6 replies to this topic

[TinyDwarfs]

Hello! 4 years ago me and my grandpa got my grandma a cat. They fed him the same stuff and I dint really care because I didn't know. When I got my first hamster I started doing research about other animals swell and now I care a lot about good health in animals. My grandma buys the cat the cheapest food she finds and the cheapest wet food. I have been trying to tell her to please do some research or I could tell her but she doesn't understand. Today I sat down with her and we looked on zoo plus for new food and wet food. I did research and found some good foods to show her, but whenever I tried to tell her about she just said "Its only ads! ads, ads and ads, they're just trying to get our money!" I tried to tell her about vitamins and supplements and why the food was good but she just said "I know the food we have is god because his fur is shining, and I have read about a vet saying that cheap food can be just as good as expensive ones". I understand where she wants with it, but she doesn't understand that some foods are just better than the most cheap food there. And she can't know why his fur is shining. She says its just ads and they're trying to steal our money but I have doen research and found the right foods, and obviously they aren't super cheap because they are healthy and good for the cat, but she barely wanted to buy a bag of food for 20$, and my grandparents have a lot of money. I got her to buy the food I wanted and almost the wet food, she found a cheaper one instead, but I couldn't do more. whenever I would try to tell her that she doesn't understand and that the cheapest food isn't the best even tho she have "read" it. She would just talk in my mouth and kind of laugh at me because she thought it sounded dumb, and she compared it like "imagine if we went to the store and picked the healthiest stuff there and supplements for our stomachs etc etc" and "I can see he is super healthy because his fur is shining" And I was legit about to explode. I got so so annoyed, and then I just gave up, but we have ordered the food I wanted and some random wet food. What should I do to help er understand? 

[♥️fluffy♥️]

Hi! I really understand, I'm very sorry

What food is she feeding her right now? Cheap doesn't always mean bad

I'd also get some credible resources and show them to your Grandma. This is a good website to start with

Take a look at the back of the cat food and compare it to the requirements of a healthy cat food. I'd also explain that "shining coat" isn't the only good health requirement of a cat! 

 

Here is a list of signs of a healthy cat:

 

Digestive Health

Keep an eye on your cat’s litter box: stools should be small and firm. That’s a sign that your cat is retaining the nutrition from his or her food. Your cat should also be comfortable using the litter box and not going to the bathroom outside of it. If your cat is avoiding the litter box, speak to your veterinarian. Additionally, if you want to support a healthy digestive system, you may want to consider feeding her cat food for sensitive stomachs. 

1. Eyes
   Healthy cats have eyes that are bright and clear. Discharge around their eyes or cloudy pupils could be a symptom of any number of larger issues, so don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian about it.
2. Skin and Coat
   Your cat’s skin and coat are vitally important to his or her overall health. Dry skin on cats can often indicate a problem, as can lack of grooming. A healthy cat has smooth hair that’s rich in colour and free of flakes and mats.
3. Healthy Energy
   Is your cat playful? Does he or she spend a lot of time being active? If your cat has healthy energy, that’s a great indicator of good overall health.
4. Clean Teeth
   Healthy cat teeth are free of tartar and plaque. You can tell if your cat is developing either of these by looking at his or her back teeth – there shouldn’t be any unusual yellowing or darkening back there. Your cat’s gums should be a bright pink, and your cat’s breath shouldn’t be too offensive.

Hope this helps!

 

Edited by ♥️fluffy♥️, 24 September 2021 - 10:03 PM.

[ChloesCritters]

i agree with fluffy,cheap doesnt always equal bad.How do you know this food is bad?Does it not reach the requirements for their diet?

[BobaTad~HH]

I hear the best care for cat food, is raw meat for cats. (Make sure its safe!) Of course, it will get expensive, so maybe not the best choice...

Did you try showing her multiple sources? Try to tell her how important this is to you. (Is she buying Meow Mix? If so, that actually damaged my cat from her former home, from experience. She had to get multiple teeth pulled,  and it was expensive. Maybe try telling her that.) But, like Fluffy said, cheap doesn't always mean bad. 

My pet food isn't too bad in price, and its healthy! (I will try to find the link in a little bit.)

If the litter box smells particularity horrible, that another sign of bad food.

I hoped this all helped. I will now gather sources to show to her!

Edit: Here is one for you!

Edited by BobaTad~, 25 September 2021 - 06:49 AM.

[TinyDwarfs]

I can’t remember what food she is using rn but i did look it up and it’s basically a plain like target or walmart food which in Norway is coop or first price. I tried telling her about some supplements and explaining some things but she doestn <super> listen. She just talks in my mouths and is like «this cat already has enough things». I try my best to stay calm but when she just laughs at me and keeps talking in my mouth of course im going to get frustrated. The food probobly isn’t really that bad, but when she has possibiblity, it would be better for the cat to get a better and healthier alternative. My grandma doesnt know how much she gives either, she just gives alot. She doesn’t even know the weight of the cat, i tried helping her but she just got annoyed. As someone said, yes i did try explaining raw diets to her but she doesnt <super> listen. I don’t think a raw diet would be anything for her to get ready several times a day and her putting in god knows what into it. I am gonna order the royal canin «norsk skogkatt» or nowegian forestcat which is a pellet made for his breed. 
 

i will update!

[♥️fluffy♥️]

Great progress! I'm glad to know you are getting food for him *virtual high five*!

Royal Canine is great! I'm sure you will be able to persuade your Grandma soon! To check the weight of the cat weight yourself on regualar bathroom scales and then hold the cat and subtract the extra weight.

 

Since he is Norwegian a forest cat make sure he's is 12-16 pounds (average weight). 

Keep in mind, it's best for cats to have wet food as well as dry food to give them variety and keep them healthy/

 

Great progress! 

Edited by ♥️fluffy♥️, 07 October 2021 - 03:28 AM.

[Poptart~]

I hear the best care for cat food, is raw meat for cats. (Make sure its safe!)

I have recently talked to my vet about this and they said that it is probably not the best option. The most common reason people go for raw meat is because it is “natural” but in reality in the wild they would eat the entire animal, including most of the insides that give them needed nutrients and you can’t replicate that in captivity. The best diet in my opinion is about half dry food and half wet food with the occasional treat of chicken, other meats, scrambled eggs, or other healthy treats. I would show her some informational articles that the others have recommended. What food does she usually use?