New wet food for Patricia

After reading so much information about feline nutrition on TCS and visiting pet food websites, I decided Patricia should not eat Blue Buffalo's wet formula. Although BB has "real chicken as the first ingredient" and no grains, artificial flavors, colors, fillers, or preservatives (according to the company), it does have fruits, veggies, and other useless ingredients. So I looked for wet food that is nothing but meat and supplements. I found two cans by one company: Weuva's Paw Lickin' Chicken and Nine Liver.

While they look almost purrfect online, I am concerned Patricia will reject them because she never saw shredded chicken before. She used to eat chunks, then pate, but never shreds. Is there a good chance she will reject Weruva because of the different texture and appearance, even if it smells delicious?

Of course there's a chance. . .cats do like to torture us so! :lol3: Have you ever tried her on regular shredded chicken? Just a bite from your meal the next time you have chicken for dinner (if the outside of the meat is seasoned, pull a bit from the middle). IME, if a cat will eat regular chicken, they'll eat shreded chicken cat food.

OR (I just thought of this!), get a couple Fancy Feast Appetizers. The only ingredient in those is meat (not a balanced diet, just an appetizer) and they'll at least show you her opinion on real meat.

I know she likes chicken. The question is will she like the shredded texture. I do not eat plain chicken. It is always mixed with something else like pasta or rice with sauce on top.

The FF Appetizers are shredded.

The only way to know is to try! If she does end up rejecting it, you could always donate it to a shelter or rescue in Patricia's name. but all my cats love Weruva. So I'm sure yours will!

I wish Weurva was at Petco so I could buy just one can. Amazon only sells it in packs of 24.

Oh I can see how that would be troublesome...with my local Pet Valu, if I want a new brand of cat food added to the store, the owner will order some in for me? Maybe if you ask the owner of your Petco if he can order in some Weruva for you? Then again, I'm not in the United States so I'm not sure how it works there.

Really, I had never heard of a pet store doing that.

Is Pet Valu a chain franchise or only in Toronto?

Pet chain franchise. I've known the owner of my local store for years, so that may be why he does it? You could try.

EmilyMayWilcha do you have Pet Food Express out there because they stock Weruva by the can.  You can also get it online at the onlynaturalpet.com 
 

I have two pet stores: Petco and Petsmart. And neither carries it.

Despite begging Mom to not buy wet food at Petco without me, she bought two Natural Balance pouches and four Nature's Choice containers (2.75 ounces instead of the usual 3 ounce cans). Patricia had never eaten either before. Mom based her decisions only on the container type, preferring something that is easy to open.

I started with the Nature's Choice Chicken and Giblets. The meat is shredded. I can see the carrots and a green vegetable. So I thought if she likes that, she will like Weruva. I did not have any expectations either way. Patricia ate a few bites and left, then came back to eat a few more. Putting her in front of the bowl does not help because when I am in the kitchen, she thinks I have to give her treats.

I also saw one can of Wellness in the pantry for her to try later.

EmilyMayWilcha said:

I have two pet stores: Petco and Petsmart. And neither carries it.

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have you tried different vets? the holistic vet by me sells weruva.

earth pets says they have it.

404 NW 10th Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601

PHONE: (352) 377-1100

First of all I want to see if she will eat the Nature's Choice chicken and giblets. She needs to get used to shredded meat and visible chunks of other ingredients before I splurge on a more expensive brand. I am not in a rush to get the best food now because I am just trying to switch her from dry to wet, not treat a disease.

I also try to "force feed" Cookie with a spoon when she refuses her wet food. :lol3: after she gets a lick on the spoon, she thinks "ooh I like this!" and goes back for more! :lol3:

I took Patricia back to her ceramic bowl and quickly walked backward to make sure she knew it was not treat time. The strategy worked: Mom did not see her eat, but could tell Patricia ate some of it.