I am wondering what 'over the counter' cat food (as in from grocery store or walmart) is the best to feed ones cat. Keep in mind that I am on a bit of a budget. Thanks!!!
KM
KM
Uh...Originally Posted by mrblanche
The Costco house brand is considered pretty good, and pretty reasonable, about $15 for 20 lbs. Keep in mind, however, that the cheapest store food is probably healthier than what a cat would eat in the wild, exposing it to fewer diseases, parasites, etc.
And the best food in the world is no good, if your cat won't eat it.
Really? Then how do they get roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, giardia, coccidia, etc?Originally Posted by Minka
Their stomachs are specifically designed to be able to kill any diseases present in the prey they eat, so them getting sick of their natural diet is not a common occurrence.
Taste of the Wild is sold at Pet Valu, although I do find Pet Valu to be a bit more expensive than Global. The staff at Pet Valu is usually pretty knowledgable - unless they are just opening or have temporary staff in, then they're completely oblivious.Originally Posted by kittymama2000
True mrblanche. But if the only foods your cat will eat are VERY not good for them (though not actually poisonous) then what? Also, to the first poster. I have petvalu and pets ulimited, but not petco or petsmart.
Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms are animals, not diseases..Originally Posted by mrblanche
Really? Then how do they get roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, giardia, coccidia, etc?
Agreed! Everyone is on a different budget. Some pet foods are better than others that is for sure. But if someone is on a really tight budget, the pet will get what it needs from any national brand. That is why AAFCO is around.Originally Posted by mrblanche
An infection with a parasite can be considered a disease, but, not to split hairs, all those parasites are picked up from eating infected prey animals (although tapeworms have an intermediate carrier, the flea). Giardia is most commonly caught from drinking infected water, and while one variety of coccidia in cats is acquired from fecal contamination, all others are caught from prey animals.
But my real point is that we shouldn't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. A cat eating any national brand of cat food is better off than one eating live animals or table scraps, which were the norm before the pet food industry was started not all that long ago.
Coccidiosis and giardiasis in cats
I don't necessarily believe that, as I've seen some VERY unhealthy cats from eating store-brand generic dry food (yes, it's AAFCO certified), Meow Mix, or Alley Cat (the worst brand name cat food available). The AAFCO test is whether the animals are still alive after eating the food for 6 months, they don't care how healthy they are.Originally Posted by NutroMike
Agreed! Everyone is on a different budget. Some pet foods are better than others that is for sure. But if someone is on a really tight budget, the pet will get what it needs from any national brand. That is why AAFCO is around.
I think you misinterpreted my meaning when I mentioned AAFCO. I said the cat will get what it needs, meaning a sustainable existence. I did not intend for my statement to come off that the cat will be in the peak of health. Sorry if I did not make myself very clearOriginally Posted by Willowy
I don't necessarily believe that, as I've seen some VERY unhealthy cats from eating store-brand generic dry food (yes, it's AAFCO certified), Meow Mix, or Alley Cat (the worst brand name cat food available). The AAFCO test is whether the animals are still alive after eating the food for 6 months, they don't care how healthy they are.
If you were absolutely stuck with Wal-Mart/grocery store foods, Purina ONE or Purina Naturals would probably be your best bet (Purina ONE is sort of pricey, though, and by the ingredients I actually think Naturals is better anyway). If your Wal-Mart still sells Maxximum Nutrition (some do, some don't), that's pretty good.