude but I think you need a little more research there.

[salana]

If your cat was very allergic and could only eat venison, rabbit, or lobster, wouldn't you like single-source foods? There was a family at the vet with a cat that couldn't eat any other meats.

[kittnkarr]

Originally Posted by jackrussellgirl

Please give a better argument than that. I have sat through multiple nutrition lectures and I have always been told that multiple protein sources are the only way to provide all the nutrition, unless its egg. There is no way an animal is going to get all the omegas and proteins the need unless they are eating multiple protein sources. I don't mean to sound rude but I think you need a little more research there.

I believe what he/she meant that if a cat has multiple allergies to forms of protein it is best to stick with a food that only offers one type to help in eliminating the chance of having any allergy flare ups.

I have a cat that is now 7 yrs old and it took until about the last year to truely figure out that she had food allergies and I have had her since she was 6 months old. It wasn't until she grew older that it affected her more and more. I have tried to find foods that have only one source of protien and no grains(biggest factor) so that I can just elminate all her problems in one shot.

She and all 3 other cats are currently on California Natural Herring and Sweet Potato food along with Wysongs Vension or Rabbit canned food as an additional treat here and there. Those are the 3 protiens that I know that do not cause flare ups. The cats are healthier now that they are on this food. I also use Natural Balance Venision and Green Pea when I am in a pinch and run out of the other food since they enjoy that as well.

Back to the original post. Yes I agree that people just don't want to know or don't care about what they are feeding their pets. They just want whats low cost and more for the buck. They will also buy things that are "commercialized" (on TV) and figure that it's a great food. It takes some people to see what is truely in the dogs food or see what a "Premium" product looks like and compare it to the "non premium" food in person for them to realize why they would need to consider a better brand.

[jackrussellgirl]

Originally Posted by salana

If your cat was very allergic and could only eat venison, rabbit, or lobster, wouldn't you like single-source foods? There was a family at the vet with a cat that couldn't eat any other meats.

No I wouldn't. I would feed the cat a food that has venison and rabbit Etc. Or mix types of canned food.

[Spiffy'n'Spunky]

Thank you for the link to that great website, fairysari.

I am so happy to hear that at least there are some sane people in this world who realize that companies like Nestle and Proctor and Gamble should not be making our pets food.

I personally feed my dogs Canidae Chicken and Rice or sometimes the Lamb and rice to chang it up a little. One has pretty bad allergies so she can't have much else. My cats eat Evolve Maintenace food.

The brands I know of that are decent are:
Innova (EVO too)
California Natural
Natural Balance
Evolve
Merrik
Nature's Variety
Chicken Soup line
Canidae/Felidae

Every animal is different and each of the foods are different, it is just a matter of finding that perfect fit.

[naturestee]

Originally Posted by jackrussellgirl

Please give a better argument than that. I have sat through multiple nutrition lectures and I have always been told that multiple protein sources are the only way to provide all the nutrition, unless its egg. There is no way an animal is going to get all the omegas and proteins the need unless they are eating multiple protein sources. I don't mean to sound rude but I think you need a little more research there.

Actually, the fatty oils in California Natural are provided by sunflower oil and flaxseed oil. The canned, which they'll get once a day once it comes in, has a little bit of fish in it. Plus it is supplemented with vitamins and minerals and I do trust the company as it's the same one that makes Innova.

And yes, I do think that single protein foods are necessary for allergic kittens. For one, I am not going to feed rabbit to my cats, ever, unless it's the last protein on this earth that doesn't make Lily sick. I'm owned by four rabbits. Also, an elimination diet is necessary for at least the first few months before you can try other foods to see what causes allergic reactions in the cat. This is the only way to determine exactly what's causing the allergy. Third, I've already found that switching Lily's food, whether the dry or canned, also sets off some of her symptoms and I also need to feed the same canned formula as dry. So for her, it has to be one brand, one flavor, and for now one protein. For a fourth, this poor kitty also has feline herpes and the stress of her painful allergy symptoms (severe bloating and gas, sometimes to the point where she walks stiffly and is lethargic) are potentially setting off the herpes.

If it wasn't for her food issues, I would continue to feed Chicken Soup which has chicken, turkey, duck, and salmon. I think multiple protein sources are good for cats that can tolerate them, but I don't think they're totally necessary provided the food is high quality and is made by a manufacturer you can trust.

[zippysmom]

I am really glad I read this. I guess I am one of those ignorant people since the commercial for IAMS is so attractive. I guess like me, IAMS has a cute commercial and everyone is tempted to buy it. When they talk about what it contains, I think that I would want to be eating it. Now that I know that it has repulsive chemicals I won't buy it. In the commercial it shows fish, eggs, meat and chicken which sounds pretty good.

[naturestee]

Zippysmom- that's the problem with commercials for pet foods, you're paying for them when you buy the product. The more advertisements they do, the more it costs you. A lot of premium foods advertise mainly by their website and word-of-mouth, and are doing very well for it.

I'd recommend looking at ingredients. There are similar-priced foods that are much better as they don't have meat by-products (includes the "waste" parts of the animals and are much less digestible), ground corn (less digestible, sometimes an allergen), etc.