Naturals - Plus Vitamins and Minerals Cat Food - Wow!

I have three wonderful cats. They are a delight but, they can be so finicky at times. They like a cat food with something different. I found this quality in Purina Naturals cat food. Naturals has a variety that pleases all of my cats. That was something special to find!

Naturals is an exciting new product from Purina. My cats were eating another brand and had grown tired of it, when I decided to try this product. The lovely green bag with a design of a lady holding a cat, on the bag, caught my eye. This product did not look like the normal Purina cat chow. I decided to take a chance and try it out on my cats. They absolutely loved it. My cats have been eating this cat food for a few months now and will not eat any other dry brand, at this time. Purina Naturals passed the cats taste test wonderfully!

Naturals is a blend of real meat, whole grains and garden vegetables. This cat food has real chicken, for protein and muscle mass. It has salmon, for omega fatty acids that help promote shiny coats and healthy skin. Naturals is made with whole grains, to maintain your cat's energy level. Naturals has spinach and parsley. Cats need greens, too! My cats are eating healthier than I am and I couldn't be more pleased. My cats seem to love the taste, texture and smell of this product. Naturals is a bit smaller, in food size, than the usual brand my cats had been eating. They seem to eat less of Naturals and they are looking better. This cat food seems to be a winner and won all of my cats vote of approval. That is great!

I can tell Naturals is a great food when I look at the empty cat food bowls, every morning. That means my cats love it. Naturals is one hundred percent balanced and is for adult cats. This great pet food seems to have everything. It is safe and my cats thrive on it. Purina Naturals Plus Vitamins and Minerals has a formula that is designed to control hairballs. This really has worked, with my cats! This product uses a natural fiber blend that has this effect. No hairballs and no mess. That fact, alone, is worth trying this product. Purina Naturals has no added artificial flavors or preservatives! That is why Purina calls this product Naturals. It is unique and healthy. This product has given all three of my cats excellent health benefits. They have more energy, softer coats and healthier skin. This cat food also has Vitamin E in it. I am sure that gives my cats the extra skin and coat healthiness.

Purina Naturals is very inexpensive. I can find a large bag for under four dollars. That is a very good bargain and an excellent value. With three cats, I need a bargain! You can find Naturals where you usually shop for pet food. I usually purchase this product at the grocery store. Purina has been around for seventy-five years so, I trust this company. I can speak for this product, since my pets have been eating it for many months. I notice that this particular food, Naturals, uses ground whole wheat. I found that fact to be a comfort. My cats found that this product is delicious! They can't get enough of it.

Purina Naturals Plus Vitamins and Minerals Cat Food is a fantastic way for me to give my cats all that they need to be healthy and happy. This is an excellent product and my cats enjoy it. I love the money that I save and the cats love the taste. The cats that rule my house say that this product is great! I have to agree.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/256519/naturals_plus_vitamins_and_minerals.html

Rendering: From Roadkill to Cat Food

A pile of dead animals covers the floor of the rendering plant, covered with maggots. The humming of the flies swarming around the bodies is mere background noise as mini-bulldozers gather the carcasses for processing. As the bodies are dropped into a large pot for grinding, their bones, viscera, eyes, brains, and fur or feathers become a giant mixture of "meat product". After the raw product is cut and shredded, it is loaded into a large cooking pot and cooked for anywhere between twenty to ninety minutes. The grease, often called yellow fat or tallow, is skimmed from the top of the cooked mixture, and the cooked meat and bones are processed further, dehydrated, and made into meat meal or bone meal. Farmers rely on this industry to dispose of their livestock waste (down or dead cows, sheep, etc), and slaughterhouses rid themselves of parts considered inedible for humans (feathers, cow heads, hoofs, viscera, etc), diseased meat, scraps, and contaminated products. Dead zoo animals and roadkill can also be found in the mixture, as well as euthanized cats and dogs from vet clinics and animal shelters. It is the rendering business, and it is one of the most behind-the-scenes businesses in the food industry. It has progressed almost silently for many years, and many people have been unaware of its existence or influence - until recently. News about Mad Cow Disease and other health problems has hit the streets, and eyes are beginning to turn to the rendering business and the uses of its products.

Meat is the main part of a meal for many Americans, and this practice is promoted by the meat and poultry industries. But, unlike more traditional and Earthly cultures, Americans have an extreme attitude of consumerism and waste. Unlike other cultures that use every part of an animal that is killed for food (the hide, hooves, ears, meat - everything is either eaten or made into other tools or products), consumers in "first world" countries use only a limited portion of each animal (roughly half of each cow and one third of each pig is considered waste material). The rendering industry, however, takes care of this waste problem. They take animal waste, diseased or rotten meat, dead pets and zoo animals, restaurant scraps and grease and convert it into "usable" products. The finished products: tallow/grease and meat/bone meal. Their uses: candles, soaps, pharmaceuticals, gummy candies, lubricants, pet food, livestock food, and much more.

The rendering industry boasts that it is the "original recycler". This recycling industry is almost completely self-regulated (unregulated) and has helped reduce "waste" and the cost of pet food and livestock feed - but at what price?

Most people have heard at least something about Mad Cow Disease that has caused major controversy in Europe. The current theory of its cause is that the feed that was given to cattle is what made them sick - feed containing rendered parts of sheep with an enigmatic neurological disease called scrapie. The disease was theoretically passed on to the cows and then to human beings who ate the cow meat. While cows are vegeterian animals which should not be consuming meat products of any kind, farmers and ranchers have introduced it into their diets. Human beings are attempting to change the nature of a cow by feeding them meat and, at the same time, are poisoning them with dangerous "meat byproducts" that contain many questionable substances.

An estimated 100 million pounds of waste material are picked up every day by the rendering industry. Diseased, poisoned, and otherwise inedible livestock are freely put into the grinder without treatment - tags, hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, intestinal waste, fur - nothing is left out. Dicarded meat and seafood from supermarket freezers are added, along with the plastic wrapping and styrofoam trays. Dogs and cats are shoveled into mix with their tags and flea collars intact. The resulting soup is a concoction of meat, pesticides, horomones, drugs (the chemicals used to euthanize dogs and cats do not break down in the rendering process), disease, plastic, metal, insecticides... This is what our pets are eating, and this is what is fed to chicken, hogs, and other livestock. Pigs are eating pigs, chickens are eating chickens, dogs are eating dogs, cats are eating cats....and humans are consuming the livestock that eat this filth.

Because the rendering industry is hugely self-regulated and secretive, there are many issues that are kept from public eye. Have you ever wondered what the hospital does with a mother's placenta after it carts it away shortly after delivery? Research shows that human placentas have been found within the mixture of rendering pots!

When an animal dies in nature, for whatever reason, its remains are either eaten by predator animals or are left to decompose. The decomposition of the animal fertilizes the Earth and replenishes necessary ingredients naturally. Today, the rendering industry capitalizes on the American craze for meat and poultry and perpetuates the system of excess and waste. It is time that we reconsider our dietary philosophy and the treatment of our livestock. The safety of our food supply and, in turn, our own health, is at risk.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/257304/rendering_from_roadkill_to_cat_food.html

Why It's Worth More to Pay for Premium Cat Food: An Experiment

A few summers ago, we had a cat food crisis - we were out of cat food and the pet store was closed. That meant there was no food for supper or breakfast for the cats unless drastic measures were taken. So I decided to do a little experiment. I decided to buy my cats a bag of what I consider to be crappy food. I'm a pet food snob and normally only feed premium brands. Let me tell you about my experiment.

I firmly believe there are three grades of pet food - high, medium, and low. Your low quality food is your Farm and Fleet type food - the main ingredient is ground corn and corn and more corn - all totally filler with no nutritional value., Your medium grade stuff that you find at places like Wal-mart - brands like Iams and Purina that are more nutritious and have more meat and less filler. Your higher grade foods are the foods that you only find at pet stores and special order like Fromms and Canidae. Working at the animal shelter, I often witnessed first hand at what a huge difference the type of food could make in an animal as far as quality of coat, stool consistency, etc when you changed a dog or cat that had been eating low grade food to a medium grade food. The difference was always very noticiable within a week.

I went to K-mart and spent WAY too much time reading ingredients labels. I quickly decided that I was NOT going to spend $13 for an 8 lb bag of Iams food when I can buy the cats' usual food (Nutro) for $11 once the pet store opened. So after much debating, I decided that since this food was only NEEDED for two days, I should just buy something I normally wouldn't and not spend more than $6 on it. I couldn't bring myself to buy the brightly colored corn corn and corn based food for $2 either.

So I settled on a bag of food, brought it home, and the experiment began. I decided since it was "average" grade food and only 3.5 pounds worth that I would feed the cats just this for the duration of the bag to prove to myself that all the things that I've preached to people about pet food for years are true.

On their normal food, the cats get each 1/3 cup of food every morning and every night. On this food, the recommended serving is over triple that! So although I only paid $5 for my bag of food, having to feed three times as much meant they were going to go through it three times faster than they would their normal food. But what was worse was that you could not tell that they're getting any more food. While of course I couldn't see any weight difference in the short amount of time, I noticed that the cats acted just as hungry as they always did despite the amount of food they were eating.

There was one place where you COULD tell they were eating a lot more food. The litter box! The cats may not have acted like they were eating any more, but they were definitely pooping three times as much!! While it partially could have been the increase in the amount of feces, the litter box also smelled a lot worse and the consistency of the poop was not nearly as good as it was on their old food.

So let's do the math here. I paid about $6 less for this bag of food than I would pay for their regular food. Only, they're going through three as much in the same amount of time, so I would have to buy three bags of this food for every bag of the good stuff. So $11 for my premium food. Or $5 for the "average food" Times the three bags I'd have to buy in the same time period would equal $15. Reason 1 why the premium food ends up being better.

And, if there was still a small price difference in favor of the medium grade food, it was easily outweighed by the fact that the litter box needed to be cleaned at least twice as often. I will gladly pay the extra 50 cents to not have to scoop poop twice a day. They were eating more, yet still seemed as hungry. To me, if I eat something in large quantities and it doesn't fill me up, it's probably not very good for me and I'm thinking the same about this cat food! If these were not my cats and head just been random lab animals, I would be curious to see if over several more weeks, I would haved noticed a gain in weight (more food, higher calories, etc) and a loss of shine in their fuzzy coats. I am betting that we definitely would see a difference because generally when cat owners come over, they admire how smooth and soft my cats' coats are and say that they wish their cats coats were that good and when I ask them what they're feeding their cats, it's almost always junk.

Conclusion? When that bag of average grade cat food was gone, my cats went back to their old food. They seemed happier, I was able to feed them much less and scoop the litter box much less, which made me happy, so premium cat food it is!

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/267310/why_its_worth_more_to_pay_for_premium.html

How My Cat Baba Survived the Pet Food Recall

One day, I noticed my kitten Baba's litter box business was kinda dark greenish to black, versus the usual brown to dark brown. At first, I thought maybe she was chewing on toys or intaking some carpet on the side. after all, kittens are active, roam, and Baba will make a box, a bag, even the carpet her latest toy. Then stories came- PET FOOD RECALL. At first, I started thinking it was only dog food. I was thinking about all those fellow pet owners who had sick or dead pets. Then, it expanded to pet food. I went to the pet food recall website, and looked thru the brands. Low and behold, the cat food I bought Baba at Wal-Mart was on the list. I had been giving Baba a can of defective cat food a day, hence the cat poop of a different color. I gathered all the cans, all which had serial numbers that were part of the recall, and took them back to Wal-Mart and got a refund. What is a conscientious pet owner to do?

You try to make sure your little one is well. But my more immediate need was getting Baba to a healthy diet that would not kill her or make her sick. I replaced the meal times with the contaminated pet food, with different kinds of hard foods. Baba has taken a special fancy to the 'Fancy Feast' hard foods. Baba loves the seafood flavor and the turkey-chicken flavor.

So what did this pet owner do?

- Cook for my pet.

When I first got Baba, I used to cook her salmon fish and put it in a cupcake tin. She was a growing kitten, so the portion worked out to be about right.

- Camouflage hard pet food.

Sometimes, hard food camouflaged with a meaty looking gravy or broth makes your cat think they are eating wet food. However, if your cat is a finicky eater, they may not go for homemade gravy when their palette likes the brand you used to buy.

- Experiment with different kinds of hard food.

I bought a few different brands of hard food that came in different flavors and gave Baba cupcake tin sizes of multiple kinds of hard cat food at the same time. Usually, within a day, I saw what she liked to eat and what she did not. I used the hard foods to make up for the wet food meal she was getting from the contaminated cat food.

Other ideas, which I did not try, because my cat has more of a working class lifestyle, was to buy gourmet cat food from the local Pet Plus store. There is also a local eatery that caters to cats and dogs. But as Baba came over one evening as I ate lunch leftovers, I discovered something new she liked she had never eaten before--- mashed potatoes.

Whether it was deliberate, accidental, or just one of those things--- this pet owner felt sad. You love your little or big pet. You do your best to keep them safe and healthy. But to try and take care of them, and not even know that you may be hurting them hurts. Whether it be melamine or rat poison or whatever went wrong in the processing, you can never buy a can or box of pet food and feel the same way again. No matter the refund received for the contaminated food, what is lost is peace of mind that by selecting the best brand of pet food that you can, you are helping your pet to be healthy because the reality nowadays is that you just don't know. And in the current environment, we may never truly know.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/271760/how_my_cat_baba_survived_the_pet_food.html

The Specifics of a Raw Food Cat Diet

While perhaps some people are aware of the numerous benefits of feeding your cat a raw food diet, many are frightened by the strict dietary needs which cats require. While dogs are omnivorous and some could be considered scavengers, cats are obligate carnivores and require a more specific food composition. This fact might make feeding your cat a raw diet a little more difficult, but it also means that your cat will reap the benefits of this diet much faster.

There are several options when feeding a raw diet. Cats who are not too old, are healthy, and are reasonably adventurous eaters might enjoy a whole raw diet, with chicken wings and other small bones fed intact. Some cats prefer the bones and organ meats chopped into find pieces, and some cats (particularly those with dental issues, those who have gotten used to wet or dry commercial cat food, or elderly or sick cats) do best with the food ground up. After feeding my cats a raw diet for some time, I also favor the ground option, simply because it enables me to mix a large batch once a month (then freeze in batches) and to blend supplements into the mix for easier feeding.

The first thing you'll need is an electric meat grinder which can be purchased for $50-$100. This is a slight investment but is well worth it when it comes to processing cat food (and you can make your own hamburger and sausage!). You'll also need the following for a few weeks' worth of cat food.

16lbs of whole chickens, gizzards intact

¾ lb vegetables- no onions or tomatoes. Broccoli, cauliflower, squash, kale, etc are good choices

6 egg yolks

4 tsp L-taurine powder (I prefer Source Naturals brand)

10,000 mg salmon oil (I like Carlson's brand)

80ml vitamin B complex

2 cups water

Process the vegetables in the blender or a food processor to puree them as much as possible. Grinding simulates digestion, and since cats in the wild get most vegetables from the stomach of prey, they handle pre-digested or blended vegetables more efficiently. Combine the vegetable mixture with the remaining ingredients, except for the chicken.

Chop the chicken coarsely with a meat cleaver into pieces which will fit into the grinder. Grind the chicken, gizzards and all, and combine it with the vegetable/supplement mixture.

After grinding, distribute this mixture into containers taking care not to put more than a few days worth of food into each since this is a raw recipe and you don't want it sitting in your fridge for longer than 2 days plus thawing time. Most cats eat several heaping tablespoons twice a day, so plan accordingly. Put the containers in the freezer and remove them as needed. For two cats who are large eaters, this recipe makes about a month's supply in my house.

A few weeks into this diet change, you'll notice your cats have more energy and their skin, coats, and eyes are brighter and healthier looking. For an hour a month, these changes are well worth it. Your cat will enjoy meal time so much more, and you'll feel better about feeding your cat a better quality diet.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/275961/the_specifics_of_a_raw_food_cat_diet.html

Feeding Your Feline Homemade Cat Food

Cats need a lot of protein. In fact, at least two-thirds of their diet should be made up of protein. They do not do well on a vegetarian diet. Cats should not be fed dog food, because it is too low in protein. Dogs don't need nearly as much protein as cats do.

Cats should not be fed raw meat or eggs. Meat and eggs should always be cooked before being served to your cat.

Cats should be fed little or no milk, because they do not digest lactose well. Lactose-free milk, the kind made for lactose-intolerant people, can be used instead of regular milk.

If you choose to feed your cat a homemade diet, make sure to offer your cat a variety of foods. Do not prepare and serve the same recipe every day. Your cat will not get all of the necessary nutrients that way.

Food is best served to your cat at room temperature. Make sure any cooked food is cooled to room temperature before serving.

When feeding homemade food or food from a can, allow your cat to eat as much as he or she wants within a thirty-minute period, then refrigerate leftovers. Offer food two or three times a day. Dry food can be left out all day. Make sure fresh water is available to your cat at all times. Feed treats sparingly.

Do not make sudden changes in your cat's diet, unless advised by your vet. If you wish to change to a homemade diet for your cat, do so gradually. It is best to check with your vet about your cat's dietary needs, and to check with your vet before making changes to your cat's diet.

Recipes

Here are a couple of simple recipes you can use to fix healthy, homemade meals and treats for your cat.

Beef and Eggs

4 oz beef baby food

2 eggs, scrambled

1 tablespoon carrot, shredded

1 tablespoon cottage cheese

1 tablespoon sunflower oil

Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well. Store leftovers in tightly sealed container in refrigerator.

Chicken and Rice Dinner

4 oz chicken-flavored baby food

½ cup cooked rice

2 tablespoons carrots and/or celery, cooked and mashed

Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well. Store leftovers in tightly sealed

container in refrigerator

Catnip Cookies

1 cup whole wheat flour

¼ cup soy flour

1 teaspoon catnip

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

2 tablespoons wheat germ

1/3 cup evaporated milk

1 tablespoon molasses

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine dry ingredients in bowl, then add molasses, egg, oil, and milk. Roll out

flat and cut into small, cat bite-sized pieces. Bake 20 minutes. Cool before serving.

Store in tightly sealed container.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/284217/feeding_your_feline_homemade_cat_food.html

Purina Friskies Signature Blend Dry Cat Food Review

If you're a cat lover like I am, you want the best for your furry felines. Giving them "the best" means you want to choose the best cat food. This is more important than ever, in light of the recent pet food recalls. I decided to give my cats a new kind of food. To let you know what my cats and I think of it, here's my Purina Friskies Signature Blend dry cat food review!

Pet Food Recall

According to Purina, "no Purina wet or dry cat foods and no Purina treats are included in this recall nor have been impacted by the contaminated wheat gluten." That makes me feel confident about buying the Purina brand for my cats.

The Flavors

Instead of containing only one or two flavors, Purina Friskies Signature Blend dry cat food boasts "7 tantalizing flavors." They are chicken, beef, tuna, turkey, salmon, cheese and egg. All the tastes my felines love combined into one bag.

Health Benefits

According to the back of the bag, Purina Friskies Signature Blend dry cat food is "100% complete and balanced for an ideal everyday meal that can help your cat live life to the fullest." It also states, "Healthy Skin & Coat promoted by essential fatty acids and zinc"- "Clear, Healthy Vision supported by Vitamin A and Taurine"- "A Healthy Immune System promoted by balanced nutrition with antioxidants" and "Strong, Lean Muscles supported by high-quality protein". I couldn't ask for a dry cat food to be much more beneficial for my cats. After I read on the front of the bag that this food is for cats of all ages, I thought of my felines who range from fifteen months to fifteen years in age. Perfect. I then checked the price and placed the bag in my grocery cart.

The Price

Since I was trying out a new type of dry cat food on my cats, I chose the smaller 3.15 pound bag of Purina Friskies Signature Blend dry cat food. That way, in case they didn't like it, I wasn't out much. I didn't even check to see if the same flavor came in a twenty pound bag, which is the size I normally buy to feed my herd. The bag pretty much shot a five dollar bill. It wasn't the cheapest, but it certainly wasn't the most expensive dry cat food there either.

The Taste Test

I put dry cat food out into bowls so my felines can eat whenever they're hungry. Some of them seem to have insatiable appetites. Everytime I fill the bowls up, they come running to eat. But that doesn't mean they'll necessarily eat whatever food I have.

I'm happy to say, however, that after one week, all of my cats like the taste of the Purina Friskies Signature Blend dry cat food. Ironically, some cat food like Purina Cat Chow upsets some of their digestive systems in one way or the other. They are eating the Signature Blend and getting along fine with it.

Will I buy it again? Probably. I can't find any cons with Purina Friskies Signature Blend dry cat food.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/328368/purina_friskies_signature_blend_dry.html

WHISKAS Purrfectly FISH Oceanfish Entree Cat Food Review

As I've said before in other AC articles, I'm a cat owner/lover. I like to try out new products and give my cats different food from time to time so they don't get bored. Sometimes, it's my cat, not me, the owner, who decides when it's time to get another brand of cat food. My cat Sweet Pea is old, has very few teeth left and is very, very, finicky. She often gobbles down one brand of cat food for breakfast. Then, refuses it at lunchtime. When Sweet Pea refuses to eat cat food, I open up a can of tuna. She usually accepts that. That's why I was so excited to try this new food. Here's my WHISKAS® Purrfectly FISH™ Oceanfish Entree Cat Food Review!

The Cat Food Recall

Just like the Purina Friskies Signature Blend Dry Cat Food my felines and I recently reviewed, WHISKAS was not a part of the nationwide pet food recall a few months back. That made me feel better about the product right away.

Product Description

These WHISKAS entrees are single-serve pouches of wet cat food. I like the idea of not having to use a spoon to serve it. Although, you really need to use a spoon or roll the pouch down like a tube of toothpaste to get the remainder out. I also like the convenience of a pouch as opposed to a metal can I have to rinse, store and recycle.

I chose the Oceanfish Entree to start with. I was pleased to find out this product also comes in Tuna Entree, Tuna & Whitefish Entree, Oceanfish Entree and Sardine & Mackerel Entree. That way, my cats won't get bored with one flavor.

According to the back of each pouch, it reads, "WHISKAS Purrfectly FISH Oceanfish Entree is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for Maintenance." Okay, that sounds good. This product is also described as being "cat-pleasing." It's "real food" that will make your cat "happy." So, I wondered, what's in this stuff that makes it so tasty and healthy for my felines? Without boring you with all the ingredients, I'll tell you what the first four ingredients are: "Sufficient Water for Processing, Sardines, Mackerel, Soy Oil." I was even more impressed.

The Price

At my local Kroger grocery, the WHISKAS Purrfectly FISH Oceanfish Entree cat food is available in single packs or a ten-pack box. I think the singles were 59 or 69 cents each. The boxes cost $4.79 each; definitely more economical at 47.9 cents per pack.

The Taste Test

My finicky cat Sweet Pea prefers juicy wet-cat food instead of the drier types. I opened the pouch, looked inside and saw chunks of fish in a sauce. I placed some in her bowl, and she chowed it right down. Success! One pouch is considered a serving for the average adult cat. However, Sweet Pea eats only a half pouch of wet food at a time. So, I saved the rest for the next meal. Of course, she turned her nose up at it. That's how she is. So I tried the WHISKAS Purrfectly FISH Oceanfish Entree cat food on the rest of my cats. They all slurped it down without hesitation. That proved it's a good flavor and a tasty winner.

Conclusion

Will I buy this product again for my felines? You bet! I couldn't find anything wrong with it.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/341107/whiskas_purrfectly_fish_oceanfish_entree.html

Organix Feline Formula Made by Castor and Pollux: Organic Cat Food Review

Organix Feline formula made by Castor and Pollux seems to be a high quality cat food. I have become so disgusted with low quality pet food companies that I have begun to make my own pet food at home. Even so, I still like buying a commercial dry food to supplement with because it is so convenient. Organix feline formula is the result of searching for a better cat food. I found it at Whole Foods Market for $15.99 for a 6 lb. Bag. The bag is beige, black and orange. The logo says, "Castor & Pollux-Paw Made-We make stuff we like." It is made with organic chicken, brown rice and flax.

On side of bag it reads:

"As part of your family, your cat deserves the very best food available. And with Organix feline formula with organic ingredients, we've gone the extra step above any other cat food. This unique product qualifies under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National organic program as made with organic ingredients, meaning at least 70% of the content is organic."

All six of my cats love this food. I have one that is extremely picky, and he immediately started eating it as if it were the most delicious food in the world. I feel good about feeding this food to them, as I know it is nutritious. Suppliers for the meat and grain ingredients are required to be organic certified. Most of the cheaper suppliers used by many of the main pet food companies, would not be up to standard for Organix feline formula.

It says, "What does that mean to you and your cat? You can trust that the organic ingredients used in Organix meet or exceed strict state and federal regulations at every phase of production from the farm to the bowl. As part of the organic certification process, each and every ingredient in Organix is reviewed and approved for inclusion. Our manufacturing facility, the plant milling our organic grains, the poultry farm supplying our organic free-range chicken, the farmers growing our organic grains-all must be certified organic. This certification process is rigorous and demanding but is our commitment to you to provide a very special product for your favorite feline."

The first ingredient in this food is organic chicken. No meat by-products like you will find in most pet foods. Compare to Meow Mix, where the first ingredient is corn. This food is a little more expensive, but definitely worth the price.

Side label goes on to say, "Our organic ingredients have no pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics, growth hormones, bio-engineering, or by-products. The use of organic ingredients also enhances environmental quality because farmers and ranchers producing organic food use renewable resources and management techniques to help sustain our environment."

I wholeheartedly recommend this food to everyone. Your cat will love it, and it will be healthy food to eat!

Organix Feline Formula Ingredients:

Organic chicken, herring meal, organic peas, organic soybean meal, organic barley, organic brown rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tochopherols, rosemary and citric acid), organic extruded soybean seeds, natural liver flavor, dicalcium phosphate, organic flaxseed meal, salmon meal, salt, potassium chloride, dl-methionine, choline chloride, taurine, vitamin e supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, niacin, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, ascorbic acid+, calcium pantothenate, vitamin a supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin b12 supplement, thiamin mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (vitamin k), vitamin d3 supplement, folic acid, calcium iodate, sodium selenite, cobalt proteinate, biotin, dried fermentation products of saccharomyces cerevisia, lactobacillus acidophilus, aspergillus niger, enterococcus faecum, trichoderma longbrachiatum, and bacillus subtilis (sources of direct fed microbials and digestive enzymes).

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/352505/organix_feline_formula_made_by_castor.html

Wal-Mart is Reportedly Selling Previously Recalled Menu Cat and Dog Food Pouches

Just when you thought it might be safe to purchase one of the many brands of cat food that was recalled during the Menu pet foods scare back in the Spring of this year, Wal-Mart steps into the picture... and it isn't pretty. According to this web site, http://www.wsfa.com/global/story.asp?s=6976794 it seems that Menu Foods and Wal-Mart agreed to sell certain Special Kitty wet food pouches. These pouches, with the supposedly fresh, new, and un-contaminated food, are sold in the old pre-recall packaging with a sticker placed over the original UPC code. Menu has good reason for wanting to hide that UPC code. The UPC codes were what told consumers which foods were being recalled, based on a long list issued by Menu and posted in every store that sold pet food during the hellish days of the recall.

I would be very hesitant to buy any of this food. Just the fact that Menu and Wal-Mart cared so little about consumer's feelings is enough to make me want to never enter my local Wal-Mart again. Didn't they consider the fact that someone might be a bit squeamish about buying pet food still packaged in a pouch identified with an old UPC that pretty much stands for poisoned food? So what if they put a sticker over it? It still represents the death of many, many innocent cats. The food could be the best ever made for cats, but who could give it to their pet in absolute good faith? Not me. There would always be a hint of worry that something was wrong with the food. The scores of people who unfortunately fed Menu products to their beloved animals had no clue that these food were going to kill! Who's to say that these old packaging/new food combinations are perfectly safe? There's only one way to find out, and my pets are not going to be the guinea pigs for this company!

The canine aisle in Wal-Mart has been bombarded with the old packaging as well. Reports of Ol' Roy dog food with a new sticker over the old UPC code have been circulating the internet as well. Dog owners, beware! You'll have to decide for yourself if it's worth the risk to feed this food to your canine buddy.

These foods may be perfectly safe, but with the history behind this recall, who knows? I do think both Menu and Wal-Mart should have taken the time to think this thing through, and produced some new packaging to take the sting out of what happened earlier this year. I don't think any of us want to be reminded of the horror of those days. Many of my friends lost beloved pets because of this pet food recall. Many also had huge vet bills as well. It is irresponsible of Menu and Wal-Mart not to invest in whatever it would take to ease the minds of the pet owning public.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/368778/walmart_is_reportedly_selling_previously.html

Is Your Cat Allergic to His Food? - Ingredients that Can Cause Life Threatening Illnesses

Most people don't think about their house cat having an allergy involving the pet's food but it is possible and it does occur. A Blue Gray Russian kitten was adopted from the Cedar Valley Humane Society in Waterloo, Iowa nearly five years ago and appeared to be the picture of health. After getting the kitten home and starting him on Purina kitten chow he seemed to grow and appear a healthly kitten. With in months his knew owners were living a nightmare. The kitten began losing weight and vomiting any food he ate. They took him to the veterinarian and were told to change his cat food and make sure he drank plenty of water. The kitten was given a shot and a prescription for an antibiotic. The kitten soon began gaining weight and seemed to be better when they came home one afternoon to find blood on the carpet and the kitten had lost weight again over just days. The kitten was returned to the veterinarian clinic again and this time they were told that he had a parasite problem in his intestines and that he was probably born with them. He was treated again and sent home but didn't get better this time. He was taken back to the clinic and this time test were ran for feline leukemia, diabetes and allergies. To his owners surprise their kitten was severely allergic to wheat and beef products that were in most cat foods. He was switched immediately to Purina ZD for a month to help build up his immunity and restore vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B's to rebuild his system. The kitten's health was fully restored and is now a heathly twenty-two pound adult neutered cat.

Shopping for cat food or treats that do not contain wheat or beef products can be a challenge but it is available at your pet supply stores, HyVee and even Walmart. Pet food companies are becoming aware of the now evident allergic problem involving small pets like cats and dogs. Most pet supply stores like Petsmart and Petco will explain to you the benefit of buying a quality pet food that offers your pet a better balanced ingredient list that is complete with vitamins and minerals. Try to stay away from pet foods that contain corn as the first ingredient as the product doesn't stay in your pet's digestive system long enough for your pet to absorb enough nutrients. The best advice is to use an indoor cat formula that does not contain wheat or beef products but contains vegetables, rice, poultry or lamb. HyVee carries it's own house brand of indoor formula for cats that digest very well and contains no wheat or beef product and Purina also carries an indoor formula and can be food at nearly any store that carries Purina products.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/409164/is_your_cat_allergic_to_his_food_ingredients.html

Pet Food Review: Naturals Cat & Kitten Chow

Natural is now being promoted for dogs and cats as the healthier way to go when feeding your beloved pets. Cancer has been on the rise, not just in the human population but in the pet world as well. Having lost a dog to Cancer I'm beginning to get a bit more concerned about what to feed my animals. I'm checking out several new holistic versions of pet food for my dogs as well as for the kittens I'm fostering.

Purina Cat Chow now makes Naturals. They make it designed for kittens as well, Kitten chow, and it provides essential nutrition for the kittens first year, their formative year. It's 100% complete nutritionally and balanced for that first year of growth. It has all the essential nutrients as well as antioxidants to protect the kittten's immune system. I particularly like that the first ingredeint listed is real salmon (or chicken) depending on the variety. Purina Natural contain no artificial falvoars or preservatives, another important aspect.

It is very high protein for muscle development. It has the appropriate calories for proper body growth and added rice for ease of digestion. It contains natural fiber to prevent and control hairball. The size of the morsels are designed especially for kittens, they certainly think of everything. This makes it much easier for the kittens to chew. The kibbles are nutrient rich so there is a good source of nutritoin in every bite. It has calcium and minerals for strong bone growth which is very important at these early stages. Taurein is included for a healthy heart and bright eyes. The protein system supports muscle and immune system development. Just like with a child you want to give your pet a strong, healthy start in life with the best, most nutritious food available. Purina is a well respected company and they put a lot of research into developing a healthy chow for kittens.

When providing for a young kitten you should feed it or them 1/2 to 1 oz of kibble 3 to 4 times a day if they are 3-6 weeks old. The kibble should be lightly moistened at first with arm, not hot water. You offer one part water to three parts kibble. I don't usually get the kittens until they are weaned at about age six weeks. I also prefer to leave food out all day as they are grazers. Always be sure they have adequate celan fresh water. I use a dispenser that can be found at any pet shop. I also offer them wet food as well. When I first get them, if they are old enough I will give them a wee bit of chicken. This helps them bond with me since I become the provider of wonderfulness in their eyes. This is also a great way to introduce children to them if you are bringing them home to a family.

When fostering or just coming home with a new kitten the routines you establish are crucial. They can shape the kittens personality for a lifetime of relationships that's why we try to foster out all our orphan kittens. Play develops their skills and the more human contact the better.

If you go to the catchow.com sote there are a myriad of question/answers you can look through if you're a new owner.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/409389/pet_food_review_naturals_cat_kitten.html

Pleasing Your Cat: Sheba is the Cat Food Felines Love

We have male cats that have been neutered. With the male neutered cat comes the problem of crystals forming in their bladders. Once those crystals form, they can get lodged in the urethra, blocking the urinary passage. When this happens, your cat is in deep trouble. We found the problem with the older male one Thanksgiving. I was making the obligatory dish to take to the family gathering when I heard the most awful meow. I ran downstairs thinking perhaps the cat had knocked something over on himself and was trapped. There he stood at the bottom of the step, so I went back up and continued.

Within the next half hour the meow came again. This time I found him in the littler box screaming in pain. Dang, Thanksgiving Day and something is wrong. I called the veterinarian and the answering service said the vet on duty would be contacting me. The wait was awful. Throughout the two hour wait he was screaming over and over. Finally after I called again, the vet responded. I had to take him into the office and the vet had to crush the crystal by inserting a needle into the penis. OW! He was now put on a special diet that was relatively free of ash, and flavor, from what I gathered by watching his excitement change to disappointment at meal time.

When we got the older cat a pet, our second kitty, we simply continued on the regime of dry, urinary tract prescription food. The second cat showed his disapproval by continuously trying to bury the food. We finally asked the vet if we could give them treats. She told us that one treat a day was about all that was allowed, so that the stones would not form.

That very day we began with a very thin sliver of moist, regular cat food at five o'clock for their treat. They looked forward to it, but the youngest still wasn't convinced that this was what he loved. I would have to coax him out of bed by singing the "Hungry Cat Song". I .think he only came to get me to shut up.

One day I tried Sheba, just because it was on sale. The first day the little cat cleaned his plate. The older one was always a member of the plate cleaner club, so there was no difference to see. By the end of the week, when five o'clock came, there sat the little cat, no more coaxing or singing. He truly loved Sheba The nice thing about the product is that there are a variety of flavors, and the cats love them all.

Sheba has been part of the household since that day. While occasionally I sing the "Hungry Cat Song" it is for my entertainment, as they are waiting for their Sheba.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/413039/pleasing_your_cat_sheba_is_the_cat.html

New Meow Mix Market Select Cat Food Review: My Cat Purrs for This One

I'm the proud owner of 3 cats or should I say they own me?

All my adult life we have had a multi-cat household and most of that time my kitties would eat the same foods without any problems ....but, in the last 2 years that has changed since two of my cats have problems dealing with their urinary tracts and the possibility of kidney complications so they are on special diets, eating food that I have to buy from the Veterinarians office.

So that leaves my Misha, who is getting up in age and a very finicky eater...I've tried many foods on the market which she just turns her nose up at and walks away...

Then one day I received a coupon in the mail for a new food coming out on the market...It was just after that dreadful pet food recall so I was really on the lookout for something new and of course, safe for her to eat...after checking the recall list and not finding this one listed, I went right out to see if I could find this new food.

Meow Mix Market Select Cups had a big display in the pet food section of my local supermarket....I was surprised at the many varieties and the fact that this was wet food but not in a can...with my buy two get two free coupon I choose two flavors I thought she would like...Real Chicken and Liver in Gravy and Real Salmon with Crab Meat...She loves any food with gravy and though I don't like to feed her too much seafood I know she just loves Salmon....

This food comes in small 2.75 ounce round cups with a easy pull off lid, no messing around with can openers and those little finger pulls that sometimes come off before the can is fully opened leaving you with a half opened can that you have to some how figure out how to remove the food without cutting your fingers.

When opened there is no nasty smell and the food looks good, nice neat little morsels of meat, poultry or salmon with just the right amount of gravy, not too runny as some cat food gravy can be...

Taste test:

In just a few simple words, she just loves it! I've never seen her eat anything I've put down in front of her with such relish. She practically purrs while eating. She doesn't have a big appetite so she will eat half of a container at a time, usually in the morning around eleven and then the other half around 4 or 5...I cover the top with foil and it stays nice and fresh...

What I love about this product is that it doesn't contain meat or poultry by products. The main ingredients for the Chicken and Liver are; fish broth, Chicken, chicken liver, food starch modified, wheat gluten, (which I was concerned about), sugar, calcium sulfate, dried egg protein, natural flavor and then the usual vitamins and minerals.... (It's hard to read the bottom of this little cup, much less write them)....but no by-products listed on this or the other foods I have purchased. The wheat gluten concern seems to be over now I decided not to dwell on that...

Just the fact that they use real cuts of meat, poultry and fish makes my happy and it certainly makes Misha happy....my big problem is feeding her separately so that her other feline friends can't get into her dish, though I know they would love it too, they need to say on their special diets..

Only one other concern is that this Meow Mix Market Select is a bit pricy, at about 45 to 50 cents a cup, I had been used to paying about 30 cents for the other canned food she was eating but just to know she is getting the real protein which she needs is worth every cent. It might not be perfect but it does make her purr.

Guaranteed Analysis of the Chicken and liver is:

Crude Protein (Min) - 10.0%

Crude Fat (Min) - 1.8%

Crude Fiber (Max) - 1.5%

Moisture (Max) - 82.0%

Ash (Max) - 3.0%

Taurine (Min) - 0.05% 

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/418139/new_meow_mix_market_select_cat_food.html

Purina One Advanced Nutrition Hairball Formula Cat Food

Hairball problems in cats are unpleasant for both the cat and the cat owner. Cat owners know well the foreboding moment of stillness, followed by the awful sounds as the cat lurches, heaving and choking before projecting a smelly, wet mass of hair onto the floor (as unpleasant as this is for us, imagine how the cat feels). We are lucky that there are many pastes and gels to help dissolve hairballs--but what about the cats who resist the gels and pastes? Purina One Advanced Nutrition Hairball Formula Cat Food claims to help prevent the formation of hairballs in your cat's stomach.

This can be good news for cat owners with finicky cats. Preventing the hairballs means cutting down on the need for pastes and gels.

Why hairball control is so important:

Along with the gross mess, and the terrible way the cat must feel when vomiting, hairballs can cause dangerous obstructions. The blockages can get bad enough that they require veterinary treatment. It is necessary for your cat's health that you prevent and treat hairball problems.

Two of my cats are prone to excessive hairballs. Unfortunately, neither like the taste of any hairball pastes or gels I have tried. When necessary, I have disguised the gels in their wet food; however, I also wanted something--something they would readily eat-- to help prevent the hairballs from forming in the first place. Many months ago, along with more frequent grooming to help rid the cats of excess fur, I decided to feed them Purina One Advanced Nutrition Hairball Formula cat food. Here are some important facts about the food and the results of feeding this food to my hairball-prone cats.

Special Ingredients in Purina One Hairball Formula:

Purina One Hairball Formula contains extra fiber which helps move fur more quickly out of the digestive tract. It also contains fatty acids essential for skin and hair health, and yogurt. For the full list of ingredients, please see the link accompanying this article in the sources section.

The results:

Feeding my cats this food has cut down on their hairballs . The food has not completely eliminated hairballs, but it does not claim to do so. Purina One Advanced Nutrition Hairball Formula claims only to help keep hairballs from forming. I have been satisfied with the results and believe that this food does reduce hairballs in cats.

What I like about Purina One Hairball Formula Cat Food:

Purina One Advanced Nutrition Hairball Formula does cut down on the number of hairballs my cats produce. In addition to the reduction in hairballs, their coats are softer and shinier.

What I dislike about Purina One Hairball Formula Cat Food:

The first three ingredients are brewers rice, poultry by-products, and corn gluten meal. I'd prefer it if chicken was the first ingredient instead of being listed in fourth place ( and indication of the lesser amount of chicken In the product) so that I'd be assured my cats are getting the best quality protein. However, I am not a cat food scientist and for all I know right now, these ingredients may be perfectly suitable.

I recommend Purina One Advanced Nutrition Hairball Formula for adult cats of average health. This product does not cut down on hairballs as much as I would like it to, but it does reduce hairballs enough to be worth trying. You should consult with a veterinarian any time a cat is vomiting frequently in order to rule out other causes for the vomiting, and to make certain that the hairballs have not caused an intestinal obstruction.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/422601/purina_one_advanced_nutrition_hairball.html

Product Review: Friskies Indoors Delights Dry Cat Food

My cat, Snooks, is in love with Friskies Indoor Delights Dry Cat Food. I received a very generous sample in the mail. I really didn't know if he would eat it or not. Snooks had been eating Iams Dry Cat Food for months.

The packaging was brilliant with a picture of a gray cat pawing at assorted garden greens falling from above his head. It gives you the impression that the cat food is very healthy for your cat and that he will enjoy eating it. Friskies Indoor Delights Dry Cat Food helps control hairballs and maintain a healthy weight with delicious chicken, beef, turkey, and cheese flavors with a touch of garden greens. Snooks constantly grooms himself so by the food helping to control hairballs is great. He has also put on a few extra pounds since he's been neutered. Maintaining a healthy weight is very important to me. He does lead a very active lifestyle by playing with our dog and taking leisurely walks around the house with my husband.

I opened the bag of food for Snooks. He absolutely had a fit over it. With all the many delicious flavors to choose from, it was hard for him to decide what to eat first. He gobbled the chicken, beef, turkey, and cheese pieces really fast and saved the garden greens for last. He thoroughly enjoyed his new cat food. I tried to make the bag last as long as I could by using it for treats. Snooks has to have a treat every time our dog, Dusty, gets one.

There are three other new varieties of Friskies Dry Cat Food.

1. Friskies Seafood Sensations.

The flavors include ocean fish, albacore tuna, salmon, yellow fin tuna, crab plus seaweed. What cat wouldn't love this?

2. Friskies Signature Blend.

The flavors include chicken, beef, tuna, turkey, salmon, cheese and egg. This is the special blend for a special cat.

3. Friskies Feline Favorites.

The flavors include chicken, seafood, liver and real Carnation Milk. All the best flavors for your cat.

You can find more information on Friskies Indoor Delights Dry Cat Food and other types of cat food and treats at www.friskies.com.

I will definitely buy Friskies Indoor Delight Dry Cat Food for my cat , Snooks. He absolutely fell in love with it. My cousin's cats loved it too. They couldn't get enough. I also want to buy the other new varieties also. Buy some for you cat. I'm sure he or she will love it as much as my cat did..

Sources: www.friskies.com

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/434764/product_review_friskies_indoors_delights.html

Eating Dry Food Does Not Cause a Cat to Develop Diabetes Mellitus

There has long been a debate about whether or not feeding a cat large quantities of dry food can lead to the animal developing diabetes mellitus in middle age. The cause of diabetes mellitus in felines, which can be fatal, is still unknown. Now a study conducted by a veterinarian from the University of Missouri-Columbia shows that the possible cause is weight gain and not the kind of food.

It is because dry food has a higher level of starch and carbohydrates than is found in canned food, it is believed that eating large quantities of dry food is the cause. They argue that it is unnatural for a cat to eat that much carbohydrates because a cat is both anatomically and physiologically a carnivore. Dry cat food contains between 30 to 40% carbohydrates whereas wet cat food is higher in protein and is more like a natural diet for a carnivore.

The team compared two groups of cats, one in California who were raised on dry food and one in New Zealand who were raised on canned food. They gave each group glucose-tolerance tests. These tests measure blood samples and shows the rate at which glucose is being removed from the blood after a meal. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups. They also divided the cats into groups by age, those under 3 and those over 3 and they found that letting a cat eat so much that by the time it is middle age, it is overweight causes more harm than the type of food they eat. They did find that cats who had the canned or wet foods did not have as much of a tendency to become obese than those on the dry food.

All in all, 40% of middle aged cats are either overweight or obese. A male should weight between 10 and 11 pounds and a female between 5.5 and 7.7. And cats should not have more than 18 to 20% body fat. Diabetes is not the only condition that can affect overweight felines. They are also prone to such conditions as skin diseases, oral diseases and certain cancers. Cats who are spayed or neutered tend to eat more and gain more weight. They suggest strictly monitoring the amount the cat eats and make sure it does not eat in excess. It is the owner who should be the one who decides how much to eat, not the cat.

The lead researcher is Robert Backus, who is an assistant professor and director of the Nestle Purina Endowed Small Animal Nutrition Program at MU.

Source:University of Missouri-Columbia http://www.eurekalert.org/

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/468122/eating_dry_food_does_not_cause_a_cat.html

Food Review: Blue Spa Select Kitten Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Cat

Product Information:

What's in Blue Spa Select Kitten Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Food and how it benefits your kitten:

High Quality Protein - Kittens love to dine on our tasty chicken, and it provides the essential amino acids and vital nutrients they need every day.

Wholesome Whole Grains - Hearty whole grains like brown rice, barley and oats will keep your kitten supplied with the complex carbohydrates needed for energy.

Healthy Garden Veggies & Fruit Whole Carrots, sweet potatoes, parsley and cranberries contain phytonutrients that help your kitten stay healthy.

Naturally healthy and highly digestable, Spa Select is a delicious way to provide your kitten with the complete and balanced nutrition he needs every day.

Important Information:

Our unique LifeSource Bits in Blue Spa Select Kitten Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Food are formulated and processed to do exactly what their name implies. A precise blend of nutrients and antioxidants selected to strengthen your cat's immune system, help offset the negative impact of environmental toxins and provide support for specific life stage requirements

Ingredients:

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Ground Brown Rice, Whole Ground Barley, Salmon Meal, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Potatoes, Menhaden Fish Meal (natural source of DHA-Docosahexaneoic Acid), Natural Chicken Flavor, Dried Egg, Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Cranberries, Blueberries, Flaxseed (natural source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Alfalfa Meal, Kelp Meal, Taurine, L-Lysine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric, Salmon Oil (natural source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Black Malted Barley, Oil of Rosemary, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin C, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Beta Carotene, Calcium Ascorbate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid, Biotin, Choline Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Zinc), Iron Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Iron), Copper Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Copper), Manganese Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Manganese), Potassium Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Potassium), Cobalt Proteinate (source of Chelated Cobalt), Potassium Chloride, Sodium Selenite, Salt, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium. .

Guaranteed Analysis %:Crude Protein min 36 Crude Fat min 20 Moisture max 10 Ash max 6 Omega 6 Fatty Acids* min 4.5 Crude Fiber max 3.5 Calcium min 1 Phosphorus min 0.9 Omega 3 Fatty Acids* min 0.5 Taurine min 0.15 Magnesium max 0.1

Benefits:Wholesome nutrition. Ultimate protection. Delicious taste. It all comes together in one food for cats, BLUE Spa Select. Chicken or salmon is always the first ingredient, followed by wholesome whole grains, healthy garden veggies and fruit. Our LifeSource® Bits, a precise blend of nutrients and antioxidants, provide an extra measure of protection. And BLUE Spa Select contains no animal by-products, cheap fillers, artificial preservatives or colors.Blue Spa Select Kitten Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Food Cat Food Rating:

Animal Digest - 1 point possible = Plus 1 point = No animal digest

Corn - 1 point possible = Plus 1 point = No corn

Wheat - 1 point possible =Plus 1 point = No wheat

Soy - 1 point possible =Plus 1 point = No Soy

Gluten - 1 point possible =Plus 1 point = No gluten

Extra Goodies - 1 point possible = Minus 1 point = Natural Chicken Flavor

By-Products - 1 point possible =Plus 1 point = No by-products

Animal Fat - 1 point possible =Minus 1 point = Chicken Fat

Pet Food Recalls - 1 point possible =Minus 1 point = Recalls Blue Buffalo

Class Action - 1 point possible =Minus 1 point = Class Action Blue Buffalo

Cat Food Rating for Blue Spa Select Kitten Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Food:

Total Score = 6/10

Ask Susan Peters Cat Food Review:

Blue Spa Select Kitten Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Food l question the use of "natural flavors". How these "flavors" were created (many companies use manure) and why do they need to be added? With Blue Buffalo's history of recalls and their use of chicken fat to entice cats to eat Blue Spa Select Kitten Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Food I would have to pass on this over-priced, average to low quality, cat food as a healthy choice for cat food.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/468905/food_review_blue_spa_select_kitten.html

Important Things to Consider When Buying Food and Water Bowls for Your Cat

Whether you need new food and water dishes for a furry-footed addition to your family, or you need to replace existing containers, you can find quite a selection at your local pet store. Even places like Wal-Mart, K-Mart and even your local Big Lots and hardware and grocery stores carry food and water dishes. But, if you pick one that's "cute" or simply "cheap", you can very well regret your decision later. That's why you need to know "3 important things to consider when you're buying food and water dishes for your cat!"

1. Single Dishes Versus Double Kitty Dishes

I once bought an adorable, purple with gold trimmed double- compartment cat dish. I thought it would be easy to move when I swept the floor. Boy, was I wrong. It's hard to pick it up without sloshing the water into the food compartment. Not only that, but whenever it got accidentally kicked or bumped, both food and water flew everywhere. Add that to the fact that, everytime I looked, there was food in the water compartment. Obviously my cat is a sloppy eater, or, she still had food in her mouth when she would reach over to get a drink of water. I soon retired that container and bought two single bowls instead.

2. What's the Best Material to Choose?

Another important thing to consider when you're buying food and water bowls for your cat is the material they're made of. These containers are typically made of plastic, ceramic, stoneware or stainless steel. Plastic is durable and resists breakage, but it scratches, can fade, and can be hard to clean. Ceramic or stoneware cat bowls can be a good choice, except they can chip or break easily.

Because they are heavier, these types of containers stay put better and don't slide across the floor as easily as their lighter counterparts. If you choose a ceramic bowl, make sure it's made with lead-free paint and glaze. Stainless steel cat bowls endure a lot of abuse, and are easy to clean. They are usually fitted with rubber on the bottom so they don't glide across the floor too.

If you're going to put your cat's food and water bowls in your dishwasher, be sure you choose containers that have "Dishwasher Safe" stamped on them.

3. Choose Appropriate Sizes of Cat Bowls

Kittens can use small food and water bowls, but as they grow up, you'll need to buy them larger bowls to accommodate their appetites and drinking habits. An important thing to consider when you're buying food and water bowls, in relation to their sizes, is how many cats will be sharing the bowls and how often you will feed and water them. For example, two of my adults cats share food and water bowls that hold about a half cup each. The bowls are really too small since I have to refill them once or twice a day. But, since I work at home, that's usually not a problem. My other five felines all share large-sized food and water bowls that I can fill up in the morning and it lasts them all day. For people who work outside their homes, or who don't want to keep remembering to refill the cat dishes, it's best to buy larger bowls you can put more food and water into at a time.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/470514/important_things_to_consider_when_buying.html

Purina Friskies Seared Fillets with Salmon Cat Food: Review

If you want to give your cats a meal that they will thank you for later on, try Purina® Friskies® Seared Fillets with Salmon!

My cats usually receive dry cat food. I choose various brands that help keep their teeth strong and brands that provide my cats with the nutrition they need for healthy development. But as an occasional treat, I like to give my cats a brand of wet cat food, so that they can have some variety in their diet and to also keep boredom at bay.

Price

I recently came across Purina® Friskies® Seared Fillets with Salmon and was attracted to it immediately. Each 85g (3oz) pouch was on sale for just $0.25, which was hard to resist, so I placed all of the remaining pouches in my shopping basket.

All Round Cat Health

The packaging was very appealing to me and I was impressed with Purina's statement "100% complete & balanced nutrition". I would expect nothing less for my cats and any loving cat owner would agree.

Serving Instructions

Purina® Friskies® Seared Fillets with Salmon should be served at room temperature. Shake the pouch several times to settle the food and make it easier to pour into the food bowl. The pouch can either be torn apart at the top or opened with a pair of scissors. According to Purina Friskies, this product is "formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO cat food nutrient profiles for all life stages of cats".

Cat Taste Test

But as I looked over the packaging and decided to put it in my basket, I wondered whether this product would pass my cats' taste test. Would they run straight to their food bowl and gobble it straight down, or would they just sniff it and then move away? As soon as I got home, I put Purina® Friskies® Seared Fillets with Salmon to the test. I poured the cat food into the bowl and divided it between the two cats. I then mixed in a small amount of dry cat food and placed it on the floor. The cats immediately approached the food and proceeded to eat until the bowl was almost clean!

Obviously, from the reaction to this cat food, my cats were very impressed with Purina® Friskies® Seared Fillets with Salmon. If my cats had not liked the cat food, they would not have polished off the contents of the whole bowl in one sitting.

Recommendation

Based upon the positive response that Purina® Friskies® Seared Fillets with Salmon received from my cats, I would recommend this product to cat owners looking to give their cat a treat.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/496895/purina_friskies_seared_fillets_with.html

Pet Food Review: Purina Fancy Feast Gourmet Gold Dry Cat Food

My cats are hard to please when it comes to eating dry food. They are picky and tire of most dry cat foods quickly. I recently spotted Purina Fancy Feast Gourmet Gold Dry Cat Food at my local grocery store and decided to let my cats give this new product a try. Here are my results.

Purina Fancy Feast Gourmet Gold Dry Cat Food comes in many varieties of flavors. I found that fact to be very likable and it was easy choosing a flavor. I chose ocean fish and salmon. Those are two of my cats favorite flavors and I figured the odds of them liking this new cat food would be good. My cats really like fancy feast moist cat food, so I was very hopeful that this product would also please them. Fancy feast has been around twenty years and is a good brand, made by Purina.

The shape of this cat food startled me. It is small, in four different shapes and resembled a children's cereal. That amused me. The color of this cat food is very interesting. It has garden greens in it, so the cat food is a very colorful blend of browns, reds and green. I have older cats, so I was glad that this cat food was a bit smaller than my usual brand. I figured that Purina Fancy Feast Gourmet Gold Dry Cat Food would be easy to chew and digest and for elderly cats, that comes in handy!

Purina Fancy Feast Gourmet Gold Dry Cat Food did not fail me or my cats. It pleased them and they loved it. I was delighted and felt that I made a good purchase with this cat food. The package states that this is gourmet dry cat food and my cats seemed to agree. Yes, it had a gourmet price to go along with that. Purina Fancy Feast Gourmet Gold Dry Cat Food cost a little over six dollars for a three pound bag. My cats are indeed worth it but, compared to my usual dry cat food, this product was a bit higher in price. What I liked best about Purina Fancy Feast Gourmet Gold Dry Cat Food was it seemed easier on my cats teeth and digestion than my usual brand. My cats also enjoyed the change in diet. They like variety and this is a good cat food to switch to, for a change or break from a regular brand.

I recommend this cat food, think that it is a high quality dry cat food and for right now, my cats are still eating and enjoying it. Purina Fancy Feast Gourmet Gold Dry Cat Food provides one hundred percent complete and balanced nutrition for cats and that is a very good point about this dry cat food. It contains wholesome ingredients, vitamins and is good for all the life stages of my cats. This product's packaging is great! They provide a large piece of tape for easy closing, to keep the cat food fresh. That was a nice plus.

I rate Purina Fancy Feast Gourmet Gold Dry Cat Food four out of five stars. I was glad that I bought this product. My cats seemed overjoyed. That is what is most important. The cat food has stayed fresh, has a good texture and smell. I feel like I am spoiling my cats by serving them this food and that is a wonderful feeling for a cat owner. I feel that this product delivered what it promised. I still have to laugh at the colorful shapes and colors in Purina Fancy Feast Gourmet Gold Dry Cat Food. I dubbed it the lucky charms cat food and think that Purina put in some special effort in creating a unique and enjoyable eating experience for my cats. The cats think it is great! I agree.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/499097/pet_food_review_purina_fancy_feast.html

ORGANIC CAT FOOD

Organic cat and kitten food is easy and simple to make. It requires a recipe that

is formulated by a Veterinarian who is a pet nutrition expert and a professional

cook. The following recipe meets these criteria and is safe for healthy cats and

kittens.

First assemble all the ingredients. You will need: 2-1/2 eggs, 20 oz. wild caught

tuna, and 5 T of olive oil. Now assemble the equipment. You will need a

two quart saucepan with a lid, a rubber scraper, a small bowl, a measuring cup,

a plastic air tight container with a lid, and a food processor.

Prepare the ingredients. First poach the tuna. In a saucepan put 3 c. of water

and bring it to a boil. Turn the heat to low so that the water is only slightly rippling

on the surface. The temperature of the water should be about 180 degrees.

Lower the tuna into the water then cover. Poach for six minutes then remove

the tuna, flake it apart and remove any bones. Next, boil the eggs. Place

three organic eggs into a saucepan and add cold water until the eggs are

just covered. Over medium high heat bring the eggs to a boil, and boil for

two minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and cover for 12 minutes.

Take the eggs from the pan and place them in an ice filled bowl to cool.

After cooling, peel the shells off the eggs and cut one of them in half

Now measure out 5 T of olive oil into a small measuring cup.

Make the cat food. In a food processor put the poached tuna, 2-1/2 eggs,

and the olive oil. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides

of the bowl once. Store the cat food in the air tight container in the refrigerator

for up to three days. Half of this recipe can be frozen in a seal-a-meal

vacuum bag or a freezer storage bag and thawed before using in the

refrigerator. If you have 1 or two cats, you will need to freeze half of the

food. If you have 3 or more cats, you will use this food within three days

most likely.

Feeding your cat organic cat food. Most cats are eating some form of

processed, commercial food. When you begin feeding the homemade

cat food, leave some of this kibble in a bowl for snacking. Feed your cat twice

daily about two ounces of this cat food on a separate plate. For kittens feed 1/2 to

1 oz four times daily.

Feeding tips: Never warm the food in the microwave in a plastic con-

tainer or covered with plastic wrap. The plastic off-gasses toxic

chemicals which can harm your cat. Use a stoneware or Corelle dish

and the reheat cycle to warm the food. Test the food temperature before

feeding to avoid burns. Most cats will eat this Organic cat food at a cool

refrigerator temperature, so try that first, before opting to warm it.

To thaw the frozen food, place the bag in the refrigerator overnight,

than if necessary rewarm it as described above. When feeding real

food such as this, remember to pick it up after one hour to avoid

spoilage, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the next feeding

time. A good method to keep the food fresh is to fill a bowl about the

size of the feeding plate with several cubes of ice, then balance the

feeding plate on top of the bowl. This keeps the food cool and reduces

the chance of bacterial growth in the food.

Supplements. If your cat has arthritis or stiffness of the joints you may

add Cosequin or Dasuquin to the recipe, 3-5 capsules. For senior

cats you may add one multi-B vitamin, crushed to the food. This promotes

health and stimulates the appetite. Give your cat or kitten a liquid vitamin

supplement daily.

Additions to this recipe. Other than noted above, do not add additional

ingredients to this recipe. It is formulated to be safe and nutritious as is,

and many foods commonly consumed by people are unsafe to feed

cats and kittens. See my other articles for additional information.

My cat watches me prepare this food, waiting patiently for her meal.

She knows the sound of the food processor, the smell of the eggs, etc.

Such a smart cat! She has been eating homemade organic cat food

for several years now, what a lucky cat! My Angel.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/544891/organic_cat_food.html

Purina ONE® Natural Blends Chicken & Oat Meal Formula + Vitamins & Minerals Cat Food Review

I'm always on the lookout for new kinds of food for my felines. They get tired of eating the same old brands and flavors. I like to find the tastiest cat food that has the best nutrition to help keep my cats healthy and strong. That's why when I saw this product on sale, I read the ingredients, was impressed, and bought a can. Read this informative Purina ONE® Natural Blends Chicken & Oat Meal Formula + Vitamins & Minerals Cat Food review and find out if your felines might benefit from this!

Price and Availability

I found this product at my local Kroger store. A one-pound can cost two dollars and some change, on sale. I think the regular price was $4.69.

Product Description

Purina ONE® Natural Blends Chicken & Oat Meal Formula + Vitamins & Minerals Cat Food is dry nuggets. It impressed me because of the healthy ingredients. The very first ingredient is chicken. According to the can, the chicken is "wholesome white meat chicken". This poultry, along with "other natural protein sources help support strong muscles, including the heart."

It also contains oatmeal and natural whole grains, such as brown rice. These help "promote digestive health" in your cats.

This cat food also contains cranberries. According to the manufacturer, Purina ONE® Natural Blends Chicken & Oat Meal Formula + Vitamins & Minerals Cat Food is "rich in antioxidants including those from cranberries." There are also "Omega fatty acids from natural sources, including canola and soy oils, for healthy skin and coat."

And finally, this cat food contains "No added fillers, artificial colors or flavors. " What more could you ask for when you're looking for a healthy feline food?

The Ingredients

Purina ONE® Natural Blends Chicken & Oat Meal Formula + Vitamins & Minerals Cat Food contains: Chicken, corn gluten meal, poultry by-product meal, oat meal, brown rice, whole grain wheat, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), wheat gluten, whole grain corn, natural flavor, dried beet pulp, calcium phosphate, potassium chloride, phosphoric acid, calcium carbonate, canola oil, soybean oil, salt, choline chloride, malted barley flour, dried cranberries, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, taurine, zinc sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite.

Taste Test

I must admit, even after I placed a can of Purina ONE® Natural Blends Chicken & Oat Meal Formula + Vitamins & Minerals in my shopping cart, I had reservations. As I perused the remaining aisles of the grocery store, I kept asking myself questions like, "Will my cats eat a dry food that contains out meal?" "What about the cranberries?" I finally decided to trust Purina, a leading brand of cat food, and let my felines decide for themselves. Afterall, I decided, even if they didn't like it, I would only be out a couple bucks.

The picture that accompanies this review shows what's left of the Purina ONE® Natural Blends Chicken & Oat Meal Formula + Vitamins & Minerals Cat Food. The can is empty. All that remains of this cat food is what you see in the dish. The two cats I gave this to loved it. They had no qualms at all about eating oat meal and cranberries.

Conclusion

Purina ONE® Natural Blends Chicken & Oat Meal Formula + Vitamins & Minerals Cat Food is

manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, St. Louis, MO. It's "formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance of adult cats. That, and the fact that my cats like its flavor has convinced me to buy more. There is also a Purina ONE® Natural Blends Salmon & Brown Rice Formula + Vitamins & Minerals Cat Food, and I'll try that on my felines next.

My cats and I highly recommend buying this product for your cats too- especially if you can catch it on sale. There isn't anything about this dry cat food that I can find wrong.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/542099/purina_one_natural_blends_chicken_oat.html

Cat Food Review: Fancy Feast White Meat Chicken & Cheddar Cheese Souffle with Garden Vegetables

Cat food can be as plain or as fancy as you want it to be. After all, you are the one responsible for buying the cat food. But how about offering your cats a treat every once in a while?

While my husband was pouring out a quantity of cat food for our two cats recently, he came across a small can of White Meat Chicken and Cheddar Cheese Soufflé with Garden Vegetables by Fancy Feast inside the bag of Friskies. He placed the tiny 85g (3oz) can of cat food on the counter. I came across it and knew that neither of us had bought this cat food recently.

White Meat Chicken and Cheddar Cheese Soufflé with Garden Vegetables by Fancy Feast stayed on the counter for a few days before I finally decided that my cats had been good enough to have a change from their usual portion of dry cat food. One of my cats sat looking at me silently, but as soon as I showed him the can of White Meat Chicken and Cheddar Cheese Soufflé with Garden Vegetables by Fancy Feast he ran right towards me and started meowing in happy expectation of a gourmet cat meal. My younger cat had been sleeping, but all it took was the opening of the can for him to dart downstairs from off his bed at break neck speed and to wait patiently as I divided the cat food.

I must admit that the cat food looked and smelled wonderful. It was pale and looked rather tempting, so I knew my cats would really enjoy this brand of cat food. As soon as I added White Meat Chicken and Cheddar Cheese Soufflé with Garden Vegetables by Fancy Feast to their food bowl, they started to eat and take big bites out of it. By the time I had turned back around, they had both finished every last scrap of the cat food. From my cat's reaction, I could easily tell that this was a quality product. They did not even take the time to investigate the food before eating it. They set straight to work on it.

This gourmet cat food certainly pleased my cats. It is a product I would highly recommend to cat owners who want to let their cats sample some of the finer gourmet cat foods that are on the market. For further information about this product, go to purina.com or call 1-800-933-0991 Monday-Friday 7:00am-7:00pm Central Time.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/567193/cat_food_review_fancy_feast_white_meat.html

Fabulous Uses for an Empty Dog or Cat Food Bag

Do you throw your empty dog food bags in the recycling bin? I used to until the recycling guys pointed out that dog and cat food bags can't be recycled. I didn't realize that most pet food bags were made with several layers of brown craft-type paper with at least two plastic seals sandwiched within the paper. These plastic seals mean the bag can not be recycled with the mixed paper, unless the paper has been separated from the plastic.

To remove the plastic liners so that the bag can be recycled, the bag must first be turned inside out. Once reversed, grab hold of the inner plastic liner and pull it away from the paper. After this inner liner has been removed, peel back the layers of paper until you've located the second plastic liner. Separate this liner from the remaining layers of paper as well. The paper can now be placed in the recycling bin with the mixed paper, and the seals should be disposed of in the rubbish bin.

Since it takes quite a bit of time to prepare a pet food bag for recycling, we now just save our empty dog and cat food bags to use in an assortment of practical ways around the house.

Shipping pouches

For shipping paper items, clothing items or perishables, cat food bags make terrific waterproof mailers. I simply turn the bag inside out, pack the item inside the bag, then staple and tape shut. The mailing address can be written on the outside of the mailer with a permanent marker or on a pre-pasted address label.

Storage

Storing greasy automotive or tractor parts? A large dog food bag is ideal for this use. Large pet food bags can also be used to wrap art objects and other breakables for transport. The waterproof liner prevents the art work from getting damaged and the multiple layers of paper provide extra padding.

Garden waste

For gardeners, large cat or dog food bags are perfect airtight containers for collecting those noxious weeds that have no place in a compost bin; weeds such as puncture vine, Scotch and Russian thistle, field bindweed, and others. I keep an empty dog food bag in the corner of my garden shed just for these type of weeds, and close the bag with a clothes pin to prevent seed pods from escaping. Once the bag is completely full, it is stapled shut and placed it out with the rubbish for pickup.

Large pet food bags can also be used to gather up thorny yard waste that ordinarily would puncture a regular trash bag.

Fireplace ashes

When cleaning out the fireplace, a large dog food bag is a great container for holding wood ashes. The bag is strong enough to hold quite a bit of weight and can be easily carried out to the compost pile where it can be dumped and reused for another time. For families who don't compost wood ashes, the bag can be stapled shut and tossed in the garbage can.

To contain smelly garbage

Whether it's dog droppings or spoiled food, there's some things we really don't want stinking up our garbage can. Cat food bags do an amazing job of containing odor, are practically puncture proof, and are perfect for storing smelly garbage. We roll the top of the bag closed and staple it shut to keep those smelly odors contained.

As a surface protector

By slicing a large dog or cat food bag open along the side and bottom seam, you can create a water proof pad that measures approximately three by three feet. This is a perfect size for protecting the garage floor when changing the oil in a chain saw, lawn mower or car. I also use an opened dog food bag to protect my kitchen table when painting craft items or repotting plants.

Just because a dog or cat food bag can't be easily recycled means it has to be thrown out unused. By finding a second or even third life for those pet food bags, you'll find yourself saving money while deferring waste headed to the landfill.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/567969/fabulous_uses_for_an_empty_dog_or_cat.html

My Pet Feeds Us Nutro Beef and Brown Rice Platter: A Food Review by Our Cat!

My slave, Dave, is out for the evening so I thought I would write this late evening review. I'm Dora, his finicky 2 year old tuxedo cat and his master. Just so you know the TRUTH, humans don't own cats as pets. Cats own humans as their slaves. I mean, really! After all, we get them to feed us, pet us, and clean our poop out of our litter boxes. We don't have to do anything but get waited on!

It's tough that these humans can't understand our language. I try to teach Dave about what to feed us, but most of time he just doesn't listen. He buys us SO much junk! We (my brother George and I) just sniff and walk away. Dave did hit the jackpot with the Nutro Beef and Brown Rice Platter. The label shows a beautiful picture of chunks of raw beef, tomatoes and rice. My slave has read the label to me...he said, "Look Dora! This says this is premium nutrition, Gourmet taste, ideal for finicky cats!" Well, I'm not finicky, just picky! Most of what he feeds us tastes like DOG food!

Each pouch of this food is 3 ounces and I do say that most of the time, my brother and I just gobble this stuff up! There's lots of beef broth in this. Dave said it's the first thing on the ingredient list. But we LOVE gravy! The next ingredients are beef, beef liver, chicken liver, and brown rice. My slave said that there's NO by-products in this food! The label even says no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and NO chicken heads, feet or intestines! Thank goodness. That's the kind of stuff in by-products!!!!

I understand that each one of these pouches cost Dave about 50 cents at Petsmart. I don't think he minds as long as he sees us eating it. But it serves him right if he doesn't buy us stuff we like and he has to throw it down the drain!!

The pouches have little slits on each side which makes them very easy to open and pour into our bowls. And there's no fork needed to get out all the food! I'm a pretty slim cat (unlike my fat brother) and I only eat about 1/2 pouch at one time. The label says Dave should feed us about 2 pouches per five pounds of body weight. I'm about 13 pounds so I'm supposed to have around 4 pouches of these per day! I don't eat THAT much because I do eat some of the Royal Canin dry cat food as well.

I tried reading the label of this gourmet treat myself (I'm a SMART kitty) and as far as I can tell the Guaranteed Analysis says there's a minimum of 8% crude protein, 4.5% crude fat, a max of 1% crude fiber and a maximum of 82% moisture (I guess that's the YUMMY gravy!). I think I saw the label say there's ASH in the food??? A max of 2.5% (is that cigarette ash?)

I'm pretty glad my slave bought this for me and I'll show him my appreciation by letting him pet me one more time than usual!

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/567867/my_pet_feeds_us_nutro_beef_and_brown.html

Felidae Cat Food and Kitten Review

Felidae Cat and Kitten Formula is made with only the finest ingredients. Some of the benefits are four meat proteins, ten skin and coat conditioners, cranberry meal for Natural Urinary Tract Health.

Ingredients:

Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Lamb Meal, Chicken Fat, ( preserved with mixed tocopherols and ascorbic acid ), Menhaden Fish Meal, Eggs, Flax Seed Meal, Sun Cured Alfalfa Meal, Sunflower Oil, Lecithin, Nutritional Yeast, Natural Flavors, Linoleic Acid, Rosemary Extract, Sage Extract, Amaranth, DL Methionine, Taurine, Kelp, Cranberry meal, Apple meal, Yeast Culture, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Streptococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamins A, D-Activated Animal Sterol Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, Riboflavin, Niacin, Choline Chloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine-Hydrochloride, Thiamin, Biotin, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Bacillus Subtillis, Yucca Schidigera Extract.

Guaranteed Analysis %:

Crude Protein (minimum) 32 Crude Fat (minimum) 20 Moisture (maximum) 9 Crude Fiber (maximum) 2.5

Felidae Cat and Kitten Formula Cat Food Rating

Animal Digest - 1 point possible = Plus 1 point = No animal digest

Corn - 1 point possible = Plus 1 point = No Corn

Wheat - 1 point possible = Plus 1 point = No Wheat

Soy - 1 point possible = Plus 1 point = No Soy

Gluten - 1 point possible = Plus 1 point = No Gluten

Extra Goodies - 1 point possible = Minus 1 point = Sun Cured Alfalfa Meal, Nutritional Yeast, Natural Flavors, Yeast Culture

By-Products - 1 point possible = Plus 1 point = No By-Product

Animal Fat - 1 point possible = Minus 1 point = Chicken Fat

Pet Food Recalls - 1 point possible = Plus 1 point = No Recalls for Felidae Pet Food

Class Action - 1 point possible = Plus 1 point = No Class Action - Felidae Cat Food

Cat Food Rating for Felidae Cat and Kitten Formula Cat Food

Total Score = 8/10

Ask Susan Peters Cat Food Review

Felidae Cat and Kitten Formula Cat Food uses a lot of yeast which makes me uncomfortable about the source of the yeast. I like the use of Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, and Lamb meal in Felidae Cat and Kitten Formula Cat Food. I don't care for the use of "natural flavors". What are these natural flavors of and where did the flavors come from? Chicken fat is not a necessary part of a cat's diet. The use of chicken fat in pet foods is usually to entice the cat or dog to eat a pet food which the pet may not be inclined to eat. There are no recalls on Felidae Pet Foods and no Class Actions filed against Felidae pet food company.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/571487/felidae_cat_food_and_kitten_review.html

Organic Cat Food Recommendations

The trend as of late has been to start eating healthy - organic food and healthy food recipes are on the rise and demand as everyone tries to eat healthier and smarter. But what about the four-legged members of your family? Why leave them behind while you eat smart? Organic cat food can help your feline live longer, be happier just like you! Read on for some ideas on where to purchase organic cat food to make your feline friend a happy kitty!

The first thing to remember is that just because it's organic and good for humans doesn't mean that you can feed it to your cat! Organic cat food is special in that it balances nutrients and vitamins to make sure that your cat gets all the right doses, something human food cannot deliver!

One good site to start searching for organic cat food is Newman's Own Organics, at www.newmansownorganics.com/pet/home/. They've just launched a special line of organic cat food that delivers just what you need to keep your feline on a good diet! Newman's Own Organics offer an adult cat formula and an advanced cat formula for kittens and elderly felines that contains a mixture of vitamins, minerals, whole grains and proteins that will be easily digestible by your cat. Personally I like this brand because you can find it easily on the shelves of your local pet food store and even in some of the major chains. It's hard to continue an organic cat food diet when you can't access the food easily or am dependent on the postal system to deliver your supplies or worse - have to drive for hours with the current cost of gas!

Another excellent site is Caster and Pollux Pet works at www.castorpolluxpet.com. Here the cat owner new to the idea of organic cat food can even purchase a starting kit for less than ten dollars! Containing samples of the different types of organic cat food available, this is an excellent way to slowly move your cat's diet away from what you've been currently feeding him/her and onto a healthy organic cat food diet! This company also has the bonus that they carry the first pet foods made with certified organic chicken as the very first ingredient in both their cat and dog organic foods, meeting the USDA's labeling regulations for organic foods.

Of course you could attempt to make organic cat food on your own, but it's much more complicated than just adjusting the sizes and portions of what you digest as a human - it would be very easy to miss out on giving your feline friend essential vitamins and nutrients when you switch diets!

As with all changes in lifestyle, human and feline, it's best to discuss this with your veterinarian to make sure that your change to organic cat food is something that your feline can handle. Under certain circumstances your cat may not be able to change diets and your vet can make sure that any organic cat food contains what he/she needs to stay healthy and happy. Your vet can also supply you with references to brands that they approve of along with possible local connections to healthy organic cat food in your area!

Changing your cat's diet to include organic cat food doesn't have to be a traumatic experience for the owner or the feline - all it takes is a little research and knowledge to give your feline a good healthy organic cat food every day and keep those teeth white, that fur sleek and soft and those eyes bright and happy!

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/585619/organic_cat_food_recommendations.html