Well thanks for appreciating the info. I don't work in meat science any longer. I do still work in a lab however, we test plants, soils, biosolids, manures and composts for nutritional content. Much less gory.

I would never say it is too late for any kidneys. One of my mom's cats has trouble with chronic cystitis. She helps her cat to get more moisture by adding water to a smaller amount of the canned food making it kinda soupy. Tribble loves it this way. Also we have 3 of those Fresh Flow waterers in the house. I have noticed all of the cats drink more water with these than they did the regular bowls of water. And they really aren't noisy. Well except for when the pump gets clogged with cat hair or it is low in water.

My first cat almost never drank water...or when she did it was when I wasn't looking. She died of kidney failure before she was 14. My second cat lived to almost 15 but she passed away from intestinal cancer. She drank and played in her water constantly. The whole issue makes perfect sense. Cats need more protein than most animals for good health. But the increased protein places a burden on the kidneys..therefore extra water to help flush the kidneys would keep them in better working order longer. Sorta like keeping the oil changed in your car every 3000 miles. Things need to keep flowing smoothly.

One of the reasons Science Diet is so heavily pushed by the vets is that they receive a pretty big kick back from the company for selling the food. Right there I see a big conflict of intrest. However, I have also been told that they are coming out with a natural line of food since they too are seeing the trend of things.

ScantyNebula,

It is entirely up to you what you want to feed your cat. I would not say that Whiskas is a horrible food. I think your furbaby could do very well and lead a long healthy life on it. I personally do not like the information I have heard about ethoxyquin and it makes ME feel better to give my cats a food that I believe does not have it as a primary preservative. However, making me feel better has also increased our pet food bill to about 60 a month US for four cats.

Denyce