Which one to feed?

I have a 2 year old DSH Torti Female That is currently eating Merrick Before Grain but I dont know that its high enough quality. Below are my options  

Simply Nourish- 3 lbs - $10 http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind...lmdn=Nutrition+Option&f=PAD/psNotAvailInUS/No

Blue Freedom - 5 lbs - $20 http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind...lmdn=Nutrition+Option&f=PAD/psNotAvailInUS/No

Blue Basics - 5 lbs - $21 http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind...lmdn=Nutrition+Option&f=PAD/psNotAvailInUS/No

This is what I am currently feeding. 

Merrick - 6.6 lbs - $19  http://www.petco.com/product/113142...rain-Free-Dry-Cat-Food.aspx?CoreCat=LookAhead

LOL, I was going to say something on your dog forum thread but I thought it would be too off-topic :tongue2:.

Cats should eat wet food (canned or raw), mostly if not totally (50/50 at minimum, IMO). Even the lower-quality canned foods are higher in meat protein and lower in carbs than almost any dry food. Plus moisture--cats are designed to get their moisture from their prey, drinking water is quite unnatural for them. Here's a couple of sites to look at: www.catinfo.org and www.feline-nutrition.org/

Does she get any wet food at all? Wet food is much better for cats than dry. Please go to www.catinfo.org to read more on why. Written by a vet it has a lot of great info on feline nutrition and related health issues.

Yes I know cats should eat wet ... And I continuously try but Emma just hates Wet food ... I still try though ... I have read everything and know the facts but Emma just refuses even though she was introduced at 6 weeks. 

I just need an answer to this lol ... I can only work with what she is willing to ... She also has a weight problem due to her only eating dry food but I promise I am doing my best and want the best for Emma. 

Keep trying, it can be tough, those silly kitties don't know what's good for them :lol3:. Here are some good suggestions: http://www.catinfo.org/#Transitioning_Dry_Food_Addicts_to_Canned_Food_

Honestly, of the choices, I like BG best. The Blue foods have a LOT of peas; the way they have the pea ingredients fractioned out, the food is probably mostly made of peas :/.

LOL So you like what I am currently feeding her best anyway? 

Yep! If she's doing well on it, I do think it's better than Blue or Simply Nourish. BG is one of the foods I put in my ferret's kibble mix (you think some cats are stubborn kibble addicts, ferrets are a million times worse!). It has more meat in it than comparable brands.

LOL well you guys have convinced me ... Emma NEEDS to be switched to a wet food ... Its much cheaper really and better for her. Other than her weight she is very healthy and she has the coat of a bunny. 

I used the tricks on that transitioning thread and was able to switch my kibble addicts to wet food, AND my 4 lbs overweight cat now looks very svelte .  He loves showing off he new waistline

Is there a particular brand you use or even the cheapest stuff is ok? 

The Friskies classic pate brand, particularly the Poultry Platter are not bad for inexpensive food. Of course, the better the food, the more expensive.

Is it pretty much true that if you are not getting the very top of the line pretty much all of the other stuff is the same? 

Not all are the same. . .for instance, many flavors of Meow Mix wet food have added sugar, which obviously would be best to avoid. And in any cheaper brand, the "shreds" or "filets" or "chunks" (any kind with gravy) will have wheat gluten, soy protein, various thickeners, etc. And cats shouldn't have too much fish. So it's best to stick to the non-fish flavor pate types. It's important to read the ingredient list.

In short, feed as wide a variety as you can manage (as much as your cat will put up with, of course!). Try to get some higher-quality brands along with the cheaper kind, and as many flavors as she'll eat.

My cats get mostly Friskies Classic Pate (5 different flavors), along with Evo 95% chicken and turkey and some homemade food (some raw, some cooked). They're doing well on this combination.

I see this one and she is a small cat so a can a day should really do it for her  http://www.walmart.com/ip/Friskies-Wet-Poultry-Variety-Pack-5.5-Oz-Cat-Food-32-Ct/13908458

Elliriyanna said:

I see this one and she is a small cat so a can a day should really do it for her  http://www.walmart.com/ip/Friskies-Wet-Poultry-Variety-Pack-5.5-Oz-Cat-Food-32-Ct/13908458

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I see none of those are the pate type. The ones in there have gravy that is high in carbs. Best to go to Walmart and pick up a couple of cans of several pate types to find what she likes. Also, the variety stops them from being so fussy and refusing to eat the same kind all the time.

Oh I misread it lol ... I am going to Kroger today to pick up a couple cans

Elliriyanna said:

Oh I misread it lol ... I am going to Kroger today to pick up a couple cans

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Mine like the Poultry Platter, Supreme Supper, Mixed Grill, Turkey and Giblets, and Country Style Dinner.  I have a small podunk Walmart to shop at, and the variety is limited.  My cats don't like the fish-based pates. That is why I buy several cans of Sheba Turkey bits. A spoonful mixed in with their regular stuff, and they eat it like a kid after candy.

I grabbed 5 kinds all pate of random types so we are gonna pick up the dry food and try this out 

I sat her in front of her wet food expecting angry looks and the whole thing ... But she started eating it immediately ... I guess she just wanted to prove me wrong because I have tried this MANY times and she never ate it ... I will still give her kibble overnight but during the day its only wet now 

She has been reading your posts and decided to make a liar out of you.   It is one of the things I love about cats, they always keep you guessing.  Hopefully, she will continue eating the wet food.