Looks Like I'm Done With Mars Brands

A little while back, I stopped buying Sheba because Mars shifted from cans to those split plastic trays, where they charge more for less product in the name of "convenience." I still fed my girls some Iams Purrfect Delights as a treat every day because they really like it. But now it looks like Iams is going the way of Sheba. Amazon shows the Purrfect Delights as discontinued and suggests Iams Perfect Portions. Almost twice the price for 2.6 oz trays instead of 3 oz cans. Sorry, Mars, but I'm not made of money. I may start boycotting M&Ms and even 3 Musketeers, my favorite candy bar.

Thank you Purina, for not abandoning aluminum cans, especially since aluminum can be recycled indefinitely, unlike plastic.

I hate those plastic trays, I always cut my hands on the sharp edges where they snap apart. Plus they squirt all over when I open them.

It's gotten to the point where the little money saved on those little trays isn't worth it when there are better quality foods available for not much more. We are a 1 cat family and saving maybe 50 cents a day on Sheba compared to the Rawz and Stella and Chewy's I feed just isn't worth it. Of course, it all adds up and if you have multiple cats it still saves money pretty quick. Plus, you can buy the Sheba in bulk and save some more money. But regardless of ones situation, I agree with you that there is no doubt that the big companies are always finding ways to up their profit margin. Packaging for "convenience" is just one way of doing it. I guess it's better than compromising the product by adding cheap fillers.

maggiedemi said:

I hate those plastic trays, I always cut my hands on the sharp edges where they snap apart. Plus they squirt all over when I open them.

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Yes! I've had this problem too. No matter how I take my time, I'll have to have wet wipes or a damp paper towel readying to clean the mess. Not to mention something to absorb the blood from my freshly cut finger. After a while, the hassle didn't seem worth it.

Also, that huge gap down the middle seems like a waste of space.

Good on you... I boycott Mars and Purina because of the awful ingredients in their foods and their history of causing illness, and sometimes even death, in animals.

These 2 companies control the pet food industry and as long as we keep purchasing their products it’s unlikely that we will see better quality and healthy pet foods on the market. They either can’t compete or they get shut down by the more powerful companies. Just look at what happened to Rad Cat...

Agreed re them vs tiny Rad Cat. Rad Cat was a worry to them money-wise thus the takedown.

I know it cost me dearly, as Rad Cat was the ONLY food I used for 7 yrs now until now.

Rad Cat was literally killed. It's such a shame so many CKD cats had to deal with a food switch like that.
It didn't affect cat food that I'm aware of, but meanwhile Hill's prescription dog food diets had a big recall a few months ago for elevated levels of vitamin D. If I'm feeding my pet a prescription diet for kidney disease, I really don't want to hear the news that there's elevated anything that might cause harm to the kidneys I'm trying to save by feeding that damn food in the first place

Theres a reason mars PetCare makes more money then purina, Colgate, all other pet food brands. Royal Canin is their biggest rip off to date. But the switch to those plastic containers is just another reason to stay away from Mars.

I do buy some of the Sheba only because they are a good size (when on sale) for a before bed snack if Lydia actually eats all her food. However, that's a handful of times a month. I could never afford to feed anything exclusively from those trays and I hate them for all the reasons mentioned. I much prefer 3oz cans and the recyclability of aluminum.

mizzely said:

I much prefer 3oz cans and the recyclability of aluminum.

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My cats liked Sheba better when it came in cans. I wonder if plastic affects the taste?

maggiedemi said:

My cats liked Sheba better when it came in cans. I wonder if plastic affects the taste?

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I'm sure it definitely can!

maggiedemi said:

My cats liked Sheba better when it came in cans. I wonder if plastic affects the taste?

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My first cat absolutely refused to touch the original Sheba that came in square plastic trays rather than cans. Not so much as a lick. She would just sniff it and walk away.

maggiedemi said:

My cats liked Sheba better when it came in cans. I wonder if plastic affects the taste?

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I think it does. Pour some spring or distilled water in a (clean) plastic water bottle and leave it in your fridge for a week or so. It definitely changes the taste.