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Brand new to the Sphynx, I need some help

Kyliemckenna

Kyliemckenna

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Hello everyone!

I am getting my new baby boy in early May and I can't help but feel that time is moving by quickly and I want to be as prepared as I can be. Anyways, I've been researching like crazy on the best diets for a sphynx and feel so overwhelmed with options.

My breeder recommended the Royal Canin Sphynx food or Blue Buffalo. I've brought up the raw food diet and asked what her opinion on it is and she says she doesn't do that, but I should do whatever makes me feel comfortable.

I will love my guy whether he has smelly waste or not - but I prefer him to have solid waste and the less smelly it is the better ( ;

So far I've gathered that raw helps make their waste solid and smell less strong then most foods. I prefer to buy the premade raw food so I'm just curious what everyone recommends brand wise and any helpful advice for a new mommy would be greatly appreciated!

- Kylie
 
captain_tinky

captain_tinky

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Hi and welcome to the lair! Many folks on here choose raw because it's better for them and it makes the poop smell less. There are many premades you can get such as Primal, Nature's Variety Instinct, and Stella & Chewys. The premades usually cost more. A lot on here get Better in the Raw which you just add the mix, water, and raw meat. Making your's is more cost effective, but it just depends whether you want cost effective or time efficient. Any of these brands are highly recommended on here though! I know I'm switching to Better in the Raw early May since my little girl is on Royal Canin and not only does her poos stink, but they are also hard, but every cat is different. Good luck!
 
andreanar

andreanar

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Hello and welcome. Congrats on your upcoming baby! I would recommend Better in the Raw. If you decide to not go with raw diet, just look for a grain free high quality kibble and wet food. Search around and feel free to ask any questions that crop up. Enjoy the Lair.
 
Catzzzmeow

Catzzzmeow

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Hello and welcome to The Lair. I do not do raw, but just wanted to give you a warm greeting and say I hope you enjoy here. I'm sure you will some great information and tips.

Patti
 
Kyliemckenna

Kyliemckenna

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captain_tinky said:
Hi and welcome to the lair! Many folks on here choose raw because it's better for them and it makes the poop smell less. There are many premades you can get such as Primal, Nature's Variety Instinct, and Stella & Chewys. The premades usually cost more. A lot on here get Better in the Raw which you just add the mix, water, and raw meat. Making your's is more cost effective, but it just depends whether you want cost effective or time efficient. Any of these brands are highly recommended on here though! I know I'm switching to Better in the Raw early May since my little girl is on Royal Canin and not only does her poos stink, but they are also hard, but every cat is different. Good luck!
Click to expand...

I'm not that experienced with preparing meat so the better in the raw makes me a little nervous which is why I was looking more towards the prepared and the freeze dried foods. I suppose I could always go to a butcher and ask for tips and see what they suggest.

Thank you for your brand suggestions!
 
curlysue

curlysue

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Welcome to the Lair family!!! I did make my own raw and used Better in the Raw. I started Raw to help my Violet loose weight but she wouldn't eat it (the other 2 Sphynx loved it). So I stopped and went to a high end grain free food.
 
Kyliemckenna

Kyliemckenna

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curlysue said:
Welcome to the Lair family!!! I did make my own raw and used Better in the Raw. I started Raw to help my Violet loose weight but she wouldn't eat it (the other 2 Sphynx loved it). So I stopped and went to a high end grain free food.
Click to expand...

How is their poop? Lol and what brand do you use ?
 
Hairless Blessing

Hairless Blessing

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Welcome to sphynxlair good to have you.
I don't feed raw neither, I feed can and dry. There is lots of info here
from people that so. Looking forward to seeing pics of your baby.
Do you have any yet?
 
Catzzzmeow

Catzzzmeow

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Kyliemckenna said:
Thank you! What brand of food do you use?
Click to expand...


We went Grain Free. We are using EVO kitten/cat food for wet (chicken-turkey) and for dry we are using Natures Variety Instinct chicken. Food, litter, declawing etc are all hot topics and everyone feels pretty strongly about them. Ultimately the best advice I can give is get the best food you can afford and your kitty likes!


patti
 
Kyliemckenna

Kyliemckenna

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Catzzzmeow said:
We went Grain Free. We are using EVO kitten/cat food for wet (chicken-turkey) and for dry we are using Natures Variety Instinct chicken. Food, litter, declawing etc are all hot topics and everyone feels pretty strongly about them. Ultimately the best advice I can give is get the best food you can afford and your kitty likes!


patti
Click to expand...

Yes I'm aware some cats won't take to raw food as well as others do. I just want to explore my options and want what's best for my kitten.

On that dry food do you have many bathroom issues?
 
Catzzzmeow

Catzzzmeow

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No,no real issues here...we tried many different dry until we found one that worked for us. Having 4 cats made it difficult for us...not all were tolerant of many...this one has worked well. Once in a while we get wet, smelly poop but is rare...just like people there are days we can all be off.


patti
 
Kyliemckenna

Kyliemckenna

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Hairless Blessing said:
Welcome to sphynxlair good to have you.
I don't feed raw neither, I feed can and dry. There is lots of info here
from people that so. Looking forward to seeing pics of your baby.
Do you have any yet?
Click to expand...

I have a few! He just got neutered today so the breeder says he might come home next week.
image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg
 
Taraforweb

Taraforweb

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Neenee is on raw.

We used the same food the breeder had for a couple weeks as the transition between house environments is tough enough on their system. After that we switched to grain free but she still had pudding poos. We then went to raw and she has most excellent poos. =)

We use Primal freeze dried for ease of use. It's more expensive than doing it yourself but its freeze dried so it doesn't have to be refrigerated. It is a complete meal. It also travels perfectly because it's dry.

We wet it down in the morning and night to give her 'wet' food and leave it as it is in the dry state out for her when we are at work.

If you buy in bulk, some stores will give discount. The Pet Food Express by us has 'buy 3 get a 4th free' which is helpful!
 
Sfuller

Sfuller

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Hi there, Im a new sphynx/bambino owner. I was driving myself crazy over al the options of food, and ultimately settled on Better in the raw. Its so very simple to make and I chose ground turkey. My kitty eats it up, he actually eats quite a bit more then I thought he would. I do supplement the raw with dry food which most people say not to do as it causes tummy issues(it does not for us) Go with whats best for your family (i.e. ease, cost and if kitty likes it). I have to agree the poo is odorless, from Friday to today I smelt nothing. I decided to clear it out today because It seemed I should. It was a good two poos a day, maybe less. I remember old pets I had that used cheap food and I can tell you i HATED the litter box, now I forget I even have one. SERIOUSLY.
 
Yoda mom

Yoda mom

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He is so adorable! What names are you thinking of?

I had a bengal on raw when I worked full time. . He was switched to chicken soup for the pet lovers soul dry when I Lived in Washington.. Goofy name food.. He lived to 17 with no complications..

My Sphynx and bengal here in Florida are fed Lifes Abundance dry. I auto ship $37 for 16 lbs .. It has never been recalled.. His but is fine, no poo streaking either.. I think I am the only on on the Lair feeding it. lol no one heard of it :)

Lifes Abundance has .. like many .. A comparison chart online. Many vets offices stock it for about$47 a bag.

My man laughs that if I cook for the cat I am going to have to make more than fancy salads do dinner for us. :)

** It is all a very personal decision for you and your kitty..

I am so excited for you and your new sphynxie on the way! Welcome!
 
Kyliemckenna

Kyliemckenna

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Apr 22, 2014
Messages
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Points
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Sfuller said:
Hi there, Im a new sphynx/bambino owner. I was driving myself crazy over al the options of food, and ultimately settled on Better in the raw. Its so very simple to make and I chose ground turkey. My kitty eats it up, he actually eats quite a bit more then I thought he would. I do supplement the raw with dry food which most people say not to do as it causes tummy issues(it does not for us) Go with whats best for your family (i.e. ease, cost and if kitty likes it). I have to agree the poo is odorless, from Friday to today I smelt nothing. I decided to clear it out today because It seemed I should. It was a good two poos a day, maybe less. I remember old pets I had that used cheap food and I can tell you i HATED the litter box, now I forget I even have one. SERIOUSLY.
Click to expand...
I didn't think it would be that simple.

So you just get ground turkey and mix the better in the raw in there and then portion it out and freeze it? Well that is pretty simple.
 
Kyliemckenna

Kyliemckenna

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Messages
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Points
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Yoda mom said:
He is so adorable! What names are you thinking of?

I had a bengal on raw when I worked full time. . He was switched to chicken soup for the pet lovers soul dry when I Lived in Washington.. Goofy name food.. He lived to 17 with no complications..

My Sphynx and bengal here in Florida are fed Lifes Abundance dry. I auto ship $37 for 16 lbs .. It has never been recalled.. His but is fine, no poo streaking either.. I think I am the only on on the Lair feeding it. lol no one heard of it :)

Lifes Abundance has .. like many .. A comparison chart online. Many vets offices stock it for about$47 a bag.

My man laughs that if I cook for the cat I am going to have to make more than fancy salads do dinner for us. :)

** It is all a very personal decision for you and your kitty..

I am so excited for you and your new sphynxie on the way! Welcome!
Click to expand...

Ahh I have a list of elegent names, I usually know when I pick them up for the first time lol ( :

Thank you for your suggestions! I'll have to check out those brands.
 
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