I'm wondering about replies here towards dry food - Page 4

I agree that most vets do not get much training in nutrition but my peeve is how they are taught. Some schools have courses sponsored by Hills and thus, the students will only learn from research done by Hills and about their foods. And I'm sure they do get a basic education about the difference between carnivores and omnivores and what nutrients cats and dogs require.

What irks me about some vets is that they know nothing about foods that are on the market today. One of the vets at the clinic where I work told a client, who feeds Beneful to her dog, that whatever hills food he recommended had the same stuff as Beneful. So basically, he was saying the hills food was full of crap. I don't want to be told that the food I'm feeding my dog or cats is crap and that I should be feeding this food. Tell me why; what makes hills better than their current food? Rx foods are essential; no doubt about that. But I see nothing wrong with a client doing their own research and trying to find a food with better ingredients that might do the same job. Unfortunately, some vets get their back up. IMO, caring for my pet should be a collaborative effort. I'm not paying someone to shove their education down my throat. Just because I didn't spend half my life in school does not mean I'm not intelligent enough to try and find options that suit my pet. No offense to vets; I have the utmost respect for most of them - just that I think animal care should be animal-centred.

I also agree that much treatment today is reactive which is the premise of allopathy. I wish more focus was put on preventative measures (I guess more on the homeopathic side) such as educating a new pet owner about optimal nutrition and care. I believe that integrative medicine (a mix of allopathic and homeopathic medicine) is the way to go.

Although wet food is optimal, it does not guarantee a cat will be free of urinary blockages, crystals, etc. Certain ingredients or nutrients can contribute to these problems. The problem with dry food is that it contains no moisture in it so cats will not drink enough to compensate. And it's processed so much that the true level of nutrition is questionable at best. It often leads to obesity because the body doesn't have to really work to process it; it's already processed. Canned food is processed as well but it is more digestible and contains much needed moisture. However, I understand that in today's society, convenience is necessary and kibble serves this need.

My feelings on this issue are that if my cat is sick, I want a vet who knows medical issues first and foremost. If I have to do my own research on food quality and feeding then so be it. Nutrition is important, yes, but medical issues take priority. Many people feed their pets, and have been feeding pets, less than quality food for years and their animals are fine. What we feed our pets is often a personal choice on the part of the owner - some want to feed best quality food and can afford it, others cannot afford it.

Sometimes a prescription diet is needed and the owner can either take their vet's advice on this matter or they can do their own research and find a comparable non-prescription food which will cost them less than what the vet sells in their clinic.

especially the bolded part.

As for foods that cost less than prescription foods, well, Mazy's Prescription c/d is the least expensive diet in this house. She costs very little to feed compared to the other cats who do not eat prescription food!

<edit> My vet is very open to learning from me. She doesn't have a lot of time to devote to searching the internet for info on pet foods. She has a husband and two young children and many pets of her own. She already comes into the clinic on her day off, besides. (I always worry she will get burned out) When I tell her things I've researched she often takes notes. She then can do a little research on what I've said, or look at the links I've given her, so she can pass the info on to other clients.

However she IS who recommended I feed Wellness to my cats...about 5 years ago, so I know she tries to keep up.

I agree with you. If your cat does well on what you feed him, stay with it. I too would get confused and think I was not doing what was best for Woody. But as long as he is happy and healthy, then I will feed him what he likes. He is on TOTW and I found out I can't mix it with other premium dry foods, he throws up if I do. If I decided to switch him, I put it in a little bowl beside his feeder.