Cat Food

[Susan9608]

I posted about this in a dog food thread, but I guess rather than derail that thread, I'll start my own.

I need some information on good cat food. I'm too lazy to feed raw, so I have to use some kind of commercially prepared food. And I want to feed my felines whatever it takes to keep them healthy and happy.

My vet is a big advocate of Royal Canin. However, I have a cat that won't eat it. He takes a bite or too, then begs for people food, or digs through the trash, or eats the dog's food.

I've found lots of threads, forums, and information regarding dog food and the best way to determine if a brand is "good". But I can't seem to find the same info on cat food - too many opinions, not enough fact. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.

I have 3 cats. 2 males, 1 female, all fixed, all indoor, ranging in age from 1 year to 7 years. The oldest is overweight (also the one who won't eat the royal stuff), otherwise, no health problems or allergies or anything like that.

Advice? Suggestions? Links to info?

 

[babybunny]

I recently switched my kitty to the Chicken Soup for the Cat lover's soul (light formula). I have to say the shininess of her coat and eyes have improved a good deal so far. Also she was having dandruff problems and that seems to be minimal now as well.

 

[Paula]

Have you seen this -
Cat Food Reviews

 

[Susan9608]

Thanks!

From all the links I've looked at, it seems like canned food is recommended, but I don't see that as a long term solution. Wellness seems to be a good deal, but I can't recall seeing it in any of the stores we frequent. I wonder if I'll have to order it online or if a store would order it for me.

 

[Paula]

When I was looking into it, I was quite impressed with this brand: Nature's Variety. Their rotation diet seems like a great idea.

I also feed Wellness, because my kitty has a very sensitive tummy and their indoor formula works the best for him. I'm sure you could get a store to special order it for you, or contact them directly about ordering maybe?

 

[blackarrow]

I didn't see this until after I responded in the other thread.

I recently looked this stuff up after a pal who fed Science Diet (which she had no idea was crap, it came recommended by her vet) mentioned how her cat, who is extremely fat, is always still pestering for food. She switched to Nature Organics and already the cat is leaner, and even on less food, she's not harrassing her for more all the time.

COMMERCIAL CANNED FOODS

Tips for Choosing Cat Food - Learning the Basics about Cat Food Labels

 

[Susan9608]

That's exactly what my fat cat does - bug me for more food ALL THE TIME. Thanks for the links and ideas.

 

[guineapigluver1]

Royal Canin has corn in their food, and the quality is so-so.
Feeding Your Cat** Know the Basi
is the best website there is for cats. As well as one other, but it is for feeding raw. Wellness, Innova EVO, Wysong (raw and canned foods only, not their dry) and Nature's Variety are your best bet. Canned is always the better choice (besides raw). Always. Have you read the cat food thread about Blue Buffalo?
I do not generally like any other websites for cat or dog food besides those two I mentioned and somewhat Whole Dog Food's Journal.

We feed Innova EVO and Wellness canned food, as well as some an occasional can of Nature's Variety Instinct canned food and once a day (my mom insists on it, in the case of them having to stay in a cattery or whatever you call it) Instincts dry food or Wellness CORE mixed with canned food.

 

[attackofthebear]

When I was looking into it, I was quite impressed with this brand: Nature's Variety. Their rotation diet seems like a great idea.

I also feed Wellness, because my kitty has a very sensitive tummy and their indoor formula works the best for him. I'm sure you could get a store to special order it for you, or contact them directly about ordering maybe?

Natures variety has premade raw if you are willing to consider it. I know it's outrageously expensive to feed a dog, but I dont think cats would be near as expensive to feed premade raw. Consider premade raw if it is within your budget and your cats will eat it.

With a cat, stick with grain free too. Evo, instinct, blue wilderness, and merrick Before Grain are a few you may want to look into. And to find a place any of the foods sell, just go to their site and find the where to buy link. Most food sites have a way to find where they sell their food and generally, those places also carry other good foods.

I didn't see this when I posted on the canidae dog food thread either.