Is Fancy Feast really that horrible? - Page 2 - Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too!

fjm · 08-01-2010, 01:34 AM

My two cats are now on home cooked - I tried them with raw, but they really were not that keen, and kept dropping bits down to the dogs, so it was getting difficult to know who had eaten what! One weird thing I have found is that they actually prefer it served frozen - perhaps because it stays fresh longer. I give them my local butcher's pet mince (a mixture of human-grade meat offcuts ground), and buy heart and liver seperately. I casserole it in a low oven until just cooked, measure it into meal size portions, and add the appropriate quantity of egg shell and a pinch of taurine powder, if there is not much heart in the mix. They are great hunters (so far this week it's been rabbit, a partridge, plus assorted mice and voles), so I don't feel I have to be too scrupulous. Pippin has definitely lost weight recently, though - the Garfield spread has gone, and when viewed from above he now has a waist again - and they are both in tip top condition.

Spencer · 08-01-2010, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjm

My two cats are now on home cooked - I tried them with raw, but they really were not that keen, and kept dropping bits down to the dogs, so it was getting difficult to know who had eaten what! One weird thing I have found is that they actually prefer it served frozen - perhaps because it stays fresh longer. I give them my local butcher's pet mince (a mixture of human-grade meat offcuts ground), and buy heart and liver seperately. I casserole it in a low oven until just cooked, measure it into meal size portions, and add the appropriate quantity of egg shell and a pinch of taurine powder, if there is not much heart in the mix. They are great hunters (so far this week it's been rabbit, a partridge, plus assorted mice and voles), so I don't feel I have to be too scrupulous. Pippin has definitely lost weight recently, though - the Garfield spread has gone, and when viewed from above he now has a waist again - and they are both in tip top condition.

Can I just have you come to my house and prepare all of my doggies and cat wonderful meals? Lol. You make it seem so easy!

fjm · 08-01-2010, 05:35 AM

I briefly considered going into business, having seen the price of "home made" dog treats, but you need to meet the same criteria as for human food preparation, and I only have one kitchen! But it really isn't difficult - much easier than cooking for people, and infinitely easier than cooking for faddy children!

Marian · 08-01-2010, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by partial2poodles

When I was learning about rendering plants and garbage pet foods, I KNEW I had to help my cat get on board with the healthier diet the dogs were bennefiting from. I did literally starve her and she would have rather died than eat health food including a wide variety of raw and dozens of pricey canned foods. She lost too much weight. I did it for about 3 months. All my shop cats adjusted but she is eating fancy feast with Kirkland kibble. She is around 19 yrs old. I figured I tortured her long enough and she wasn't budging.

Now THAT is stubborn! LOL

Marian · 08-01-2010, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjm

I briefly considered going into business, having seen the price of "home made" dog treats, but you need to meet the same criteria as for human food preparation, and I only have one kitchen! But it really isn't difficult - much easier than cooking for people, and infinitely easier than cooking for faddy children!

I think Mickey would love home cooked, but I was concerned about providing the necessary nutrients. I think I'll have to google for some recipes and give it a shot. I didn't know you could just buy taurine supplements.

SnorPuddel · 08-01-2010, 07:09 AM

I think that Mickey needs to go to FFA (Fancy Feast Anonymous)

Cats are notoriously finicky...
My kitty won't drink Organic Whole Milk, it has to be Half and Half, he only gets a little smidge when I make my first cup of coffee

Good luck

Poodle Lover · 08-02-2010, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by partial2poodles

When I was learning about rendering plants and garbage pet foods, I KNEW I had to help my cat get on board with the healthier diet the dogs were bennefiting from. I did literally starve her and she would have rather died than eat health food including a wide variety of raw and dozens of pricey canned foods. She lost too much weight. I did it for about 3 months. All my shop cats adjusted but she is eating fancy feast with Kirkland kibble. She is around 19 yrs old. I figured I tortured her long enough and she wasn't budging.

I think our cats must be related!!! My 13 year old calico persian will starve herself, but will only eat what she wants to eat. In her case it's expensive dry cat food in different varieties. She eat evo, evangers, solid gold grain free and orijens. All four varieties have to be rotated every couple of days. She won't eat any canned food, no home cooked human food, no tuna or salmon out of the can and no raw. I figure that at her age, she can have whatever she wants.

taxtell · 08-03-2010, 06:38 AM

Yes, it's a bad food. :(
I would compare it to eating McDonald's every day.

However, DO NOT STARVE HIM in an attempt to switch him.
Feline Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver) in Cats

Marian · 08-03-2010, 07:09 PM

That's good to know, Taxtell. I could never starve Mickey--he would drive me crazy with his meowing before that could ever happen.

I finally found something he will eat, but I'll have to see if he is still as enthusiastic about it in the morning before I commit to buying more. It's Nutro Max Cat Turkey and Chicken Liver Chunks in Sauce. The ingredients list looks a lot better than FF.

I haven't had a chance to go shopping to buy meats to cook for him, but I might hold off on that if he will continue to eat the Max Cat.

Marian · 08-07-2010, 06:59 AM

HOLY COW! He gobbled down an entire can of Solid Gold this morning.

Glory hallelujah!