Thread: Kitten food to Grown Cat food?

Originally Posted by messyhearts

I'd avoid Iams for the fact that they test on animals alone, to be honest.

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All the big pet food manufactures test on animals, Pedigree have a centre in the UK where food is tested for palatabilty and the output is tested to check the animal is digesting it correctly. They are well looked after and have both toys and affection. RC have theres in France I think where all their brands are tested in the same way. I know someone who has visited both centres and the animals are all healthy and happy.

Originally Posted by Helen & John

All the big pet food manufactures test on animals

The only possible way to be certain that a food is supplying the required nutrients to animals is via actual animal feeding tests. If PETA is lumping feeding tests in with harmful animal tests and condemning them all, then they are just plain ignorant. When I was reading labels of premium cat foods recently, only the Purina premium foods stated that their nutritional sufficiency had been confirmed through feedings studies. All the other brands were relying on assays of various nutrients, and then hoping these nutrients were biologically available (and that there are not other necessary nutrients). Unfortunately, this approach is hardly foolproof and has led to actual dead pets. This is a major reason why I think it a mistake for people to reject all pet food from major corporations and necessarily assume the "gourmet" brands are healthier.

Can I throw something else into the mix?

We lost our last cat (moggie) to kidney disease in March as he completely refused to eat anything but IAMS. This was not a problem for the first 16 years, but when he very quickly became seriously ill he would not touch the specialist kidney food that the vet prescribed. He was on medication too, but it wasn't fixing the problem enough and he needed to eat the prescription food. Syringe feeding was an utter nightmare (and I've lots of experience with doing this with other types of animals).

So, our new kitten has been subjected to just about every dry food on the market and gets a different brand each day. He doesn't seem to care at all. just so long as it keeps on coming, and his digestive system is in fine shape, judging by what arrives in the litter tray. I know every cat is different and we were spectacularly unlucky, but it is a problem we are going to try to avoid with this cat.

Out of interest, James Wellbeloved seems to be a favourite, especially the duck and rice flavour, and the Hills VetEssentials is a close second, based on the excitement levels when he sees the bag! In due course we will narrow it down to a few brands, instead of the 12 we currently have on the go!

Weasel, sorry to hear about your loss.

I've working the same theory as you - variety and lots of it. I figure there is less chance of any nutritional deficit if a wide range of food is given.

Casco has 1/3 dry - orijen mixed with either a little applaws, hills natures best or sanabelle grande. 2/3 wet which is a rotation of toplife, feline fayre, animonda carny exotic, highlife perfection, terra faelis, yarrah, thrive complete and some raw (minced turkey with heart, liver and egg yolk). He also gets the odd tin of grau or smilla.

It might seem a bit extreme but it makes sense to me, it's also nice that he has a variety. Like you I have noticed no trouble with his digestion or stools.