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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / July 2005Getting to the truth of Premium cat food
I don't want to start some huge, nasty debate, but there's something that's been bugging me for a while. Maybe someone more knowledgeable can answer this. What makes premium cat food "premium"? How do we know that Iams, Science Diet, Wellness, Innova, Wysong, etc. are better than Meow Mix or the cheap store brand food? Just because someone says these foods are premium, that doesn't mean they are. Or how do we know that human food is really fit for human consumption. For all we know, we could be eating a bunch of diseased or purposely poisoned crap. I recall buying a can of name brand vegetables at the store a few years ago that had a dead cricket in it. Or a few months ago I bought some granola bars that tasted like vomit. My grandfather bought a steak that had a bullet in it. My aunt bought a candy bar that had worms in it. I wouldn't exactly call any of that "fit for human consumption". So how do we know that these premium cat foods contain top quality ingredients? Is there some hard proof somewhere? I noticed that some of these commercial cat food companies are now saying that their foods are premium. I'm starting to wonder if the whole "premium" thing is just a bunch of hogwash. Many people say that cats will have healthier and longer lives if they're fed premium foods. I've fed my cats premium foods (as recommended by people in this group) and none of my cats have lived past 13. I take them to the vet at least once a year, get routine blood work, keep them inside and yet they still get ill at an early age. My grandparents and my aunt feed their cats Meow Mix and Chef's blend and the majority of their cats live to be 16-20 and are still in good health. So maybe I should just go back to the cheap crap. It seems to me that cats live healthier longer lives when they eat the cheap stuff full of corn and little meat. When you go to the store to buy beef, there are about eight different grades of beef. Just because you eat the lowest grade of beef doesn't mean you're going to be less healthy then someone who eats the highest quality beef. There are many people in this world who eat nothing but junk and don't take care of themselves, yet they lead long healthy lives. Then there are people who eat nothing but healthy foods, get plenty of exercise and take good care of themselves yet they may be in seriously failing health. The point is, just because a cat eats the cheap store brand stuff, it doesn't mean they're less healthy than a cat that eats the top quality cat food. So why does almost everyone in this group make such a huge fuss over premium foods? I'm obviously no expert on the subject but I want my cats to have healthy and happy lives. I don't want them eating something that's bad for them. But I don't know what what's good and what's bad anymore. I just want to get to the bottom of this "premium" cat food thing and find a good quality food for my cats. I just wish I knew what good quality is nowadays. > I don't want to start some huge, nasty debate, but there's something > that's been bugging me for a while. Maybe someone more knowledgeable [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > are better than Meow Mix or the cheap store brand food? Just because > someone says these foods are premium, that doesn't mean they are. My cat looks and acts healthier since I switched to SD > Or how do we know that human food is really fit for human consumption. > For all we know, we could be eating a bunch of diseased or purposely [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > had worms in it. I wouldn't exactly call any of that "fit for human > consumption". Milk is not fit for human consumption > So how do we know that these premium cat foods contain top quality > ingredients? Is there some hard proof somewhere? I noticed that some of > these commercial cat food companies are now saying that their foods are > premium. I'm starting to wonder if the whole "premium" thing is just a > bunch of hogwash. A Cheetah is the fastest land animal > Many people say that cats will have healthier and longer lives if > they're fed premium foods. I've fed my cats premium foods (as [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > me that cats live healthier longer lives when they eat the cheap stuff > full of corn and little meat. Lemon is an excellent cleanser > When you go to the store to buy beef, there are about eight different > grades of beef. Just because you eat the lowest grade of beef doesn't [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > plenty of exercise and take good care of themselves yet they may be in > seriously failing health. I fry mine in grease! > The point is, just because a cat eats the cheap store brand stuff, it > doesn't mean they're less healthy than a cat that eats the top quality > cat food. So why does almost everyone in this group make such a huge > fuss over premium foods? Just don't inhale and yule be fine! > I'm obviously no expert on the subject but I want my cats to have > healthy and happy lives. I don't want them eating something that's bad > for them. But I don't know what what's good and what's bad anymore. I > just want to get to the bottom of this "premium" cat food thing and > find a good quality food for my cats. I just wish I knew what good > quality is nowadays. Tha hells wrong with you man! puff DADDY! > I don't want to start some huge, nasty debate<...>I just wish I knew what good > quality is nowadays. Start a debate! Get some facts together lay it down brutha! lay it down! If you got ?'s this is the place to ask. I know very little other than feed them the best you can. Incidently: It costs very very little to feed a cat. Even the best you can get your hands on, comes to just cents per day. So the ? is not is premium better? Ever buy cheap coffee, or cheap beer, or cheap wine or cheap car, or cheap suit, cheap woman (ha!), cheap cheap cheap! Certainly premium is better. As to why, well...across the board... production, quality control, and so on. A man can ask more for his product because it costs him more to provide it, he is not ashamed to ask his price because he can stand behind it. In spite of the arguments over dry or wet food, I still feed my cat dry food. My logic tells me his teeth need the excersize. and the dry food scrapes tar tar I expect my cat will need a gumline cleaning at some point, or I need to engage in countering the tar tar being pushed under the gumline, by reason that he gets no real downward motion on the gums, thus ultimately impacting the gumline with tartar. I see no fiber in wet food, I see wet food as being something that will ultimately weaken the bowels, and make my cat need a colon cleansing. What do I know! snip > I see no fiber in wet food, I see wet food as being something that will > ultimately weaken the bowels, and make my cat need a colon cleansing. > > What do I know! Just don't post the details of how you performed a high colonic irrigation on Fluffy in the kitchen sink using warm coffee. >Incidently: It costs very very little to feed a cat. >Even the best you can get your hands on, comes to just cents per day. Are you sure about that? I just bought a 3 lb bag of food last Thursday for $12.69 + tax, and it is over half gone. And only one cat is eating that food. That's almost a dollar a day. It's a little cheaper in the larger bag, but I can't find the larger bag in stores, so I can only get it from the rep at cat shows. I don't mind as it does make a difference in his coat, and definitely in his poop (less stinky and more solid), and hopefully long term results as well. But I would certainly say that some foods do cost more than pennies a day. There usually is a price difference when you want something that is higher quality.  Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com > Are you sure about that? I just bought a 3 lb bag of food last > Thursday for $12.69 + tax, and it is over half gone. And only one cat [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > day. There usually is a price difference when you want something that > is higher quality. That's .95 a day, or 4.32LB what do you feed your buddy. 12.69 sounds high for 3 lbs. This must have been a fluke of convenience. This is comprable to people food. I can get 4lb bag of premium for $$8.50 > > Are you sure about that? I just bought a 3 lb bag of food last > > Thursday for $12.69 + tax, and it is over half gone. And only one cat [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > high for 3 lbs. This must have been a fluke of convenience. This is > comprable to people food. Yes, it is pretty spendy, but it works well for him. It is the Royal Canin Maine Coon food. Their other foods are $10-11 for a 3.5 lb bag. The Maine Coon is their most expensive version. And Petco doesn't carry the larger bag in that version. I asked if I could order it. I think the 7lb bag was $18 at the cat show. But I they didn't have a rep at the last show so I couldn't get any. I'll have to wait til the next show which is July 30th. It's spendy, but he loves it, and his system is working better. He has had very stinky poop since I got him, and often pretty soft. Once I finally got him completely switched over, it didn't stink so much. I ran out for a day, and he went right back to stinky and runny. Back to the good stuff, and problem gone. He has also lost weight on it since he doesn't inhale it so quickly. I can leave more in the bowl and let him eat as he wants rather than restricting it. So, we are both happier with this food. I can also say that the senior food was great for Maynard. He really improved when I started him on it, and I was really happy to see him get around with less stiffness and more energy. SNIP > I've fed my cats premium foods (as > recommended by people in this group) and none of my cats have lived [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > me that cats live healthier longer lives when they eat the cheap stuff > full of corn and little meat. There is no purpose in taking perfectly healthy cats to the vet from prophylatic care except to enrich the vet. When cats get sick or injured, THEN take them in. Your grandparents know this. > When you go to the store to buy beef, there are about eight different > grades of beef. Just because you eat the lowest grade of beef doesn't [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > plenty of exercise and take good care of themselves yet they may be in > seriously failing health. snip The exceptions do not invalidate the rule. When you smoke, drink, behave in risky ways, the odds of a long an healthly life are reduced. Do not think you are one of the exceptions. > There is no purpose in taking perfectly healthy cats to the vet from > prophylatic care except to enrich the vet. When cats get sick or injured, > THEN take them in. So you don't believe in yearly exams and would rather wait until the cat starts showing symptoms of illness? You don't know very much about cats, do you? (rhetorical question). Cats 101: Cats instinctly mask illness until they can no longer hide it. By then the disease has progressed and makes treatment and cure much more difficult- and expensive (you're primary concern). No problem for you- if the cat gets sick, you'll just dump him and get another one. You're a sad excuse for a human being. Why do you want a cat- or any pet? You're clearly not suited. >> There is no purpose in taking perfectly healthy cats to the vet from >> prophylatic care except to enrich the vet. When cats get sick or injured, [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > >Why do you want a cat- or any pet? You're clearly not suited. >> There is no purpose in taking perfectly healthy cats to the vet from >> prophylatic care except to enrich the vet. When cats get sick or [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > cat starts showing symptoms of illness? You don't know very much > about cats, do you? (rhetorical question). snip Well ... look whose ox is getting gored. For healthy indoor cats, I have had no reason to intervene with annual veterinary visits. Cat fight injuries sustained by past indoor/outdoor cats far exceeded any diseases. Now granted, my cat ownership over the past 60+ years have been with genetically sound "barn cats" with the exception of a pair of Siamese I had from the early '70's until about '91. Even the Siamese got along pretty well but for a rectal fissure when the male got old. Your personal cat choices and/or clientele may reflect a bias for problematic purebreds. True I am not "in the trade" but by the same token ... I find curious that those "in the trade" with their medical access and penchant for purebreds have sicker and shorter lived pets than those who observe the basics with genetically sound mainstream cats ("mogies?"). > >> There is no purpose in taking perfectly healthy cats to the vet from > >> prophylatic care except to enrich the vet. When cats get sick or [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Well ... look whose ox is getting gored. Naa, I just find it amusing that you need attention so desperately that you'll say anything and make total a.s of yourself just to get it. LOL! Wife keeps you on a short leash, eh, EC? LOL! >> >> There is no purpose in taking perfectly healthy cats to the vet from >> >> prophylatic care except to enrich the vet. When cats get sick or [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >you'll say anything and make total a.s of yourself just to get it. LOL! >Wife keeps you on a short leash, eh, EC? LOL! >>>> There is no purpose in taking perfectly healthy cats to the vet from >>>> prophylatic care except to enrich the vet. When cats get sick or [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > you'll say anything and make total a.s of yourself just to get it. > LOL! Wife keeps you on a short leash, eh, EC? LOL! I get the sense that you're butch. > >>>> There is no purpose in taking perfectly healthy cats to the vet from > >>>> prophylatic care except to enrich the vet. When cats get sick or [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > I get the sense that you're butch. I get the sense that you're impotent- and the only f.cking you do is with other peoples' emotions-- because that's all you can do, EC. LOL! >> >>>> There is no purpose in taking perfectly healthy cats to the vet from >> >>>> prophylatic care except to enrich the vet. When cats get sick or [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >I get the sense that you're impotent- and the only f.cking you do is with >other peoples' emotions-- because that's all you can do, EC. LOL! LOL!! But honestly, Phil -- when I'm on top of my girl, I'm thinking about Phil Arthur's wife, and when I think of those sagging jugs, I'm lucky if I can get two strokes off....... > >> >>>> There is no purpose in taking perfectly healthy cats to the vet from > >> >>>> prophylatic care except to enrich the vet. When cats get sick or [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > But honestly, Phil -- when I'm on top of my girl, I'm thinking about > Phil Arthur's wife, Now that's a scary thought! Can you imagine what kind of woman would marry a man like him! >> >>>> There is no purpose in taking perfectly healthy cats to the vet from >> >>>> prophylatic care except to enrich the vet. When cats get sick or [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >I get the sense that you're impotent- and the only f.cking you do is with >other peoples' emotions-- because that's all you can do, EC. LOL! (...) > For healthy indoor cats, I have had no reason to intervene with annual > veterinary visits. Cat fight injuries sustained by past indoor/outdoor cats > far exceeded any diseases. Now granted, my cat ownership over the past 60+ > years have been with genetically sound "barn cats" with the exception of a > pair of Siamese I had from the early '70's until about '91. Even the Siamese > got along pretty well but for a rectal fissure when the male got old. Siamese are (anecdotally) among the longest lived cats, and IIRC the world's longest lived cat is (was?) a Sphynx. > True I am not "in the trade" but by the same token ... I find curious that > those "in the trade" with their medical access and penchant for purebreds > have sicker and shorter lived pets than those who observe the basics with > genetically sound mainstream cats ("mogies?"). There's a certain irony here that you're implying Phil has a 'penchant for purebreds'! Not to mention the fact that just a few weeks ago you had a jones for a Bengal... In any case, even if moggies are generally genetically sound, that's no excuse for omitting routine veterinary care, unless you are competent enough to carry out health exams yourself. 'Generally <> 'always', you see. Having said that, yearly checkups aren't exactly terribly thorough, basically consisting of a quick look in gob and ears, and some bodily fondling. And that's just what the receptionist does to me, never mind the cat... S. > (...) >> [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > for purebreds'! Not to mention the fact that just a few weeks ago you > had a jones for a Bengal... First, is "Phil P" a vet or "in the trade?" I know not for certain. And I really don't care. *You* make a good observation about my inquiry into a Bengal. Did you notice what I ended up with? > In any case, even if moggies are generally genetically sound, that's no > excuse for omitting routine veterinary care, unless you are competent > enough to carry out health exams yourself. 'Generally <> 'always', you > see. That's your view. I am uncharacteristically observant regarding behavior changes and smells in others ... just ask the wife. LOL > Having said that, yearly checkups aren't exactly terribly thorough, > basically consisting of a quick look in gob and ears, and some bodily > fondling. And that's just what the receptionist does to me, never mind > the cat... > > S. Yes, I know what typically happens in a routine office visit with a healthy cat. I bet there is a correlation between religious annual office visits with blood work and shots with cat owners who treat their pets as surrogate children. > > There's a certain irony here that you're implying Phil has a 'penchant > > for purebreds'! Not to mention the fact that just a few weeks ago you > > had a jones for a Bengal... > > First, is "Phil P" a vet or "in the trade?" I know not for certain. And I > really don't care. If you don't care, EC ("euthanasia candidate"), why did you ask? LOL! *You* make a good observation about my inquiry into a > Bengal. Did you notice what I ended up with? You changed your mind after you saw how much Bengals cost- your wife probably wouldn't let you spend the money- she needs the money for batteries- no other reason, EC. > > > There's a certain irony here that you're implying Phil has a 'penchant > > > for purebreds'! Not to mention the fact that just a few weeks ago you [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > probably wouldn't let you spend the money- she needs the money for > batteries- no other reason, EC. LOL >> > There's a certain irony here that you're implying Phil has a 'penchant >> > for purebreds'! Not to mention the fact that just a few weeks ago you [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >probably wouldn't let you spend the money- she needs the money for >batteries- no other reason, EC. C'mon Phil -- these are old,"traditional" folk. She bought 1/2 dozen bananas, and 3 cucumbers -- enough for a week's time! >So you don't believe in yearly exams and would rather wait until the cat >starts showing symptoms of illness? You don't know very much about cats, do [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >the cat gets sick, you'll just dump him and get another one. You're a sad >excuse for a human being. Exactly. Maynard was acting fine the day I discovered his yellow ears. The bloodwork confirmed the liver damage, and we tried to improve his condition. But honestly, it was really too late by then. Even though he seemed healthy even for a couple days after the initial vet visit. I really wish I had taken him in earlier for a regular senior panel. His old one was no longer current. I was still in the belief of onece a year, but for his age, I should have done it twice a year. Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com > >So you don't believe in yearly exams and would rather wait until the cat > >starts showing symptoms of illness? You don't know very much about cats, do [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > His old one was no longer current. I was still in the belief of onece > a year, but for his age, I should have done it twice a year. Cats over 8 should get check ups twice a year, and 3 times a year over 12. Remember, after the first year, each year is physiologically equivalent to 4 years. Phil >Cats over 8 should get check ups twice a year, and 3 times a year over 12. >Remember, after the first year, each year is physiologically equivalent to 4 >years. Thanks. I just recently heard about the twice a year, so the 3 times is definitely new to me. But it certainly sounds like a good idea.Kira is turning 11 this year, so she will go twice. Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com >> On Fri, 1 Jul 2005 11:33:31 -0400, "Phil P." >> <phil@maxshouse.com> [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > Phil What a load of Bandini. Oh wait ... you are educating these people to enrich your profession. How noble. > >> On Fri, 1 Jul 2005 11:33:31 -0400, "Phil P." > >> <phil@maxshouse.com> [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > What a load of Bandini. It only seems that way to you because you're a cheap, shallow, decrepit old man who thinks cats are disposable items. Why waste money on preventative health- just throw the cat away when he gets sick and buy a new one. That's your philosphy. Oh wait ... you are educating these > people to enrich your profession. How noble. Nothing gets past your lightening quick perception, eh, "euthanasia candidate"? You sure figured that out quick! LOL! <SNIP> >> > Phil >> [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >Nothing gets past your lightening quick perception, eh, "euthanasia >candidate"? You sure figured that out quick! LOL! >What a load of Bandini. Oh wait ... you are educating these >people to enrich your profession. How noble. He works in a shelter. He spends a lot of time, and I'm sure money, at the vet. But he isn't earning money from vet knowledge. Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com > There is no purpose in taking perfectly healthy cats to the vet from > prophylatic care except to enrich the vet. When cats get sick or injured, > THEN take them in. Your grandparents know this. My cats get an annual exam -- just as I get regular exams for myself, and for the same reason. I want to catch any problems early and not wait until it is too late. This process gave me an extra 3 years with Amber. She "looked" like the picture of health, but her blood panel at age 13 suddenly showed liver problems. The report was even worse 3 months later, although she did not show any outward signs until shortly after that. She also developed IBD at that time, which required special care. Aggressive treatment gave us another 3 years together and improved her quality of life. MaryL >> There is no purpose in taking perfectly healthy cats to the vet from >> prophylatic care except to enrich the vet. When cats get sick or [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > together and improved her quality of life. > MaryL No wishing to belabor the point ... what breed is Amber? And at thirteen years, most certainly a senior cat anyway. >>> There is no purpose in taking perfectly healthy cats to the vet from >>> prophylatic care except to enrich the vet. When cats get sick or [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > No wishing to belabor the point ... what breed is Amber? And at thirteen > years, most certainly a senior cat anyway. All of my cats have been mixed breeds (or the British term I like, "moggies"). Amber clearly had some Siamese and probably some Persian -- she looked much like a flame-point Balinese. Age 13 isn't really all that old, if they receive good care. Amber lived another 3 years and died at age 16. My first cat lived to age 20. MaryL >No wishing to belabor the point ... what breed is Amber? And at thirteen >years, most certainly a senior cat anyway. Most cat foods refer to 7+ as senior, but I have found that to be a joke. cats can easily live into their teens and many make it into their 20s. So 7 is pretty young. Both Fiona and Maynard lived to be 18, and neither one was "senior" at age 13. Mature yes, less playful than before, yes. But senior? Elderly? No. Fiona showed arthritis at age 16, and seemed a bit frail at 17. But her health was great til 18. Maynard was great til the last two days before he died. I really thought I was going to have him a few more years. He still chased a string toy and played with feathers. He was a bit hard to keep weight on him the last couple years, but he only had a few frail days each month during the last year. I wouldn't call him senior til he was 17. Kira will be 11 next month, and she is in her prime. She runs and plays, and is very active. I wouldn't call her senior. I would consider 13 to be young, but I would still do the senior panel bloodwork just to make sure. I will be doing Kira this year as well. I certainly don't think there is anything wrong with her, but I will do it anyway for peace of mind. Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com >> No wishing to belabor the point ... what breed is Amber? And at >> thirteen years, most certainly a senior cat anyway. > > Most cat foods refer to 7+ as senior, but I have found that to be a > joke. cats can easily live into their teens and many make it into > their 20s. So 7 is pretty young. Out here, 7 or 8 requires a signed consent/release form for any dental work requiring sedation. Seems the common sedative is a little unpredictable ... shall we say? snip > I would consider 13 to be young, but I would still do the senior panel > bloodwork just to make sure. Then medically speaking, 13 is not young. Seems you are equating youthful behavior with physiological age and that is a mistake. >> Most cat foods refer to 7+ as senior, but I have found that to be a >> joke. cats can easily live into their teens and many make it into [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >requiring sedation. Seems the common sedative is a little unpredictable ... >shall we say? That a cover-your-a.s move. I have to sign release every time I take my cat to the vet. My cat had dental sedation at age 15, and she was fine. Times have changed. What seemed old before isn't so old anymore. With better nutrition and better vet care, cats are living longer than they used to. What used to be senior really isn't anymore. >snip >> I would consider 13 to be young, but I would still do the senior panel >> bloodwork just to make sure. > >Then medically speaking, 13 is not young. Seems you are equating youthful >behavior with physiological age and that is a mistake. 13 is middle age. I would do the senior panel because that is what it is called. I do it and fully expect it to find nothing wrong. But it is peace of mind to know that nothing is wrong. Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com > >> Most cat foods refer to 7+ as senior, but I have found that to be a > >> joke. cats can easily live into their teens and many make it into [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > That a cover-your-a.s move. Meghan! You said "a.s!" >> >> Most cat foods refer to 7+ as senior, but I have found that to be a >> >> joke. cats can easily live into their teens and many make it into [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > >Meghan! You said "a.s!" LOL. I do swear on occasion. I just don't like to aim it at anybody. Call people names, etc. I'm pretty good at swearing if I hurt myself (as long as I'm not at work in front of customers). My cats have heard me swear, but they don't mind :) Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com > >> >> Most cat foods refer to 7+ as senior, but I have found that to be a > >> >> joke. cats can easily live into their teens and many make it into [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > work in front of customers). My cats have heard me swear, but they > don't mind :) Hell, nobody swears as good as a pissed off cat! ;> Hugs, CatNipped > -- > Meghan & the Zoo Crew > Equine and Pet Photography > http://www.zoocrewphoto.com >Hell, nobody swears as good as a pissed off cat! ;> Very true! I actually do a great imitiation of my first cat, Fiona. She swore worse than Kira, and Kira is known as Miss Attitude. Anyway, when I do my imitation, every cat looks offended. Ears go back. I don't know what I'm saying, but it must be pretty bad :) I don't do it often, usually when I want to harass Kira back when she swears at me. She forgets I can do it right back at her. Signature-- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com > I don't want to start some huge, nasty debate, but there's something > that's been bugging me for a while. Maybe someone more knowledgeable > can answer this. > > What makes premium cat food "premium"? You're paying for advertising. That's all. I think that we can all agree on that. IBen > You're paying for advertising. That's all. I think that we can all > agree on that. > > IBen This is true for some things, I think it's safe to add, packaging for others... BUT IT ALL COMES IN A PAPER BAG MAN! My cat looks alot better and craps less on good food. Can I get a witness? Can I buy a witness? >> You're paying for advertising. That's all. I think that we can all >> agree on that. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Can I get a witness? Can I buy a witness? Less Crap ... Tastes Great. Less fecal volume is not necessarily a good thing. Somewhere between Hershey Squirts and rabbit pellets is the optimum volume for cat excrement. Adjust water and dietary fiber for best ... 'results.' Belieive me when I say at my age, a proper BM is important. ;^) > Less Crap ... Tastes Great. Less fecal volume is not necessarily a good > thing. Somewhere between Hershey Squirts and rabbit pellets is the optimum > volume for cat excrement. Adjust water and dietary fiber for best ... > 'results.' Belieive me when I say at my age, a proper BM is important. > ;^) I can lead my cat to water, but I have never been able to make him drink. lol >> Less Crap ... Tastes Great. Less fecal volume is not necessarily a >> good thing. Somewhere between Hershey Squirts and rabbit pellets is [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > I can lead my cat to water, but I have never been able to make him > drink. lol Heh Heh. Kitten Omar has already shown a curious preference for toilet bowl water. New House Rule is all toilets lids must be down. Not sure if this is about Omar's safety or that that my wife objected to sitting on a wet seat from Omar's explorations with front paws. Either way, lid down and no more blue water fresheners. >I don't want to start some huge, nasty debate, but there's something >that's been bugging me for a while. Maybe someone more knowledgeable [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >are better than Meow Mix or the cheap store brand food? Just because >someone says these foods are premium, that doesn't mean they are. ... It is a world where, more often than not, you get what you pay for. I know that if I feed my cats 9Lives or Friskies, the litterbox stinks. When I feed them better quality food, the litterbox doesn't stink. It's worth it because I don't like stinky litterboxes in my house. And I suspect that it is better for the boys. > >I don't want to start some huge, nasty debate, but there's something > >that's been bugging me for a while. Maybe someone more knowledgeable [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > It's worth it because I don't like stinky litterboxes in my house. And > I suspect that it is better for the boys. Dunno. I've been feeding my cats Nutro Max for years now. After attending a seminar where we learned a great deal about what really goes into pet food and the differences between low-grade, "premium," and human grade, I tried to switch them to Wellness. Crap always stinks, yes. But the smell seemed to double. And considering the area in which I live, leaving my windows open 24/7 isn't an option. So back they went to Nutro. Now they're on Complete Care instead of Max, and iirc, Complete Care is considered human grade while Max Cat isn't. Anyone know for sure? > Dunno. I've been feeding my cats Nutro Max for years now. After attending a > seminar where we learned a great deal about what really goes into pet food [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Anyone know for sure? When you say Human Grade, you mean just facts about nutrition etc? Of course you don't mean human grade pet food right? I mean you did throw in there with cat food see... > > Dunno. I've been feeding my cats Nutro Max for years now. After attending a > > seminar where we learned a great deal about what really goes into pet food [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Of course you don't mean human grade pet food right? I mean you did > throw in there with cat food see... How did you get out of my blocked senders list? *fiddles* There. All better. >> Dunno. I've been feeding my cats Nutro Max for years now. After >> attending a seminar where we learned a great deal about what really [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Of course you don't mean human grade pet food right? I mean you did > throw in there with cat food see... There are very poor ederly who have been known to buy certain dog and cat foods for making Sloppy Joe sandwiches. > Dunno. I've been feeding my cats Nutro Max for years now. After attending a > seminar where we learned a great deal about what really goes into pet food [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Anyone know for sure? What kind of seminar did you go to? There is no such thing as "human grade" pet foods. Whoever sold you that line is guilty of spreading misinformation and contributing to the confusion in the marketplace of pet foods. As for "what really goes into pet food", I've heard all kinds of scare tactics over the years, but never seen any PROOF. > > Dunno. I've been feeding my cats Nutro Max for years now. After attending a > > seminar where we learned a great deal about what really goes into pet food [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > As for "what really goes into pet food", I've heard all kinds of scare > tactics over the years, but never seen any PROOF. It was put on by the HSUS and the veterinarian who spoke has spent the last fifteen years researching nutrition. She recommends Dr. Pitcairn's Guide to Complete Health for Dogs and Cats (or something like that), and uses some of his recipes to put together packs for the raw diet through her practice. > > What kind of seminar did you go to? There is no such thing as "human > > grade" pet foods. Whoever sold you that line is guilty of spreading [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Complete Health for Dogs and Cats (or something like that), and uses some of > his recipes to put together packs for the raw diet through her practice. Thanks for the reply. However, it still sounds like you were fed a bunch of misinformation. I would think that "15 years" of studying nutrition would have included learning about the pet food "rules". I've seen how advocates of Pitcairn are anti-commercial petfood and so they mislead the public when it comes to discussions like this. Did this doctor have a copy of Small Animal Clinical Nutrition? |
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