Food recommendation

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sdaniel13@nyc.rr.com - 23 Nov 2005 13:36 GMT

I went into my pet store yesterday to buy a bag of dry Iams cat food
and also some cans of Iams wet food. I inquired about a new food that
Iams has coming out called Iams Multicat, but the cashier at the pet
store explained that she didn't know about the new Iams line and,
furthermore, they didn't like to promote Iams. When I inquired about
why this is, she said that some time ago Iams was acquired by Proctor
and Gamble and, after the acquisition, P&G changed the food. She said
it's no longer as nutrititious as it was previously, as it's much
higher in carbohydrates. She also said it's made primarily from
byproducts now.

Is this all correct? If it is correct, can you recommend a better food?
I especially want a dry food that is both nutritious AND that comes in
relatively small bits. One of my cats had to have all her teeth (except
her canines) pulled a couple of years ago and it's easier for her to
eat small bits of dry food. A friend of mine gave me a small baggie of
Wellness to test out, but the individual bits were very big and a real
struggle for my toothless cat. I don't want her choking on her food!

Thanks.

Steve

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Beth - 23 Nov 2005 13:54 GMT

As far as nutrition goes, my vet recommends Hill's Science Diet. The bits
are in little tear drop shapes, I'm not sure if they're what you'd consider
too big. They are bigger than say the purina indoor cat formula food I used
to give mine. But, the Science Diet has the least amount of fillers and
calories. He showed me a chart but I don't recall the next couple of brands
up. Perhaps you could give her the Sciece Diet canned food only. They have
lots of varieties from kitten up to adult and all sorts of specialties in
between. Mine gets the light/hairball formula. She really likes it but I
haven't tried the canned formula. She only gets dry. My vet recommended
this one because my cat is overweight and some other weightloss versions of
foods had actually left her one pound heavier. Hope that helps!

Beth

>I went into my pet store yesterday to buy a bag of dry Iams cat food
> and also some cans of Iams wet food. I inquired about a new food that
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> Steve

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carola - 23 Nov 2005 15:43 GMT

: As far as nutrition goes, my vet recommends Hill's Science Diet.

Vets here in Switzerland (Europe) recommend this too.
Sometimes I wonder if it is because they get promotion since none of my 8
cats & kittens so far have really liked it.
The special prescription diet food seems to be good though.

carola

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Kiran - 23 Nov 2005 15:59 GMT

: Is this all correct? If it is correct, can you recommend a better food?

I have always thought of Iams as premuim brand. Others are Nutro, Fancy
Feast, Eucanuba, Pro Plan, Science Diet, etc. Friskies is a good budget
brands.

: I especially want a dry food that is both nutritious AND that comes in
: relatively small bits. One of my cats had to have all her teeth (except
: her canines) pulled a couple of years ago and it's easier for her to
: eat small bits of dry food.

I can't understand why you want dry food if she has difficulty chewing?
Canned food is better in general, but at least under her dental
circumstances.

<http://www.maxshouse.com/feline_nutrition.htm#Dry_Food_vs_Canned_Food._
_Which_is_reall>

Or do a little google search of your own on dry vs canned debate.

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sdaniel13@nyc.rr.com - 23 Nov 2005 19:08 GMT

Thanks for the link. I do give her canned food, but...to my
surprise...she really likes to eat dry food. She simply swallows the
little kibbles. Normally she has no problem whatsoever with it, but
that's largely because I'm careful to give her food that comes in
small, easily swallowed bits. My other cats all have a strong
preference for dry food, and will only rarely eat wet food.

Steve

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Kiran - 23 Nov 2005 20:14 GMT

: Thanks for the link. I do give her canned food, but...to my
: surprise...she really likes to eat dry food. She simply swallows the
: little kibbles. Normally she has no problem whatsoever with it, but
: that's largely because I'm careful to give her food that comes in
: small, easily swallowed bits. My other cats all have a strong
: preference for dry food, and will only rarely eat wet food.

That's what they are used to. Canned food is still better for them. I
suggest feeding them mostly dry and a little canned at first, then
every 2-3 weeks tweak the ratio a little until they are eating mostly
canned and a little dry.

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avante - 24 Nov 2005 00:53 GMT

well, I second the opinion that I'm not sure you (or your cat will)
find then small enough, but my cat eats Hill's prescription diet... in
variety of "dosages' (for lack of a better term)... with good luck. He
has a variety of health issues over the years, and we have had to
switch around the actual "plan" he is on, but We've alwyas had good
luck. He started with the magnesium crystal issue, then there was
weight loss (he's huge!) ... he is currently on WD... the bottom line
is we've had good luck (so far anyway) with the Hills' Prescription
diet... Good luck and Happy thanksgiving!

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kate - 24 Nov 2005 01:15 GMT

On the subject of Hill's diet foods, in Australia if you aren't
satisfied with the product you can return it to your vet for refund. If
the same deal applied where you are that would be a low risk way to see
if your cat could manage it.

Kate

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