recommendation for cat food store in melbourne (city)

[RW]

hi - i am in melbourne for a few days and would like to do a bit of
shopping for my cat (was also given a list of items to get for my
colleague's cats because her understanding is that cat food is much
cheaper and more varied in australia than in singapore). i've only
been to coles so far and would like to know where there are wider
varieties of cat food/supplies available, i.e perhaps a large pet
supply store somewhere in the city? coles appears to carry only
whiskas, purina, farmland and snappy tom. if anyone has a pet store
to recommend that they use in melbourne (city), please do let me know,
thanks.

[Vicki Whyte]

Whilst licking their paws in aus.pets on 07 Aug 2003, RW purred:

> hi - i am in melbourne for a few days and would like to do a bit of
> shopping for my cat (was also given a list of items to get for my
> colleague's cats because her understanding is that cat food is much
> cheaper and more varied in australia than in singapore). i've only
> been to coles so far and would like to know where there are wider
> varieties of cat food/supplies available, i.e perhaps a large pet
> supply store somewhere in the city? coles appears to carry only
> whiskas, purina, farmland and snappy tom. if anyone has a pet store
> to recommend that they use in melbourne (city), please do let me know,
> thanks.

Supermarkets have by far and away the most variety when it comes to cat
food than any other store. Specialist pet stores and Vets will carry only
a limited supply and usually of the more expensive diets like IAMS or
Science Diet. While both of these are wonderfully nutritious cat foods
they limited in flavours and usually only used for cats that need a special
diet like for cats with kidney problems or overweight cats. You could try
another supermarket (Woolworths for example) but honestly Coles is probably
your best bet. I'm surprised there are only four varieties of cat food
there - our Coles has the ones you mentioned along with Dine, Fancy Feast,
Friskies - there are really too many to mention.

I must say that this does seem like an unusual request. Surely the cost of
transporting food, particularly on an ongoing basis, to Singapore is going
to be prohibitive? But if you and others are willing to wear the cost then
I guess it's not a problem. Of course, if there are enough of you who are
interested enough to make, then perhaps you should contact some of the
companies direct and see whether they will ship bulk orders over there.
It's certainly worth a try!

Good luck.

--
See ya!

Vicki Whyte

http://www.kittecat.com
Take out the litter to email me.

Women and cats will do as they please and men and dogs should relax and get
used to the idea.

[Troy]

Vicki Whyte > wrote in message >...
> Whilst licking their paws in aus.pets on 07 Aug 2003, RW purred:
>
> > hi - i am in melbourne for a few days and would like to do a bit of
> > shopping for my cat (was also given a list of items to get for my
> > colleague's cats because her understanding is that cat food is much
> > cheaper and more varied in australia than in singapore). i've only
> > been to coles so far and would like to know where there are wider
> > varieties of cat food/supplies available, i.e perhaps a large pet
> > supply store somewhere in the city? coles appears to carry only
> > whiskas, purina, farmland and snappy tom. if anyone has a pet store
> > to recommend that they use in melbourne (city), please do let me know,
> > thanks.

I don't live in Melbourne but you could try these people - if they
can't help you perhaps they could point you in the right direction?

Upmarket Pets
440 Queen St Melbourne VIC 3000
ph: (03) 9600 9120 Pet Shops
http://www.upmarketpets.com

> Supermarkets have by far and away the most variety when it comes to cat
> food than any other store. Specialist pet stores and Vets will carry only
> a limited supply and usually of the more expensive diets like IAMS or
> Science Diet. While both of these are wonderfully nutritious cat foods
> they limited in flavours and usually only used for cats that need a special
> diet like for cats with kidney problems or overweight cats.

That is not true at all. The expensive brands like IAMS, Hills, etc.
are standard diets for cats - they cost more because they are made
with higher quality ingredients and are completely balanced diets. It
is true that you can get specialist diets from these companies but
they are only available at vet practices and should ONLY be used if
prescribed by a veterinarian - I am referring to kidney/heart/reduced
protein/liver problems - not over the counter diets like light,
active, furballs, senior, or kitten which you can get most places.

Cheap brands contain lower quality ingredients and a less balanced
diet - they may state that they adhere to some of the AFFCO standards
but they do not pass as complete and balanced diet.

Troy.

[Vicki Whyte]

Whilst licking their paws in aus.pets on 08 Aug 2003, Troy purred:

> That is not true at all. The expensive brands like IAMS, Hills, etc.
> are standard diets for cats - they cost more because they are made
> with higher quality ingredients and are completely balanced diets. It
> is true that you can get specialist diets from these companies but
> they are only available at vet practices and should ONLY be used if
> prescribed by a veterinarian - I am referring to kidney/heart/reduced
> protein/liver problems - not over the counter diets like light,
> active, furballs, senior, or kitten which you can get most places.
>
> Cheap brands contain lower quality ingredients and a less balanced
> diet - they may state that they adhere to some of the AFFCO standards
> but they do not pass as complete and balanced diet.

If you look carefully at my original post, I said that the Vet brands are
*usually* used for special diets - not always. Yes, I agree that the
products you purchase from a Vet is by far and away better nutritionally
than anything you can get from a Supermarket. But they are limited in
flavours and they are quite costly. Seeing as this poster was writing to
ask about a large range of varities and a cheaper price, the Vet products
were probably not going to suit this person.

Also, extra expense does not always equate with extra quality. Some of the
better known brands available in Supermarkets, like Wiskas and Friskies to
name just two, are very close nutritionally to the products available from
the Vet (although they are usually too high in some additives and too low
in some essential vitamins and minerals). But buying some of the more
expensive Supermarket brands like Dine or Fancy Feast doesn't give you any
extra nutrition at all. It's like they reach a level of nutrition in the
Supermarket brands and they don't get any better than that no matter how
much more they cost. Of course, the brands available at the Vets *are* a
good step up from all of the Supermarket brands and their extra cost is
well worth it when you realise you are getting the best nutrition for your
cat.

But I stand by my original post. The most likely source for the largest
variety of reasonable priced cat foods in Australia will be the local
supermarket.

--
See ya!

Vicki Whyte

http://www.kittecat.com
Take out the litter to email me.

Women and cats will do as they please and men and dogs should relax and get
used to the idea.

[Troy]

Vicki Whyte > wrote in message >...
> Whilst licking their paws in aus.pets on 08 Aug 2003, Troy purred:
>
> If you look carefully at my original post, I said that the Vet brands are
> *usually* used for special diets - not always.

Yes, I'm sorry I did misinterpret what you were saying - I thought you
were suggesting that supermarket varieties were as good (from a health
point of view).

> Also, extra expense does not always equate with extra quality.

No, not always but generally.

Yes, I wasn't too clear in my post. I meant to go on to say that I
find the best range and choice in Sydney are the "PetBarns" or "Pet
Warehouse" chains that are large enough to carry a good variety, much
larger than my local supermarkets, and they also stock different
fresh pet meats; not so practical for our Singaporean friend - not
sure what Singaporean customs would think!

At the end of the day all commercial cat food is over-processed and
contains very poor protein - compared with a cats natural diet. I have
stopped buying pet food and have started to make my own. This was
inspired by the recent diagnosis of chronic renal failure in one of my
cats. I decided to take him completely off processed foods and have
adopted a more natural approach to feeding him. Not as convenient as
buying cat food but hopefully it will help his condition.

Troy.

[Kuisse0002]

>hi - i am in melbourne for a few days and would like to do a bit of
>shopping for my cat (was also given a list of items to get for my
>colleague's cats because her understanding is that cat food is much
>cheaper and more varied in australia than in singapore).


In Melbourne, try ROBBO'S PET BARN in Dandedong. Its a huge drive-in pet
warehouse selling most pet items. They have a web site and look for it in the
Aus yellow pages. Don't just go for cheap cheap cheap - check ingredients and
contents of the food. If you're thinking of getting wholesale prices they may
be able to help you too. They are very nice and friendly on the phone and on
the email.and honest too with their reply on why they do not stock certain
products.

[bassett]

So now we've had an in-depth report on what's on the supermarket shelves
with regard
to cat food.
Now not only do we know how to treat out Pussy [last week we had an
in-depth report on Pussy washing] but now we also know how to feed, said
Pussy.
We are so lucky in this news group..
Bored bassett


Troy > wrote in message .google.com...
> Vicki Whyte > wrote in message
>...
> > Whilst licking their paws in aus.pets on 08 Aug 2003, Troy purred:
> >
> > If you look carefully at my original post, I said that the Vet brands
are
> > *usually* used for special diets - not always.
>
> Yes, I'm sorry I did misinterpret what you were saying - I thought you
> were suggesting that supermarket varieties were as good (from a health
> point of view).
>
> > Also, extra expense does not always equate with extra quality.
>
> No, not always but generally.
>
> Yes, I wasn't too clear in my post. I meant to go on to say that I
> find the best range and choice in Sydney are the "PetBarns" or "Pet
> Warehouse" chains that are large enough to carry a good variety, much
> larger than my local supermarkets, and they also stock different
> fresh pet meats; not so practical for our Singaporean friend - not
> sure what Singaporean customs would think!
>
> At the end of the day all commercial cat food is over-processed and
> contains very poor protein - compared with a cats natural diet. I have
> stopped buying pet food and have started to make my own. This was
> inspired by the recent diagnosis of chronic renal failure in one of my
> cats. I decided to take him completely off processed foods and have
> adopted a more natural approach to feeding him. Not as convenient as
> buying cat food but hopefully it will help his condition.
>
> Troy.