Is it really worth spending a fortune on cat food?

[Emma081983]

I have a cat and I always buy expensive cat food (non supermarket cat food) which claims to be healthier than regular cat food (Whiskas, Felix etc). Is it really worth me spending more money on cat food such as Applaws and James Wellbeloved or am I wasting my money? OR could I make homemade healthy cat food for less money?

[capricorn62]

I think you should be guided by your cat!!!
Mine is 13 now & he always ate Whiskas/Felix/ & some supermarket brands, but of late leaves quite a bit each day so I am trying him with Sheba moist trays & Iams senior complete food.
I also cook small amounts of chicken or liver or any good meat (boiled 10 mins or raw) .Just try anything, he will soon walk away if you`ve got it wrong.
PS. if you find you have bought some it will not eat then give to a neighbours/friends cat or donate to cattery.

[Emma081983]

Hmm be guided by my cat - he loves Applaws wet meat food which costs me �8 for a small box so he has expensive taste!

Word of advice about Iams - I use to buy Iams all the time and even though its got all the right stuff for my cat I stopped buying it because of how they do their research. See this link http://www.uncaged.co.uk/iams.htm

[Nosha123]

I heard from a vet that the Whiskas and supermarket stuff is a load of rubbish. And to be honest it wouldnt suprise me - just the smell is enough to think it cant be very good. Sure its all the left over dregs not good parts of meat.

If you can afford the expensive stuff - then go for it - it may give you a happy and healthy cat for a while longer... of course not everyone can afford them - and if your cat will only eat one type - then there isnt really much you can do (as ll us cat owners know how fussy they are!)

Having lost my poor little Saff Bag aged just 7 from intestinal cancer I do sometimes wonder if it was something that I did or something I fed him.. but you just dont know.
I say - if you can afford it then the chances are it must be better quality so keep it up!!!

[daffy654]

Who mentioned IAMS except for you?
I may be being cynical here but this post seems like an advert for your (or someone you know) site that you linked to in your second post.

[daffy654]

oops,sorry,just saw that capricorn mentioned it in their post,the lowercase letters passed me by.My apologies.

[lankeela]

This old chestnut about Iams regularly does the rounds, although the same old research is quoted from years ago.
As it is put out by an organisation that actually kills animals by the thousands I am afraid it does not hold any water with me.

[Prudentia]

is anybody there?

[lankeela]

http://www.iamstruth.com/iamstruth/en_US/jhtml s/article/IT_Article_Page.jhtml?li=en_US&pti=R P&articleID=6

Read for yourself.

[Ava77]

A lot of our catteries have stopped using James Wellbeloved and Arden Grange, as it gives the cats diarrhea.

Capricorn's right, see what suits your cat. A lot of cat food manufacturers send out free samples via their websites if you want to try something new.

[Emma081983]

daffy654 - you shouldn't be so suspicious.

Not everything you hear about companies is true but when you see many websites that are totally against the how Iams carry out their research and Iams doesn't try and defend their position by saying its all lies then you've got to take note.

But on with the meaning of this post. I guess I'll stick with what I'm feeding him though it would be nice if there was a cheaper alternative.

Ava77 - I did not know some catteries have stopped using James Wellbeloved. But maybe this is because the cats aren't use to the high quality food? My cat got a bit of diarrhoea when I introduced him to high quality cat food (he was from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and they were feeding him Whiskas) but he got better very shortly afterwards.

[sue11]

Hi emma, some of the luxury cat food is so expensive, a tin of tuna is less money than an expensive can of cat meat and you get more in it! I expect that you could probably buy other cuts of meat which will be cheaper to prepare yourself as you suggested in your post.
As a long time cat owner I am afraid I have fallen victim to my cats needs/demands and feed them on Sheba or Wellbeloved varieties. After 16 years, they now have me well trained. I have tried to resist them by making a few attempts at feeding them cheaper alternatives, but they taught me a lesson by eating a couple of mouthfuls and then stalking away in disgust. They then refused to touch another mouthful and I had to throw the lot away. Help! I am thinking of setting up a support group for us poor downtrodden cat slaves, does anyone want to join me?

[Emma081983]

Lol I was actually reading somewhere that cats are better at training their owners than we are at training them - its sad but its true! Yeah I didn't realise that before that tinned fish is cheaper. This should be good for him if I vary the diet a bit.

[sue11]

Hi Emma, I would definately suggest the tuna fish, just make sure that you don't buy type canned in brine as it could be too salty or if you do, wash the brine out thoroughly before you give it to your cat. Best of luck with your home prepared cat food!