expired Posted by snowbelt • May 13, 2023
May 13, 2023 11:42 PM
Item 1 of 5
Item 1 of 5
expired Posted by snowbelt • May 13, 2023
May 13, 2023 11:42 PM
24-Pack 5.5-Oz Purina Friskies Gravy Wet Cat Food Variety Pack
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$19
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I'd rather have people taking in strays and feeding Friskies, than deciding they can't afford to take in a stray. There are real financial considerations many people face. I'd feed Purina's Friskies over many of the grocery store food options. It's not a horrible food for a healthy cat. It's better than a cat not being fed.
Additionally, many of the 'boutique' food options don't have the massive investment into nutrition and quality control that some of the major brands have.
As cats get older (10+), yes, it's a good idea to have blood tests and urinalysis done a little more frequently (every 9 months, then every 6 months as they get to be 14-15), even if no known health problems, to test for kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid issues, etc. There are tests like SDMA that predict the risk of a cat for developing kidney disease. If you see a cat's creatine creeping higher over time ( in the top 1/3 of the reference range, even if it's still within the reference range), that's an indication the cat may be developing kidney disease (drinking a lot of water and peeing a lot can be a sign too, but it can also be a sign of other problems, like diabetes).
But again, not everyone can afford to shell out $200+ per year for blood tests for a cat.
As cats get into the 12+ range, feeding a higher quality food becomes more important. Many foods are very high in phosphorus, which can be a problem if the cat starts developing kidney disease. Even in the earlier stages of kidney disease, you want to try to find foods that are relatively lower in phosphorus (felinecrf.org has spreadsheets for dry and wet foods). If a cat develops diabetes, you want to get the cat on a lower carb food (grain free). For both, foods with higher quality animal protein, rather than plant-based proteins, are better. As a note, a lot of vets are not particularly super-knowledgeable about feline diabetes or kidney disease so use some of the better websites out there (felinecrf.org is excellent for kidney disease, and also has some info about diabetes; felinediabetes.org has good info on diabetes).
Corn and soy are the 7th and 8th ingredients, respectively. This means they are not major components of the food. This is not the best food for cats but it is acceptable quality. Some people will try to make you feel guilty for feeding it to your cat. Ignore them. If it doesn't work for your cat, try something else, but this is acceptable food for a decent price.
Edit: I know not all vets, animal nutritionists, etc. will agree with what I wrote and what's in that link. There is no agreement about food for people either. Many animal or people nutritionists are peddling unscientific information. A lot of nutrition research for both people and animals is poor quality. I cover human nutrition in one of my university courses. I've never been impressed with the quality of most clinical nutrition research (i.e., "real world" implications).
The best we know is that quantity of food (kilocalories) is more important than quality of food. That's not the whole story and food quality is important, but if you are going to encourage health, start with making sure your cat (or you) doesn't overeat. This can be a combination of caloric restriction and increased physical activity.
If weight is under control, then food quality might be somewhere to focus. If you can't afford more expensive food, do not feel guilty. Do your best and love your pet.
You've definitely made clear you're in the 'shaming' camp, rather than the 'informing' camp.
That's not helpful, to anyone, especially not former strays, which otherwise might not have a home.
There isn't really anything in the high quality, well-done studies in the veterinary scientific literature that would indicate Purina Friskies is a bad option for a cat food for a healthy cat.
People, including vets, have strong opinions that are not backed up by well done research. Research in the veterinary realm is lacking, especially for cats.
What is clear is that a cat that has a home, that is regularly fed, is going to live longer than a stray.
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This is more like meat-flavored junk food:
https://catfooddb.com/search?sear...s
I am not a shill but I've tried a variety of grain-free wet foods with no meat by-products etc., and my cat seems to like Tiki Cat brand the most. It's a shame that Amazon doesn't sell it in larger bulk packs though, because it's a little pricey.
I've tried the newer Kirkland grain-free wet food flakes as well, and the ingredients look pretty solid to me, but for whatever reason my cat isn't as fond of those.
Costco was also briefly carrying these mercury-free grain-free wet food cans recently and my cat LOVED those, but unfortunately my local store no longer has them in stock. Can't remember what the name was, but they had been on sale for $13.99 and I wish I'd stocked up and bought a ton of them lol.
I am not a shill but I've tried a variety of grain-free wet foods with no meat by-products etc., and my cat seems to like Tiki Cat brand the most. It's a shame that Amazon doesn't sell it in larger bulk packs though, because it's a little pricey.
I've tried the newer Kirkland grain-free wet food flakes as well, and the ingredients look pretty solid to me, but for whatever reason my cat isn't as fond of those.
Costco was also briefly carrying these mercury-free grain-free wet food cans recently and my cat LOVED those, but unfortunately my local store no longer has them in stock. Can't remember what the name was, but they had been on sale for $13.99 and I wish I'd stocked up and bought a ton of them lol.
This is more like meat-flavored junk food:
https://catfooddb.com/search?sear...s
I'd rather have people taking in strays and feeding Friskies, than deciding they can't afford to take in a stray. There are real financial considerations many people face. I'd feed Purina's Friskies over many of the grocery store food options. It's not a horrible food for a healthy cat. It's better than a cat not being fed.
Additionally, many of the 'boutique' food options don't have the massive investment into nutrition and quality control that some of the major brands have.
As cats get older (10+), yes, it's a good idea to have blood tests and urinalysis done a little more frequently (every 9 months, then every 6 months as they get to be 14-15), even if no known health problems, to test for kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid issues, etc. There are tests like SDMA that predict the risk of a cat for developing kidney disease. If you see a cat's creatine creeping higher over time ( in the top 1/3 of the reference range, even if it's still within the reference range), that's an indication the cat may be developing kidney disease (drinking a lot of water and peeing a lot can be a sign too, but it can also be a sign of other problems, like diabetes).
But again, not everyone can afford to shell out $200+ per year for blood tests for a cat.
As cats get into the 12+ range, feeding a higher quality food becomes more important. Many foods are very high in phosphorus, which can be a problem if the cat starts developing kidney disease. Even in the earlier stages of kidney disease, you want to try to find foods that are relatively lower in phosphorus (felinecrf.org has spreadsheets for dry and wet foods). If a cat develops diabetes, you want to get the cat on a lower carb food (grain free). For both, foods with higher quality animal protein, rather than plant-based proteins, are better. As a note, a lot of vets are not particularly super-knowledgeable about feline diabetes or kidney disease so use some of the better websites out there (felinecrf.org is excellent for kidney disease, and also has some info about diabetes; felinediabetes.org has good info on diabetes).
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Corn and soy are the 7th and 8th ingredients, respectively. This means they are not major components of the food. This is not the best food for cats but it is acceptable quality. Some people will try to make you feel guilty for feeding it to your cat. Ignore them. If it doesn't work for your cat, try something else, but this is acceptable food for a decent price.
Edit: I know not all vets, animal nutritionists, etc. will agree with what I wrote and what's in that link. There is no agreement about food for people either. Many animal or people nutritionists are peddling unscientific information. A lot of nutrition research for both people and animals is poor quality. I cover human nutrition in one of my university courses. I've never been impressed with the quality of most clinical nutrition research (i.e., "real world" implications).
The best we know is that quantity of food (kilocalories) is more important than quality of food. That's not the whole story and food quality is important, but if you are going to encourage health, start with making sure your cat (or you) doesn't overeat. This can be a combination of caloric restriction and increased physical activity.
If weight is under control, then food quality might be somewhere to focus. If you can't afford more expensive food, do not feel guilty. Do your best and love your pet.
Another Purina canned food, Fancy Feast Medley varieties (and many FF in general) are high in phosphorus, so not ideal for older cats who are more likely to develop kidney disease. FF is also fairly high in carbohydrates, so not ideal for diabetic cats (but Science Diet canned is generally even higher - though there might be a variety that isn't).
That being said, cats first and foremost must eat, and sometimes Fancy Feast is the only cat food a cat will eat, despite the owner trying a whole lot of different foods. I always have a selection of FF, and a few other less ideal canned selections on hand - because if the cat goes into a crisis, these options tend to be things cats will eat. A cat not eating for more than 24 hours is an emergency, as is not eating less than 1/2 his normal amount for 48 hours.
If a cat doesn't eat, you risk the cat developing hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), which can kill (and treating can be very expensive, with days of hospitalization). If you have this situation, get the cat to the vet - and in the meantime try to get the cat to eat anything (have it lick food off your finger; cook some chicken or ground beef (nothing added); try unsalted tuna fish (Trader Joe's has this), etc. FortiFlora sprinkled over food can often get a reluctant cat to eat (it's expensive, but available without a prescription, and can help intestinal health, too; adds some vitamins as well). There are newer meds which can stimulate appetite (Elura); meds to deal with nausea from kidney and other diseases; meds to help prevent constipation (which can lead a cat to not eat).
You've definitely made clear you're in the 'shaming' camp, rather than the 'informing' camp.
That's not helpful, to anyone, especially not former strays, which otherwise might not have a home.
There isn't really anything in the high quality, well-done studies in the veterinary scientific literature that would indicate Purina Friskies is a bad option for a cat food for a healthy cat.
People, including vets, have strong opinions that are not backed up by well done research. Research in the veterinary realm is lacking, especially for cats.
What is clear is that a cat that has a home, that is regularly fed, is going to live longer than a stray.
You've definitely made clear you're in the 'shaming' camp, rather than the 'informing' camp.
That's not helpful, to anyone, especially not former strays, which otherwise might not have a home.
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