Some ?'s about foods

**lv4dogs** · 10-28-2003, 03:27 PM

Can cats systems be sensative like dogs? For example should you feed them just one food, & if you do switch should you switch gradually? I know a lot of people just buy whats on sale.
I am feeding dry nutro natural kitten to my new 6 week old kitten. I was feeding the nutro natural kitten pouches but I ran out & could not get a pet store so I bought some whiskes.
I imagine Nutro is a good food for cats? I feed all my dogs nutro natural. Do others here feed it?

Also I am trying to switch her over to ONLY dry food as it is better for her teeth. I got her @ 4 weeks of age so I had to feed some moist food as her teeth were too tiny to eat only hard kibble. I started off feeding her moist mixed w/ dry 3 times a day but leaving dry out at all times. I have been slowly trying to add more dry & less moist to her bowl and cut down to only 2 feedings of moist mixed. She is not taking this well. She has barely touched her dry (i measure it every day) and only about 10 kibbles are gone each day. I am afraid she will not be getting enough food for proper nutrients. Are cats like dogs, if they get hungry enough will they eventually eat more or do you think she does not like her food? She seamed to like it at first but I think she may have just gotten used to the moist food. Should I consider switching her food? How much longer should I be feding her canned food for?

**Russian Blue** · 10-28-2003, 04:12 PM

As a rule, cat's food should be changed over slowly in case their systems can't adjust quickly to the change. That's why it's recommended to switch over the food over a 7 day period. But, *some* cats can tolerate a switch in foods with no reactions.

From my research, you want to make sure that your cat gets adequate moisture either through their meals or through their drinking water. If their systems do not have enough fluids, there can be health problems down the road.

New research is showing that a cat should get both wet and dry foods to avoid these problems. There have been studies that also show that wet food does not necessarily contribute to poor dental health (ie: it is more a genetic problem) and that dry foods do little to stop plaque from forming because of the way the cat's teeth shatter the food and keep it away from rubbing on the gum line (where plaque forms). Since your kitten is so young, start brushing it's teeth and make it a daily routine. Then there would be no problem in feeding more wet foods.

Here's a link to more info:

http://www.felinefuture.com/nutrition/bpo_ch4.php

http://cats.about.com/cs/catfood/a/canned_food.htm#b

http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=ca...2Fdryfood.html

I have always given both wet and dry. If your cat is refusing dry, try to slowly add dry to the wet food. Is the dry food to big for your cat's mouth (the individual pieces) and is it having a hard time chewing it? Maybe your cat is teething and therefore requires a smaller kibble. I used Royal Canin Baby Cat when Nakita was little.

Also, some cats do refuse to eat dry food or wet food. It really ends up being the cat's preference and usually you have to experiment to see what your cat will prefer.

When looking for a cat food, read the ingredient label. You want to try to stay away from by products, fillers and artificial colouring, flavourings etc. Also, meat should be the main ingredients listed in the first ingredients noted on the package. Also stay away from synthetic preservatives which include butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), propyl gallate, propylene glycol (also used as a less-toxic version of automotive antifreeze), and ethoxyquin.

**lv4dogs** · 10-29-2003, 12:10 PM

Thank you for the info. I would have never guessed that a cats mouth is slightly different than most animals as far as dry food "brushing" the teeth & gums. I never knew their teeth pushed the food away. I have already started to lightly brush her teeth & she does not seem to mind that much.

I do know about good quality foods what to look for & what not. I also knew they need adequite water but never knew they may need canned to get that. I just guessed they would drink enough water on their own. She does seem to drink enough.

The kibble does not look too big for her mouth. I think I will just eventually reduce her diet to only one meal a day for canned food & just leave out dry for her all the time.

I feed nutro natural choice kitten formula now. I also have ferts & was looking for a food that may be combined w/ the ferts as I know they will OCCASSIONALLY get into each others foods so I was maybe thinking about eventually switching to Eukanuba (although I dislike the testing that the Iams co. does) or maybe Felidea or Chicken Soup for the cat lovers soul.

Food debates can go on & on w/ any species of animal. LOL
You keep "finding" or "thinking" or "guessing" that one is better is than the other. It is a vicous circle LOL!

**Russian Blue** · 10-29-2003, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by lv4dogs
Food debates can go on & on w/ any species of animal. LOL
You keep "finding" or "thinking" or "guessing" that one is better is than the other. It is a vicous circle LOL!

I totally agree!

Many average pet owners buy a certain food because of strong marketing and advertising budgets and don't take the time to research the actual ingredients in the food. Many owners are shocked when they start reading the labels and understanding what is in pet food.

Also, you have to look at the history behind the company making this food. How long have they been in business? What quality controls do they place in their manufacturing facilities? How many recalls have happened over the last 5 years with their products? Who is actually doing the testing of the product? It really ends up being a lot of research if you want to find out the facts behind the marketing gimmicks.

It's also a process of experimentation between the amount of money you want to spend, what food is readily available in your area, and what your cat will *actually* eat. You can buy a good food, but the cat won't necessarily eat it!

I am no expert, I just try to read everything I can to make myself more aware on the subject.

Good luck in finding a food for your kitten (and ferret)!

**Craftlady** · 11-10-2003, 07:40 PM

Natures Receipe makes a rabbit and rice can food. I've spent hours searching and even called Pet Smart, everyone carriers can but can't find dry food. They make it for dogs in dry.

Any help would be appreciated. Can be rabbit, venison, or lamb.

I talked to vet today and he said I could try to find a good quality over counter food instead of doing venison/pea rx diet.

**lv4dogs** · 11-11-2003, 01:18 PM

http://www.naturesrecipe.heinzpetpro...s/catproducts/
heres a link to NR website. Maybe they can help? Does your cat have allergies or something?

**Craftlady** · 11-11-2003, 04:20 PM

lv4dogs
Skinny has had several things going on since we first took him in to our home in Sept. If you do a search "Skinny" or "Skinny Update" it will give the full story. Short version.. started out with coccidia which gives kitty diarreha. Medications cleared up parasites but not diarreha. Off to specialist we went and he is being treated for inflammatory bowel / food allergy.