Cat Foods - WHAT is good??

[Freedom]

I know there are a lot of natural dog kibbles out there and the raw diet is very well-known in the dog world, however are there the same choices for cats? I know of one person that feeds their cats raw on occasion.

If you google "feline raw diet" a LOT of sites come up to look at.
Here is jsut one of thousands; I picked this one because there is a listing of supplies you need, and a pictorial of making the food.
www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/feline.htm


Here is how I approach this issue: foods can initially be graded by price.

grocery store brands - cheap, convenient, and goodness knows there are plenty of cats (and dogs) out there who survive on it. Thrive? Maybe not.

premium foods - at pet stores. Cost more, a little less convenient, and better quality.

prescription foods - at the vet. VERY expensive, not readily accessible (you are limited by the vet's hours).

Next, ask your vet what he/she suggests. This will tell you where the vet is coming from (if the vet only recommends the food he sells, he is in it for the money!)

Then tell the vet you are considering the raw diet (even if you aren't), and what supplements would be necessary? This tells you what vitamins/minerals etc. to look for when reading labels. Be ready to write down the answer to this question. For example, cats need taurine for their eyes; dogs don't need this.

From that starting point, you have a base of knowledge to make some decisions. Don't forget, you are NOT the final decision maker! All the research in the world isn't going to ensure your cat eats what you buy.

And if you are like me, there will come a time, even if just once every 3 years, when you are stuck, there is NO cat food in the house, it is late at night on a holiday weekend with nothing open the next day, and the grocery store is the only thing available. So you go buy a little to tide you (and the cat) over until you can get back onto the regular routine.

My vet recommended Science Diet 13 years ago, when I got my first cat. My cats do well, coats are great, energy is high, vet visits are minimal, so I have been happy with the results.