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carrie007

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Currently I am feeding Boo Whiskies Meatly Selections. Should I change her food? Someone recommended Purina Pro Plan. Maybe the food is causing her to twitch????
 

denice

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I don't know about it causing her problems. If this is the same cat with possible seizures that seems like a really extreme allergic reaction but who knows. I do know that Whiskas is an extremely poor quality food. Go to a pet store with a large selection of foods. Look for a food that has meat or meat meal as a first ingredient, no corn and if possible no soy, and no meat by-products. It will seem pricey but they will eat less of it because it will be nutrient dense and less of it will end up in the litter box because the cat will be able to more completely digest it. These quality foods also as far as I know do not contain any dyes which many of the low quality foods do. These dyes are common allergens but I don't know that the extreme that is going on with your cat is an allergy.
 

sharky

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Tell me what stores big one you have
...


Pro Plan is beter IMHO than Wiscka but not alot...


look at Nutro Natural balence sensible choice California natural Chn soup Solid Gold these are true premiums in my opnion as they have no by products grd corn or chemical pres or artificial colors or flavors
 

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Originally Posted by sharky

Tell me what stores big one you have
...


Pro Plan is beter IMHO than Wiscka but not alot...


look at Nutro, Natural Balance, Sensible Choice, California Natural, Chn Soup, Solid Gold these are true premiums in my opnion as they have no by products grd corn or chemical pres or artificial colors or flavors
I'd add Felidae and Serengeti to that list. If you can't find them where you live, there are a lot of online shops that carry them.
 

maherwoman

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Originally Posted by sharky

Tell me what stores big one you have
...


Pro Plan is beter IMHO than Wiscka but not alot...


look at Nutro Natural balence sensible choice California natural Chn soup Solid Gold these are true premiums in my opnion as they have no by products grd corn or chemical pres or artificial colors or flavors
Wow...those are all expensive! Not everyone can afford that...

I would recommend Purina One or Cat Chow. All my cats have eaten these, and have never had any health problems.
 

sharky

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Originally Posted by maherwoman

Wow...those are all expensive! Not everyone can afford that...

I would recommend Purina One or Cat Chow. All my cats have eaten these, and have never had any health problems.
Most of us that use "premiums " are paying far less in other area s
 

maherwoman

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Originally Posted by sharky

Most of us that use "premiums " are paying far less in other area s
What do you mean? In what ways?

The reason I ask is because I've NEVER had a vet bill for anything related to food. All my cats have died from old age...never from anything related to their diet. I've never had a cat with bladder infections, urine crystals, or anything of the sort. I've never had an overweight cat myself (though those that I knew that had overweight cats fed them wet food only). And this is from someone who's owned over 20 cats.

P.S. I'm not trying to offend you...it's just that people have a tendancy to post to use foods that are really high on the price list. I just wanted to post something to indicate that there are people that can't afford to buy food at that price, and that it's ok if you have to purchase something for less.
 

jen

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The question I ask myself, is do I want my cats eating food scraped off the factory floor mixed in with their chow??? (that would be by-products which cover that and random body parts thrown in there) Do I want them eating this unhealthy disgusting stuff? Whether it leads to a vet visit or not, there is no way I want my poor cats to eat that crap. I don't have a lot of money but I will splurge on a gigantic bag of the best quality food I can find and then I don't have to buy it so often because they tend to eat less in the long run because the premium quality foods fill them up and keep them full longer then foods filled with fillers and grains and corn...
 

maherwoman

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Originally Posted by Jen

The question I ask myself, is do I want my cats eating food scraped off the factory floor mixed in with their chow??? (that would be by-products which cover that and random body parts thrown in there) Do I want them eating this unhealthy disgusting stuff? Whether it leads to a vet visit or not, there is no way I want my poor cats to eat that crap. I don't have a lot of money but I will splurge on a gigantic bag of the best quality food I can find and then I don't have to buy it so often because they tend to eat less in the long run because the premium quality foods fill them up and keep them full longer then foods filled with fillers and grains and corn...
I understand what you're saying...but I don't consider that Purina is crap. I don't understand why I have to be made to feel bad because I can't afford top price food for them. None of my cats have had anything but excellent health (as told to me by the vets each cat had seen...I say multiple because I used to live in TX and it's not like the vet followed us here to CA...lol), so I don't see why I should have to pay out the bum for "premium" food.

I don't think it's right to impose on others that the only way to go is paying out the bum for "premium"...otherwise you're doing your cat harm, or giving them less than a good home because of it. I haven't known a single cat owner that spent that much money.

I can understand food like MaxCat or Iams...but cannot afford things more expensive than that...and I don't consider that a bad thing or an injustice to my cats.

You cannot possibly convince me that never having a single problem, or anything less than excellent health, in over 20 cats in feeding them food like Purina doesn't count for something.
 

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That is really great that you have had good luck with your cats. I know a lot of people who have, I just don't want to take the chance. The bad ingredients in Iams was harming my Himalayan (either his kidneys or his liver) so that is what first made me switch. Lots of people have had good luck with low grade foods. I just feel bad feeding them that stuff. That is just my personal opinion. If you have good luck then more power to ya
thats cool.

What makes lower grade foods "crap" is the by-products, chemicals, unhealthy ingredients that make them last longer on the shelf, filler ingredients and things like that. The worst being by-products. I will not feed mine by-products. I just personally think that is disgusting.
 

jlutgendorf

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Actually not all of those are very expensive. We were feeding our cats Iams, and then after reading more on this site switched to Nutro because the ingredients are better, and to my surprise, it's the same price as the Iams at Petsmart! And sometimes cheaper when they put it on sale.
I think that their brand Authority is similarly priced as well. Of course I live in a big city with a dozen or so Petsmarts which may lead them to keep their prices lower than other areas.
I think if people in interested in learning about the best food they can give their cats, and they purchase the best they can afford, well then, what else can you do? Everyone does their best and has their limits. But do the research you can and you might be surprised by what you find!

~Julia
 

jen

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I completely agree. I am suprised at the low cost of some higher quality foods. Like Nutro and even Authority is very inexpensive. I know Chicken Soup is only $19 for the biggest bag of cat food. That is great cuz I spend that much once and I don't need to buy food for awhile.

The $8.99 big bags of cheap food are that cheap for a reason. Just like McDonalds is cheap. I wouldn't eat that everyday and that is a good comparison to feeding low grade foods to cats. Like they are eating McDonalds everyday all day forever.
 

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Originally Posted by maherwoman

What do you mean? In what ways?

The reason I ask is because I've NEVER had a vet bill for anything related to food. All my cats have died from old age...never from anything related to their diet. I've never had a cat with bladder infections, urine crystals, or anything of the sort. I've never had an overweight cat myself (though those that I knew that had overweight cats fed them wet food only). And this is from someone who's owned over 20 cats.

P.S. I'm not trying to offend you...it's just that people have a tendancy to post to use foods that are really high on the price list. I just wanted to post something to indicate that there are people that can't afford to buy food at that price, and that it's ok if you have to purchase something for less.
I use less litter than I did on grocery foods cause the "kids" digest more ... I make fewer vet visits for mystery ailments... they shed less and they eat less all things that I prefer...

I used to spend 9 dollars for a 8lb bag of dog food from the grocery store every 3 weeks ... I now pay 7 dollars or so for 5lb s but it last 6 weeks .. Is that more expensive??? she digested way more and itched less... she is now doing quite well on raw and non grain about 10 buck s a bag food...

Cat food wise I paid 6-7 $ a month for dry but ended up at the vet nearly monthly for this or that and then got the shock of CRF this is without canned food cost ... I changed to a bag of premium that costs the same and her kidneys stayed stable for two years also not adding canned ... that cat now eats raw and canned only and her Crf is actually better than it was ... so does quality help ... IMHO YES

third girl eats the best quality shell eat and at age 2 has only seen the vet for shots and the vet commented she has one of the best coats she has seen.. this cat was feral or semi feral and pregnant at about 4 months ... I got her at about 8 months and didnt expect her not to have trouble... her only trouble is she is allegic to wheat and soy
.. her food runs about 10 bucks a month as she wont eat raw or canned , Is that too much to spend?? around here that is a weeks worth of coffees

Many yrs ago I raised a 125lb gsd on what was then mealtime he only had arthristis at 13.5 but then many grocery foods were "higher" quality as I knew what by products were evan then...
 

maherwoman

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Originally Posted by sharky

I use less litter than I did on grocery foods cause the "kids" digest more ... I make fewer vet visits for mystery ailments... they shed less and they eat less all things that I prefer...

Cat food wise I paid 6-7 $ a month for dry but ended up at the vet nearly monthly for this or that and then got the shock of CRF this is without canned food cost ... I changed to a bag of premium that costs the same and her kidneys stayed stable for two years also not adding canned ... that cat now eats raw and canned only and her Crf is actually better than it was ... so does quality help ... IMHO YES

third girl eats the best quality shell eat and at age 2 has only seen the vet for shots and the vet commented she has one of the best coats she has seen.. this cat was feral or semi feral and pregnant at about 4 months ... I got her at about 8 months and didnt expect her not to have trouble... her only trouble is she is allegic to wheat and soy
.. her food runs about 10 bucks a month as she wont eat raw or canned , Is that too much to spend?? around here that is a weeks worth of coffees

Many yrs ago I raised a 125lb gsd on what was then mealtime he only had arthristis at 13.5 but then many grocery foods were "higher" quality as I knew what by products were evan then...
First of all, I don't know why the attitude I pick up on in your post is necessary (note what's in bold). I was just pointing out that she could find food that wasn't as expensive if she so desired.

Second of all, the first kitty you mention was a bit of a special circumstance, whereas the kitties I had were not. In the case of a special circumstance, and vets special directives, of course I would recommend that they do what their vet says in it. And from what I can see, the second kitty's diet was from your scare with the first.

As far as what I underlined...I've never had problems with those things in my situation, period (and I haven't had just short-haired cats...but as you know, it doesn't matter the length of hair when you're talking shedding). My cats are (and always have been) in excellent health, with excellent coats. I've always told their vets what they were eating, and was met with no problem, but always praise as to their health.

As far as the cost of what you're saying...I did a little research. This is what I came up with:

We buy around 7lbs of dry cat food at a time, and it lasts us about two weeks, give or take a little. Here are the price breakdowns (this is per petco.com, for here in California).
\t
Purina ONE Special Formula for Adult Cats, 7lb bag, $8.99

Natural Balance Reduced Calorie Formula Ultra Premium Cat Food, 6.6lbs bag, $12.99
\t
Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Adult Cat Food, 8lbs bag, $15.99

Sensible Choice Chicken Meal & Rice Formula Kitten Food, 3.5lbs bag, $7.99 (which if you double it, would be about $16, since we're using @ 7lbs as our base weight for comparison)

Solid Gold Katz-N-Flocken All Life Stages Cat Food, 4lbs bag, $7.99 (which, again if you double it, for weight comparison, winds up being @ $16)

So, if you take into consideration we feed our two cats for two weeks on a 7lb bag of food, and the prices I listed above, yes, it would cost A LOT more.

I very much value my cats' health and lives as a whole, and would not feed them, as another poster so eloquently put, "crap" under any circumstances. I would sooner open a can of tuna.

Bottom line...you say you had less problems with your cat. Well, yes you would...with your cat's health circumstances. That doesn't mean what worked to help your cat should be pushed for everyone to use with every cat. Like I said to Jan, I will not be made to feel badly for the great food I feed my kitties. I don't appreciate that my comment was met with so much attitude and so many snarky comments. Those types of things are NOT what this site is about.

Like I've said, and will say again...I have literally owned over 20 cats, all with different lifestyles, all at different ages, different genders, differences as far as being fixed or not, etc. The list goes on. I have NEVER had ANY problems, nor had/have ANY of them had ANYthing wrong with their health. I would appreciate my comment about my stating that I did not mean to offend anyone being acknowledged.

I am not someone who comes on this site to shove my opinions at anyone, but I also don't think because I don't spend $40 or more a month on my cats' food that I should be talked down to, or tried to make feel bad about it. I refuse to allow someone to be like that about CATFOOD. It's ok if you have an opinion...but I don't think yours should be the only right one. Yes, those foods are probably better quality...but I also think they are a bit over the top when you consider that there are other great foods out there that cost less.

This site is not about making someone feel bad because they do something different than you, or cannot afford what you can. It is about letting the people that ask for advice know what their options are in things...it's about giving them answers. I really don't think the attitude was necessary.

I'm sorry you feel the way you do, but I don't think you needed to say things quite the way you did (and I think that should be directed at Jan as well).

At any rate, again, sorry if I offended anyone in my (or any other) comments.

Have a nice night, everyone.
 

lionessrampant

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I find Felidae to be quite reasonably priced- I think it's cheaper than Nutro. I splurge a little on Wellness for Gracie, but Evanger's and Eagle Pack only cost about 20 cents more per can than Friskies does!

I've known cats who have lived their whole lives as indoor/outdoor cats with no ID who eat Alley Cat and only see the vet for shots every year and are 18 years old now and still going strong. That's lovely for that pet owner. It would a) make me way too nervous and be a cahnce I don't want to take. I look at food as sort of an insurance policy on the good health front. Of course, genetics play a huge role and since all 3 of mine were pulled off of the street, who knows what we're in store for in their senior years. Morally, I don't want my cats eating something that I couldn't feasibly also eat. But my moral beliefs concerning animals are really quite extreme. I spend roughly $60 a month on my food that, as a college kid, I SHOULD be spending on booze and shopping trips.

You do the absolute best you can with what you have. Period.
 

maherwoman

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Originally Posted by lionessrampant

You do the absolute best you can with what you have. Period.
This sums up ALL that I've been saying, and is absolutely the point here. I don't think spending so much money should be presented to someone as a NECESSITY, when they're obviouslly a little strapped money-wise, since they're buying Whiskas food (no offense).

Thank you for voicing that opinion, and being level-headed about it.
 

sharky

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Originally Posted by maherwoman

First of all, I don't know why the attitude I pick up on in your post is necessary (note what's in bold). I was just pointing out that she could find food that wasn't as expensive if she so desired.

Second of all, the first kitty you mention was a bit of a special circumstance, whereas the kitties I had were not. In the case of a special circumstance, and vets special directives, of course I would recommend that they do what their vet says in it. And from what I can see, the second kitty's diet was from your scare with the first.

As far as what I underlined...I've never had problems with those things in my situation, period (and I haven't had just short-haired cats...but as you know, it doesn't matter the length of hair when you're talking shedding). My cats are (and always have been) in excellent health, with excellent coats. I've always told their vets what they were eating, and was met with no problem, but always praise as to their health.

As far as the cost of what you're saying...I did a little research. This is what I came up with:

We buy around 7lbs of dry cat food at a time, and it lasts us about two weeks, give or take a little. Here are the price breakdowns (this is per petco.com, for here in California).
\t
Purina ONE Special Formula for Adult Cats, 7lb bag, $8.99

Natural Balance Reduced Calorie Formula Ultra Premium Cat Food, 6.6lbs bag, $12.99
\t
Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Adult Cat Food, 8lbs bag, $15.99

Sensible Choice Chicken Meal & Rice Formula Kitten Food, 3.5lbs bag, $7.99 (which if you double it, would be about $16, since we're using @ 7lbs as our base weight for comparison)

Solid Gold Katz-N-Flocken All Life Stages Cat Food, 4lbs bag, $7.99 (which, again if you double it, for weight comparison, winds up being @ $16)

So, if you take into consideration we feed our two cats for two weeks on a 7lb bag of food, and the prices I listed above, yes, it would cost A LOT more.

I very much value my cats' health and lives as a whole, and would not feed them, as another poster so eloquently put, "crap" under any circumstances. I would sooner open a can of tuna.

Bottom line...you say you had less problems with your cat. Well, yes you would...with your cat's health circumstances. That doesn't mean what worked to help your cat should be pushed for everyone to use with every cat. Like I said to Jan, I will not be made to feel badly for the great food I feed my kitties. I don't appreciate that my comment was met with so much attitude and so many snarky comments. Those types of things are NOT what this site is about.

Like I've said, and will say again...I have literally owned over 20 cats, all with different lifestyles, all at different ages, different genders, differences as far as being fixed or not, etc. The list goes on. I have NEVER had ANY problems, nor had/have ANY of them had ANYthing wrong with their health. I would appreciate my comment about my stating that I did not mean to offend anyone being acknowledged.

I am not someone who comes on this site to shove my opinions at anyone, but I also don't think because I don't spend $40 or more a month on my cats' food that I should be talked down to, or tried to make feel bad about it. I refuse to allow someone to be like that about CATFOOD. It's ok if you have an opinion...but I don't think yours should be the only right one. Yes, those foods are probably better quality...but I also think they are a bit over the top when you consider that there are other great foods out there that cost less.

This site is not about making someone feel bad because they do something different than you, or cannot afford what you can. It is about letting the people that ask for advice know what their options are in things...it's about giving them answers. I really don't think the attitude was necessary.

I'm sorry you feel the way you do, but I don't think you needed to say things quite the way you did (and I think that should be directed at Jan as well).

At any rate, again, sorry if I offended anyone in my (or any other) comments.

Have a nice night, everyone.
You and I have far different opinions on what is good... I have learned the hard way cheaper doesnt = better ... I am not trying to be snotty , I am by nature very blunt... I do feel for you that I hurt your feelings... If you tried the higher end youll would find that 7lbs should be about what you would need for a month not two weeks for two kitties.... I also buy as much organic food as I can for me as well as growing some of my own ... I do realize I am a weirdo


The bolded statement should be read again as I am not belittling just advising
 

maherwoman

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Originally Posted by sharky

You and I have far different opinions on what is good... I have learned the hard way cheaper doesnt = better ... I am not trying to be snotty , I am by nature very blunt... I do feel for you that I hurt your feelings... If you tried the higher end youll would find that 7lbs should be about what you would need for a month not two weeks for two kitties.... I also buy as much organic food as I can for me as well as growing some of my own ... I do realize I am a weirdo


The bolded statement should be read again as I am not belittling just advising
Ok.
For the record, I can honestly see where you're coming from on things. I just wanted it to be said that spending less didn't mean the cat would suffer from it.

Lol...you sound like other people I know, as far as the organic idea. I have a friend that INSISTS on using SwheatScoop litter, and it is HORRIBLE at odor control, but she uses it because she feels it's better for the environment, or some such. You're not a weirdo...


I bet if we stopped and REALLY compared prices of things, we'd wind up finding out they were remarkably similiar. Meaning, if you count that you spend more on food, but less on litter...with me spending less on food and more on litter...they might just balance out (I realized in talking to my husband a bit ago). Lol...why I didn't think of that before, I'll never know. But...if what you say is true about using less litter, we might just try a higher quality food.

I don't know if I stated it...but I don't begrudge people using higher quality food...but at the same time, don't consider it needs to be something we would have for dinner, too, ya know?

Anyway, I hope this helps to smooth things out a little. I honestly didn't mean anything by my statements...I just wanted both sides to be honestly considered and heard. I get upset when someone that can afford "better" or "more" tries to say that's the "only" way to go. Does that make sense?

I'm sorry you've had a hard time with your kitties.
I guess I've had really good luck, from what I hear in general.

So...bottom line...friends??


P.S. Can you tell from my posts I'm a blunt person, too?? heh heh...
 

sharky

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of course ... Oha and I think my animals eat far better than me...lol.. see they have a chef on duty from 5-6 am till about 12 midnight


It isnt the only way
as I age I find millions of ways to the same pt
 

maherwoman

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Originally Posted by sharky

Friends
of course ... Oha and I think my animals eat far better than me...lol.. see they have a chef on duty from 5-6 am till about 12 midnight


It isnt the only way
as I age I find millions of ways to the same pt
Yay...friends. Glad we could settle our differences.


I guess this is what you get when you put together two blunt people that have very different opinions about something, huh?
 
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