Nature's Variety LID rabbit canned - new

goholistic

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This is clearly an example of me not communicating well, @LisaMarie12
  Thanks for your thoughts and info. I like NV and feed it in rotation. They're one of the few companies that have kept all gums out of their food (Sebastian is allergic to guar gum). My concern isn't so much the sourcing of the rabbit as it is with, generally speaking, being able to produce a commercially available rabbit only canned food reliably and consistently. I feel this way about any company that produces a single protein novel canned food (i.e., kangaroo, buffalo, etc.) and the potential issues that may arise with their supplier(s). It's no fun when a food that is working suddenly changes or becomes unavailable, and a good reason to have a rotation. Royal Canin was, as far as I know, the first and only company to have a rabbit only canned food for a long time (not combined with other meat proteins). So this isn't a shot at NV or China or France; just my general wariness of availability since I've been burned in the past. I'm excited about a LID rabbit canned food that's not prescription, and I hope they're able to produce it successfully. 


@MommyTabby, I used to feed the LID turkey and there were a lot of little bones, some actually quite large and sharp. My cats hated this (such babies). They prefer really smooth pates. Since others didn't have this issue, I wonder if it has to do with different manufacturing plants. 
 
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lisamarie12

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This is clearly an example of me not communicating well, @LisaMarie12
  Thanks for your thoughts and info. I like NV and feed it in rotation. They're one of the few companies that have kept all gums out of their food (Sebastian is allergic to guar gum). My concern isn't so much the sourcing of the rabbit as it is with, generally speaking, being able to produce a commercially available rabbit only canned food reliably and consistently. I feel this way about any company that produces a single protein novel canned food (i.e., kangaroo, buffalo, etc.) and the potential issues that may arise with their supplier(s). It's no fun when a food that is working suddenly changes or becomes unavailable, and a good reason to have a rotation. Royal Canin was, as far as I know, the first and only company to have a rabbit only canned food for a long time (not combined with other meat proteins). So this isn't a shot at NV or China or France; just my general wariness of availability since I've been burned in the past. I'm excited about a LID rabbit canned food that's not prescription, and I hope they're able to produce it successfully. 


@MommyTabby, I used to feed the LID turkey and there were a lot of little bones, some actually quite large and sharp. My cats hated this (such babies). They prefer really smooth pates. Since others didn't have this issue, I wonder if it has to do with different manufacturing plants. 
Ah .... I see, makes sense, thank you for clarifying! :)  I guess that is why it is generally advised to try different proteins / brands so as not to be dependent on any one company - if they change the formula or sourcing. This becomes difficult, however, when a pet has allergies or other sensitivities so I see your point.  And also, pet food companies are like TV channels, hundreds of channels but only a handful worth watching. Same with pet foods, only a few you can trust (or as with NV, that are gum free, my cats also have funny tummies with guar aka "bean" gum). :)
 

mommytabby

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@MommyTabby, I used to feed the LID turkey and there were a lot of little bones, some actually quite large and sharp. My cats hated this (such babies). They prefer really smooth pates. Since others didn't have this issue, I wonder if it has to do with different manufacturing plants. 
Yes, the bones are quite large and sharp indeed! My cat loves this though. However she has IBD, so I concerned a bit about it.
 
Yes I noticed as well that the other LID formulas still have flaxseed oil.

Bones?! I've only used the LID turkey a couple of times, my cats didn't like it, however, I never ever noticed any bones, nor have I noticed any bones in the  new LID rabbit or any other canned Instinct. 

My cats are fed  about 75% commercial raw - with ground bones, one cat with IBD, never had a problem with it (his IBD is cured actually on the diet I have him on) but again, I've never seen or noticed bones in NV Instinct, however, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist if you have seen this, I just have never noticed it.
As GoHolistic mentioned it above, maybe it has to do with different manufacturing plants. 

It's good to know there are some canned without bones!! 

If I go for the LID rabbit, I plan to buy them from chewy.com. Have you used chewy to buy LID rabbit?

If you don't mind my asking. 
 
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lisamarie12

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Yes, the bones are quite large and sharp indeed! My cat loves this though. However she has IBD, so I concerned a bit about it.

As GoHolistic mentioned it above, maybe it has to do with different manufacturing plants. 

It's good to know there are some canned without bones!! 

If I go for the LID rabbit, I plan to buy them from chewy.com. Have you used chewy to buy LID rabbit?

If you don't mind my asking. 
I like Chewy, I've used them in the past, however, no, I haven't used Chewy to purchase the LID rabbit. My local retailer carries the food so for now I just buy a few cans at a time. Chewy has great service though - if you order more than $49 it's free shipping. I've never waited more than two days for an order. Hope this helps. )
 

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I love the idea, but I wonder about supply issues. There's only so much they can get out of a rabbit, and if the demand for this is high enough, they'll be forced to get the rabbit from China again (if they haven't already).
My cats liked the taste of Chinese rabbit better than French.
 

mommytabby

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I like Chewy, I've used them in the past, however, no, I haven't used Chewy to purchase the LID rabbit. My local retailer carries the food so for now I just buy a few cans at a time. Chewy has great service though - if you order more than $49 it's free shipping. I've never waited more than two days for an order. Hope this helps. )
Thanks for the input, LisaMarie12! 
 

psychomama

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I just emailed NV about their Rabbit source and they told me it is now from France not from China any longer. Anybody else heard that recently ?
 

catpack

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I just emailed NV about their Rabbit source and they told me it is now from France not from China any longer. Anybody else heard that recently ?
Yes, NV changed where they source a few of their proteins so that they no longer get any from China. This is due to concerns about contamination and quality control.

Do you remember the huge recall of dog treats that were recalled (primarily chicken jerky treats)? All were manufactured in China. So, a lot of consumers in the states are staying away from products produced and sourced in China.
 
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lisamarie12

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I just emailed NV about their Rabbit source and they told me it is now from France not from China any longer. Anybody else heard that recently ?
NV made the switch last spring of 2014. There were never any safety issues with NV's rabbit from China, they made the switch due to customer concerns. NV had strict oversight over their facility in China.

See above post (from 4 days / 7 hours ago) regarding sourcing and China.

More than likely, any cat food you are feeding contains taurine sourced from China.
 
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psychomama

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It seems there is something wrong with every cat food on the planet. The really healthy wet foods like hounds and gatos my cat won t eat I do feed Acana dry just 3 T a day and the rest wet. He loves Hills d/d Duck , BFF but only gets once a week due to fish content and the I rotate the other NV flavored except chicken because he s allergic. He is doing really good on that system.
 
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lisamarie12

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It seems there is something wrong with every cat food on the planet. The really healthy wet foods like hounds and gatos my cat won t eat I do feed Acana dry just 3 T a day and the rest wet. He loves Hills d/d Duck , BFF but only gets once a week due to fish content and the I rotate the other NV flavored except chicken because he s allergic. He is doing really good on that system.
I'm glad your cat is doing well on what he is currently eating and I agree - it can be a challenge to find out what works, what is palatable to kitty, especially one with allergies.

H&G seems to be hit or miss with many cats from what I've read. I tried it awhile back with my cats and they wouldn't take even one bite of it. But it is a good food, I agree.

Both my cats are allergic to chicken so I empathize with what you are going through. Occasionally I give them NV's duck / turkey but mostly rabbit (although the bulk of their diet is freeze dried raw and that has helped a lot with various issues, one being IBD for my male cat).

As I've mentioned before, pet food companies are like TV channels - there are hundreds but only a handful that are good, in my opinion.  :)
 
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psychomama

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I m afraid of raw and freeze dried. My vet is not too keen on the idea . You have to be careful of handling and the dishes. What kind do you feed .
 
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lisamarie12

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I m afraid of raw and freeze dried. My vet is not too keen on the idea . You have to be careful of handling and the dishes. What kind do you feed .
It's true, you do have to practice safe handling guidelines, as you would if you were preparing meat for yourself. I use glass dishes, hot water and ACV with mild soap to clean.

I've never had a problem.

I use an HPP (high pressure processed) FD.
 
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lisamarie12

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Oops ....duplicate post.
 
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mommytabby

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My cat Tabby, who has IBD, and she had hard stools. After I changed the NV’s LID rabbit, it got a lot better!! But now she has loose stools…
 

Has anyone's cat had loose stools because of the LID rabbit? 
 

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Initially, yes.  But with the inclusion of a good probiotic, that in time cleared up.
 
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