Soft Cat Food?

Masher88 · #1 01-26-2009, 05:43 PM

My cat has gingivitis and I think has a rough time eating the hard cat food I get (Eukanuba). I always try to get her really nutritional food and I shy away from the "grocery store" brands like Friskies and 9-Lives because those have corn meal and wheat germ as main ingredients instead of poultry or fish.

I can't find any sort of "good" food for cats that is soft on her teeth. Canned food is good once in a while, but I've read that it should not be the exclusive diet for cats. Plus, if it stays out all day (while I am at work) it gets nasty...and she likes to graze on her food...a little at a time while walking around!

Any pointers to some products would be awesome!

(that's her snoozin')

bassteban · #2 01-26-2009, 05:49 PM

Ask your vet. I had a male cat develop a urinary-tract blockage a few years ago(not terribly rare, they told me

), and after $1200 in ER bills they told me to feed him some specific brand of canned stuff to help prevent a re-occurence. It wasn't crazy pricey IIRC but I cannot remember the brand.

senorblues · #3 01-26-2009, 06:01 PM

You eat food from the "grocery store" don't you? I've come to believe that most Vets don't know crap. One thing for certain is that they know how to charge plenty for advice good or bad. Perhaps the cat has gingivitis from the Eukanuba. Try different foods and give the cat what he likes -not what the Vet likes.

bassteban · #4 01-26-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senorblues

You eat food from the "grocery store" don't you? I've come to believe that most Vets don't know crap. One thing for certain is that they know how to charge plenty for advice good or bad. Perhaps the cat has gingivitis from the Eukanuba. Try different foods and give the cat what he likes -not what the Vet likes.

Vive l'difference dude- but I have very good confidence in my vet; they have refrained from charging on a number of occasions and come across as quite sincere as well as knowledgeable. I'm sorry if this has not been your experience.

Masher88 · #5 01-26-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senorblues

You eat food from the "grocery store" don't you? I've come to believe that most Vets don't know crap. One thing for certain is that they know how to charge plenty for advice good or bad. Perhaps the cat has gingivitis from the Eukanuba. Try different foods and give the cat what he likes -not what the Vet likes.

You know what I was referring to...that was what the quotes were all about. I even gave examples.

C'mon, man. Why try to pick an argument? If you need it spelled out: I was talking about the cheapo food that IS READILY AVAILABLE AT THE GROCERY STORE. Not the store itself and not ALL of the the food. The really cheap crap that is full of fillers and no real food. Yes, the grocery store DOES sell some decent food for animals (and even humans too) but the majority of it is crap.

ugh....

My cat came from the Humane Society, BTW and had gingivitis when I got her. The food I have been giving her is probably the best she has ever had since she was a stray.

Thanks for the help......

onemorebass · #6 01-26-2009, 11:40 PM

Our (3) cats LOVE this stuff! They split a can in the morning and another one in the evening. And they "snack" on Iams dry food during the day. We tried the all natural (spendy) dry and canned food, but they didn't like it at all... we just want them to be happy and healthy, and they are.

http://www.iams.com/iams/premium-pet...d-cat-food.jsp

coreyfyfe · #7 01-27-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

Ask your vet. I had a male cat develop a urinary-tract blockage a few years ago(not terribly rare, they told me

), and after $1200 in ER bills they told me to feed him some specific brand of canned stuff to help prevent a re-occurence. It wasn't crazy pricey IIRC but I cannot remember the brand.

I had the same problem, female cat though. Had to sell my B15 to pay the damn vet bill. The stuff I have to feed her now is Science Diet C/D formula, but she refuses to eat the canned food, only the dry.

I'll second the ask a vet. Usually with cases of gingivitis or other gum/tooth issues you have to get a special toothpaste and brush their teeth. My girlfriends parents have a cat with gum issues and they didn't have to do anything special in terms of food, but they have to brush her daily and she had to have a few teeth pulled.

WyrdoBass · #8 01-27-2009, 08:15 AM

You could always feed you cat some nice Sea Kittens

PSPookie · #9 01-27-2009, 08:30 AM

FWIW for years I fed my cats dry food in the morning (Cat Chow) and a can of the wet stuff (Pet Pride a.k.a. Korger Brand) at night. This was until that whole melamine thing a while back. My older cat actually had kidney damage from the contamination. Now it's all dry food for those two until tey lose their teeth. Then I'll buy them the good stuff.

My point is that the brand does matter.

MakiSupaStar · #10 01-27-2009, 09:19 AM

NS2A · #11 01-27-2009, 09:25 AM

Of the higher end "name" brands, Iams and Science Diet seem to be the stuff most breeders recommend. They have no skin in the game to recommend that stuff, except to keep your cat healthy.

On a side note, I'd keep away fromt he cheap cat food. It's loaded with corn, which will just make your cat fat, because corn does nothing for a cat (and dog and people), so they eat more to get the same nutrients. Besides, it makes your cats poop stink!

senorblues · #12 01-27-2009, 09:40 AM

Eukanuba and Iams were among the cat foods recalled in 2007. I have 4 dogs and 2 cats. My wife has been very diligent about making sure all the animals have gotten their shots spading and annual checkups and we have spent much money on botched operations, unnecessary teeth cleaning, diet changes and so on. We have changed Vets several times and though I am sure that although well meaning, they generally are incompetent, misguided and way too expensive. I cook real food for my animals and they are all healthy and happy since we now use our own good judgement.

newbold · #13 01-27-2009, 09:42 AM

Why don't you cook for your cat?

There are loads of recipes online for cat food. It's cheap and they'll love it. serious.

Another great way to not buy useless products you don't need.

PSPookie · #14 01-27-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbold

Why don't you cook for your cat?

There are loads of recipes online for cat food. It's cheap and they'll love it. serious.

Another great way to not buy useless products you don't need.

Clearly you have much more time on your hands than I do.

James Hart · #15 01-27-2009, 09:59 AM

we've had great results for years with the Nutro food line.

My cats and dogs get the Natural Choice line from Nutro
http://www.nutroproducts.com/ncccprod.shtml

Masher88 · #16 01-27-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

we've had great results for years with the Nutro food line.

My cats and dogs get the Natural Choice line from Nutro
http://www.nutroproducts.com/ncccprod.shtml

Thanks for the link. Maybe I'll try the senior cat stuff. Seems like it would be good for her. My vet said Nutro stuff is good. And I have to brush her teeth...the cat, not the vet!

Yeah, like my kitty will allow that! HAHHAA

etoncrow · #17 01-27-2009, 02:35 PM

Years ago, like 1969-'70, the woman I lived with used to mix cottage cheese with the dry food and the cats seemed to dig it....Now days, my outside cats won't eat anything but dry food.....but then I have found all manner of beast remains in their 'bone yard'.