Quality Dry Food

lioness · Oct 16, 2007

That is the one I switched to, Laureen.

I am hoping it will be a good switch.

Thank you for everybody's replies. I really appreciate it.

yosemite · Oct 16, 2007

Originally Posted by 2boys

I have a 6 month and a 8 week and I feed them Development Formula (both wet & dry). The 6 month has been on it for 4month and has a really nice coat, good poops! hehe http://www.medi-cal.ca/diets/diets.p...&page=features

I'd want to see the ingredient list for this one before saying yea or nay. I don't quite buy into their statement that vets know about nutrition so that makes me a bit wary.

artgecko · Oct 16, 2007

Look on the ingredients and guarenteed analysis panels on both of the bags of food... You don't want to see any "by-products" and you want the most meat at the top of the list. Grains are not good (corn, rice, wheat, etc.). You also want the most "protein" and "fat" that you can get, especially for kittens, which are still growing.

The less protein and fat you see and the more carbs are in the food, the larger and messier the stools will be.

I shop at petsmart and petco too...There just aren't ANY local small stores that sell the harder to find types of food in my area.

I feed nutro natural choice kitten. It is actually about the same price as Eukanuba (sometimes less, especially with coupons) and it is a better food, IMO. My kittens have very glossy coats and are healthy, with good firm stools, so the food must be doing it's job.

Authority (the petsmart store brand) has an ingredient list similar to nutro, so you could try that as well. But, it is usually a little more expensive and does not go on sale and/or have coupons as often as nutro does.

I do feed the authority canned kitten (and adult) foods to my kittens...I try to give them some each day and rotate flavors so that they do not become picky.

Art

2boys · Oct 16, 2007

any thoughts? is this good or bad?

Chicken meal
Rice flour
Corn
Chicken fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary extract, citric acid and lecithin),
dried whole egg,
corn gluten,
tuna meal,
brewers yeast,
beet pulp,
flax meal,
minerals (potassium chloride, phosphoric acid, zinc oxide, zinc bioplex, ferrous sulphate, iron bioplex, manganous oxide, copper sulphate, copper bioplex, calcium iodate and organic selenium),
DL-methionine,
fructo-oligosaccharides,
bacillus subtilis dried fermentation extract,
vitamins (choline chloride, vitamin E, inositol, ascorbic acid, niacin, thiamine monoitrate, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, beta-carotene, vitamin a, folic acid, menadione, sodium bisulfite complex, biotin, vitamin B12 and Vitamin D3),
Taurine,
L-Carnitine,
L-Gluatime,
Docosahexaenoic acid,
ascorbyl polyphosphase
and alpha-lipoic acid.

Crude protein min 30%
Crude fat min. 19%
Crude fibre max. 3%
Moister max. 10%
Ash max. 7.5%
Calcium min. 1.1%
Phosphorus min. 0.9%

break down of the above ingredients

Protein: chicken, egg, fish
fat: flax, Docosahexaenoic acid, chicken
carbs: rice, corn
fibre: beet pulp

special nutrients:

antioxidants: beta-carotene, alpha-lipoic acid, ascorbic acid, natural vitamin E, organic selenium
amino acid, gut health: L-Glutamine,
amino acids, heart health: L-Carnitine, Taurine
digestive aids, gut health: fructo-oligosaccharides, lecithin, citric acid
digestive enzyme: bacillus subtilis, dried fermentation extrac
chelated minerals: iron bioplex and zinc

sharky · Oct 16, 2007

any thoughts? is this good or bad?

Chicken meal Very good in a dry food concentrated protein from meat
[*]Rice flourmost digestable grain for a cat

Corn[/color]I dont call it bad but rather not see it so high as it is low in digestabilty
Chicken fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary extract, citric acid and lecithin), the chn fat great ... rosemary can cause tummy issues and citric acid is often a chemical version
[*]dried whole egg, I dont like whole egg since egg white can cause biotin issues
[*]corn gluten, Prefer this to corn to balence chicken UTI wise but not in the same formula
tuna meal, where did it come from as it is concetrated it could be high in heavy metals
brewers yeast,GREAT source of viatimins but many are allergic
beet pulp,
[*]flax meal, oil is better but still not very useable to a cat
minerals (potassium chloride, phosphoric acid, zinc oxide, zinc bioplex, ferrous sulphate, iron bioplex, manganous oxide, copper sulphate, copper bioplex, calcium iodate and organic selenium),
DL-methionine,
fructo-oligosaccharides,
bacillus subtilis dried fermentation extract, GREAT things .. 1st is UTI health second is a pre biotic and the third is a probiotic
vitamins (choline chloride, vitamin E, inositol, ascorbic acid, niacin, thiamine monoitrate, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, beta-carotene, vitamin a, folic acid, menadione, sodium bisulfite complex, biotin, vitamin B12 and Vitamin D3),
Taurine,
L-Carnitine,
L-Gluatime,
Docosahexaenoic acid,
ascorbyl polyphosphase
and alpha-lipoic acid.

Crude protein min 30%touch low unless a senior formula
Crude fat min. 19%
Crude fibre max. 3%
Moister max. 10%
Ash max. 7.5%
Calcium min. 1.1%
Phosphorus min. 0.9%a bit HIGH ....

break down of the above ingredients

Protein: chicken, egg, fish
fat: flax, Docosahexaenoic acid, chicken
carbs: rice, corn
fibre: beet pulp

special nutrients:

antioxidants: beta-carotene, alpha-lipoic acid, ascorbic acid, natural vitamin E, organic selenium
amino acid, gut health: L-Glutamine,
amino acids, heart health: L-Carnitine, Taurine
digestive aids, gut health: fructo-oligosaccharides, lecithin, citric acid
digestive enzyme: bacillus subtilis, dried fermentation extrac
chelated minerals: iron bioplex and zinc

Overall a premium food yet depending on needs and price MANY are better

frisk · Oct 17, 2007

Does petsmart sell Felidae? I think it's a really good food for a fair price and have never had any problems with it... One formula for both cats and kittens:

All Natural Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Lamb Meal, Chicken Fat, (Preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Herring Meal, Eggs, Flax Seed Meal, Sun Cured Alfalfa Meal, Sunflower Oil, Chicken, Lecithin, Linoleic Acid, Amaranth, DL Methionine, Taurine, Kelp, Cranberries, Apples, Monocalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Rosemary Extract, Sage Extract, Dried Enterococcus Faecium, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Inulin (from Chicory Root), Dried Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Solubles, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin A supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Niacin, Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (source of B2), Beta Carotene, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, D-Biotin, Sodium Selenite, Papaya, Vitamin B12 Supplement.

More info and Analysis Here.

sharky · Oct 17, 2007

Originally Posted by Frisk

Does petsmart sell Felidae? I think it's a really good food for a fair price and have never had any problems with it... One formula for both cats and kittens:

All Natural Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown RiceHarder to digest , white rice is 20% more digestable , Lamb Meala NO NO if any inflamation is present, Chicken Fat, (Preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Herring Meal, Eggs, Flax Seed Meal, Sun Cured Alfalfa Mealgrain like ... oil of flax is at least somewhat digested ... alfalfa has been removed from many formula do to tummy issues, Sunflower Oil, Chicken, Lecithin, Linoleic Acid,Great BUT WHAT IS IT .. it is a fatty acid but hwere

Amaranth,Not a common grain but also not great is the digestabilty

DL Methionine, Taurine, Kelp, Cranberries, Applesno concentrated thus most is lost in cooking process, Monocalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Rosemary Extract, Sage Extract, Dried Enterococcus Faecium, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Inulin (from Chicory Root), Dried Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Solubles, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin A supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Niacin, Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (source of B2), Beta Carotene, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, D-Biotin, Sodium Selenite, Papaya, Vitamin B12 Supplement.

More info and Analysis Here.

http://canidae.com/cats/cat_and_kitten/dry.html
Benefits
\tHuman Grade – Chicken, Turkey, Lamb and HerringUMMM wrong they use MEALS which have no HUMAN definition as we dont eat meal
\t10 Skin & Coat Conditioners
\tBalanced Omega 6 & 3 Fatty Acids
\tGuaranteed Enzyme Activity
\tCranberries for Urinary Tract Health
\tEssential Taurine Promotes Vision, Cardiac and Reproductive Health
\tAntioxidant Vitamins and Amino Acid Chelated Minerals
\tLow Ash and Magnesium
\t

Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein
\t
(min.)
\t
32.00%low end of ave .. with all the meat would expect higher
\t
Crude Fat
\t
(min.)
\t
20.00%
\t
Crude Fiber
\t
(max.)
\t
2.50%a bit low typically 3-5 is ave
\t
Moisture
\t
(max.)
\t
9.00%
\t
Lenoleic Acid (Omega 6)
\t
(min.)
\t
3.75%
\t
Vitamin E
\t
(min.)
\t
200.00
\t
IU/kg
Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega 3)
\t
(min.)
\t
0.75%
\t
Magnesium
\t
(max.)
\t
0.095%not really low
\t
Taurine
\t
(min.)
\t
0.20%
\t
Ash
\t
(max.)
\t
5.50%low ash yes
\t
Calcium
\t
(min.)
\t
1.00%
\t
Phosphorus \t(min.) \t
1.00%slightly high
\t
Cellulase * \t(min.) \t
100
\tCMCU/kgEnzyme for digesting Cellulose or INDIGESTABLE fiber
pH
\t
\t
5.5
\t
*
Some I have heard do back east but out west Felidea is a few mom and pops carry

Good food but a Great example of complex is not always better than simple

lioness · Oct 17, 2007

Sharky (and anyone else who cares to answer)

What is your opinion on Life's Abundance?? I know they don't have that at Petsmart but I saw the website and it looked ok to me... I'm no expert by any means though.

sharky · Oct 17, 2007

I dont like some of the ingrediants ... but it is a premium... I personally feel the same quality can ba had a big box store

lioness · Oct 18, 2007

Thanks... I guess I'm just trying to find the best food that I can feed them as dry kibble.

I would go outside of Petsmart of course if that's what it took. I just would hate to think that I could make them a little healthier just by the food I choose to feed.

Right now I'm rolling with the Nutro but if there is something much better in quality and health wise that's not at Petsmart, please do let me know but if they're all relatively the same, then that's great too.

sharky · Oct 18, 2007

Originally Posted by Lioness

Thanks... I guess I'm just trying to find the best food that I can feed them as dry kibble.

I would go outside of Petsmart of course if that's what it took. I just would hate to think that I could make them a little healthier just by the food I choose to feed.

Right now I'm rolling with the Nutro but if there is something much better in quality and health wise that's not at Petsmart, please do let me know but if they're all relatively the same, then that's great too.

For the $$ and avail Nutro is the best ... Check your Mom and Pop stores for samples... See the best food is ONE the cat will eat/ do well on and you can afford and are willing to feed

kittytales · Oct 18, 2007

How about feeding canned food?

lioness · Oct 18, 2007

Thank you Sharky. That makes perfect sense. I think we are doing well on the Nutro kitten dry food right now. I do plan on adding wet food at some point but I want to wait a little while until everybody's tummy is used to the new food and then add some wet once a day or so. I am thinking of going with Nutro as the wet food also or maybe Wellness.

Thanks again! I really appreciate the responses and help.

sharky · Oct 18, 2007

try various flavors and brands... of wet food since you dont have to do slow switch overs with wet

mezlo · Oct 20, 2007

Would either Sharky or someone else knowledgeable please post a list of the various brands mentioned here sorted by nutritional value? I would greatly appreciate it.

Mez

sharky · Oct 20, 2007

$$

Meaning most find affordable and easy to find

Nutro Natural choice ( Max if UTI health is issue)

Natural balance

Chicken soup

Solid Gold

Authority ( low cost decent ingrediants)

Blu spa ( spendier)

Royal canin ( spendier)

$$$

Innova

Cal natural( can be very reasonable)

Premium edge( can be reasonable )

$$$$

Timberwolf

EVO

CORE by wellness

Wellness

Merrick ( canned only and it varies by area 99 cents for 3 oz to 3$ for 6oz

mezlo · Oct 21, 2007

Thanks Sharky!

sakura · Oct 21, 2007

Originally Posted by mezlo

Thanks Sharky!

thank you from me also!

tutti_bella · Oct 21, 2007

I was lurking but had to jump in this thread. I would love to start introducing solid food to my kitten when she turns 3 weeks old. I've read that I will have to start by mixing dry food with KMR and wait until the food turn mushy.

My Vet recommended Science Diet products since there are some inserts in the kitten care kit his office gave me. Anyway, I checked the ingredients and saw that the first thing listed in the food is chicken-by product. I've read about the horrors of all these by products in cat food so I am definitely going to stay away.

My choice now is EVO. I've read a few reviews and many pointed that their dry food are dehydrating as they are really dry!

I am a wits end deciding what to get my little girl. I am able to go premium since she's my precious darling so any suggestions would be highly appreciated. Thanks!

sakura · Oct 21, 2007

I didn't want to start a new thread about this but I also need help picking a good dry food for my cat. Right now I am trying to decide between Nutro Natural and Natural Balance. I also have access to Authority, Solid Gold, and Royal Canin. (If it matters, right now she is eating Iams Kitten). The rest of the brands on that list that Sharky posted are not at my local pet stores.

I am confused by a few things. First, is my cat still a "kitten" for dry food purposes? I think she is approximately 7 months old and I've noticed that most kitten formulas are for up to 1 year. Second, my cat is indoor-only and is very sedentary. She is young but I'm worried about her eating too much because she seems to sleep about 20 hours a day and is not playful. I read somewhere on this forum that Natural Balance is very high in calories and I'm wondering if this would make it a poor choice for my lazy kitty?' (Oh! My cat also has really long hair so I wonder if I need some sort of hairball control formula?)

Also, can someone point me to research to show my SO about why brands like Iams are not as good for cats? He thinks I am turning into a crazy cat person.

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