Currently I feed Purina One kitten formula (don't lynch me
) Partially because the purebred Lhasa Apso I had as a child lived off Purina One so I didn't think to feed anything else, also partially because I currently live in middle of nowhere rural Ohio, so my options for finding cat food are either Kroger or Walmart. Hurrah.
I'm considering switching to something else. There's a Petsmart in Columbus that is only like an hour away and my husband works in Columbus anyway so it wouldn't be impossible to buy a different food, just less convenient since I obviously wouldn't be able to pick it up while grocery shopping anymore.
I want to feed a dry food, so I was thinking of Royal Canin. People seem fond of that, right? Or is there another that would be better? I'd get whatever kitten-specific type the brand has, but what would I feed once he's older? I've seen ragdoll breeders feed the RC Maine Coon formula because ragdolls are so large; is that appropriate? Or an indoor formula?
I know Purina One is not fantastic (but it's also not total garbage compared to other brands you can buy at a supermarket), so is it worth the extra money/incovenience to switch? Is there that big of a difference in quality?
IAMS is very good and is in groceries. Eukanuba is the sister brand in pet food stores. RC is fine as well. The focus on joint health in the MC formula should not hurt and might help, although joint problems are not reported much in Ragdolls. The bigger the Ragdoll the more one might want to try such a food.
IAMS.. I will never feed Iams. Why? Because of the Iams cruelty case. I am sorry.. the whole thing spooked me, and I now boycott Iams altogether. Some say it was a hoax by PETA... well.. even so, I will not buy the products of a place where such cruelty is suspected. Just my opinion.
How does anyone feel about Blue Buffalo? It seems like either people love it, or have just never heard of it.
There is no IAMS cruelty case. Do not believe much of what you read on the internet, particularly from fringe groups who want to get attention that they do not deserve. The current problem in research is not too much animal testing, but too little. (By the way, Procter & Gamble is not a satanic organization with its corporate logo a coded indication of it.)
I mix and switch Royal Canin with other dry like Iams or Natural Choice. Breeder and vet both said don't let them get hooked on just one dry or they will ONLY want to eat that for the rest of their lives; so better to switch in and out or mix two good foods together.
Chrysee Wrote:Currently I feed Purina One kitten formula (don't lynch me ) Partially because the purebred Lhasa Apso I had as a child lived off Purina One so I didn't think to feed anything else, also partially because I currently live in middle of nowhere rural Ohio, so my options for finding cat food are either Kroger or Walmart. Hurrah.
I'm considering switching to something else. There's a Petsmart in Columbus that is only like an hour away and my husband works in Columbus anyway so it wouldn't be impossible to buy a different food, just less convenient since I obviously wouldn't be able to pick it up while grocery shopping anymore.
I want to feed a dry food, so I was thinking of Royal Canin. People seem fond of that, right? Or is there another that would be better? I'd get whatever kitten-specific type the brand has, but what would I feed once he's older? I've seen ragdoll breeders feed the RC Maine Coon formula because ragdolls are so large; is that appropriate? Or an indoor formula?
I know Purina One is not fantastic (but it's also not total garbage compared to other brands you can buy at a supermarket), so is it worth the extra money/incovenience to switch? Is there that big of a difference in quality?
Hi
I used Royal Canin (vet recommended it here in Australia) for my dogs and they did very well on that. Their coat is shiny and they look healthy.
So I am feeding my 20 weeks old kitten the same. When I 1st got him his stools were random and a bit runny. Now they are (please excuse pun) perfect and he does one at the exact time every morning. I also give him small amounts of turkey or chicken as a treat a few times a week. So far everything is going great and will see how he goes over the next year.
Cheers
Jo-Ann
fOR EVERY GOOD REPORT ON A PET FOOD there is also a negative from someone else. So it is up to you as an individual to fully, and I mean fully research each and every brand and item of pet food that you put into their mouths.
I was one of the first breeders to use Royal Canin in Australia and was very improessed with their products until two years ago when all hell broke loose. I will never touch this companies products ever again.
Re Iams, they are a company with integrity and broke Diamond Pet Foods stalemate to conceal the poisonings that occurred also two years ago. Some of their foods were processed by Diamond, but the integrity of their product and duty of care to animals forced the issue to be brought public. So I think Iams gets Brownie points for their efforts.
Hill Science appear to err on the side of caution, a trustworthy product I would feel.
Their are also many other smaller pet food companies making good products for you to consider.
Mixing foods is the best way as your cats do not become 'addicted' to the one brand and can be readily changed from product and brand at short notice without any ill effects.
Become familiar with all safe levels of every ingredient (American Stock Food Safe Levels - a standard measure stick so to speak) know them well, check all levels fall within their guidelines not the companies idea of safe levels. Check packaging all ingredients should be listed with their percentage and should fall within the above guidelines and is made, grown and packaged in your own coutry then it should be a sound product. If the ingredients are grown elsewhere be weary, made and packaged elsewhere then you will have little or no recourse should their be a fault with that product in an import country. Companies that do not or will not disclose percentage for each ingredience level upon request are best avoided in the interest of your pet.
In nature, the cat would eat a predominant raw meat diet. A raw diet is best, mixed with some quality dry biscuits and some wet food
is my opinion and is what we use.
You need to make it clear you are not in the US on an international board. : ) The raw meat supply in the US is not safe.
As for raw meat being "natural" and "best," so far there is no research supporting it - the support being anecdotal. That something is "natural" may be a reason to study it, but is not a reason to adopt it, because some of it will be safe and some will be dangerous. We know cats are obligate carnivores, which comes from their history. However, that they did not cook their food may not translate into any nutritional advantage today. We do know from a study that was undertaken, that feeding a rabbit only raw meat diet can result in deaths from lack of taurine. Other dangers of completeness may lurk as well.
Including raw meat, particularly chicken with skin for dental health, in Australia and some other places may be a very good idea. It is not a good idea in the US.
Iams....Charlie LOVES it no matter what kind of dry I get for him. He loves it all!! For wet i feed him Purina Pro Plan which you can only get in pet stores like petco or petsmart.