Alternating dry food brands?

Is this an okay thing to do? Or is it better for her digestion to be consistent about the brand I buy? I don't want to choose poor quality stuff, but I find if I buy different brands, she gets excited when she has something new to munch on. So far she's enjoyed Nutro, Max Cat, and Purina.

Depends on the cat ... most prefer change be gradual over a week or two ... Purina is normally not considered high end or quality outside like Pro plan.. Nutro is solid though IMHO not as good as it was

Originally Posted by sharky

Depends on the cat ... most prefer change be gradual over a week or two ... Purina is normally not considered high end or quality outside like Pro plan.. Nutro is solid though IMHO not as good as it was

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if I change too drastically, I get immediate diarrhea. I transition very slowly here, as Lucky is super finicky, and Bugsy has digestive issues - I usually take almost a month to change! The only foods I can change back and forth with no problem are Orijen 6-fish and EVO Salmon and Herring, and in discussing with Sharky, we got to the conclusion that it was ok because the proteins are very similar, and both are 100% fish based, as far as meat goes.
I like varying their diets, mixing foods, because if they become finicky, intolerant, or if there is a recall, I have a back up plan. Cats usually need time to adjust as far as food changing goes, so it is good to have them already used to it. Right now mine are on a mix.
I also agree Purina is not good at all. Nutro has a lot of recalls, IMO the formulas can be inconsistent...

Its a lot harder on a cat to switch dry foods - if you want to pre-mix a few brands together, that's fine. But I would not just go thru one bag and then switch brands on the next bag.

Dry should be changed over gradually. Canned foods can be switched every day - we have a different flavor/brand each day or every other day (in larger cans) with the canned food.

I can say that I change their food monthly and they seem to enjoy it. But it is always high end stuff. I really like Natural Balance for the price and quality ingredients.

Sorry for such a delayed reply here!

Thanks for all your responses! So I won't buy her Purina again - we just finished the bag.

I went to a different pet store to pick up some Nutro again, only to find that they don't carry Nutro feed anymore because of 3 recalls in the last couple years.....

So she gave me about 5 kibble samples of "good quality" stuff they do sell, and told me to put out five bowls and see which one she's attracted to.

She ate Innova and California Natural (Chicken & Brown Rice) the fastest.

Anyone have any opinions about either of these two brands?

I prefer Cal natural as I like more basice one or two meats to one or two grain formulas( easier if it doesnt work to figure out alternatives..

With dry its not wise to keep switching brands. Canned is fine - ours gets a different flavor and brand every other day (unless we are feeding the larger can - that lasts 2-3 days of the same kind of food).