Do talk to other people about what their cats eat?

More specifically, your parents or relatives?

My parents have a six month old kitten named Ivan. When they adopted him, he came to them eating Friskies kitten chow. Ivan always seemed hungry, so they switched him to Iams, but he still was hungry - and not eating his kibbles. So they bought Purina Kitten chow and he was still hungry and not crazy about his food.

During that time I had been trying to talk them into trying Blue's Healthy growth, which is what my girls eat. Last week my mom was at my house and mentioned that Ivan still wasn't eating his kibble. I gave her a baggie of Blue and told her to just try it to see if he'd eat. He loved it and has been eating it really well.

So now the question is about the other things he eats. They give him cooked meat from their dinner, cheese, vanilla ice cream and canned Friskies cat food. And tuna fish packed in oil - a nice heaping spoonful every day, "for his coat."

Do I try to talk to them about it? It took forever to convince them to try Blue, and they were pretty resistant because of the cost - they CAN afford it, but they don't necessarily see the 'need.' His kibbles make up the biggest chunk of his food, so do I just the rest go? He isn't my cat, and I think they see me as a bit fanatical about my girls, so I really don't know how open they would be to more suggestions.

Thanks in advance for any input

You can bring it up, but I wouldn't nag them about it or anything. Maybe send them some articles for them to read, and leave it at that. let them make their own decisions?

I noticed my parents giving their dog human table scraps and such, which caused him to become food aggressive and in their faces (literally) while they eat. I advised them to stop feeding him human food a few times, but they refused to listen. They're just too set in their ways and don't see a harm in it (even after the dog bit me several times for refusing to give him my food.. I have a scar on my hand as a reminder of his aggression)

You can talk to your parents. I don't think the meat is a problem but cats are lactose intolerant so the cheese should go. Also, the canned tuna is salty which can affect their kidneys. Not to mention that these foods can contribute to obesity which can lead tobdiabetes, heart disease, flutd etc. If they're concerned about his coat, then maybe suggest a wet food that contains the omega fatty acids or that they eliminate the tuna and just give an omega supplement. Giving an omega 3 fatty acid will reduce the inflammation caused by omega 6 which is contained in meat. Maybe suggesting alternatives will make them more willing? All you can do is suggest as Draco said they are likely set in their ways. Good luck!

Oh boy do I try..
My grandma didn't do anything about the way she fed her dog until it died and she fattened up two more animals, and her vet told her they were fat.
Good luck.. xD

Firstly, not ALL cats are lactose intolerant. I had a cat some years ago that loved ice cream so every time I had some he had to have a bit. He would climb up on me (normally this cat would not even sit on my lap) and try to pull the bowl to himself to get some of the ice cream. As long as the quality kibble is the main food that's good. You can perhaps "suggest" they don't give him too much "human" food as it's not good for him but they may or may not listen. Perhaps if you let them know that because of Mercury levels in fish, it isn't a good idea to give him very much of it and recommend using an oil supplement designed specifically for cats which can be found at pet stores.

I try to convert everyone I see that feeds a "bad" food lol! Heck I convinced some stranger at walmart to not go with the ol Roy but if they were going to buy food their, at least go with the Purina ONE or Naturals. (I wouldn't feed it but it is a heck of a lot better than Ol Roy).
I got my boss and office manager off Science Diet ( I worked at a vet till i moved) and on to the kirkland foods, which I feel is better than SD and a price that a lot of people are willing to pay if they have a Costco card. My aunt was feeding Purina Beneful to her dog and I got her to feed Natural Balance for her dog with Allergies and her cats eat Chicken Soup for the Cat Lovers Soul. My parents feed their dog Chicken Soup as well, which is a good food for the price if you can find it and now the fish in it is Ethoxyquin free so I am even happier. Animal nutrition is my passion, and I was always converting clients to better foods than what they were feeding.
It is very rewarding when they come back and their dog or cat looks like a different animal. One client had a very allergic dachshund with practically no hair. She was feeding SD Natures Best which we sold. I took her aside and told her she might want to switch foods as Steffi looks allergic and it can't hurt. She switched to Ca Naturals and a month and a half later that dog was a new dog with a bright shiny new coat and no more sores! I have realized that is what I enjoy about my job and I am thinking about going back not to the vet field but maybe to a higher end petfood store. I love talking food with pet owners and I feel that if I can help them avoid those avoidable vet bills, then my job is done.
So yes, I always feel it is worth while to try and convince an owner to switch to a better food if possible. I don't try to nag or be pushy. I also don't try to push the foods I feed as alot of people aren't willing to go that high. ( I feed Acana and Orijen to my dog and various high end foods to my cats, the dog has had a dramatic improvement in his coat and that was going from another high end food!) I just try to state the facts of why a good diet are important, and why it can save money in the long run. then I give them choices in various price ranges of foods that i wouldn't mind feeding my own pets, and let them go from there. Usually they come back and thank me and can't believe what a difference a food can make. That is what I enjoy most. You can't force a person to switch, but give them all the info and they will usually want to.

Even if not lactose intolerant, a cat's liver is unable to deal with spikes of carbohydrates, yet alone such rapidly digestible types like simple sugars that ice cream for example would be loaded with and will just instantly store it as fat.

I would ask them to ditch the cheese and tuna fish, but the canned friskies is actually good as you don't want 100% of the food intake to be kibble IMO. The main issue with most meat prepared for humans is that its high in salt and often has other seasonings which aren't great for cats.

You can only suggest though, you can't force. People know that eating at pizza hut and dairy queen is bad for them personally, but they do it all the time, so its not like you can expect many to give more consideration to their cat's diet than they do their own. And most cats are overweight, my Buttercup is slightly "fluffy" herself, but so too are most people. Just try to be positive.

People are as picky about their pet's food as they are for themselves. However, some people like junk foods and will eat it even though they know it may not be the best thing for them. You can at least try to get them to stop feeding cheese and tuna. The ice cream will simply wind up on the cat's hips or belly like it does ours. You can try to talk to them but it's been my experience that humans are reluctant to be proactive about this type of thing and tend to be more reactive... after something happens.

Bettering the lives of cats has become something of a personal mission of mine, so, yes, I'm constantly talking to people about what they feed their furry little friends. I carry around cards I created and printed myself, as well as several from the Feline Nutrition Education Society, and I strike up conversations with people in line at the grocery store, the bank, the vehicle registration office, the doctor's office - even the vet's office!

I've helped colleagues, friends, family members and total strangers (who often then became friends!) improve not only their cats' nutrition, but their lives in general. It is simply amazing how many people don't know what cats need to be at their happiest - and don't know they don't know!

In fact, I've had so many conversations over the years I've actually become a better conversationalist, a better listener, because of it.

People react to conversations about their cats very much like they react to being approached about their parenting skills - defensively. You have to form some type of connection with them, a conduit of mutual respect, if you will, before most of them will be able to truly hear what you have to say.

Family members are, in my experience, the most difficult. Unless they come to you (like my mother did after paying for a couple year's worth of unsuccessful ear infection treatments), all you can do is make suggestions. Couch them in general conversational tones and give a hard-copy literature or a website the credit for your info. This keeps it from being a "you said, they did" kind of situation and gives them the opportunity to go off and do their own research and come to the - hopefully right - conclusions on their own.

Sometimes, as NutroMike said, they will not hear anything until something goes wrong, unfortunately. My brother is an exceptionally smart man, but he spent hundreds of dollars over several years trying to "fix" his two cats' digestive problems, all the while the kitties were getting worse, throwing up more and more often, getting stinky, ever more loose stools more often, etc.

It wasn't the vet started talking about exploratory surgery that he finally switched his girls from a kibble diet over to a grain-free canned food (something I'd been suggesting for over a year). Immediately, the cats' health improved.

Long story short - if it's not too late! - in your situation, I would casually talk to them about their food choices, but I wouldn't press the issue very hard.

Hope this is helpful!

AC

Yes i do share with my friends because some times we do exchange a better idea or solution for diet and some times also a remedy for a disease too.I do not think its so bad.

I offer advice when people tell me that their cat has digestive issues or when they are reluctant to eat. If a person doesn't recognize that they are having a problem with their cat, they most often won't listen to your advice.

People after my own hearts!! I swear my husband walks down the pet food aisle in Walmart or the grocery store just to see me cringe!!

I am a walking signage board (like a Kashi girl) around my family for - are you REALLY gonna feed that to your pet?

I guess I feel bad because I make people feel bad sometimes. I have learned to let to - or just keep quiet - because some people just don't get it. Or they just don't care the way I do. And I have to tell myself that I can't make them (though I have TRIED)

I would stop people in the stores and give them and education if my husband wouldn't die of embarrassment!!!

Though I do have to say right now - there were some foods mentioned on this post that I would like to say a few words about!!!! But I'm not...I'm keeping quiet..... If you would like to research your particular food choices go to www.truthaboutpetfood.com. I pass that site along to strangers a lot. It invites them to investigate for themselves with you straight up telling them "Hey you're feeding you're dog other dogs from animal shelters!"

As for cheese - Yes, in general cats can have cheese - most love it! Choose a low fat form. Mine love goat cheese! Ice cream in general is a no no (fat is too high!) But on the rare occasion a bit of vanilla never hurt a soul. It's the daily milk givers you have to worry about. Canned tuna or fish is naughty! There are several fish oils for coat that are wonderful - I supplement mine. I would give the tuna feeders a bottle of fish oil as a "gift" to soften the vibe.

If asked sure i don't mind talking about choices out there and what has worked for my group, but no way would i approach a stranger out of the blue especially while out shopping for whatever choice they have made.

I know for myself i wouldn't be best pleased at some ambush on my purchases while out shopping. Don't get me wrong, i think it's wonderful that people can help others with there choices, since it can be so overwhelming but i also am respectful of the fact that not everyone shares the same philosophies when it comes to feeding and cat care.

Originally Posted by KittyMom4

I would stop people in the stores and give them and education if my husband wouldn't die of embarrassment!!!

Click to expand...

Personally and professionally I find it counterproductive to knock a competitor. I have no desire to do so. The well being of the pet is always first and foremost with me, and with the Nutro Company. If my product can not provide what your pet needs, I will help you find one that does.

As a consumer, I would be extremely put off by someone intruding upon me out of the blue, knocking my choices in pet products. I would feel the same way if someone in the supermarket came up to me questioning the cereal I was feeding my child. Knowing myself as I do; I would first wonder why this person has no life and insists upon intruding upon mine. Then I would most likely tell them what they could do with their unsolicited "suggestions and/or opinions"

Another consideration here would be the retailer. The retailer probably does not condone anyone going up and down their pet food aisles knocking what they stock on the shelves. If overheard by an employee or management, they might think you have a hidden agenda and possibly ask you to leave. I've never seen this happen but it is possible.

For most, the food one feeds their pet is personal. A person will buy what they feel comfortable buying, what is within their budgetary means and getting the best bang for the buck, so to speak.

Most folks on this forum are more than willing to help out when asked for suggestions. Most people I've met here have a like interest with me in that the well being of the pet comes first.