HELP!!

Hello Everyone!  I'm new to TheCatSite, but have read on it a lot over the past 6 months, for some really great advice.  I decided to join to ask a few questions myself, that I don't always find answers to.  First quesiton:  I recently bought a pure bred Persian who just turned 4 today!  His breeder had him solely on Science Diet Adult (with grains, which she swears by), however since I'm health conscious, I chose to switch him to a totally grain free diet (including grain free treats) BEFORE he develops health problems.  I graduated him from SD onto Nature's Variety Instinct Boost (all dry) and he LOVED it immediately!  However, I've been learning that NV has CLAY in it...now I'm worried!  I just bought a large bag of Wellness Core GF, but he won't touch it...what should I do and what, truly, is the BEST and HEALTHIEST grain free (dry) food out there???

There's nothing to worry about.  Vets and experts agree that montmorillonite clay won't harm your cat.  Throughout history it's always been used as a health and purity medicinal ingredient.  Basically, it absorbs and gets rid of toxins, specifically heavy metals.

Nature's Variety is one of the most high quality foods out there and it's great your cat will eat it.

Ohhhhh thank you SO much...that helps A LOT!!!

I agree nv Boost is a good food but I would add some wet for the hydration benefits.

Dette said:

 
Ohhhhh thank you SO much...that helps A LOT!!!

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It's also proven to provide bone and immune health.

I agree with slykat, wet food will have a huge benefit as cats bodies are uniquely designed to absorb the moisture out of the food that they eat, and rarely drink enough water to compensate when eating dry food only.

That's such good news to hear...thank you!!  I absolutely agree on adding the wet food, but oddly enough, I've tried two grain free wet foods and with both, he'll only lap up the gravy and won't touch the actual food.  He does get a good amount of water though, because when the breeder told me to use a bottle only, I did but he was excessively thirsty, so I gave him a bowl and he LOVES it!  I do hate that the water drips on his chest hair...fortunately I comb him everyday.

I'm feeling better by the minute...you're ALL wonderful!!

Although Nature's Variety wet food is pretty expensive, you could try feeding him that as an added wet option.  I'm pretty sure their chicken recipe is the cheapest out of all of them.  They're also pate foods so there's no gravy for him to lick.

That's GREAT!  I'll definitely get the NV wet food...and chicken seems to be his favorite!  Will the pate's have a good fluid content?  I'm hoping he'll take to some wet food because I know he needs it and I would think the variety of foods would be nice all the way around, for him.  While we're on the "diet & nutrition" subject...what does everyone think about raw ground burger?  The breeder said its amazing for them and feeds it to all of her Persians, but his previous owner dropped the ball on that and now he doesn't seem to take to it.  However, I'm pretty patient and persistent and would be willing to offer it to him if it's a good thing for him...my instinct tells me it IS.

Dette said:

 
That's GREAT!  I'll definitely get the NV wet food...and chicken seems to be his favorite!  Will the pate's have a good fluid content?  I'm hoping he'll take to some wet food because I know he needs it and I would think the variety of foods would be nice all the way around, for him.  While we're on the "diet & nutrition" subject...what does everyone think about raw ground burger?  The breeder said its amazing for them and feeds it to all of her Persians, but his previous owner dropped the ball on that and now he doesn't seem to take to it.  However, I'm pretty patient and persistent and would be willing to offer it to him if it's a good thing for him...my instinct tells me it IS.

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Pates are wet foods and still have the same amount of moisture content as any wet food.  Pates are "loaf" like foods that have very little gravy.  When you feed it, you can mix the food up with any gravy that might be in the serving.  I'm suggesting pates because it may combat against cats that are gravy lickers.

I deeply appreciate your suggestion and will absolutely try the pate...thank you!!

Dette said:

While we're on the "diet & nutrition" subject...what does everyone think about raw ground burger? 

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Most raw feeders will tell you to avoid store bought ground meat of any kind. Grinding exposes the meat to all sorts of bacteria and who knows how clean the store grinders really are. There is also some nutritional loss from grinding. It's better to buy whole cuts of meat (like chicken breast) and either grind or chop it up yourself. Or buy packages of frozen raw meat from the independent pet store. If you are feeding the raw meat only as treats you do not need to add in any supplements.

Thank you so much for that!!  It makes sense what you're saying...and now I wish I lived near my brother who is an active wild game hunter and does his own meat cutting & grinding!  I'll follow your recommendation!