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Is dry food that terrible
I have been looking at reviews of tthe heathiest dry food for my two two cats and all I have really come across is articles about how bad it is for them. I really want to get into the whole making their food homemade. Howeve I have a very finiky cat
and just in case she refuses my home cooking I want to find her a healthy dry food. Oh did I mention she refuses to eat wet food. Any suggestions? I want the best for my kitties and I would hate to be feeding them so awful for them. Thanks!
Asked by
Hazel Basil
on Jan 11th 2012
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in Food & Nutrition
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- This question is closed.
Best Answer
Over time, I think dry food can be detrimental and contribute to a number of diseases in cats (not all, but many). From diabetes, obesity, IBD, urinary issues, allergies, and more. My kitty has had diabetes and I have experienced what dry food can do to a cat's pancreas over time.
Yes, there are cats who will long lives eating nothing but Meow Mix. And there are also people with very good genes who have lived to 100 years eating a poor diet, with heavy smoking and drinking. Comedian George Burns is a human example of this. And there was story about a 37-year-old cat who was eating a 'grocery store' dry food.
I think you just have to research and decide what's best for your kitty. There are some better quality dry foods out there for sure, but they are still highly processed and lacking the hydration that cats need from food.
As for pickiness, maybe just try some different canned foods. Some cats just are so used to dry food and almost become addicted, so it takes time.
Best wishes!
Gumpy Sweet Boy McGee answered on Jan 12th.
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The question of what to feed is a hotly debated topic here on Catster. Cats are notoriously finicky eaters. What they like one day they will refuse the next. Some people are horrified by what's listed on the ingredients panel, some will feed only raw and spend lots of money and time effecting that diet. Some spend upwards of $40 for a 5lb. bag of food, and some people grab the generic brand off the grocery shelf and their cats live to be 25 years old. Truth be told, there is more to keeping your cat healthy than simply it's diet. Cats must visit their doctors yearly for well-kitty exams and vaccinations. If our cats have health concerns, we take them to the vet asap. We rely on our vet to keep us updated on cat health. Before we get a cat, we make certain we can afford to care for it. We do our best to socialize our cats and treat them with love, patience and kindness. We spay or neuter them. We keep them indoors. If your cats are healthy and happy, then you're doing it right!
Izadore (Izzie)
answered on 1/11/12.
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I personally believe that wet food is generally healthier for cats than dry, and switched my cats to an all-wet grain-free diet several months ago. When you say she refuses to eat wet food, have you tried different flavors and varieties? Just because she rejects some wet food doesn't mean she won't eat any at all. My cats get a rotation of brands and flavors from different protein sources. I want to make sure they're getting a well-balanced diet and I believe that variety is a good way to accomplish that goal. Also, if a food is recalled or discontinued, they still have a selection of foods that they will eat and that their tummies will tolerate.
I agree with Izzie that cats can change their preferences overnight. I've learned that firshand just in the last week! One particular food that they've been eating for months has suddenly become unacceptable to Ralphie. It's the same stuff from the same case of food, not even a new batch, but he refuses to eat that one flavor anymore.
Ralphie & Randy
answered on 1/11/12.
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