With all of this talk about pet food...

[Fuzzybuns]

It's raised a curiousity.

Why does it seem that nobody serves Meow Mix, 9-Lives, Kit-n-Kaboodle or anything like those? So many new-to-me brands are being mentioned and some are even mentioned in the recall. What really gets me is that so many top of the line brands have been recalled.

I'm a die-hard Meow Mix and 9-Lives fan. I've raised several cats until their late teens and a few into their 20s on these foods and I don't trust anything else...including my ability in serving a safe raw diet. It seems that I've made the right choice as both have stayed out of the news, though that could change. They've been around so long though that I don't see that happening.

So, I guess I'm just looking for the reasons you don't feed these mentioned and opted for these other brands instead.

Thanks...

[mrspunkysmom]

It's because those foods are feline junk foods, comparable to human fast food in health concerns. You can supplement all the vitamins you want, the the foods contain ingredients that do not belong in a carnivore's diet.

As for those top-of-the-line brands: only some vets and the companies think they are top of the line. Many of us actually look at the ingredients and the ingredients aren't that much different than store brands. For instance, cats do not need corn. Why put it in there? As a filler and cheap source of protein. My idiot former-vet was angry that I wouldn't fee Hills (he sold it) but I stood my ground.

Some people use Hills and Iams with success, but my cats have had issues with corn and wheat in the past and I try to stay away from it when possible.

I have a cat that could eat anything and live. The other cat has had kidney issues (an other health issues) so I feed the good stuff. It's actually cheaper than vet bills. Plus kinder to the kitty.

The more expensive foods rely on real meat for the prime ingredient and not on meat meal and garbage along with grains that are not part of a cat's natural diet.

the "good stuff" is seldom found in places like PetSmart and never in supermarkets or grocery stores. I have visited local animals supply houses, feed stores, and garden shops for premium cat foods.

I also feed my fellas cooked meat as a treat. It's safer than the kitty treats.

Anne

[columbine]

My vet picked my cat's food! I think the people who hang around here got started because they really focus a lot on their non-human companions, reading labels and taking them for regular checkups and such, and so we tend to give more credence to veterinarians than advertisements...

Love, Columbine

[Fuzzybuns]

I can understand that but I also take the fuzzybuns to regular check-ups and am in great contact with one of their vets as she is also a friend of mine.
They have two vets, a holistic vet and a "regular" vet (my friend)...both know the diets and both wholeheartily approve saying "if it's not broke, don't fix it".

None of my cats are ever sick...no diarrhea and no vomiting and as I mentioned, many of my past cats have lived into their late teens and early 20s and were healthy. My mom has a healthy 18 year old on the same foods.
Now Toby's brother Gus, my sisinlaw has him, was sick for his first 8 months on Iams, Science Hill and another food. His vet pretty much gave up and said to "try Kit-n-Kaboodle or something". Besides the fact that she was disgusted with this vet, she tried it and he hasn't been sick again.

Please don't think I'm arguing over who's right or who's wrong...I guess I just don't understand how these foods can be bad if I have three very healthy, active and clear eyed cats, not to mention the past kitties and others, that eat nothing other than Meow Mix and 9-Lives.

[fragrancehound]

Each cat is different with his or special needs. The best thing you can do is read labels and make an educated decision about what will work best for your fur baby.

I can say from personal experience that I really think Science Diet is crap. I don't know why vets push it so hard. When my Panther was alive he was on Science Diet for many many years because that was what my vet said he should be on...Well Panther developed IBS. Upon the recommendation from a new vet I switched him to Eagle Pack Oatmeal and Duck formula and low and behold almost all of the symptoms of IBS disappeared....no vomiting, no loose stools, and even a shinier coat. From that point on I have been a firm believer of holistic/natural foods.

[mrspunkysmom]

This is not really any different than the few smokers/drinkers/junkfood-eaters that live to 90 while the rest of us that try to eat right have problems and such.

WE would all feel better if we ate right, but as long as junk(or easy) food is available, many won't.

I had tow females with diarrhea from brand name kibble and Spunky can't handle it so it is easier to feed well.

I was feeding Eukanuba (least offensive of the so-called premiums and the cats liked it) but sometime this winter, the critters truned their noses up at it, so I switched to VF formula, and Pinnacle. They really like the latter.

Scary part: in the bowl you can't tell the difference between Vf and Pinnacle. I am checking into that.

Anne

[catmandu]

I Remember Reading An Article That Said A Lot Of Vets Are Helped In Thier Schooling Costs By Hills And Thats Why They Recommend Science Diet.
I Think That Like Iams , Science Diet May Well Be Living Off Thier Reputation.
My Cats Love Thier Canned And Michaels Adores The Chicken And Liver Dry. So I Will Buy It Although The Nutro Complete Care Indoor And The Technical Are Now The Bulk Of The Found Cat And Starry Diets.
Along With Whskas Pouches And Friskies Pouches And The Odd Purina Premium.