Cat food - dry/wet (this has probably been discussed a thousand times already)

Hey everyone,

I've got two 2 y/o ragdoll kittens - Karma and Cocoa - who I've fed with dry
food in the morning and throughout the day (Hills Science) and wet food for
dinner (Whiska's canned or pouches).. When I took my babies to the vet
recently to get their vaccinations updated, the vet advised that I take them
off the wet food and give them just dry food. I always thought it was good
to have variety because there are some things the cats get out of wet but
not dry food, and vice versa.. But the vet said that the dry would be better
for their teeth and would get them drinking more water (my cats are big fans
of water, I'm not sure they need much more!).
Cocoa has to go back and get his teeth cleaned, which he's being sedated for
(which I'm also a bit concerned about).. but Karma's teeth are fine..

So what I'm wondering is, if I start giving the boys dry food constantly, is
it going to upset their routine at all? Are they going to think I just
haven't fed them at night and not eat because they're waiting for their wet
food? Or is the vet just crazy and should I stick to the routine that has
worked so far. We've also just moved house, which caused a bit of tension
for all of us, but I'm pleased to say I think we (including the cats) all
handled it well, and my kitties are loving the new house

I know I should have asked the vet this, but even so, it's good to have some
more opinions..

Thanks

--
Shellie ^.,.^

Hi Shellie,
If this were me I would carry on as before and ignore the vet.

--
Alison
Links to animal information websites
http://mysite.freeserve.com/petinfolinks/

"Shellie" wrote in message
...
Hey everyone,

I've got two 2 y/o ragdoll kittens - Karma and Cocoa - who I've fed
with dry
food in the morning and throughout the day (Hills Science) and wet
food for
dinner (Whiska's canned or pouches).. When I took my babies to the
vet
recently to get their vaccinations updated, the vet advised that I
take them
off the wet food and give them just dry food. I always thought it
was good
to have variety because there are some things the cats get out of
wet but
not dry food, and vice versa.. But the vet said that the dry would
be better
for their teeth and would get them drinking more water (my cats are
big fans
of water, I'm not sure they need much more!).
Cocoa has to go back and get his teeth cleaned, which he's being
sedated for
(which I'm also a bit concerned about).. but Karma's teeth are
fine..

So what I'm wondering is, if I start giving the boys dry food
constantly, is
it going to upset their routine at all? Are they going to think I
just
haven't fed them at night and not eat because they're waiting for
their wet
food? Or is the vet just crazy and should I stick to the routine
that has
worked so far. We've also just moved house, which caused a bit of
tension
for all of us, but I'm pleased to say I think we (including the
cats) all
handled it well, and my kitties are loving the new house

I know I should have asked the vet this, but even so, it's good to
have some
more opinions..

Thanks

--
Shellie ^.,.^

Hi Shellie,
If this were me I would carry on as before and ignore the vet.

--
Alison
Links to animal information websites
http://mysite.freeserve.com/petinfolinks/

"Shellie" wrote in message
...
Hey everyone,

I've got two 2 y/o ragdoll kittens - Karma and Cocoa - who I've fed
with dry
food in the morning and throughout the day (Hills Science) and wet
food for
dinner (Whiska's canned or pouches).. When I took my babies to the
vet
recently to get their vaccinations updated, the vet advised that I
take them
off the wet food and give them just dry food. I always thought it
was good
to have variety because there are some things the cats get out of
wet but
not dry food, and vice versa.. But the vet said that the dry would
be better
for their teeth and would get them drinking more water (my cats are
big fans
of water, I'm not sure they need much more!).
Cocoa has to go back and get his teeth cleaned, which he's being
sedated for
(which I'm also a bit concerned about).. but Karma's teeth are
fine..

So what I'm wondering is, if I start giving the boys dry food
constantly, is
it going to upset their routine at all? Are they going to think I
just
haven't fed them at night and not eat because they're waiting for
their wet
food? Or is the vet just crazy and should I stick to the routine
that has
worked so far. We've also just moved house, which caused a bit of
tension
for all of us, but I'm pleased to say I think we (including the
cats) all
handled it well, and my kitties are loving the new house

I know I should have asked the vet this, but even so, it's good to
have some
more opinions..

Thanks

--
Shellie ^.,.^

Hi Shellie,
If this were me I would carry on as before and ignore the vet.

--
Alison
Links to animal information websites
http://mysite.freeserve.com/petinfolinks/

"Shellie" wrote in message
...
Hey everyone,

I've got two 2 y/o ragdoll kittens - Karma and Cocoa - who I've fed
with dry
food in the morning and throughout the day (Hills Science) and wet
food for
dinner (Whiska's canned or pouches).. When I took my babies to the
vet
recently to get their vaccinations updated, the vet advised that I
take them
off the wet food and give them just dry food. I always thought it
was good
to have variety because there are some things the cats get out of
wet but
not dry food, and vice versa.. But the vet said that the dry would
be better
for their teeth and would get them drinking more water (my cats are
big fans
of water, I'm not sure they need much more!).
Cocoa has to go back and get his teeth cleaned, which he's being
sedated for
(which I'm also a bit concerned about).. but Karma's teeth are
fine..

So what I'm wondering is, if I start giving the boys dry food
constantly, is
it going to upset their routine at all? Are they going to think I
just
haven't fed them at night and not eat because they're waiting for
their wet
food? Or is the vet just crazy and should I stick to the routine
that has
worked so far. We've also just moved house, which caused a bit of
tension
for all of us, but I'm pleased to say I think we (including the
cats) all
handled it well, and my kitties are loving the new house

I know I should have asked the vet this, but even so, it's good to
have some
more opinions..

Thanks

--
Shellie ^.,.^

On Mon, 29 Sep 2003 08:05:45 GMT, "Shellie"
wrote:

So what I'm wondering is, if I start giving the boys dry food constantly, is
it going to upset their routine at all? Are they going to think I just
haven't fed them at night and not eat because they're waiting for their wet
food? Or is the vet just crazy and should I stick to the routine that has
worked so far.

Technically, the dry food is better for their teeth, but I also feed
some wet food. I mostly started when I had an elderly cat who wasn't
eating enough. I had to feed her canned food to get her to eat, and
she would not eat chilled or heated wet food, so I was stuck opening
multiple cans a day and having the other cats finish it off. After she
died, I felt guilty stopping the wet food, so I give them one can a
night, which is split between 3 cats and one dog (can't give a treat
to one while another is watching).

I use it more as a treat than a meal. They still eat kibble thorughout
the day, and the one cat has a daily routine of going up to the
bathroom with me when I get ready for bed. She eats kibble there even
though she knows I am about to open the can.

I'd be a little concerned since one already needs a teeth cleaning, so
be aware of how much of each he is eating. You may want to reduce the
amount of wet food. How much do they get? Perhaps a smaller serving
would be better.


Meghan & the Zoo Crew
Equine and Pet Photography
http://www.zoocrewphoto.com

On Mon, 29 Sep 2003 08:05:45 GMT, "Shellie"
wrote:

So what I'm wondering is, if I start giving the boys dry food constantly, is
it going to upset their routine at all? Are they going to think I just
haven't fed them at night and not eat because they're waiting for their wet
food? Or is the vet just crazy and should I stick to the routine that has
worked so far.

Technically, the dry food is better for their teeth, but I also feed
some wet food. I mostly started when I had an elderly cat who wasn't
eating enough. I had to feed her canned food to get her to eat, and
she would not eat chilled or heated wet food, so I was stuck opening
multiple cans a day and having the other cats finish it off. After she
died, I felt guilty stopping the wet food, so I give them one can a
night, which is split between 3 cats and one dog (can't give a treat
to one while another is watching).

I use it more as a treat than a meal. They still eat kibble thorughout
the day, and the one cat has a daily routine of going up to the
bathroom with me when I get ready for bed. She eats kibble there even
though she knows I am about to open the can.

I'd be a little concerned since one already needs a teeth cleaning, so
be aware of how much of each he is eating. You may want to reduce the
amount of wet food. How much do they get? Perhaps a smaller serving
would be better.


Meghan & the Zoo Crew
Equine and Pet Photography
http://www.zoocrewphoto.com

On Mon, 29 Sep 2003 08:05:45 GMT, "Shellie"
wrote:

So what I'm wondering is, if I start giving the boys dry food constantly, is
it going to upset their routine at all? Are they going to think I just
haven't fed them at night and not eat because they're waiting for their wet
food? Or is the vet just crazy and should I stick to the routine that has
worked so far.

Technically, the dry food is better for their teeth, but I also feed
some wet food. I mostly started when I had an elderly cat who wasn't
eating enough. I had to feed her canned food to get her to eat, and
she would not eat chilled or heated wet food, so I was stuck opening
multiple cans a day and having the other cats finish it off. After she
died, I felt guilty stopping the wet food, so I give them one can a
night, which is split between 3 cats and one dog (can't give a treat
to one while another is watching).

I use it more as a treat than a meal. They still eat kibble thorughout
the day, and the one cat has a daily routine of going up to the
bathroom with me when I get ready for bed. She eats kibble there even
though she knows I am about to open the can.

I'd be a little concerned since one already needs a teeth cleaning, so
be aware of how much of each he is eating. You may want to reduce the
amount of wet food. How much do they get? Perhaps a smaller serving
would be better.


Meghan & the Zoo Crew
Equine and Pet Photography
http://www.zoocrewphoto.com

From: "Shellie"


I've got two 2 y/o ragdoll kittens - Karma and Cocoa - who I've fed with dry
food in the morning and throughout the day (Hills Science) and wet food for
dinner (Whiska's canned or pouches).. When I took my babies to the vet
recently to get their vaccinations updated, the vet advised that I take them
off the wet food and give them just dry food. I always thought it was good
to have variety because there are some things the cats get out of wet but
not dry food, and vice versa..

You are correct. I highly recommend a new vet. Feeding an all dry food is not
healthy for a carnivore, especially your boy who can become prone to urinary
crystals. I would also recommend a higher quality canned food.

But the vet said that the dry would be better
for their teeth and would get them drinking more water

There is much debate about the efficacy of dry food for cleaning teeth. In my
experience, many cats just swallow kibble without chewing enough to get any
benefit from the dry food. I give my cats chicken gizzards for their teeth. I
feed them raw but if you don't want to, you can just braise them in some
butter. As far as drinking more, again in my experience some cats will drink
more when fed dry food, but many don't, and then they can get urinary tract
problems.

I'm sure you'll got lots of opinions here as food is a much debate topic

Meanwhile, here is an excellent article on feline nutrition:
http://www.homevet.com/petcare/feedingyourcat.html

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

From: "Shellie"


I've got two 2 y/o ragdoll kittens - Karma and Cocoa - who I've fed with dry
food in the morning and throughout the day (Hills Science) and wet food for
dinner (Whiska's canned or pouches).. When I took my babies to the vet
recently to get their vaccinations updated, the vet advised that I take them
off the wet food and give them just dry food. I always thought it was good
to have variety because there are some things the cats get out of wet but
not dry food, and vice versa..

You are correct. I highly recommend a new vet. Feeding an all dry food is not
healthy for a carnivore, especially your boy who can become prone to urinary
crystals. I would also recommend a higher quality canned food.

But the vet said that the dry would be better
for their teeth and would get them drinking more water

There is much debate about the efficacy of dry food for cleaning teeth. In my
experience, many cats just swallow kibble without chewing enough to get any
benefit from the dry food. I give my cats chicken gizzards for their teeth. I
feed them raw but if you don't want to, you can just braise them in some
butter. As far as drinking more, again in my experience some cats will drink
more when fed dry food, but many don't, and then they can get urinary tract
problems.

I'm sure you'll got lots of opinions here as food is a much debate topic

Meanwhile, here is an excellent article on feline nutrition:
http://www.homevet.com/petcare/feedingyourcat.html

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

From: "Shellie"


I've got two 2 y/o ragdoll kittens - Karma and Cocoa - who I've fed with dry
food in the morning and throughout the day (Hills Science) and wet food for
dinner (Whiska's canned or pouches).. When I took my babies to the vet
recently to get their vaccinations updated, the vet advised that I take them
off the wet food and give them just dry food. I always thought it was good
to have variety because there are some things the cats get out of wet but
not dry food, and vice versa..

You are correct. I highly recommend a new vet. Feeding an all dry food is not
healthy for a carnivore, especially your boy who can become prone to urinary
crystals. I would also recommend a higher quality canned food.

But the vet said that the dry would be better
for their teeth and would get them drinking more water

There is much debate about the efficacy of dry food for cleaning teeth. In my
experience, many cats just swallow kibble without chewing enough to get any
benefit from the dry food. I give my cats chicken gizzards for their teeth. I
feed them raw but if you don't want to, you can just braise them in some
butter. As far as drinking more, again in my experience some cats will drink
more when fed dry food, but many don't, and then they can get urinary tract
problems.

I'm sure you'll got lots of opinions here as food is a much debate topic

Meanwhile, here is an excellent article on feline nutrition:
http://www.homevet.com/petcare/feedingyourcat.html

Lauren
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm