what brand cat food do you use?

[Sphynxaholic]

I am feeding Tyler Blue Buffalo Wilderness as it is the next best this to raw, at least that's what the bag says I am also mixing in a little Authority cat food hairball for fiber. So far he seems to really like it but he hasn't been eating it very long. The breeder had him on Science Diet hairball but I personally didn't like the ingredients.

 

[georgehairlesson]

Merrick Before Grain Chicken!

 

[7CatMom]

We use a combination of homemade and commercial.

Homemade food we currently use:

1. Homemade chicken using Alnutrin supplements

Alnutrin Supplements Know What You Feed Your Cat - Shop Online

The Alnutrin site has a nutrition calculator, RecipeBasicnonmetric.xls

You can create your own recipe and then compare the nutritional profile to AAFCO recommendations.

We've used Alnutrin since 2007 with good results, and Marta is very helpful in answering my questions.

Commercial foods we currently use:

1. Petcurean kibble - Now! Adult (pink/silver bag) Petcurean Pet Nutrition

This kibble uses no rendered oils and meals in Now! My local indie store didn't carry Petcurean, but they brought it in, and it's become very popular. The Now! Adult is moderate protein and works well for my gang.

2. Petcurean canned - Go! Natural Chicken and Vegetable, Go! Natural Salmon and Vegetable, Go! Grain Free Chicken, Turkey & Duck

3. VeRUS canned - shredded beef, shredded chicken VéRUS All Natural Holistic Pet Foods - VéRUS Pet Foods

This is your basic meat and vit/mins. Lots of juice, and no trendy ingredients.


Over the years, we've tried and discontinued several commercial foods and supplements, but this is our current list.

We try to avoid food from soap companies, toothpaste companies, publicly held corporations, big brand food made by contract manufacturing companies.

Finding the right food ain't easy and we're still learning. I admire those who have the experience and confidence to follow the whole prey model, but we're not there yet.

 

[Caylynn]

We use a combination of homemade and commercial.

I admire those of you who make your own! I don't have the knowledge or equipment to make my boys their own food, so I buy the pre-prepared raw patties so that I know they are getting everything they need. I admire those of you who can make your own food! I know that would be best, since you know exactly what you are putting into it, but it sure seems daunting! Especially as my Dragonheart is allergic to chicken, so the "easier" option of making chicken food isn't there.

 

[7CatMom]

Caylynn,

That seems like a good plan, too.

Food decisions are a personal thing. LOL, I've been on forums where some folks fight like cats and dogs over food choices. That takes the fun out - fast!

Whole prey and homemade are excellent, but they don't work for everyone.

The good news is that The Pet Food Recall of 2007 was a wake up call for pet food companies, and it's good to see that some have responded with better quality products.

For what it's worth, I believe you minimize the risks of commercial food by feeding a variety, and by avoiding companies that have repeated recalls.

Homemade food isn't without risk, either. It has to be balanced, and if it includes a commercial supplement, the supplement and resulting food must meet nutritional requirements.

IMO, the jury is still out on the dehydrated foods. They're very convenient (just add water and serve), but I called one of these companies and was told that the source of vitamin A is sweet potatoes. Oops! However, if you feed a variety of other foods, this is likely not a problem.

Hugs.

 

[Timmy & the Twins]

I have switched our cats to Blue Buffalo dry food. I picked it up because the ingredient list included meat at the top and less by-products than some of the others. We feed Friskies wet food because that is the only kind our Siamese will eat. He is 6 now and kinda picky, but he had no problem with the change of dry. Maybe its because he really likes the wet food and only eats the dry if he is hungry between meals. Our sphynx Tim eats mostly dry. I don't know why he doesn't gulp down the wet like every other cat we have ever had. I have tried lots of different kinds too. Oh well, he can eat what he likes and I'll just make sure there is plenty of it for him.

Leslye, Lindsey, & Timmy

 

[bmckee]

I use Royal Canin Hypoallergenic Rabbit and Green Pea. I am really not that fond of this food and its ingredients, but it is the one that keeps her from being all itchy. I tried the Natures Instinct frozen rabbit medallions and she was allergic to them.
Got to stick with what works even if I don't like the ingredients.

 

[NewSphynxCatOwner]

My vet advised Hills Prescription diet G/D. The G/D is because of Sophie's age, and the fact that she had been fed crappy grocery store dry food for 14 years (by previous owner from whom I rescued Sophie), which caused MAJOR dental problems, and possibly heart disease.

Before the vet's recommendations, I tried Blue Buffalo Wilderness, dry. Sophie loved it! BUT the vet told me this food is potato based and contains other starches, which cats' e systems are not designed to digest.

After blood tests (and $ thousands in dental bills), the vet recommended the Hills Prescription Diet G/D (wet). Because of Sophie's age (14 years old) and blood test results of possible heart problem (again, due to 14 years of crappy diet). Sophie LOVES it. Vet told me to feed her as much as she wants, to help hydrate her and put someLBS. on her boney physique. I'm sticking with it for awhile, until her next vet check up, and will advise 'yall, on any changes then, if your interested.

As others have noted here, it's up to the "parent" to discern what's best for thir kitty. Still, I would highly recommend getting blood tests from your vet, and finding out what the best diet is for one's Sphynx, based on their age, and biological needs.

Big hugs to all Sphynx parents!

~ Sophie's Mom

 

[bthomas]

Elvis eats Wellness kitten formula right now. Mostly dry, I was giving him mostly wet but the last two cans freaked me out- they just didn't look the same, but I'm a super freak about the way food looks, even for my animals.
He has been doing really well on this, very normal poop- but a little stinky. He gets fed three times a day and I put l-lysine and taurine in his food- need to get some fish oil. He also gets a little water in his dry food, something I have always done for my dogs to help it go down easier and give extra moisture. He seems to love it.
I am going to try and switch him to an all raw diet here in the next month- or when the food bag runs empty. My dogs will also be going raw so we can just make a big batch for everyone and add needed supplements separately.

 

[Naya25]

I work as a groomer at petsmart so this is a funny post for me, well the part about bringing the cat into the store, haha! We really don't have a lot of people who bring in anything weird, a snake here and there, a cool dog... a bird one time, but nothing too fancy. When I got Naya they had her in iams and I switched her right away to blue buffalo wild. It is much more natural and very high in protein. Since sphynx need higher protein due to their high metabolism it seemed like the perfect choice. I have noticed no change in her hair at all, either.

 

[Monchchichi]

Interestingly, my vet encouraged me to switch to Science Diet, because he says there's something in it that keeps male cats from getting crystals in their urine. He says he doesn't know what it is, but it works.

~Brooke

My vet also mentioned the crystals in the urine being prone to males. She recommended more canned food in the diet, the hydration helps?!
Hudson was on Royal Canin Baby Cat and canned Innova when I got him. I was having a lot of problems with runny, soft stool so when he was old enough to be taken off the baby cat I transitioned him over to Acana Kibble in the mornings and Go Natural canned(both are grain free) in the evening and right before bed. Since the transition his poops are solid and he's also stopped the puking in the mornings.

My DSH Natas eats Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach.

 

[Want2beasphynxiated]

Wellness Core grain free -- the kibble, canned and pouches. I use grain-free because I've read that kitties aren't meant to eat grains and it can make them sick and or contribute to illness. They are carnivores so I'd love to do raw, but I'm not looking forward to all the fuss and mess. If we go raw it'll likely be commercially prepared raw. I *do* think they should have bones to chew and gnaw for their teeth. I think it's why pets nowadays have so many dental problems.

 

[Kenneth]

I feed them Wellness Core dry free feeding and Innovia canned. The great thing about Innova is it comes in 13 oz cans.

 

[Gulli91]

I use Royal Canin Kittens but go over to Royal Canin Sphynx when he is 1 year.

4 to 12 months
After 4 months continues kitten's growth in a slower pace.

• digestive system and the kitten's defense mechanisms have evolved, but is still fragile.
• bone structure quickly becomes more powerful.
• Happy and special energy needs remain important in this phase, but the need is reduced gradually.


Sphynx 33
concentrated energy
An exclusive croquet with a high energy content meets Sphynx cat's high energy.

healthy skin
Helps strengthen skin's barrier function and combat skin irritation due to a complexion, as well as EPA and DHA fatty acids. Promotes protection and hydration of the skin with borage oil (borage), coupled with biotin, vitamin A and zinc.
Support cardiovascular function
Contributes to optimal heart muscle function through the use of taurine and L-carnitine.
Tailor-made croquet
Quartz 14, a tailor-made croquet that encourage good dental hygiene thanks to calcium kelatorer

 

[jbird1972]

I use Royal Canin Green Pea/Rabbit, lifesaver for Gramps. He still has gas, but his bathroom issues have "firmed" up lol I was trying to be delicate

 

[Kansascity]

Wellness dry trying to slowly transition to raw.....my poodles are raw as well !!!

 

[ilovedirt]

I see someone voted for Iams I wanted to know if it puts fuz on your cat I have heard this can happen and wanted to know the truth in it. If you use it I would think it is not true but wanted your thoughts?

Amen-Ra is a bit fuzzy on his sides. I'm not sure if that is from the food or not though. I've never heard that before, so I would not have thought to notice if that was when he started getting it.

I feed them Iams senior as Pharaoh has yucky tummy and that seems to be the commercial food he can best tolerate. I'm trying to get him to want to eat the raw food again, I think little by little he's becoming more interested

 

[SashimisMom]

I am feeding my gal Iams Kitten. I am now concerned about nutrition after reading this post. Can I transition to Blue Buffalo without much interruption? She is dealing well with the Iams, but I feel like I am cheating her.

Thoughts?

 

[WinterLily]

My cats get the Wellness brand for indoor cats (wet). I read the ingredients and it's all natural with no fillers or preservatives (chicken steamed in chicken broth, etc.). The also get Purina One for urinary health as an occasional snack. I think my cats eat better then I do.

 

[WinterLily]

I did not know Royal Canin made a food especially for Sphynx cats. I will do a bit of research.

 

[michellephd]

Please give us your choice of cat food. If you have a specific reason for a particular brand, please explain.

I get my baby boy in November, but I am planning on using "orijen" food, my baby's breeder tells me that is the best option in Canada. Plus, it's made locally ( right here in Alberta ) so that is a bonus!

I'm TRYING to be patient, but November can't come quick enough!

 

[barnabus]

we use earth born holistic: wild sea catch.we have tried lots of brands because one of the sphynx has sensative guts and his poop is always soft enough some sticks to his butt and then he tries to rub on us as we r trying to wipe his butt clean. with this food we only have to wipe him once in a while. we had even tried royal canine special 33 and it was not as good as this.

 

[Monchchichi]

I get my baby boy in November, but I am planning on using "orijen" food, my baby's breeder tells me that is the best option in Canada. Plus, it's made locally ( right here in Alberta ) so that is a bonus!

I'm TRYING to be patient, but November can't come quick enough!

I've heard Orijen is really good, I was deciding between Orijen and Acana(also another Canadian made food, never frozen) I ended up going with the Acana, I dont remember why...I think there was an ingredient in the Orijen that I didn't like?! Every Sphynx is different tho, so what works for one may not work for another. It took me a bit of trial and error before I got Hudson on a food that works for him. I give him the Acana in the morning and GO Natural canned in the evenings.

 

[Monchchichi]

I did not know Royal Canin made a food especially for Sphynx cats. I will do a bit of research.

I looked into this when I heard about it too. I didn't like the ingredients tho, Hudson was on Royal Canin Baby cat when I got him and his poops were always mushy and he constantly had a poopy bottom. I know several people who have tried the Sphynx formula and did not like it at all. Gave their Sphynx's watery stool, even on a really slow transition.

 

[tiffybottom]

I feed Anubis "Taste of the Wild" CANYON RIVER FELINE FORMULA which I but at Tractor Supply here in Texas. My cats love it and it seemed to improve my Siamese Mix cat's coat (he had dry skin really bad).