Which dry food is better? good life or Rachael ray?

NewYork1303 said:

I like the looks of Goodlife based on ingredients. Rachael Ray has has corn gluten meal and I prefer to avoid anything with corn in it. 

Don't worry about  not feeding all wet food. Feeding all wet food can be really expensive even if you feed cheap brands. I feed wet and dry to help with costs. 

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Thank u I was thinking the same thing. And plus good life comes in a 3.5 pound bag so that's an extra pound. Thank you for helping me choose.

petperson91 said:

Thank you all for your great advice.So which would y'all go with? Rachael ray or good life dry kibble? They are pretty Much the same price but which one do y'all think is better

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I don't feed dry food so I can't say if either of those dry foods are good or not. Generally many of the low to mid quality brands don't have very good ingredients. If you can include some canned food in your cat's diet that would be good. Not ideal but better than no canned food. An inexpensive but decent brand like Friskies or Fancy Feast or the store generic equivalent of those brands would be ok.

In my opinion both foods are great for cats but a product of rachael ray has corn and soy which is not good for cats, so good life is a good option but I recommend you mix dry and wet food to meet the daily water requirements for your cats health.

Lets just break down the ingredients in both foods for a minute to highlight why they are both bad.

Good life -

Chicken, Chicken Meal,Brown Rice, Brewers Rice,Chicken By-Product Meal, Animal Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Brewers Dried Yeast, Potassium Chloride,Dried Peas, Salt, Taurine, Dl-Methionine, Caramel Color, Dried Spinach, Dried Tomato, Dried Blueberry, Dried Sweet Potato, Dried Apple, Dried Cranberry, Choline Chloride, Dried Carrots, Mixed Tocopherols (a Preservative), Titanium Dioxide Color, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin Supplement [Vitamin B2], D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Minerals(Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide), Iron Oxide Color, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin.

Rachael Ray - 

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Rice, Brown Rice, Poultry Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Brewer's Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Caramel (Color), Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Peas, Carrots, Olive Oil, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Sulfate, Niacin, L-Ascorbyl 2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Sulfate, Potassium Iodide.

I've highlighted the things that are most troublesome in both foods. However, they are both bad in my opinion. The good is they both have real meat listed as the first ingredient, but they're both loaded with inappropriate ingredients for cats. Good life has Dl-Methionine high on the ingredients list, which means it's low in meat based protein. RR has a ton of wheat and fillers, and has synthetic vitamin K. Remember cats are obligate carnivores, they can't use or digest veggies, corn, wheat, or all these other weird things that are added to cheap foods. High carb foods are linked to obesity, urinary issues, and kidney disease. Just because the protein amount is high, doesn't mean that it's from meat based protein, which is what matters. 

missmimz said:

Lets just break down the ingredients in both foods for a minute to highlight why they are both bad.

Good life -

Chicken, Chicken Meal,Brown Rice, Brewers Rice,Chicken By-Product Meal, Animal Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Brewers Dried Yeast, Potassium Chloride,Dried Peas, Salt, Taurine, Dl-Methionine, Caramel Color, Dried Spinach, Dried Tomato, Dried Blueberry, Dried Sweet Potato, Dried Apple, Dried Cranberry, Choline Chloride, Dried Carrots, Mixed Tocopherols (a Preservative), Titanium Dioxide Color, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin Supplement [Vitamin B2], D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Minerals(Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide), Iron Oxide Color, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin.

Rachael Ray - 

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Rice, Brown Rice, Poultry Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Brewer's Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Caramel (Color), Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Peas, Carrots, Olive Oil, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Sulfate, Niacin, L-Ascorbyl 2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Sulfate, Potassium Iodide.

I've highlighted the things that are most troublesome in both foods. However, they are both bad in my opinion. The good is they both have real meat listed as the first ingredient, but they're both loaded with inappropriate ingredients for cats. Good life has Dl-Methionine high on the ingredients list, which means it's low in meat based protein. RR has a ton of wheat and fillers, and has synthetic vitamin K. Remember cats are obligate carnivores, they can't use or digest veggies, corn, wheat, or all these other weird things that are added to cheap foods. High carb foods are linked to obesity, urinary issues, and kidney disease. Just because the protein amount is high, doesn't mean that it's from meat based protein, which is what matters. 

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Yes I agree with everything you are saying but you've got to keep in mind that this is not my cat. He was abandoned by his previous owner and I started feeding him because he doesn't deserve to go hungry. He's an innocent animal. I would take him in if I didn't have a puppy chihuahua. They do not get along at all. But I still love him so I feed him every single day. I sit outside with him and pet him everyday. But I've been feeding him cheap low grade food and I want to give him better. But I just can't afford to feed a cat orijen or wellness core. I so wish I could but I have a minimum wage job. I'm also trying to find a decent but affordable food for my puppy as well. I think pure balance is a good choice. But for the situation I'm in and with this not being my cat I came to the decision to feed him either racheal ray or good life. Y'all might not think they are good foods but at least the cat gets two meals a day. So they may not be the best but they are certainly not the worst... Right. And they are better than what he was getting before I met him which was nothing at all. I'm pretty sure there is a lot of cats out there that would love to have a bowl of good life right now.

petperson91 said:

Yes I agree with everything you are saying but you've got to keep in mind that this is not my cat. He was abandoned by his previous owner and I started feeding him because he doesn't deserve to go hungry. He's an innocent animal. I would take him in if I didn't have a puppy chihuahua. They do not get along at all. But I still love him so I feed him every single day. I sit outside with him and pet him everyday. But I've been feeding him cheap low grade food and I want to give him better. But I just can't afford to feed a cat orijen or wellness core. I so wish I could but I have a minimum wage job. I'm also trying to find a decent but affordable food for my puppy as well. I think pure balance is a good choice. But for the situation I'm in and with this not being my cat I came to the decision to feed him either racheal ray or good life. Y'all might not think they are good foods but at least the cat gets two meals a day. So they may not be the best but they are certainly not the worst... Right. And they are better than what he was getting before I met him which was nothing at all. I'm pretty sure there is a lot of cats out there that would love to have a bowl of good life right now.

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Well, based on what you've said I think he is your cat. Just because he lives outside doesn't mean he's not yours. In some states if you feed a cat, it becomes legally yours, even if you don't want to claim it. I have porch cats that were abandoned at some point by someone. I can't bring them inside because I already have 10 indoors, but they're still mine, they just live outside. I totally understand your financial constraints, not shaming you at all for doing your best, I really just wanted to point out what it was in the foods that are "bad" to help others out, too. I think you could buy significantly better cheap canned food for maybe a few dollars more than cheap kibble. My outside cats eat FF classic, mostly, and some raw food or homecooked depending on what I have available. 

And cats are, of course, naturally good hunters, so hopefully he's catching some prey to help supplement his diet. I just watched my outside cats grab a pigeon. 

missmimz said:

Well, based on what you've said I think he is your cat. Just because he lives outside doesn't mean he's not yours. In some states if you feed a cat, it becomes legally yours, even if you don't want to claim it. I have porch cats that were abandoned at some point by someone. I can't bring them inside because I already have 10 indoors, but they're still mine, they just live outside. I totally understand your financial constraints, not shaming you at all for doing your best, I really just wanted to point out what it was in the foods that are "bad" to help others out, too. I think you could buy significantly better cheap canned food for maybe a few dollars more than cheap kibble. My outside cats eat FF classic, mostly, and some raw food or homecooked depending on what I have available. 

And cats are, of course, naturally good hunters, so hopefully he's catching some prey to help supplement his diet. I just watched my outside cats grab a pigeon. 

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Lol yes I was walking by one the other day that had caught something.... Probably a mouse. They are good at catching little animals.

But I've been reading that fancy feast is a bad food. Maybe it was just talking about the dry food. Because a lot of people on here has recommended fancy feast canned food. And y'all know a lot more about cat nutrition than me. So I will alternate the dry food and canned food. And my post wasn't just directed to you. A couple other people said things worse. I mean here I am coming to this website to try to get good educated advice and then these people basically put me down. But thanks so much for your help

petperson91 said:

Lol yes I was walking by one the other day that had caught something.... Probably a mouse. They are good at catching little animals.

But I've been reading that fancy feast is a bad food. Maybe it was just talking about the dry food. Because a lot of people on here has recommended fancy feast canned food. And y'all know a lot more about cat nutrition than me. So I will alternate the dry food and canned food. And my post wasn't just directed to you. A couple other people said things worse. I mean here I am coming to this website to try to get good educated advice and then these people basically put me down. But thanks so much for your help

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Yeah the dry food is terrible, but the classic line of wet food is really decent, actually. In fact one of my indoor cats eats the FF classic chicken and turkey, because she's a brat and that's all she'll eat, well that and some wellness. She's a difficult cat, so i take what I can get with her. I think that a balance between wet and dry is a good compromise, for sure. 

Some here will not agree with me, my suggestion, do diligent research, weigh everyone's opinion,  and do the best you can. As this cat is now relegated to the outdoors, she will probably learn to hunt on her own. Mice will giver her plenty of moisture in her diet. If dry kibble is the best you can do for now, then feed that along with having fresh water available. Be sure to change it twice daily & wash dish, as heat/humidity is famous for growing bacteria. If you can sneak in a few cans a week, then do that too.

I've a couple of concerns beyond the feeding, does she have all her claws, is she spayed & utd on her shots? If she is missing claws and you can't bring her into your home, then please find a non kill shelter for her. She has very little defenses without them and injury or death will come to her sooner rather than later. If she is not spayed, it is a matter of time before she turns up pregnant. Then you've another whole problem to deal with. If she isn't UTD on her shots or you've no way of knowing, then she needs to get them ASAP. There are so many life threatening diseases that she is coming into contact with as an outdoor cat. Make some phone calls, most counties have free or reduced spay/shot clinics. Please take advantage of them so she stays healthy. Make sure she has a dry place for her food at all times and fix her up dry/warm kitty hidey hole. Google this site for instructions on no cost shelters, basically using stuff you have. And last but not least, do all you can to make sure her outdoor environment is safe. Antifreeze and other chemicals are deadly, even the fluids that drip off the engine can kill them if they lick them.

Lastly, IMO if you want to keep this cat, you can probably have peace between her & your puppy with both in your home. Puppies are cute and too often, due to that, they are not disciplined and are allowed to become little terrorists, especially the breeds that stay tiny. If you wish for advice in this area, post in the behavior thread, make a new thread asking for suggestions on how to integrate the cat into your home. If she's happy outside, you may well be able to have an indoor/outdoor kitty. Outside when you have to work, inside when you are home. I had one that lived under these conditions for a healthy 14 years, he was a feral that showed up one day. Terrific mouser, ate crap kibble and was the most loving lap cat with perfect indoor manners. I did neuter him as I don't believe in adding the population, dog or cat & he went yearly for his shots & any other health issues that may have come up. How you handle things is entirely up to you, with a good bit of effort and training your puppy,  I"m sure you'll be successful, should you decide to keep her.

ETA: Fleas.... whether you allow her into your home or not, she needs regular flea treatment. There are effective OTC products, if you can't afford the 'script kind, be sure to read directions on frequency. Please don't use Hartz products, too many negative reviews or any type of flea collar as there is a high risk of her getting hung up and trapped.

I know I went Off Topic on the feeding issue. Was browsing other forums and came across this, how to introduce a cat and dog. It's a starting point, ask specific question to your issues in behavior, at least I think that that's the right spot  

Greypaws said:

I know I went Off Topic on the feeding issue. Was browsing other forums and came across this, how to introduce a cat and dog. It's a starting point, ask specific question to your issues in behavior, at least I think that that's the right spot  :catguy:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-safely-introduce-a-cat-and-a-dog


Just for, yes it can be done, here are what started out as my non cat safe, retired racing Greyhounds, whom turned into our 'cat trainable, dogs'. It took due diligence on my part to get to this point, a cat that didn't back down & told them whom was boss and also the reason why, when we weren't home to supervise, the cat was outside and the dogs inside. They are all bridge angels now but I've sweet memories of all of them together.

greysonporch.jpg

• greypaws
• Jan 2, 2017

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Yes my next step was to make a thread and ask what I can do to make this cat comfortable. With it getting so cold outside I hate for him to be out there. But I'm gunna start researching on that very soon.

And I've been trying to introduce my puppy and the cat every time the puppy goes outside to play. Tucker, the puppy, gets in a lot of trouble for growling at the cat. Then the cat will start rubbing against my leg and I start petting him, which makes Tucker extremely jealous but if he is mean to the cat I put him inside, which he hates. I think tucker is afraid of the cat because the cat is two times his size lol. But I think my efforts have been working a little. I will hold tucker up to the cat and let them get to know each other. And that he has nothing to be afraid of. I think the cat likes my puppy because he will start purring. Its just when I put Tucker down that the cat gets annoyed because tucker is now getting to where he wants to jump up on him. I think he's just trying to play with him. I don't know. Lol.

But I'm actually in the process of trying to find the cat a good home. He is a beautiful Siamese cat.

Isn't he a full blooded Siamese cat?

petperson91 said:

Isn't he a full blooded Siamese cat?

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I don't know enough about cats to say he's purebred Siamese but he sure has lot's of that look to him. With cold weather a concern, can you look and see if your county has a limited kill shelter? If so, please contact them. My Mr. Sparks came from a similar shelter, the folks there were excellent, they took him to the vets, did the neuter, shots, micro chip & lot's of blood work & flea treatment. Once his quarantine was up, he was integrated into the community cat room, where he did excellent. He received a lot of attention & they also profiled him on their website. As I'm a dog walker there, it was just a matter of time before I wandered in there and fell in love with this mushy boy that loves belly rubs. He was totally safe until we found each other. Please, consider doing this, if you don't want to keep him, it will probably be best for both of you, instead of you trying to re-home yourself. Unless you get lucky, most people you ask will say no thank you and months later, you may be back at this point. I totally would never trust Craigslist for placement of any animal, please don't do that. I know shelters aren't the best all the time but there are really good ones out and the staff does all they can to make great, forever placements for the animals in their care.

petperson91 said:

Isn't he a full blooded Siamese cat?

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He looks like a snowshoe mix to me with his white paws. We have a snowshoe mix and she's a wonderful cat, very friendly and affectionate.

With regard to the food, I'd also go for as much wet food as possible and since you mentioned Fancy Feast, I'd definitely vote for that over any dry food if you get Fancy Feast Classics, the pates. They're decent food and don't have corn, wheat, or other carby junk. Our vet highly recommends grain-free, low-carb wet food only for all cats but especially Siamese mixes because they tend toward stomach issues. Our two proved her right very quickly after we adopted them! They do beautifully on a wet diet, though.

And to follow up on what @Greypaws said about shelters, I'd also recommend that option if you have one nearby that's no-kill. (This is assuming you don't have a trusted friend or relative willing to take this cat in.) We adopted our two Siamese mixes at a shelter and they were well-cared for during the week they spent there: they were spayed, given shots, and fed after being in a hoarding situation. Our cats got many inquiries at the shelter but they were holding out for a quiet household with no kids since they thought the cats were shy. The cats turned out to be anything but shy once they settled in and were getting enough to eat -- we were very lucky! They're the sweetest cats ever.