I've really been wondering, whether there is actually any difference in formulations and results for the different types of cat foods (kitten, senior, etc)?
I read the recent 'senior formula' thread here... while several posters sound quite confident in their statements, it's not at all clear where that confidence came from!! Note that I am *not* criticizing anyone here, but I'd like to have more than observational data to use for evaluation, because observations (and the observed animals) can provide much input that does not necessarily mean what it appears to mean. A classic example, from the above thread, is the OP's statement that they changed to senior food and their elderly cat gained weight and seemed happier... as so many others pointed out, that can have causes far outside the food that is provided. Also, a link was provided by one person, to an article on another site, but that article is clearly marked "(Sponsored by Purina Veterinary Diets)", which does not assuage my concerns at all!!
In other products, it is *very* common for companies to produce the same product with numerous different labels; they do this to fill shelf space at the store, and crowd out competing products. This is seen in kitty litter, toothpaste, laundry detergent, and many other products - so it certainly wouldn't be surprising if the same applied to cat foods as well ! So that's why I'm just wondering if there is any known actual research into the different products, to see if there really are any differences among them ???
I read the recent 'senior formula' thread here... while several posters sound quite confident in their statements, it's not at all clear where that confidence came from!! Note that I am *not* criticizing anyone here, but I'd like to have more than observational data to use for evaluation, because observations (and the observed animals) can provide much input that does not necessarily mean what it appears to mean. A classic example, from the above thread, is the OP's statement that they changed to senior food and their elderly cat gained weight and seemed happier... as so many others pointed out, that can have causes far outside the food that is provided. Also, a link was provided by one person, to an article on another site, but that article is clearly marked "(Sponsored by Purina Veterinary Diets)", which does not assuage my concerns at all!!
In other products, it is *very* common for companies to produce the same product with numerous different labels; they do this to fill shelf space at the store, and crowd out competing products. This is seen in kitty litter, toothpaste, laundry detergent, and many other products - so it certainly wouldn't be surprising if the same applied to cat foods as well ! So that's why I'm just wondering if there is any known actual research into the different products, to see if there really are any differences among them ???