Instinct Formula Change?

[haemslee]

Hi everyone,

Has anyone noticed that Nature’s Variety Instinct changed their wet food formula? The packing is slightly different, but the formula seems to have changed as well... My cat possibly has a food allergy so she’s been eating the rabbit formula. I gave her the new formula today and she won’t eat it! Anyone have any information on the change? (

 

[duckpond]

So Sorry, i hate when they change formulas on a good food, causes cats all kinds of issues. I don't know about NV, its not a food i feed, but i noticed someone else posted today that they had changed the dry. I don't know if you shop online, or have stores nearby that you buy from? maybe you can check around and find some of the old cans, then mix it with the new? That might get her use to the changes they made?

 

[HesSoFluffy]

Yes, unfortunately.

I've been feeding my cat NV's Pride Wet Minced for about 6 or 7 months. I pay very close attention to every ingredient in my cat's food...

A few weeks ago I posted that suddenly Romeo had started eating his food veraciously; while he loved this brand from the get go, I was puzzled why this might be. My brother suggested something was in the food to make it more addictive.

So, I started researching about how companies will combine certain phosphates & meat fats to make food more appetizing. Not a bad thing right? We all want kitty to like their food, but I was disturbed at how fast he was eating.

I hadn't checked the label on the Pride for a couple of months, as I order it automatic from Chewy, but when I did I noticed "natural flavor" had been added, & swore the ingredient list was much longer.

I don't like when companies change their long-standing formulas, particularly without notifying customers. This is 3rd brand (Wellness, Halo, NV) that has done it recently.

I feel like I have to switch again because I don't think it's healthy to have a food he's so addicted to...

I hope that helps!

 

[duckpond]

Yes, unfortunately.

I've been feeding my cat NV's Pride Wet Minced for about 6 or 7 months. I pay very close attention to every ingredient in my cat's food...

A few weeks ago I posted that suddenly Romeo had started eating his food veraciously; while he loved this brand from the get go, I was puzzled why this might be. My brother suggested something was in the food to make it more addictive.

So, I started researching about how companies will combine certain phosphates & meat fats to make food more appetizing. Not a bad thing right? We all want kitty to like their food, but I was disturbed at how fast he was eating.

I hadn't checked the label on the Pride for a couple of months, as I order it automatic from Chewy, but when I did I noticed "natural flavor" had been added, & swore the ingredient list was much longer.

I don't like when companies change their long-standing formulas, particularly without notifying customers. This is 3rd brand (Wellness, Halo, NV) that has done it recently.

I feel like I have to switch again because I don't think it's healthy to have a food he's so addicted to...

I hope that helps!

It is good to have food that our cats really like. I do try to keep several different foods, different flavors and brands in a rotation. That way they don't get as hooked on one, and if the companies, as they are want to do, change the formula or discontinue a food it isn't as traumatic!

 

[jstie]

Groan. Just yesterday I tried Instinct Beef for my INCREDIBLY finicky Pawnee and she LOVED it. Before I added it to my Chewy auto-ship, I thought I would check here for any comments or experience with it, and found this thread. Guess I will add it to my rotation can by can for a while first, partly to see if she still likes it after a while (she changes her mind frequently!), and also wait for the nutrition consult we are setting up recommends. Sigh. All my life I never had a finicky cat, but she takes the cake. With multiple bizarro health problems, she needs a lot of fussing!

 

[HesSoFluffy]

Hi duckpond-

Thanks for the reply.

I've always heard it was best to keep them on one brand, so that's what I've tried to do, but these days it seems harder to find food that fits all my criteria (grain-free, preservative-free, all natural etc.), & that kitty will eat!

 

[duckpond]

Hi duckpond-

Thanks for the reply.

I've always heard it was best to keep them on one brand, so that's what I've tried to do, but these days it seems harder to find food that fits all my criteria (grain-free, preservative-free, all natural etc.), & that kitty will eat!

I also have a hard time finding foods my cats like, and that i like too. I know everyone has different views on how to feed, and that's fine But i have always tried to find as many different brands as i can, that i like their food and ingredients. I think cats need variety, just like we do. And i think nutritional a variety is better as well. Just my opinion. And it sure makes it easier if a food is out of stock, updated, or discontinued.

 

[HesSoFluffy]

Hello jtsie-

Ugh is right.

As an aside, I LOVE Chewy. I've requested that they sell cans individually so that people can try things out before buying a whole case. Maybe if more folks do that, they'll implement the suggestion. Sometimes you just can't find a certain brand in the store.

 

[HesSoFluffy]

*jstie

Pardon, I type too fast sometimes.

 

[duckpond]

I love Chewy too, but i wish they would sell individual cans too, i have also posted that to them! one place i do order from, they don't carry as many brands as chewy, but you can buy individual cans is Canned Food for Cats at Only Natural Pet Store I have had good luck with them.

 

[HesSoFluffy]

I also have a hard time finding foods my cats like, and that i like too. I know everyone has different views on how to feed, and that's fine But i have always tried to find as many different brands as i can, that i like their food and ingredients. I think cats need variety, just like we do. And i think nutritional a variety is better as well. Just my opinion. And it sure makes it easier if a food is out of stock, updated, or discontinued.

That's a good point.

I'm thinking about going back to Wellness because I've fed my cats that for 15 yrs., but I'd prefer to find something even better.

 

[Furballsmom]

HesSoFluffy I was surprised to read that you'd gotten advice to keep them on only one brand. I must say, these days when manufacturers are constantly changing their ingredient list and formulas (and not always to the good!), using additives that are questionable if not downright bad such as menadione (a synthetic vitamin K), and using starches and glutens that can cause allergies under long term exposure, or flat out discontinuing a variety for whatever reason, --to me I look at it more from the standpoint of the Big Guy's digestive system as well as his palate. Having him eating different brands along with some raw, some non-onion/no garlic baby food and a variety of manufacturers treats gives his system a better chance of sloughing off the ill effects of too much of any one bad ingredient that might cause allergies or worse.

 

[Yanaka]

That's a good point.

I'm thinking about going back to Wellness because I've fed my cats that for 15 yrs., but I'd prefer to find something even better.

If your cats don't have allergies, you can definitely try Rawz and their different varieties. They don't have much, but it's an excellent food with poultry and non-poultry that you can add to your rotation. My cats like the textures and there's even some sauce.

 

[haemslee]

Thank you all for your replies! it’s good to know that I’m not the only one upset about the sudden changes. I usually buy my cans in store but I bought it in a bulk so im going to have to return it In the meantime, does anyone know a good quality rabbit wet food? I was thinking of looking into Ziwipeak!

 

[Furballsmom]

Ziwipeak has been a good food for us so far

 

[Furballsmom]

I bought it in a bulk so im going to have to return it

Glad you'll be able to return it!

 

[haemslee]

Ziwipeak has been a good food for us so far

Oh yay! Happy to hear that

 

[haemslee]

Bought the ziwipeak today and she wouldn’t eat it (

 

[Furballsmom]

Hang in there! Are you familiar with ways to transition to new food?

 

[haemslee]

Yes! She’s pretty stubborn though... she won’t eat something she doesn’t like :/