Opinions on New Dry Food for Teenager Kitties?

at129

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Could use some opinions from those more experienced than I...I do a lot of research about all aspects of taking care of these two troublemakers, and nutrition is the one thing that I'm really just not confident about.

I've been solid on wet food for a long time now. I selected Wellness for Sophie when she was just a tiny girl, she has eaten it and loved it since babyhood. Jack is a bit tougher - I've tried probably 6 or 7 different wet foods, and it's hit or miss - most, he ignores completely, but there are a few he'll at least eat a little of. Mostly though, he just really gravitates towards his crunchies.

Right now, I'm still feeding his shelter dry food, which is Purina Pro-Plan. I'm still a newbie when it comes to "what's good, what's not," but I'm just not happy with it, especially if Jack's going to insist upon eating mostly dry (although I haven't given up on finding a wet that he likes!).

So...I've narrowed it down to 3 dry foods, and I'm just not sure which one to pick. Cost is no issue, I just want to pick the absolute best food for two young, still-growing kitties. Especially Jack, who is extremely high-energy and needs good fuel!

My top 3 are Wellness/Wellness Core, Blue Buffalo, or Taste of the Wild. I know they're all good foods, but I'm really new to this kitty nutrition thing and sort of overwhelmed. Is there even a measurable difference between the 3? I want them to have the absolute BEST nutrition possible, but if there's really no measurable difference in quality, I'll go with what's most affordable at my local pet store.

Also, is there a huge difference between the regular Wellness and the Core? I feed the Core wet just b/c they really like it, but I've always been curious, and I can never find any real discussion on it.

I should note that neither of them has any known food allergies/intolerance, which makes it a lot easier.
 

sharky

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Of the three I have had decent sucess with Taste... Core caused major issues and wilderness was not touched( note that was a old formula)

regular wellness is VERY grainy... ie the grain levels rival some grocery brands...
 

addiebee

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My boys are on Taste and have been since December of 09. They like it fine and are doing well on it.
 

lauren_miller

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Have you considered trying Natural Balance? All 3 of my kitties are doing great on it. We switched Lilly to natural balance as soon as we brought her home from the shelter and within 4 days her dull coarse coat was shiny and soft.
 

sharky

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Originally Posted by lauren_miller

Have you considered trying Natural Balance? All 3 of my kitties are doing great on it. We switched Lilly to natural balance as soon as we brought her home from the shelter and within 4 days her dull coarse coat was shiny and soft.
4 days was Not the food sorry to say... but that is a solid food
 
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at129

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Thanks to all
Sharky, if you don't mind my asking, what issues came up with the Core? I was actually expecting it to get huge thumbs-up...just goes to show why I still ask and don't assume anything when it comes to food yet.


I will go with Taste of the Wild - I am optimistic for a smooth transition, because Jack has never met a piece of kibble he didn't like. NB didn't make the list only because it's not quite as easily obtainable (although if Taste, or the other easy-to-get options, don't work out, I will deal with the 30+ mins in traffic to get other brands...will just have to stock up more!). I will definitely keep it in mind if I need to branch out a bit more. They do both like the NB wet - they get an occasional can of duck and green pea, since duck seems to be one of the few wet food "flavors" Jack enjoys (although he still doesn't finish even a small portion - if I can get him to eat a teaspoon's worth of any wet food, it's worth buying!)

I still have a bag and a half of the Pro-Plan left...as soon as the 1/2-bag is gone, I'll grab some Taste and start making the gradual switch. I'm really excited to make this change, actually. I nursed my yellow Lab through 2 years of canine diabetes, and diet is a big contributing factor to diabetes. I'll do anything in my power to never have to submit another of my pets to daily needle sticks!
 

sharky

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the best anti diabetes would be NO dry and any grade of wet without gravy( most with gravy ones are starchy and higher in carbs)

I had one constipate and two with the runs ...

If you can since your going from soso to very solid
.. mix as long as you can ...
 
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at129

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Originally Posted by sharky

the best anti diabetes would be NO dry and any grade of wet without gravy( most with gravy ones are starchy and higher in carbs)
I would LOVE to go all-wet...but Jack missed that memo.
The only wet he'll show any enthusiasm for is Fancy Feast Fish and Shrimp Feast. Just too many things going against it...it's all fish, for one, I don't want to encourage UTIs or any other nastiness by giving him a fish-heavy diet. It's also Fancy Feast, so the quality of ingredients are iffy. I haven't given up on finding him a good wet that he likes...and I'm hoping that maybe as he gets a little older, he might get a bit less picky, or his tastes might change a little (probably wishful thinking, but let me have my dreams!)

Originally Posted by sharky

I had one constipate and two with the runs ...
Well then. That pretty much covers every aspect of "the worst that could happen." ((crosses Core off list))

Originally Posted by sharky

If you can since your going from soso to very solid
.. mix as long as you can ...
Will definitely do that! I usually start with 25% of the new with 75% of the old, and increase weekly...think slower in this case?
 

addiebee

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One of the things I do to get one of my boys to eat wet is crush up freeze-dried cooked chicken onto his wet. I buy a bag of PureBites chicken. They ALL like it just as is. Maybe see if you can find it, see if Jack likes it and if it will entice him to eat wet.

I also went through just about every available wet on the market .... and ended up with a combination of Nutro, Authority (Petsmart's house brand) and yes -- Fancy Feast. The FF is mixed with the better foods and the boys gobble it up... except the one mentioned above. PS just upgraded the Authority line for cats... the wet has a better "order" of ingredients. Don't know if that means anything. Smells more meaty.
 

goldenkitty45

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We are feeding (dry) - Blue Buffalo (chicken)
Canned - Wellness, Blue Buffalo, Natural Balance, Max Cat
Raw - 2 or 3 x a week.
 
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at129

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Originally Posted by AddieBee

One of the things I do to get one of my boys to eat wet is crush up freeze-dried cooked chicken onto his wet. I buy a bag of PureBites chicken. They ALL like it just as is. Maybe see if you can find it, see if Jack likes it and if it will entice him to eat wet.

I also went through just about every available wet on the market .... and ended up with a combination of Nutro, Authority (Petsmart's house brand) and yes -- Fancy Feast. The FF is mixed with the better foods and the boys gobble it up... except the one mentioned above. PS just upgraded the Authority line for cats... the wet has a better "order" of ingredients. Don't know if that means anything. Smells more meaty.
Thanks! Will definitely look into the PureBites. Looks like you can order it online if none of the local stores carry it.

And you know, I really should just mix some FF with one of the other foods, at least for the time being. I just wish it didn't have to be the fish that he's so into. Might have to just buy a few other varieties and see if any of them will be as enticing.

I've started looking into raw a bit, too, just as a supplement...like GoldenKitty said, 2-3x a week. Started thinking about it after reading a thread over in the Behavior section about 2 Ocicats...Jack is very Oci/Bengal-like in build and energy level, so it seems like a good idea.
 
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