Wal-Mart Maxximum brand cat food

That would be interesting if that rumor is true. One of my good friends feeds her cats Purina One.

I'v had no problems with Maxximum from Wal-Mart. One 20lb bag for 4-6 cats last up to a week or more. I like the Maxximum, it really seems the same as petsmart brand of Authority really. I mean the waste production that is. My cats are big-n-healthy no problems once so ever for me that is.


Ashley

I have 6 indoor American Shorthairs. They are all very active and healthy. However, Hissy has a very sensitive dijestive system and Bubba has had problems with bladder crystals and Sneazy has seizures every other month or so. I was doing great using Purina One for most and Purina One Special Care Urinary for the one with bladder crystals. Any changes in dry food often causes problems with Hissy's dijestive system. She was doing great on Purina One. Bubba has been to the vet a couple of times for bladder crystals. The first time I about lost him. He was doing great on Purina One Special Care Urinary. The others were getting Purina One before I switched to Maxximum.

Here Wal-Mart raised the prices on all Purina One bags about the same time they introduced Maxximum. To save a few money I switched and I bought a bag of Maxximum for urinary care and all 6 did great on it. When I went back a month later, there was none and has been none since (maybe 3 months ago). I got the Adult formula and Hissy immediately started having problems, so I fed her separately Purina One. I am now using Purina One Special Care Sensitive Systems for Hissy. Then Smoky and Bubba were coughing with hairballs; so I got a bag of the Maxximum hairball formula and now three weeks later, I am taking Bubba back to the hospital with another bladder blockage. I can't say (prove) Maxximum caused these problems; but, from past similar experiences with other foods, it certainly does look like it. My other 4 cats seem to be doing OK with Maxximum. Although, Sneazy is getting fat eating it; but, he is the one that has seizures and has tended to be overweight moreso than the rest regardless of the food. Since the original price hikes on Purina One; Wal-Mart has again increased these prices as well as the prices of Maxximum.

So far, I saved maybe $1 / 8# buying Maxximum instead of Purina One Special Care. Bubba's vet visits with bladder problems run between 3 and 5 hundred dollars each occurrance. Think about that $1 per bag vs $500.

Food makes a big difference. I had to use Hill's (currently a different name) Prescription CD with my last cat due to bladder crystal problems. There wasn't an alternative at that time. I had to put her down at 20.5 years. Hill's Prescription CD is very expensive; but, she was worth it and I credit Hill's with helping her enjoy a long life.

In short, I plan to switch away from Maxximum when my inventory runs out.

YMMV

I finally ended up at Wal-Mart and looked at the ingredients for Maxximum. All I have to say is "Yuck!".

The first ingredient is chicken but there is also some scary, nasty stuff there.

If finances really are a major concern and there is absolutely no way to afford higher quality food, then I would recommend feeding Kirkland (Costco house brand) food (plus some sort of wet food). From everything I have been able to figure out, the quality is as good or better than Science Diet. That makes it far from true premium quality but at least it's free of scary ingredients like "animal digest" and "animal liver" and "animal fat".

As for the comparison with Authority, I don't think the quality of what goes "into" a cat is most accurately judged by what comes "out of" the cat. A far more reasonable standard is to compare the ingredients. Here there is simply no contest - Authority is by far and away the better quality product.

If finances really are a major concern and there is absolutely no way to afford higher quality food, then I would recommend feeding Kirkland (Costco house brand) food (plus some sort of wet food). From everything I have been able to figure out, the quality is as good or better than Science Diet. That makes it far from true premium quality but at least it's free of scary ingredients like "animal digest" and "animal liver" and "animal fat".

Umm they are the same ... I too would use Authority if $$ was tight..

I have debated on whether or not I wanted to participate in this thread, but the fact is that I like the Maxximum brand of food - when compared to an ultra-premium, uber-expensive dry food formula at $25.00 US for an 8 pound bag, I found the protein to fat ratio was much better and the ingredients are not as "yucky" as some may think ... I did have a little bit of an issue with the "animal digest" - I would like for it to be a specific animal but truth be told, in the wild, cats eat a wide variety of animal sources, so it doesn't phase me as badly. I would urge anyone to discuss their pet's individual needs with the vet who is most familiar with their pet and to read, research and understand the ingredients list as well as the nutritional labels. I researched and obtained definitions for all the ingredients in the Maxximum Adult Formula and since it may prove helpful to others, here it is:

• Chicken: the clean combination of flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken or a combination thereof, exclusive of feathers, heads, feet and entrails.

• Corn Gluten Meal: the dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm.

• Chicken Meal: The clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole chicken or chicken cuttings, either or both.

• Brewers Rice: the dried extracted residue of rice resulting from the manufacture of wort (liquid portion of malted grain) or beer and may contain pulverized dried spent hops in an amount not to exceed 3 percent.

• Animal Fat preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols (source of Vitamin E): obtained from the tissue of animals in the commercial process of rendering ... Mixed tocopherols help leverage the health benefits of alpha tocopherol combined with other vitamin E compounds, particularly gamma tocopherol. Emerging science suggests that gamma tocopherol may help to maintain normal joint and heart function.

• Wheat Flour: consists principally of wheat flour together with fine particles of wheat bran, wheat germ, and the offal from the “tail of the mill.†Tail of the mill is nothing more then the sweepings of leftovers after everything has been processed from the wheat.

• Ground Yellow Corn: Self-explanatory - a popular filler in dry cat foods, as it is cheap. It is also also thought to cause allergies in some cats.

• Phosphoric Acid: A mineral supplement

• Potassium Chloride: Potassium salt of hydrochloric acid generally expressed as KCI. Potassium is essential to all species for heart and nerve function.

• Dicalcium Phosphate: A raw material for animal feed, manufactured from raw phosphate and limestone.

• Salt : Self-Explanatory

• Animal Digest: a cooked-down broth made from unspecified parts of unspecified animals. Any kind of animal can be included: goats, pigs, horses, rats, etc.

• Brewers Dried Yeast: a good source of vitamin B thought to aid in repelling of fleas. A probiotic, it may also help reduce stress.

• Choline Chloride: A natural substance required by the body that is obtained from various foods, such as eggs which protects against damage to cells by oxidation.

• Taurine: An essential nutritional substance for cats which can help prevent blindness and certain types of heart disease.

• Zinc Sulfate: Mineral important to the activity of enzymes needed for cell division and repair. Aids in proper functioning of the immune system.

• Ferrous Sulfate: used to increase red blood cell count

• Vitamin E Supplement: Added Vitamin E, a tocopherol and an antioxident, protects tissue from oxidation damage; helps in the formation of red blood cells and in the utilization of vitamin K

• Manganese Sulfate: an essential trace mineral that is required in small amounts to manufacture enzymes necessary for the metabolism of proteins and fat. It also supports the immune system, blood sugar balance, and is involved in the production of cellular energy, reproduction and bone growth

• Niacin: the active part of vitamin B3, crucial for conversion of food into energy; helps maintain normal functioning of the skin, nerves and digestive system.

• Calcium Carbonate: A form of calcium

• Vitamin A Supplement: Added Vitamin A, a retinoid. Helps maintain smooth, soft disease-free skin; helps protect the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, throat and lungs, helps reduce susceptibility to infections; protects against air pollutants and contaminants; helps improve eye sight, aids in bone and teeth formation; improves skin elasticity, moisture content and suppleness

• Calcium Pantothenate: A source for pantothenic acid, one of the B vitamins; participates in the release of energy from carbohydrates, fats & protein, aids in the utilization of vitamins; improves the body's resistance to stress; helps in cell building & the development of the central nervous system; helps the adrenal glands, fights infections by building antibodies

• Thiamine Mononitrate: Vitamin B1, needed for nerve signal transmission

• Riboflavin: Vitamin B2, helps release energy from carbohydrates; interacts with other B vitamins and is essential for growth and for the production of red blood cells

• Vitamin B-12 Supplement: supports many body processes, including the synthesis of DNA, red blood cells and nerve cell tissue, and plays an important role in energy metabolism, immune function and nerve function

• Pyrodoxine Hydrochloride: a cofactor in many reactions of amino acid metabolism, necessary for the enzymatic reaction governing the release of glucose from glycogen

• Folic Acid: A "B" vitamin necessary to form essential body proteins and genetic materials. It promotes the synthesis of the oxygen-carrying blood protein hemoglobin

• Biotin: Essential for metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates

• Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex: a form of vitamin K, necessary for proper bone growth and blood coagulation

Gayef
May I ask what the $25.00 US for an 8 pound bag food was ... that just seems high okay I live in the sticks..lol..

the first three ingrediants are good I happen to personally not like the next four but I am a picky picky girl..lol

Originally Posted by sharky

Maxxium is like Iams .... I wouldnt use it but if $$$ are tight and walmart is your only place to shop there are worse things out there///

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Hmm...I don't know about this Maxxium, but my vet actually recommended Iams. And he warned me to stay away from the Friskies, 9 Lives, etc.
I give 4 of my 5 the Iams Multi-Cat dry mixed with either Science Diet or ProPlan canned.
My 5th cat is on Prescription Diet from the Vet, both canned and dry.

My indoors cats get Iams - my rexes were raised on it and would not change it - one rex would get sick if she ate any other brand.

The outdoor ones get Kirkland's cat food (made by the Diamond company) and is high quality.

don't know if this will help. I've never used Wal Mart brand,

I've used different brands but currently I like Kirklands from Costco.
In comparison to Science Hills Diet, it seems to have exactly the
same formulation! (And its about 1/4 the price!).

I also like using Iams. Primarily I feed wet food - and for the basic wet,
I like Fancy Feast in small quantities. I have also used Wiskas (sp?)
canned, but only selected flavors as my kitties can be picky!!

Currently I've gone to a home cooked diet for at least
one meal a day. Roasted chicken with broth and pumpkin,
and smattering of Iams dry. For much rarer treats - canned salmon
(red or sockeye) or mackrel (human grade quality).

None of these foods cause dirreah or problems for my seniors
or my youngest...

i have heard that Kirkland was made by both Diamond and science diet anyone call and find out?? I dont go to costco but I know the formula for Diamond was similiar...

I try not to use grd corn , by products ( unless I can verify the source and that its organs only) and chemical prervatives... I also try for one meat to one grain .... by comparison Maximum has chn and chn meal with rice corn and wheat... I call chn and chn meal one meat so that 3 to 1 , IMHO not ideal and the Protein is coming from chn and three grains ( I prefer no corn gluten but it aint bad )...

at my house the older cat and the dog are moving to raw( under vets supervision) and the younger cat get a true high end kibble...

Originally Posted by Jen

But does it have by-products and a bunch of corn products? Those aren't good at all!

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That's like feeding children potato chips and pretzels for dinner.

Originally Posted by consumercity

That's like feeding children potato chips and pretzels for dinner.

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I will have to remember that it is good

Originally Posted by sharky

If finances really are a major concern and there is absolutely no way to afford higher quality food, then I would recommend feeding Kirkland (Costco house brand) food (plus some sort of wet food). From everything I have been able to figure out, the quality is as good or better than Science Diet. That makes it far from true premium quality but at least it's free of scary ingredients like "animal digest" and "animal liver" and "animal fat".

Umm they are the same ... I too would use Authority if $$ was tight..

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I think Kirkland is actually repackaged Diamond. I checked the ingredients on Kirkland and it looked very similar to Science Diet except that where Science Diet has "animal liver" and "animal fat", Kirkland had "chicken liver" and "chicken fat", which are better.

Originally Posted by semiferal

I think Kirkland is actually repackaged Diamond. I checked the ingredients on Kirkland and it looked very similar to Science Diet except that where Science Diet has "animal liver" and "animal fat", Kirkland had "chicken liver" and "chicken fat", which are better.

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sounds decent ... thanks for the verification

For anyone feeding their kitties Iams, which is what I was previously keeping mine on, as I was told it was a "top notch cat food", I've switched to Felidae, which is by far, a better quality. I live in a small town. Really the only place to buy cat food other than Wal-Mart or a grocery chain is Pet Supplies PLUS.

I was paying $27.99 for a 20 lb. bag of Iams Original or Multi-cat formula. The 20 lb. bag of Felidae Cat and Kitten formula I bought yesterday was $28.99. Only $1.00 difference! My kitties are my children, and deserve the best I can give them. If you're using Iams, please look into Felidae or another better quality food. I've even talked my brother into switching his kitty from Iams.

Originally Posted by sharky

Gayef
May I ask what the $25.00 US for an 8 pound bag food was ... that just seems high okay I live in the sticks..lol..

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it could have been Innova Evo. the Evo runs around $40 a bag for the 15-lb bag in my area.

[this is not directed at sharky, but to all this is just my 2 cents]
i don't think Maxximum is that bad of a food either. it was a step up from the Cat Chow that the shelter i used to work at usually got. there are people who *really* can't afford the spendy foods, and Maxximum would be better than Cat Chow for those people. the cat is still well cared for (vetted, etc) but the person just can't budget $40 for a bag of cat food. i would rather see a cat loved, in a home with mediocre food; than euthanized in a shelter because said person thought they couldn't afford food, because the only "good" food is $40 a bag.

i'm fussy with the food i feed my cats, too. but i don't like the dry foods that have a billion protein sources. i prefer that if my cat is eating chicken based food, that there is chicken in it, not fish/herring/duck/venison/etc like some of the foods out there. my cats don't tolerate herring meal and some of those other protein sources well. and my other peeve: i have a severely lactose intolerant cat, and some of the premium foods now have dairy in them (cottage cheese, etc listed). so my guys get Sensible Choice Chicken Meal & Rice. that's pretty much what it is...chicken meal & rice. very easy on their tummies.

Originally Posted by KittyGoneWild

For anyone feeding their kitties Iams, which is what I was previously keeping mine on, as I was told it was a "top notch cat food", I've switched to Felidae, which is by far, a better quality. I live in a small town. Really the only place to buy cat food other than Wal-Mart or a grocery chain is Pet Supplies PLUS.

I was paying $27.99 for a 20 lb. bag of Iams Original or Multi-cat formula. The 20 lb. bag of Felidae Cat and Kitten formula I bought yesterday was $28.99. Only $1.00 difference! My kitties are my children, and deserve the best I can give them. If you're using Iams, please look into Felidae or another better quality food. I've even talked my brother into switching his kitty from Iams.

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You can always buy cat food at petsmart.com and petco.com. They charge a little extra for the shipping but if its the only place you can get quality cat food it is worth the extra money IMO.

Originally Posted by littleraven7726

it could have been Innova Evo. the Evo runs around $40 a bag for the 15-lb bag in my area.

[this is not directed at sharky, but to all

this is just my 2 cents]
i don't think Maxximum is that bad of a food either. it was a step up from the Cat Chow that the shelter i used to work at usually got. there are people who *really* can't afford the spendy foods, and Maxximum would be better than Cat Chow for those people. the cat is still well cared for (vetted, etc) but the person just can't budget $40 for a bag of cat food. i would rather see a cat loved, in a home with mediocre food; than euthanized in a shelter because said person thought they couldn't afford food, because the only "good" food is $40 a bag.

i'm fussy with the food i feed my cats, too. but i don't like the dry foods that have a billion protein sources. i prefer that if my cat is eating chicken based food, that there is chicken in it, not fish/herring/duck/venison/etc like some of the foods out there. my cats don't tolerate herring meal and some of those other protein sources well. and my other peeve: i have a severely lactose intolerant cat, and some of the premium foods now have dairy in them (cottage cheese, etc listed). so my guys get Sensible Choice Chicken Meal & Rice. that's pretty much what it is...chicken meal & rice. very easy on their tummies.

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Thanks see evo here is about 18 for 8lbs...
Sensible choice is a good food ... My kitty gets two proteins and two grains

Originally Posted by sharky

Gayef
May I ask what the $25.00 US for an 8 pound bag food was ... that just seems high okay I live in the sticks..lol..

the first three ingrediants are good I happen to personally not like the next four but I am a picky picky girl..lol

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I've a PM in the composition stage to you, Sharky.

I am not of the opinion that dry food is at all good for our cats. With the extremely high amounts of grain (especially corn) in most and after having cared for 3 cats over the years who were diabetic and couldn't ingest that much corn, I don't like it at all. I have never in my life seen a cat in the wild walk into a corn field, shuck himself an ear and chow down. I have seen them stalk and kill small mammals - they are carnivores, not herbivores. However, the fact is that it ~is~ a very practical and convenient approach for many cat owners and something we like to use for those reasons. If I had my druthers about it, I wouldn't feed it at all.