Oh great...now I need new cat food
Annie Deighnaugh
3 years ago
Featured Answer
Comments (44)
Related Discussions
Oh Me, Oh My - Cat Confusion!
Comments (1)Congrats, Susan on both types! Sherry...See Moredry food for cats that can't eat dry food ;)
Comments (11)Lukkiirish, the problems with your cats was not due to wet feeding. Dry food is made to shatter IF the cat bites down on it. Of course, when it does, it's nothing but mealy grit that easily lodges in the gingiva. This leads to periodontitis, resorption, and other painful conditions. The only way to care for cat teeth at home is to brush them. Your claim that dry food is good for feline oral health is no different to claiming that eating saltines will clean your own teeth. If you know the anatomy of a cat's mouth, you can see that there are no chewing surfaces, ie., the molars are high on the outside and low on the inside near the tongue. This facilitates shearing action, which, rather than chewing, is what a cat's mouth is evolved to do. Chewing animals have flatter molar surfaces, so that food can be kept in place for chewing. Imagine the action of a mortar and pestle. The tool is designed to hold stuff in place for grinding. That's what your teeth are made for. Cat teeth are shaped to provide a scissor-like action. So, on that alone, you can understand why dry food is useless for feline oral health. Next, dry food is by nature very high in carbohydrates. It must be, since the plant matter is needed to glue the meat meal grit into kibbles. If you're reading labels, good-but if you're not translating them, then you have no idea what you're feeding your cats. Any claims on dry food labels of "50% protein" are utter hogwash. Firstly, any plant matter that is useful protein in any other animal feeds is also considered useful protein in cat food, despite the fact that cats cannot utilise plant protein. You need to know how much animal protein is in the mix, and manufacturers are not always going to tell you that if you call them. Secondly, you need to calculate dry weight to get a grasp of how much of ANY protein is in the mix. If you're lucky enough to get facts from the manufacturer, then you still do the maths. The best dry food on the market is probably less than 20% animal protein, which is grossly insufficient for obligate carnivores. Then you need to consider that cats are not particularly interested in drinking water. Everyone claims that "my cat drinks plenty of water!" But no one can tell you how much water "plenty" is! A cat's natural diet is prey, which is about 70%-80% water. So is wet food! Dry food? Under 10% water. Cats will drink, but are not thirst-driven, so are unable to know if they're getting enough water to function. The dry-fed cat will walk away from the water dish long before it has consumed sufficient water. As a result, dry-fed cats have undue strain on kidney function, digestion, urinary function, and who knows what else because they are always dehydrated. Dry-fed cats are also far more likely to be obese and to develop diabetes and hypertension. Oh, and let's not forget how many dry-fed cats end up with an excess of urinary crystals or even blockages! This is almost always due to dry feeding, which leads to concentrated, alkaline urine. Cats need the sufficiency of wet food fluid intake in order to reduce urine's concentration and to flush out crystals. The higher animal protein in wet food helps to maintain appropriate urine acidity. Another interesting thing is that so many people are completely hoodwinked by the"grain-free" movement! It doesn't matter! Grain-free does NOT equate carbohydrate-free! Grains are often primary suspects in food allergies. The grain-free bandwagon needs to be halted for the sake of our cats. Grain-free dry foods contain as much carbohydrate as do grained foods. You'll frequently see claims that cats in the wild will eat the stomach contents of their prey, but this is not fact. Cats are not keen on stomach acids needed for plant breakdown and carefully avoid eating any part of prey digestive tracts. I suppose that laboratory cats who are only fed digestive tracts will consume them in hope of avoiding starvation, but not cats in more normal surroundings. Lastly, I'm always hearing from people who claim to have cats who were dry-fed only, and lived to be 32 and never had a problem. Well, genetics can make some cats lucky enough to slip past troubles, but these are very much the minority. I also suspect that some of the owners were lying about the cats' longevity, or the cats had outdoors access so supplemented their dry food with nice juicy prey. It is also likely that the cats were never taken to the vet so any problems they may have had were never diagnosed. It's like the centenarian who, when asked the secret to his long life, answers " booze, cigars, and unrestrained sex!". Does that mean that EVERYONE should live like that in order to become a centenarian? Of course not. I see no problem with using dry food in place of cat treats. It's less expensive. Ten to twenty pieces of dry food in a day are amazing as training rewards. But there is no real benefit to dry feeding....See MoreNeed advice on healthy, high-protien cheap canned cat food
Comments (16)you can usually purchase Fancy Feast in large quantities for pretty cheap (less than 40 cents per can) at Walmart, and sometimes Target. The kind without gravy (the 'feast' forms) are nearly all high protein, low carb and decent fat and salt ingredients and are pretty good diets for cats. The gravy ones have a lot of carbs in them (more than necessary). Some of the Fancy Feast flavors are considered by some internal med professors (mine in particular) to be among the best all around cat foods available on the market (even better than all the fancy veterinary diets per this professor of Veterinary Medicine). But there are many good quality canned foods available. Just try to stay clear of the ones with lots of grains (or any grains if possible) in them. 'By products' however are not usually something you need to avoid as these are still protein sources- just not ones we humans would normally want to eat, but that still have nutritional value. These do make the foods more affordable, but not at the expense of the kitty... not so with all the unnecessary carbs- thosea ARE cheap and unwanted fillers....See MoreSupplies needed for new cat?
Comments (37)I join those who encourage you to not let her outside unless she's on a harness (*NOT* a collar) and leash. Or consider a dog kennel type setup where she's confined. Meow Mix is a low-grade food. I'm not going to get into arguments over food but I'm a firm believer in a better quality food. I noticed a *huge* difference in the coats on my animals when I started feeding them Eukanuba. I won't change. It's a well respected brand and food. Good foods won't have as much stool to clean up, will give a better coat and even help their teeth. Wet food will build up on their teeth where dry food will help clean their teeth. I've never had a problem with a cat not drinking. I "free feed" mine where some don't. I have no problems with it. Speaking of food, avoid dairy products. Contrary to common belief cats are not by definition lactose intolerant. Like humans, some are. But it's still better to give them less. First, they don't need it after weened. And they should have mama's milk before that. Second, milk is not part of their natural diet. I give mine an occasional treat of ice cream about the size of 2 peas. That's all she wants and that's all she gets. Other treats I seldom give. It's better to feed them a good quality food. Occasionally some get tired of their food and complain but they'll eat when hungry. Keep in mind cats and dogs are carnivores and need animal proteins in their foods. Cheap foods use plant proteins and that's inferior. They won't get the same nutrition. Avoid foods that contain the word "gluten". There's a lot to learn on food and a lot of misinformation out there too so I won't go into all of it right now. However a good diet will eliminate much of the odors in the litter box. They're no different than humans in that respect. If they get an upset stomach, their waste will smell. Small objects on tables, counters, etc, may soon become toys. Don't leave earrings, rings, or anything valuable out unless you want to take a chance. Claws. You'll need to get a claw trimmer. Don't use a fingernail clipper, they'll split the claws and can cause damage. I like the ones that are like scissors with a little "square" in it that cuts. You have much better control. If the cat is a longhair, even a shorthair, you might want to get a brush or comb. Start combing/brushing them young to get them used to it. Mine enjoys it. Some cats shed nonstop, mine sheds very seldom (but again, a big part of that is her diet). Pets are rewarding. I'm sure you'll enjoy having her around. Yes, sometimes they're frustrating, not unlike kids. Cats need exercise and sometimes they'll give some to themselves. But a stick of some sort with a string on it is very entertaining, and they enjor chasing it. Also laser pointers are great toys. Mine comes and literally screams at me when she wants to chase the red dot! Her other toys? Bottle caps for one. And she likes to dig a scrap of paper out of the wastebasket and scoot it around. Don't spend a lot of money on toys! Most stores like Petsmart or Petco will have a list of suggested things for a new cat. Don't go overboard. The litter box, dishes, food and the like will get you started. Any dish will do, however, plastic dishes are being frowned upon these days. I do use some though but I know people who had trouble with their cats and the vets said it was from plastic food & water dishes. They didn't specify that the ones designed as pet food dishes were bad but using other ones. Again, could be controversial. But a glass or stainless steel bowl might be in the house and solve the issue. Discipline. Might as well address it. I have a spray bottle set to a stream and filled with water. If she does something she shouldn't it'll shoot across the room and you can hit them without hurting them. They don't like getting wet. Sometimes if she's about to do something she shouldn't I just reach toward the bottle and she changes her mind! Cats are inquisitive. Remember that. Cats own you and you are to serve them. You'll learn that....See Morecolleenoz
3 years agoAnnie Deighnaugh
3 years agomurraysmom Zone 6a OH
3 years agoAnnie Deighnaugh
3 years agoAnnie Deighnaugh
3 years agoAnnie Deighnaugh
3 years agoAnnie Deighnaugh
3 years agoarkansas girl
3 years agoAnnie Deighnaugh
3 years agoAnna (6B/7A in MD)
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agokadefol
3 years agoAnnie Deighnaugh
3 years ago
Related Stories
PAINTINGHelp! I Spilled Paint on My Clothes — Now What?
If you’ve spattered paint on your favorite jeans, here’s what to do next
Full StoryLIFEYou Said It: ‘Just Because I’m Tiny Doesn’t Mean I Don’t Go Big’
Changing things up with space, color and paint dominated the design conversations this week
Full StoryFUN HOUZZEverything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey
Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Symphyotrichum Shortii
Shade-tolerant Short's aster extends the fall season with color and food for pollinators
Full StoryLAUNDRY ROOMSWhere Can I Hide My Laundry Area?
It’s a case of now you see it, now you don’t with these 10 clever ways of fitting in a laundry zone
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Sally Holmes Rose
This simple yet versatile climbing rose grows vigorously all year; plant now for abundant spring and summer blooms
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Gilia Capitata
Add playful blue flowers to your California garden and provide food for butterflies, native bees and honey bees in spring and summer
Full StoryORGANIZING4 Types of Photos That You Need to Delete Right Now
Remove these not-so-great images to make way for more, and better, memories
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Little Bluestem Goes Above and Beyond
It thrives in poor soil and provides food and shelter for wildlife. Plus, Schizachyrium scoparium is just a darn pretty native grass
Full StoryBEFORE AND AFTERSOh Say, Can You Believe These $200 Star-Spangled Stairs?
Once sporting a mucky 1970s look, this staircase can now proudly be hailed for its beach cottage charm
Full Story
sjerin