Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Cat Food

My gang of five can sure be finicky when it comes to their cat food and water! This month chewy.com sent me Science Diet Cat Food, Adult Savory Variety Pack with chicken, liver and turkey pate to try and we just couldn't wait.  I find that from time to time my cats get tired of eating the same food so I am always on the lookout for a variety pack of several different types of high-quality food that has balanced nutrition that goes into every serving. Best of all chewy has discounted this food 13%!

Benefits of Science Diet Variety Pack

• This wet food smells good and each recipe loaded with hearty vegetables.
• The variety pack comes in three flavors, turkey, chicken and liver so your cat will never get bored!
• The tender pate is made with real turkey and is in a savory sauce that will tempt the most finicky cat.
• This balanced adult cat food is recommended for cats one - six or older. It is made to promote kidney health and has to ensure easy digestion.
• This food also contains taurine to help maintain vision and heart function and it is free of artificial flavor and preservatives.
• This food is made in the United States and every ingredient meets strict requirements for purity and nutrient standards that exceed industry standards.

The Star System @ chewy.com

I always read what other "pet" parents have to say about items offered by chewy.com.  The Savory Turkey Entree by Science Diet got a 4.3-star rating out of 5 stars and 67 reviews.  Several reviews noted this food was a nice soft pate and that Science Diet's quality is always consistent. A negative was that some people did not like the consistency of the pate, but my cats loved its pudding-like consistency.

Things to Keep In Mind When Choosing Pet Food

• The age of your cat dictates the type of food they should be eating.  Generally speaking, you should feed your cat kitten food for the first year and adult cat food up to 7 and older cats should have senior food to reduce the risk of kidney issues, mobility problems and other health issues associated with age.
• It is also good to consult with your vet for your cat's nutritional needs. Some cats like my Himalayans need food to keep their coats healthy and to help with hairball control. Some cats prefer a pate (like Max) because it is a softer food that helps with dental issues and other cats need a food with fewer calories for weight control. 
• Always start to serve a new cat food in small quantities in a clean dish to get your cat use to this change in diet.

A real perk of being a chewy customer is that items qualify for free shipping with orders of $49 or more and are delivered to your doorstep within two days.  If you subscribe to automatic shipment you save an additional 5%!

The Importance of Vet Visits @ a "new" Chewy.com Goody Box

Ok let's face it, who likes to go to the doctor, I think most of us dread the annual visit, especially when you are feeling ok.  At least we understand the importance of an annual check-up, unfortunately, our feline friends don't understand how important their vet visit is to their overall health.

The first step is tricking my cats into the cat carrier with treats.  I always try to bring the two Tonkinese together and the three Himalayans together for "cat moral support" and fewer trips to the vet for me! There are many reasons why it is important to visit the vet once a year, here are three of the most important reasons.

1. Puts your mind at ease
 We all know cats are stoic and it is not easy to detect a medical problem.  Cats age more rapidly than people, so a once a year annual visit to a vet is like seeing your doctor every four years.  Cats over ten sometimes see the vet twice a year because things can develop rather quickly.  It helps to see the vet once a year so you don't have to worry about your cat's health and if there is a problem, hopefully, you have caught it in time and with the help of your vet, a plan can be put in place.

2. Importance of Vet Records
Taking your cat to the vet once a year allows your vet to compare the vital signs of your cat - such as his or her weight, vital signs, and blood work in order to determine what if anything is changing. This is really important in determining developing conditions and possible future treatments.  If your vet sees your cat is gaining weight, for example, a food plan can be put together to deal with obesity and prevent diabetes.

3. Relationships and Prevention
If you bring your cats to your vet annually, you will inevitably develop a relationship with your vet, who will see you as a trustworthy animal guardian.  An annual visit may stave off a serious illness. In the long run, annual visits are much less expensive than treatment for a cat that rarely went to the vet.  If something goes wrong with your cat, you have a relationship with your vet and plenty of backup records that will see you and your cat through any difficult times or serious illnesses.

I believe in rewarding good behavior and was really excited when www.chewy.com sent me their "new" Grain Free Goody Box that was the perfect treat for the gang of five stoically letting the vet poke and prod them!  Thankfully are all in purrfect health, even Max who will be eleven this month!

Contents of the Grain Free Goody Box

The gang of five are excited about this Grain-Free Goody Box that was chock full of food, treats, toppers, and toys.  This box is the perfect option to try the food, treats, and toys that you have always wondered about.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken and Duck Recipe Treats.  These soft, moist meat rich treats are perfect on their own or to add as a fancy topper to wet or dry food. They are loaded with real chicken and duck meat and have no by-product meals. I like the fact that the duck makes these treats a little different giving my cat's refined diet with some variety.

Purina Muse Natural Tuna and Tilapia Recipe in Broth.  They gobbled up this tasty food that is made with large chunks of hand filleted fish that is topped with baby clams - it looked and smelled so good and disappeared in an instant!  I guess this food is on my must-have list.

Vital Essentials Salmon Freeze Dried Treats.  Freeze drying in the pet industry is all the rage because it locks in all those vital nutrients.  These treats are made from one single food source, Wild Alaskan Salmon.  These are perfect toppers for wet food to add a little variety to their diet and to stimulate their senses.

Solid Gold- Tropical Blendz Salmon Pate.  This is one that I would not have thought to try, but I am really glad that I did because this super soft holistic grain and gluten free pate was a real hit.  The salmon and coconut oil are loaded with healthy fatty acids that are good for their coats.

Caru Beef Bone Broth.  The Tonks, especially Sabu loves all wet food that has a broth, the more broth the faster he licks it up. Cats need hydration and broth added to wet food is a win-win in this case and I can't wait to try it plain as well as added to Sabu's favorite wet food for an extra special treat.  The broth is made with 100% human grade ingredients and is grain and gluten free.

Toys.  I suppose it wouldn't be a "goody" box if there weren't any toys included in the mix!  There are two toys the 24 "Karat" toy that is in the shape of a carrot replete with a feathered top and, of course, filled with catnip.  They loved it!  The other toy (already missing probably under a piece of furniture) is the Fat Cat EEKS! Catnip Toy.  This cute little mouse is stuffed with organic catnip and is the perfect size to bat around...which all of them did endlessly...now, all I have to do is find it!

The Grain-free Goody Box is available at chewy.com and is $19.95.