Your favorite cat food...

[Medusa]

The best, I wouldn't know. I feed them what they'll eat which is Purina Cat Chow and have never had any problems. When I've tried other brands, that's when the problems arise.

[freckledimple]

I also think the way a cat reacts to it's food has to do with the local water supply; the whole chemical reaction thing. When we were on a different water supply, our cats did fine on Cat Chow. When we moved to an area with a different water supply, we had to find a new food(finally settled on Iams). What really messed with our cats' digestive systems, was in the summers, and they kept changing the chemical ratios with new water shipments.

PS. Our cats have NEVER done well on Friskies

[columbine]

Smudge can't have grain, so right now he's getting Solid Gold's "Indigo Moon" dry food, which he loves. He also gets a little canned food as a vehicle for his supplements, but I switch around so he won't get bored. He seemed to really enjoy California Naturals' Salmon & Sweet Potato, but he also likes the local grocery store's brand of whitefish/tuna! I just read all the labels and make sure there's no grain in it.

Love, Columbine

[happylabs]

I haven't really tasted any that I have fed my cats so I don't have a favorite. The beef and gravy from Friskies doesn't look or smell that bad though.

[columbine]

I haven't really tasted any that I have fed my cats so I don't have a favorite. The beef and gravy from Friskies doesn't look or smell that bad though.

Yeah, Natural Balance Venison & Peas smells like something I mightn't object to on crackers, if it had a bit of garlic & salt added! But then I'm usually pretty hungry when I'm fixing Smudge's breakfast.

Love, Columbine

[mrspunkysmom]

I also think the way a cat reacts to it's food has to do with the local water supply; the whole chemical reaction thing. When we were on a different water supply, our cats did fine on Cat Chow. When we moved to an area with a different water supply, we had to find a new food(finally settled on Iams). What really messed with our cats' digestive systems, was in the summers, and they kept changing the chemical ratios with new water shipments.

PS. Our cats have NEVER done well on Friskies

I agree with your comment on Friskies. When the girls were alive they were on Friskies and were so sick. That is what started me on my cat food odyssey almost 20 years ago.

Your water comment is right on. Right now there is more bleach in the water. I can tell by the reaction to my hair, eyes, and skin. It destroys the water filter. The cats now get bottled water or distilled water. Sam's stomatitus has all but disappeared.

As far as dry food for Sam, he eats either Innova in the red bag or VF by arkat. However, Sam is not the reason for premium cat food. Mr. Spunky will nibble on dry food and does not do well on the cheap stuff. It just makes him sick with kidney stones and vomiting.

The fellas get three foods: Fancy Feast canned for the vitamin content (Grilled versions only), raw rabbit from Nature's Variety, and cooked tilapia every day. The rabbit and tilapia are recent daily additions in the last few months. (There's a long story behind this.) I also supplement with taurine and some bone meal from time to time. Already Spunky has lost weight and is looking fit and I am hoping Sam will too soon.

They eat better than I do.

[mrspunkysmom]

I don't know what's best. What's best is what you can get them to eat without making them sick.

I would like to buy different brands but I have to be sure the cats will eat them. I wish more makers wouold offer samples. I have only the two, but I get the dry food that the one with allergies can eat. The other one happens to like the Weight control formula of this brand, so that's the dry food that I feed.

Look at the ingredients. In my opinion, if it has corn or wheat, it is NOT healthy. The same goes for by-products of any meats. By-products can mean anything and any part of the animal. Purists won't even feed chicken meal (or any meat), but want real human grade food.

In the canned food, try to avoid wheat and corn glutens. Sadly, I feed mine canned food that has some gluten in it. They like the food and it doesn't make them sick.

You have to feed what they will eat within reason. If not, you are wasting food and frustrating yourself.

I also feed raw. It takes a while to get them to switch over, but eventually they will like it. I used it as a treat first, and now they expect some every day.

My opinion: Grains are not a natural part of a cat's diet. While they can eat some grains without harm, these are not meant to be a major part of their diet. Just my opinion.

Consider bottle water and make sure it's not from another town's water supply. Sam's gums are much healthier this way and I am sure some stomach problems can be caused by bleach or bacteria in the water.

Good luck with your quest.