Questions about cat food

[strangeduck]

I used to feed felidae, wet in the morning and free feed dry.  However, with the price of everything going up (including Felidae) I recently switched to the Chicken soup brand, but still feed the felidae wet because I can't find the chicken soup in the bigger cans and since I'm feeding five cats, the smaller cans simply aren't economical.  I know Felidae isn't as good as Evo, but with the dogs and the cats and the rats and the snake I simply cannot afford the Evo.  I was on a website that listed Evo is six star and Canidae/Felidae and Chicken Soup as five star.  I talked to my vet and they recommend Science Diet, which I think is just as crappy as Nutro and don't want to feed.

So, is the Chicken Soup okay, or should I stick with the Felidae.  I know Evo for five cats is just out of the question, so I need something of high quality that doesn't completely break the bank.

[werecatrising]

I have never used the Chicken Soup myself, but know many clients who do. All of their cats do great on it. The ingredients look good to me, too.

[ScoutGotBig]

Chicken Soup is fine if yours go for it

[Dearpie]

I've been feeding my cats Chicken Soup ever since I lost my one cat that was required to be on Science Diet's r/d or whatever it was for crystals.  My cats have done GREAT on it and love it!  I admit, I feed dry Chicken Soup and canned Friskies.  I get the Friskies because I have 5 cats and I just pick it up at Costco.  It's an economic decision.

[Speed Ratster]

I have been a Felidae feeder for many years.  However, their new formulation worries me a little bit.  The first ingredient is chicken meal, but then the next 4 are grains/carbs.  I would like to see more meat meals in the first few ingredients, as they had in their old formula.  Strangely enough, their website says that this new formula has more meat than their old, but I just don't understand how. 

I was thinking of switching to Chicken Soup since they list only one carb in their first 5 ingredients.  As well, Chicken Soup is much more economical, around $1.30 per pound, versus $2.10 per pound of Felidae (Dallas, TX price).  I can empathize with Strangeduck as far as having to make economical decisions (hence the price-per-pound breakdown).  I have 11 cats (5 of them are on a restricted or prescription diet, which are even more expensive...ugh), and 4 medium-large dogs.

I'm also having to make the same food evaluation with my dogs since the big price hike.  Interestingly enough, the new formulation of Canidae (the dog version of Felidae) actually looks better than the old.  They now have meat meals as their first 3 ingredients, where the old was only the first 2.  They replaced some of the rice with peas, barley, and millet, which in my household will not matter. 

I don't know how accurate it is, but I was told today by my local pet store owner that Canidae/Felidae is going to be sold at Petsmart soon.  It's the first I've heard of it.  She seemed to be disappointed by it, thinking that the food's quality is being compromised to make it more marketable to the masses.

[Marybelle]

Argh!  You mean I'm going to have to try to find another food that all my cats will eat??  Why do they have to go and change the formula, darnit?  I used to do Chicken Soup, but I'm not sure where I can find it locally other than the local feed store.  Guess I'll have to check it out again, as they all liked it, and, if it's now better than the Felidae, I guess I'll be changing back...  *sigh*

[Speed Ratster]

I just discovered something about Chicken Soup for cats.  While I think their adult cat formula is fine, I've found that their kitten, light, and senior hairball formula contains powdered cellulose.  It's one of those ingredients that should be avoided, as powdered cellulose is basically sawdust made from wood pulp.  It's supposed to be a source of fiber, but it's not a very good one and I was surprised to see it in any of the Chicken Soup formulas.  It's also in their light dog formula.  It's not very high on the ingredients list for kittens, but it's up there in the adult light and senior hairball.  Even if it were only in small amounts, I'm not sure I'd want my cats eating it in any amount.  I'm sticking with the adult cat and will check the ingredients label periodically.  This really disappoints me as I think there are other sources of fiber that are more acceptable.

This just goes to prove to me that Diamond products have to be closely watched.  They're not my favorite company, and if you're trying to watch your finances and feed multiple animals, they're one of the only affordable choices.  Again, it just proves to me that they do cut corners and you do get what you pay for with Diamond. 

[Speed Ratster]

I called Felidae's customer service today to inquire about their new formula.  I voiced my concerns over the new ingredients list and told them that the new formula appeared to have more grains than meat meal (at least when it's broken down into a list, that's what it looked like to me).  However, they assured me that the amount of chicken meal (the first ingredient) far outweighed the combined total of the grains.  They said they added much more chicken meal, making the total meat meals used in the new formula much heavier in weight than the old formula.  Although I didn't think to ask, I assume they cut back on the turkey and lamb meals they'd previously used, hence those being further down on the ingredients list.  I'd previously read an article that revealed the recent price per unit of food goods in the US.  Since rice and grains are being used for fuel, there is now a shortage of them, hence the hike in price.  The article stated that chicken meal is going for exactly the same price per unit as rice.  Maybe this is why more companies are offering grain-free animal diets and why Canidae claims they're adding more meat to their foods.

Anywho, there's one other I forgot to mention since Marybelle is looking for another food.  There's a few stores here that carry a food called Cat Lover's Gold. I haven't tried it yet, but the ingredients don't look too bad.  The only ingredients that I'd question are the brewer's yeast and chicken liver meal.  There is some controversy whether liver is a good meat (not enough controversy to make me avoid it though).  As far as brewer's yeast goes, I know it's used as a supplement for flea repelling but I don't know what other nutritional value it has.  The largest size they offer in the cat food is 11 pounds, but the price per pound is comparable to Felidae.

Their site could use a little re-vamping, but here it is if you'd like to check it out.
 www.dogloversgold.com

By the way, and this is just my personal experience, but Canidae/Felidae have the best customer phone support.  Within the last few months, I've had to call several major brands regarding a dog food inquiry, and Canidae's telephone support was far superior than anyone else's.  I have contacted them 3 or 4 times, and with the exception of one lady (she was kind and courteous but not very passionate), all their representatives are knowlegeable and confident.  It is obvious that they whole-heartedly believe in their product and have the knowledge to back it.  They answered every question professionally and thoroughly.  There were actually a few times where their explanation was so thorough that it answered a subsequent question of mine.  I was very impressed so I just thought I'd let everyone know.

[Marybelle]

Okay, so even though the ingredient list has changed, it's still high in protein and meat, right?  At least that's what it sounds like.  Hopefully my cats will like the new formulation.  It still seems higher in quality to me than most of the other stuff available, which is why I feed it to my cats.  I tried EVO for a couple months, but it made two of my three exceedingly stinky, for some reason.  Not sure why, but it did make us switch back to Felidae. 

[Speed Ratster]

Yes, according to the Canidae company the new formula cat food (and dog food) contain MORE meat meal than the old formula.  It just looks funny on the ingredients list because the new formula lists only chicken meal as the main source, and the old listed 3 meals.  They explained to me that they've simply replaced the other meals with a massive amount of chicken meal (I guess that's the best way to say it).  After speaking with them, I feel confident in going ahead and feeding my guys Felidae.  I didn't feel like they were trying to decieve me or pull the wool over (and I grilled them pretty well).

[Marybelle]

*sigh of relief*

That's a good thing.  Finding something that all 3 of my cats will eat, and that doesn't make one of them sick is a chore.  I've been through it before it's not any fun! 

[Auntie Crazy]

StrangeDuck (love that name!), I've fed both Felidae and Chicken Soup canned. My kitties tolerated the Felidae, but absolutely love the Chicken Soup. I've added it to the other 20 flavors they're served. (Oh, yes, they eat better than I do! )