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Wet vs Dry Food

L

Louie'sDad

Guest
I believe that I see the reasoning behind the benefits of wet food and the possible dangers of dry kibble. If I understand correctly, cats don't have a strong thirst/drink instinct, so if they eat dry kibble, they MIGHT put a strain on their urinary tract, PARTICULARLY THE KIDNEYS, because of a paucity of moisture.

I am still mixing the EVO canned food with Royal Canin Kitten 36, but have been adding a good amount of water to it. Louie is still being fed 2x/day, and eats everything in his bowl. Whatever is left after about 1/2 hour is removes, and the bowl is cleaned, so bacterial growth is not an issue.
What are your thoughts on this?


How long should I continue feeding him 2x/day?

I want a very high protein/high fat/zero carb diet for him. I like the EVO Turkey and Chicken kibble or the Nature's Variety Instinct Chicken Meal Formula. My intention is to phase out the canned food and mix one of these 50/50 with Royal Canin and add plenty of water. Thoughts?

Please look at the following before responding:

http://www.sahjasiamese.com/index_files/foodcomparisonchart.htm

Thanks!
 

John Popp

Site Supporter
I didn't look at the link, but if you are planning on kibble as part of the diet it's a good idea to get a cat fountain such as a Drinkwell. Increases their want to drink more water and will also provide some entertainment.

With the Kibble I would also use some sort of commercial puzzle feeder or simply cut some holes in some paper towel tubes and place the kibble in. Slows them down from just gorging on it and possibly from developing an aversion to their wet food.

We also feed 3x a day so we have a kitten that's energy level winding down when we are. When we weren't feeding right before our bedtime, we would have a kitten/cat that was a little more energetic than we cared for when trying to retire. The third feeding worked wonders, and was the same schedule as our other cats. Not sure the rationale for the 2x daily feedings that came from our breeder, but I imagine that it was as much convenience as anything while they did suggest having on demand kibble through the first year.

Hope that helps and I'll take a look at the link when time permits.
 

Brigitte Cowell

Moderator
Staff member
I feed all my cats at least twice a day, my eldest is almost 12 years old...so I think for life is the answer to your question!

I'm not sure I understand why you want to phase out the canned in favor of kibble you need to soak in water to feed? If concerned about water intake (and yes a water fountain is a great idea) why not phase out the kibble and only feed canned?
 
L

Louie'sDad

Guest
I feed all my cats at least twice a day, my eldest is almost 12 years old...so I think for life is the answer to your question!

I'm not sure I understand why you want to phase out the canned in favor of kibble you need to soak in water to feed? If concerned about water intake (and yes a water fountain is a great idea) why not phase out the kibble and only feed canned?

Let me qualify the first part: When is it most important to never have your cat go hungry, on a 24 hour basis, while he's still growing? Once the cat is fully developed, I feel that it's OK to have him have a certain amount of hunger, just like his owner. It keeps me trim, and should do the same for him. When I eat (as well as Louie) it is only good, high quality food, with very little "junk". Although some cheating is allowed for me and for Louie.:)

How many 5.5 oz. cans will a full grown F1 male eat per day?
 

Brigitte Cowell

Moderator
Staff member
I don't know, I don't own a full grown F1 nor feed only canned. I feed my lot (including two F1 females) a choice of canned and raw...but I have no idea how much each kitty is eating, sorry! I think their appetites vary with weather and maybe even mood that day too...

And it depends on how large your individual cat grows, big cat will eat more likely than a smaller cat...and a more active cat will need more than a sedentary one.
 

John Popp

Site Supporter
BTW, my kitten came from the same place yours did. I received the same instructions as you and probably could have easily transitioned my kitten to kibble. The targeted canned food they had recommended didn't go over very well when I was transitioning our kitten to some of it along with the raw food they supplied.

So with some digestive issues, knowing they were feeding raw for their own cats, I made the choice to continue a raw food diet. I still use the Royal Canin Kitten 36 they had recommended for on demand food, just slowing down the intake quantity via a puzzle feeder. Not at all a rap on the breeder as they are as knowledgable as any one in the business, just wonder if their diet profile isn't more in line with owner convenience than the cat. Quality foods they recommended, always just better to have a full grown cat that is 100% on wet food.

Chongo has yet to throw up since we've had him and his digestive issues were remedied by going to raw food as he had been given at the cattery. I do have plans on picking up another kitten from them and perhaps I'll have the opportunity to have a more in depth conversation on the subject.
 

scorpius

Chirps & Massive Headbutts
I believe that I see the reasoning behind the benefits of wet food and the possible dangers of dry kibble. If I understand correctly, cats don't have a strong thirst/drink instinct, so if they eat dry kibble, they MIGHT put a strain on their urinary tract, PARTICULARLY THE KIDNEYS, because of a paucity of moisture.

My previous male cat (not a SV) was fed dry kibble his first 2 yrs then developed FLUTD and nearly died (he couldn't pee due to FLUTD). All of this was due to feeding him standard dry kibble which contains excessive amounts of Mg (and can cause crystal buildup to the extent it blocks a cat from peeing). Once this occurs, you have about 2-3 days until the cat dies. I took mine to the vet and 5 days later and multiple catheters he was ok (a big vet bill, too!). For his remaining life I fed him C/D prescription wet cat food and he never had another FLUTD incident.

Needless-to-say, Shango my male SV is on raw now and for the rest of his life. I don't ever want to go down the FLUTD road again ;). --dj
 
L

Louie'sDad

Guest
BTW, my kitten came from the same place yours did. I received the same instructions as you and probably could have easily transitioned my kitten to kibble. The targeted canned food they had recommended didn't go over very well when I was transitioning our kitten to some of it along with the raw food they supplied.

So with some digestive issues, knowing they were feeding raw for their own cats, I made the choice to continue a raw food diet. I still use the Royal Canin Kitten 36 they had recommended for on demand food, just slowing down the intake quantity via a puzzle feeder. Not at all a rap on the breeder as they are as knowledgable as any one in the business, just wonder if their diet profile isn't more in line with owner convenience than the cat. Quality foods they recommended, always just better to have a full grown cat that is 100% on wet food.

Chongo has yet to throw up since we've had him and his digestive issues were remedied by going to raw food as he had been given at the cattery. I do have plans on picking up another kitten from them and perhaps I'll have the opportunity to have a more in depth conversation on the subject.

When I got Louie, he was 9 weeks old, and weaned off the raw. He was readily eating EVO canned and Canin 36 dry when I got him. Almost immediately, I began mixing a tiny bit of wet with a big handful of Canin, and he took to it like a bee to pollen.

I spoke to Dale at length the other day, and he likes Canin best. I noticed in their literature that came along with Lou, that they gave the kittens a choice between R Canin and EVO dry turkey/chicken. He said that they discontinued the EVO. Don't know why, but it looks to me like a much better food than R Canin. Has 50% protein and very low carbs......................all of which are derived from peas, a very complete and nutritious food! I'm buying a bag today and will begin mixing 50/50 with the R Canin. Been adding a good amount of water to the dry, and he's eating nicely.

How old is Chongo?
 
L

Louie'sDad

Guest
My previous male cat (not a SV) was fed dry kibble his first 2 yrs then developed FLUTD and nearly died (he couldn't pee due to FLUTD). All of this was due to feeding him standard dry kibble which contains excessive amounts of Mg (and can cause crystal buildup to the extent it blocks a cat from peeing). Once this occurs, you have about 2-3 days until the cat dies. I took mine to the vet and 5 days later and multiple catheters he was ok (a big vet bill, too!). For his remaining life I fed him C/D prescription wet cat food and he never had another FLUTD incident.

Needless-to-say, Shango my male SV is on raw now and for the rest of his life. I don't ever want to go down the FLUTD road again ;). --dj

Thank you for prompting me to look at FLUTD. Looks like magnesium is the major culprit. After reading this:

http://www.petplace.com/cats/best-l...ice-on-best-low-magnesium-cat-food/page1.aspx

I'm confident in EVO Turkey/Chicken Dry Cat Food, which has Magnesium (max) 0.1 %. I can't find any Mg analysis for the R Canin.
 

scorpius

Chirps & Massive Headbutts
Yep, that's correct, that's a good link above. As long as the kibble is low Mg, it's good. With my previous male cat (non SV) I fed him something like normal Friskies, which come to find out, was rather high in Mg and not good kibble. --dj
 
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