Hey!

My two ladies, Poppy and Tabitha are 4.5 months old and I've had them for about 2 months now and after extensive reading of Hobbs2004's pdf file on the A-Z of wet food, I think I should probably get things started. (Thank you very much for that by the way! Fantastic guide!)

They were fed a rather cheap brand of cat food before they came to us called "Rufus" which I fed them in the first week or so, before switching to Butcher's while I decided what to get next.

After about a month and half though, Tabitha started having extremely runny poops. It seemed to corrolate with her having the 'Game' flavour of Butcher's, but I can't be certain. My mom said she thought it was too rich.

In a desperate attempt to get something quick, I got a 12 pack of Whiskas, which I now regret. They're both eating it and Tabitha no longer has the runs, but I know they could be eating something better. The problem is, I'm only a student, but I am willing to pay more than usual for my moggies if it'll be better for them.

After reading the A-Z and the forums I've decided which brands are the obvious ones to go for, but I'm afraid to make a bulk order in case they don't like it (being a student, I have to be careful with money).

I was just wondering if any forum members who have ordered in bulk would be willing to sell me a couple of tins from e

ach brand, if I pay the postage/pick it up locally (Sheffield).

I'm interested in any of the good brands, really. Mac's, Bozita, Animonda, Grau, etc. Would anybody be willing to do this? It would be greatly appreciated!

(Also Tabitha loves Go-Cat kitten dry) I should probably get her off that stuff too. Some little madam has thrown up three blobs of cat sick that look suspiciously Go-cat shaped.

Thank you!

__________________

I don't think you're going to be able to tell from just a couple of tins whether they like it or it agrees with them. I'd suggest maybe buying a 6 pack of each brand. Also, brands do many different flavours so it's just a case of trial and error. My two will tollerate the Smilla poultry ones but don't like the fish ones so I have about 18 tins of fish Smilla that they won't eat They also aren't keen on the Animonda Carny fish ones, although they like them more than the Smilla ones.

Also, they may like one brand at first but will more than likely go off it, my 2 chop and change which ones they like all the time. Animonda Carny is the current favourite followed by Bozita and then Smilla but they wouldn't look at Bozita a while ago.

It really is a case of trial and error but if you don't want to bulk buy then just buy a few 6 packs of different brands - delivery is free with zooplus on orders over £19.

__________________

my local independant pet shop sell stuff like natures menu, applaws, hi life, almo nature etc - and do individual pouches of many. certainly worth a go.

Thanks for the quick responses!

I'm looking at floydspfotenshop at the moment and most of the best ones from the list are there! :3 Zooplus seem to be missing a few I'd like to try though.

I think I'll try a selection like you said Kaz25 and while I'm waiting, I'll scout out my local shops. The only place I've seen individual packs of those brands though is my local Pets at Home. I'm going to get a 10ltr bag of Oko to try from there soon so I'll pic a few things up.

Oh also, how long should I be feeding my kittens all they can eat? I'm pretty much just filling their bowl every time it's empty, which is pretty much twice a day, at the moment.

Thanks!

__________________

No problem.

Yes, the better foods don't seem to be available from zooplus and my two are getting quite fussy so I may have to look at Floyds.

Only twice a day? I must have a pair of gannets then! They aren't as bad now but they were getting fed anything from 4-6 times a day. You are meant to free feed until about one year old but they may start to self-regulate and eat less by about 10 months old.

__________________

Ok, I'll keep my eye on how quickly the food dish is being emptied. It might be because I'm giving them a little bit of dry food for mix it up a bit as well.

__________________

Ah, yeah, I don't feed any dry. At their peak they were eating over 400g a day each, on the very odd occassion they were eating as much as 600g each a day!

__________________

Wow!

Yeah, I'm only giving them it so they can nibble on something if I'm out and they empty their bowl, and for a different textured food to their wet (which I feed much more genorously). That and it's just what my old cat Smokey always had so it seems normal to me, despite everything.

__________________

Despite everything?

It's nothing to feel bad about! My 2 love go-cat dry too but only the kitten one and they sometimes get a little bowl between them if they are being extra greedy and as a little treat. They had some tonight but it's the first time they've had it in about 2 months.

They'd probably like the better dry foods like acana or orijen but the fact they only get one tiny bowl between them every few weeks doesn't make it worth buying for them.

If they are getting a good wet food I can't see any bad in having dry down to graze on when you're not there.

__________________