Darwins

[genarr3]

Any opinions on this food? I just receieved the sample pack, but I won't be able to try it for at least a few weeks as my cat is on a boiled chicken and rice diet due to digestive issues.

 

[Rafiki]

My cats were on Darwin exclusively for 2 years. I found it very convenient and thought that the pricing was OK. Unfortunately, they changed their recipe at the end of April and did not notify in advance so I was unable to gradually introduce the new food. The change was apparently dramatic to my cats and neither would eat the new formula. I figured out that they had changed it when I came across an old packet after 4 days of snubbing and contacted Darwin who confirmed it. Rafiki only ate Darwin. She would not touch anything else and went into early stage liver failure. The liver disease started about 6 months prior as is evident by the fibrosis found in the liver biopsy. The episode with her not eating amplified the issue but did not cause it.

I would strongly recommend that if you go with Darwin, do not feed your cat this food exclusively so that you can avoid the issues I went thru. I have spoken to their nutritionist and found him to be very knowledgeable, informed and helpful. He is very diligent about ensuring that the supplements are not from China. He has worked with some of the top pet nutritionists in the country and is currently working on formulas for pets with chronic diseases as a raw formula for pets with kidney disease does not currently exist.

 

[genarr3]

Thank you for your reply, and I feel for you with the health issues. As I'm writing this my cat Jamie had his first healthy looking stool in a couple of months. I've never been so excited about a turd. I guess the chicken and rice with the Probiotic is working. Are you familiar with the Probiotics? I'm supposed to give him a 30 day regiment. Then what? You just discontinue? This is not something one would make part of the cat's daily feeding? I'm thinking no, but just haven't read enough into it. I'm using FortiFlora which I'm told isn't the best. Anyway thanks for taking the time.

 

[DumaLove]

Probiotics are part of my cats' daily diet.

 

[genarr3]

What brand do you use if you don't mind me asking?

 

[DumaLove]

I use Mercola pet probiotic. Comes in a tub with a little scoop. Much easier than little packets, but I also have more than a few cats.

 

[genarr3]

Ok, thank you I'll check that one out.

 

[DumaLove]

You're welcome! And congrats on a normal turd. Most of us here can realate to your excitement over a !!

 

[genarr3]

That kinda scares me what you said about China, I'd need a absolute guarantee any of the products used were not coming from that country. I don't mind buy a toaster from there, but I won't for a second trust them as far a food goes. Some of the stories I've read are horrifying.

 

[Rafiki]

That kinda scares me what you said about China, I'd need a absolute guarantee any of the products used were not coming from that country. I don't mind buy a toaster from there, but I won't for a second trust them as far a food goes. Some of the stories I've read are horrifying.

Almost all of the taurine comes from China. I supplement with Fel-o-Taurine from Thomas Labs and they are made in USA. But, as I stated, the nutritionist from Darwin makes sure that all of his supplements are safe. I was very pissed off when I spoke to them about changing the formula and I was calmed down after discussing nutrition with the guy (really wish I could find that paper where I wrote down the name so he isn't "the guy"!). He was truly trying to be as helpful as he could with my difficult situation (I talked to him for a good 1/2 hour or more) and I really felt like he had the pet's nutritional needs at the top of his list.