new cat food

[illinidairychic]

Alright, I spent an hour at the pet store looking at nutrition labs on cat foods. I'm trying to find a good brand that I can get easily, but isn't a bank buster. I came across a new formula that I believe to be purina...not exactly sure. It had 46% protein, 10% fat and the main ingredient is chicken...I got a little scared that that was TOO much protein for them. It has the highest protein of any dry cat food I could find. I'm seriously considering switching to it slowly to give them the added protein but wanted to make sure I wasn't going to over dose them on protein.

[hemi_mygirl]

I thought Purina wasn't good for hedgies, no matter what type of Purina it was. I could be wrong, though...maybe it's Iams that wasn't good...

[illinidairychic]

Is there a reason why not?? I looked at the ingredients and the first one is chicken..not even a meal or by product. I would understand if it was all corn gluten meals and what not but I would think that since it is meat it should be okay...

I looked at the Iams stuff too and that stuff is horrible...it is all corn and grains as the first ingredients.

[hemi_mygirl]

Then it might have been Iams. My brain is a mess right now with college plans and what not. LOL.

[groovychic]

I give Herbie and Kahlua some of the Purina Pro Plan Chicken and Rice Adult formula. It's prob not the best stuff (I think it rated as a med food on one of the food rating sites). It has 34% protein and 14% fat. It is the first one gone in Herbie's bowl. If it's not as good for you better eat it first.....just like us I guess :lol: I do mix in CSFTCLS, Royal canine Slim 38, and L'Avian Insectivore foods also.

[PrettyHate]

Iams is the one that has been linked to liver problems in hedgies.

Personally Im not a fan or Purina- but there are various qualitys of Purina out there, Pro Plan being one of the higher ones.

Nancy and I were actually talking about the differences between high quality cat foods and lower quality ones (not the complete cr@p ones though)- and she had actually heard that many people have had better luck with the health of their hedgies when feeding them a slightly lower quality of food. Why? Who knows. Maybe the higher quality foods have too much protein for their little systems to handle or something....whatever the reason, I found it mighty interesting. It makes me feel not so bad about having Murdoc on Hill's Science Diet right now.

[illinidairychic]

I use the purina one healthy weight management and mix in treats...They adore it and I haven't had any problems with it so far. I'm also feeding 14 hedgehogs right now so I go through a ton of food right now. Like I said I'm a little leary of the high protein at 46%...and I believe it's part of the pro plan line.

[Steph]

That food should be just fine as part of a mix but I wouldn't use it as the main staple because that's a lot of protein.

[illinidairychic]

I think I'll work it in as maybe a fourth of their diet or less. It is slightly more expensive then what they are on now, but a little boost in protein might be good for them. I'll see how it goes and thanks!!