There are a million answers for this one, just like dog food. But I agree with Spencer, the higher quality food, the better. I will tell you though that Mimi lived on Purina Kitten Chow for years before Butter came along and she did just fine. I just knew that Butter didn't need the extra calories from the kitten food, so I had to make a switch. One thing I have learned about buying the "premium" foods is that they don't eat nearly as much, so you don't have to buy it as often. I think its because their systems use so much more of the food rather than it just "passing through". Don't mean to sound gross, but its the truth, with dogs and cats. Butter and Mimi are eating BilJac that I buy at Petsmart. And my dogs eat Flint River Ranch food that I order over the internet. Flint River Ranch also makes cat food, which I am sure is good. I just haven't tried to switch them since they seem to be doing so well on the BilJac.

Many, many animals have done very well on Purina products, and if you have to do the "grocery store" thing, I think Purina or Iams are good choices. My cats love a taste of canned food too, and they will not eat Iams canned food at all. So, they get the occasional can of Fancy Feast, or Nine Lives, but the bulk of their eating is the dry.
Good luck with your decision. It is SO very confusing, isn't it?

[This message has been edited by Logan (edited June 21, 2001).]