Pet food brands

[smoochies 0]

as some of you know, I have a rather large menagerie of pets here

due to some health issues with one of my cats, he needs to be fed a good quality food, otherwise he will pass blood and have painful discharge from his eyes. The brand I used for him in Canada is not available here in the US, so we switched them to Nutro's Natural Choice food, which we were told was a good quality food. However now, 6 months later, he is experiencing some discharge again, and we're considering changing the food.

We have also been feeding our dogs Nutro's Max puppy food, which we also were told was a good quality brand. Well, although our pups have energy and are healthy, they REALLY stink when going #2... I mean worse than dogs usually smell...

so I am hoping my fellow animal-loving VJ'ers can recommend a good quality pet food for both cats, and for dogs. After all, nothing is better than getting the info from those who have been there

P.S.:

I read the responses on the thread before the move to the new server, and it seems like Iams and Science Diet are the most recommended so far...

thanks for the input, my little kitty Silas is 9 years old and only 6lbs, his brother Ike weighs in at 11. Ike doesnt have the same health issues that Silas does, Silas was the runt, and will not put on weight. I spent almost $1000 on blood work and tests to find out that there's nothing wrong with him other than the sensitivity to food, but he's skin and bones, always has been.

Also, what would you recommend for our stinky pups?

any other suggestions would be appreciated!

[de_sjiem 0]

We feed our kitties Iams.. the ingredient list actually starts out with a meat product! (you know, instead of corn or something silly like that..) They seem to do well on it... Hubby also says to watch out for foods that contain animal digest.. which is nasty and is predigested food from other animals... ewwwwww.... good luck finding a good pet food!

[gimygirl 0]

IAMs or Science Diet for the WIN!!! ... don't skimp on your furry friends!!

just like we wouldn't skimp on our family!!

[Welshcookie 17]

c'mon....Fraces and I are working on a rescue mission for Dean...dog food can wait surely???

[gimygirl 0]

c'mon....Fraces and I are working on a rescue mission for Dean...dog food can wait surely???

well frances DID mention scooby snacks!!!!!!

[Sister Fracas 5]

c'mon....Fraces and I are working on a rescue mission for Dean...dog food can wait surely???

awwww, when the pets are in need....ya gotta come thru....

Science Diet is the choice in this house...

If I can't get to Pet Smart or Pet Co, then at the grocery store, I go for ONE. It's alright.

Edited January 29, 2006 by Frances

[raphael7546 0]

I use Royal Canin cat food , it comes in a variety of types for persians, cats under a certain age, cats who are overweight, cats who have health problems etc.. I especially like the kitten formula cuz the kibble is very tiny and easy for kittens to eat & digest.

Also, with good quality Cat food, there is less Waste ( Less litter cleaning and hardly any smell)

Some people may think its rather expensive But... Less trips to the vets, healthier cats, their coats just glimmer. I think its worth it!

Lily

[dalegg 143]

We've always used IAMS for both our cats and dogs. We've found it creates far less output waste than cheaper brands.

[Sister Fracas 5]

Also, with good quality Cat food, there is less Waste ( Less litter cleaning and hardly any smell)

Definitely!

[JanaknJanet 0]

I have two rather old siamese cats. 19 & 22 yrs old I give them Royal Canin ..

My Min Pincher (2 yr) ... Royal Canin small dogs. .. at least until I got my Golden Retriever (6 mth) and I am now giving Eukunuba. ..

I have found that if you give your dog.. lower quality food.. = stinks. and .. larger poops.

As for the cat..

Have you checked into whether or not the cat is having some air borne reactions? Thus the eye discharges.

I am not sure of what kind of .. Natropathic or Alternative Medical Vet. clinics may be in your area..

You might wish to check into possiblities of some natural therapies.

I am myself a Acupuncturist... dont treat animals. but have friends that work with Vets..

Many times ... you can get suggestions...

give em a call.. .. but.. it sounds to me.. eye discharge.. quite possibily airborne.. .. allergies..

.. recepies.. that you may be able to cook up .

Cooking up some Rice and turkey.. grinding it.. etc.. is always good in a pinch.. but there are some good recepies out there. too.

[allynella 0]

Iams all the way

[daisy16 0]

I am a pet food snob I'm afraid. My dog is on the BARF diet (bones and raw food) very healthy, much less waste to pick up.

My holistic vet considered IAMS to be not much better than any of the other cheap, very commercial brands. Don't yell at me, I'm just telling ya what she said.

Here and in Canada Eagle Pack was the way to go. They are careful about adding too many grains, and they do put lots of goodies in there. Here is their website addy: http://www.eaglepack.com check them out for product info and how to get their stuff.

[smoochies 0]

thanks for all the input everyone!

I agree with all of you that its not right to cheap out on your pets, but I'm lost with the brands here. The one I was using back in Canada, at the suggestion of my vet back there, was a brand that was offered at Pet Valu stores only, and it cleared everything up for my little guy. I cant remember the name of it at the moment, but there are no Pet Valu stores this far south.

Upon arriving here, the guy at Petco suggested Nutro Natural Choice, which (thankfully) hasnt brought back the blood-passing, but after 6 months on this Nutro, his eyes are discharging again...

in the meantime, we had our first puppy on Iams, and were talked out of it at Petsmart, and into Nutro Max puppy food. This food made a huge difference in her coat (its sooooo soft now) but both her and our new pup just STINK when they do their thing now...

so we're thinking perhaps we're mistaken on the wonders of Nutro, and need to change...

here's a pic of my little guy, so you can see who you all are helping

Edited January 29, 2006 by smoochies

[MaryandMian 1]

Have you thought of contacting the company that you used in Canada and see if you can have it shipped to you in the USA at a discounted price? Explain your situation and then see if they will be goodwill ambassadors? I know some companies will bend over backwards and maybe they could even look into coming into the USA market place if they see a need. Good luck and hope your little one is healthy again.

Mary

[Sister Fracas 5]

Awwwwwwwwwww, Smooch, he's a adorable!

As far as the BARF diet Daisy mentioned, I'm not familiar with pups, but know that kitties on holistic diets require at least one vitamin supplement, the most important being taurine, that cat foods have in it. There are things dogs can get just from meats that cats can't...so I highly recommend researching real carefully what is needed for a holistic diet for a cat. Not saying you are Smooch, just in general....