Pet Food Ingredients - Names - m/d, n/d , Weight Loss, Cancer(chemo)

m/d- Weight Loss Low Carbohydrate

Ingredients - 

Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Pork Fat, Brewers Rice, Wheat Gluten, Powdered Cellulose, Pork Protein Isolate, L-Lysine, Chicken Liver Flavor, Lactic Acid, Whole Grain Corn, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Iodized Salt, Calcium Carbonate, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, DL-Methionine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Carnitine, L-Arginine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Phosphoric Acid, Beta Carotene, Natural Flavors.

How it is stated to help - 

• Clinically proven low carbohydrate, high protein nutrition helps your cat burn fat and maintain lean muscle
• Clinically proven weight control plus glucose management
• High level of taurine to help maintain normal levels of insulin
• High level of arginine to support insulin secretion
• Added antioxidants to control cell oxidation and promote a healthy immune system

Really? 

Why do you think these animals are fat in the first place?

Have you ever seen a fat panther? 

Yes house cats lead a much more sedentary life. 
They no longer have to hunt for their food. 

They hunt stuffed mousies and chase balls. 

There are so many pet food brands out there that have products dedicated to over weight animals. 

Those same brands could be the ones generally causing the weight gain with their carbohydrate loaded, unhealthy fat harboring foods!

Again it's like selling a salad at a Fast Food Joint. 

Except these 'salads' are the ones filled with rice and a big ole cob of corn.

A burrito salad? 

From Taco Bell?. 

But the wrap is flavoured and coloured. 

And then its all crunched up and mixed together.. Heated.. Then extruded into fun shapes. 

Burrito puffs! 

If I start seeing Mexican themed pet food, I am going to know where you got that idea.

Their first bullet -
Clinically proven low carbohydrate, high protein nutrition helps your cat burn fat and maintain lean muscle

• I am sure that high protein and low carb foods are clinically proven to help your cat burn fat and maintain lean muscle. 

I just have a hard time believing this food could be considered as a high protein and low carb food. 

• If corn had not been split into 'gluten meal & whole grain' would it still be second on the list? Or could it possibly get bumped up into first place?

How can a food with -
Corn Gluten Meal,  Brewers Rice, Wheat Gluten, & Whole Grain Corn
Be considered low carb? 

That is a lot of carbs!

How can a food with -
Chicken By-Product Meal, Pork Fat, Pork Protein Isolate, & Chicken Liver Flavor
Be considered high protein?
 

Maybe it is - but is it a good high protein?

• Chicken By-Product is 4-D

• Pork Fat is Lard

Of course I had to go on a search for the meaning of-
Pork Protein Isolate.

Go ahead... type it in google. 

Get This?
Yippy - the only listing is in Ramen noodles.

This was a rather confusing search. I kept reading about the wonderful protein available from a protein isolate. 

• We are talking like 90%

Well that is fantastic! 

Except - after being led down a dark hallway.. under the stairs and into an old box of files ( metaphorically speaking )

• I found that using a protein isolate is not a healthy way to get protein. 

• We need a balance - you have to get the fat intake you would get from eating actual meat. 

• Also - chances are that during the process of creating this isolate - MSG can also be created.

• The heating process also basically  kills off the nutrients of the protein as well. Even in the types that say - low heat - it can still kill off some of the nutrients, leaving it useless or semi useless powder. 

Chicken Liver Flavor can not be truly considered- by most humans with a brain - as a source of protein.


Okay this is just getting long and annoying  - lets check the calories 

m/d - 490 a cup 
Directions for a 10 lb cat for weight loss - 3/8 cup or 1/2 cup for weight control 

Wellness Core Indoor  - 391 a cup
7-10 lb - 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup 
No direction for weight loss because this is not a weight loss food - it's simply a food. 

Natures Variety Instinct- Chicken

I had fun with this one - I tried to match how much a cat could have to weigh to match the calories in m/d
488 calories will maintain a 23 pound cat. 
Seriously  Check it Right here

If you are looking for a food that will help your cat lose weight - you may want to try a grain free high protein - high quality food. 
Just saying...
It has to be about monitoring your feline.
Apparently they are not suppose to free feed (I will continue to free feed anyways)

*Follow the feeding guidelines on the back of the bag - they exist - dumping a bunch in a bowl is not part of the guidelines (I'm a rebel)


********************* 


n/d- Nutritional - Given to Dogs undergoing Chemotherapy

aww sad for sick puppies :(

Ingredients - 

Beef By-Products, Water, Pork Liver, Fish Oil, Rice, Chicken, Chicken Liver Flavor, Powdered Cellulose, Dried Beet Pulp, Potassium Citrate, Calcium Carbonate, L-Arginine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Taurine, Iron Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Sulfate, Niacin, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite.

This is only available in Canned - that may be the reason this actually looks like it contains protein.


How it is stated to help -

• Clinically proven to help improve quality of life for dogs undergoing chemotherapy
• High level of protein to meet energy demand and to avoid muscle wasting
• High level of fat to increase caloric density and palatability to help acceptance by inappetant pets
• Low levels of carbohydrates
• High level of arginine and omega-3 fatty acids to help stimulate the immune system

A 60lb dog can have up to 3 cans a day. 12.7oz cans
n/d is 483 calories

A Dog with Cancer - undergoing chemo or not - needs a calorie and fat dense food.
Simple carbohydrates feed the tumor

We do not want to feed the tumor. We hate the tumor.

No simple carbs!!!
Even if they are healthy simple carbs - they are not wanted!

• Frucose 
• Lactose
• Lactulose
• Maltose 
• Maltulose
• Sucrose
• Galactose
• Glucose
• Arabinose
• Arabitol
• Allose
• Altrose 
• Galactosamine hydrochloride
• Acetylgalactosamine 
• Hammelose 
• Lyxose 
• Levoglucosenone 
• Mannose
• Mannitol 
• Mannosamine hydrochloride 
• Acetylmannosamine
• Deoxy-L-ribose
• Ribose 
• Rhamnose 
• Threose 
• Talose
• Xylose 
• Galactose
• Galactose-6-O-sulfate sodium salt
• Acetyl-D-glucosamine-6-O-sulfate sodium salt 
• Glucosamine-3-O-sulfate
• Glucosamine-2-N, 3-O-sulfate sodium salt 
• Acetyl-D-galactosamine-4-O-sulfate sodium salt 
• Galactosamine-2-N-sulfate sodium salt 
• Mannose-6-O-sulfate sodium salt
• Acetobromo-D-xylose
• Phenylethyl-β-D-thiogalactoside
• Isopropyl-β-D-galactopyranoside
• Nitrophenyl-α-D-xylopyranoside
• Acetylneuraminic acid
• Arabino - 1,4-lactone
• Lyxono - 1,4-lactone
• Ribono - 1,4-lactone
• Threono - 1,4-lactone 
• Methyl uronate
• GlcNAc L- asparagine
• Xylosylated L- serine
• Manosylated L- serine 
• Galactosylated L- serine 
• Galactosylated L- tyrosine

Foods with Simple Carbohydrates

• Baked goods (including bread) made with white flour
• Bananas
• Blackberries
• Black currants
• Blueberries
• Cake
• Candy
• Candy bar
• Carbonated drink
• Cherries
• Chocolate 
• Cookies
• Corn syrup
• Cranberries
• Fruit juice
• Fruit preserve or jam
• Fudge 
• Grapefruits
• Honey
• Kiwis
• Lemons
• Lychee 
• 2% or Regular milk
• Melons
• Most packaged cereals
• Oranges
• Pasta made with white flour
• Peaches
• Plums
• Raspberries
• Table sugar
• Full fat yogurt
• There may be more.. 

Well that was a fun search - I found a few - but they had Cranberries ..or Bluberries. Jerks. 

This one is 500 calories - Natural Balance Lamb

I am sure there are many more out there. 

• A problem could be with your pet not wanting to eat - so regardless of what you find him - it will not help unless he eats it. 

• If you have a food you know he will eat - but it has some of those bad carbs  - split the difference 

Get a can that does not have any and mix it in with the can he already likes. 

Warm it up a little ( just a bit )

• Try and make it as appealing as possible - and in an environment that is as calm as possible. 

There are anti nausea medications available - talk to your vet about these and supplements. 

When it comes to medical issues - like this or any disease - learn as much as possible in regards to nutrition. 

You can't seem to avoid Cancer - it's everywhere. It seems to be in everything!

You can however, give your dog the best chance at fighting these battles.    


It makes me sad when I think about animals having to deal with people illnesses. 
They are not the ones creating the foods
They are not the ones making GMO's
They are not the ones adding MSG
They are not the ones causing these issues to be so prevalent - We are. 

Sometimes Humans Suck. 

Pet Food Ingredients - N - Names - k/d ,l/d - Kidney - Liver

Names continued-

k/d-Renal Health   


        Kidney Disease Information
                  More Information


Ingredients - 

Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Pork Fat, Chicken By-Product Meal, Dried Egg Product, Dried Chicken, Powdered Cellulose, Fish Meal, Lactic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, DL-Methionine, Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, Iodized Salt, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, L-Tryptophan, Phosphoric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Natural Flavors.

How it is stated to help-

• Reduced levels of protein to help minimize kidney workload
• Reduced phosphorus to help maintain healthy kidney function and minimize stress on kidneys
• Reduced sodium to help maintain normal blood pressure
• Increased levels of omega-3 fatty acids to support kidney health
• Increased levels of B-complex vitamins to compensate urinary losses
• Added antioxidants to control cell oxidation and promote a healthy immune system

Wait a second.. you want to give a cat with kidney issues a dry food?

Am I missing something here? 

Isn't protein rather important for all aspects of kitty life?

Could it be that your version of protein sucks??

Could you possibly be selling a product that has ingredients in it that are the possible main reason for the rise of Kidney issues in felines?

Is it possible. 

But I could be totally wrong. 

•  After taking a little walk on the web, I have learned that low vs high protein is under debate. 

In order to repair kidney cell damage and increase blood flow and volume - protein is needed.  

• Carnivores need protein.

•  Many of these cats are under weight and anemic 

•  They need protein 

• Carnitine becomes depleted in cats with renal failure  - red meats are high in Carnitine, so are other lean meats and fish.

Read this

I am sticking with my instinct on this one... and ..

Natures Variety - Instinct Grain Free Chicken 


High quality protein
Low Phosphorus
Available in Rabbit, Duck, Beef, Venison, Salmon, Lamb, Pork.

Betcha Fluffy could find one it likes. 

*One of the main things I read on all the sites  - Kitty needs to eat!
If kitty will only eat MeowChow in Gravy - then give kitty MeowChow in Gravy!


Figure it out, try things - start with the good stuff - then add a bit of the not so good. 
Kinda like ordering a salad on the side of Chicken Nuggets..
What ever works. 

Sadly, most kidney diseases are not caught early. You can blame their body for that one.. they seem to have a back up plan that fails to alert the animal or human  - after that - Kitty may have irreversible damage.

So how can someone try to prevent this? 

Wet Food or a Raw Food Diet may be helpful.

A chronically dehydrated cat ( which is basically what happens to a dry food fed only kitty) has a higher chance of kidney issues - that makes sense right?


Feed Fluffy wet food..Fluffy probably wants wet food. 
Fluffy may want really cheap wet food.
Fluffy will have to at least meet you half way - go for a mix of high and medium quality wet food. 
Low quality only if Fluffy goes on hunger strike. 

A medium quality food to me would be Canidae, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Natural Balance, Nutro. Stuff like that.

******************

l/d - Feline Hepatic Health (Liver)

Ingredients - 

Brewers Rice, Chicken by-Product Meal, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Soybean Meal, Pasta Product, Pork Protein Isolate, Soy Fiber, Dried Egg Product, Fish Meal, Lactic Acid, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Powdered Cellulose, Taurine, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Menadione Dimethylypyrimidinol Bisulfite (source of vitamin K)), DL-Methionine, Calcium Sulfate, L-Carnitine, minerals (Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Arginine, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Rosemary Extract, Beta-carotene.

How it is stated to help - 

• High quality and highly digestible protein in moderate quantities to help reduce liver workload and helps maintain liver function
• Added L-Carnitine to help maintain normal fat metabolism in the liver
• Reduced in sodium to help maintain normal blood pressure
• Added antioxidant nutrients like vitamin E and C to control cell oxidation and promote a healthy immune system

High quality proteins?
Where? I see 4-D chicken and lard. 



Different sites have been stating that it is important to have a low copper - high zinc diet. 
Copper and Zinc Biological Role

I am not sure what I just read... but I did catch -

• When the liver is not functioning properly  - copper accumulates

• Meat is high in copper but it is also high in zinc which needs to be available along with manganese for proper absorption and metabolism of Copper.

• Though it is best to avoid foods that are high in copper - it is smarter to avoid foods that are high in copper but not also high in zinc. 

I found some sites that talk about Wilson's Disease  - this is not the same but copper is restricted so it gives good information on what to eat and what not to eat.

• A Chicken and Oatmeal formula may work - maybe ask your vet about the possibility of a food like that.

• Beef and Rice is also an option. 

• A home made meal might be the best course for your kitty - ask your vet if that is an option. 

* since water is very important- water can have a high copper content. Copper pipeing also adds to the levels in water.

Think about filtered water- ask about the options other than tap water.

There are certain things we can not change - genetics, birth defects, aging - all beyond our ability to control. 

We can control what we put down in front of our pets to eat. 
That is up to us. 

Pet Food Ingredients -N- Names h/d, i/d, j/d

Names continued - 


h/d- Canine Cardiac Health

Ingredients - 

Whole Grain Corn, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Soy Protein Isolate, Chicken By-Product Meal, Chicken Liver Flavor, Lactic Acid, Dried Egg Product, Powdered Cellulose, Potassium Citrate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Natural Flavor, Choline Chloride, Soybean Oil, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), L-Lysine, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), DL-Methionine, Magnesium Oxide, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid, L-Carnitine, L-Tryptophan, Phosphoric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract.

How it is stated to help -

• Low level of sodium to help maintain normal blood pressure
• High level of taurine to help support cardiac muscle metabolism
• High level of L-Carnitine to support healthy heart function
• Increased B-vitamins and magnesium to help replenish nutrients lost when receiving diuretics

Can't a lower level of sodium can be achieved by choosing a dog food with lean high quality meats?
Rabbit seems to be low in both fat and sodium. 
That could be a possible choice?

• Taurine can be supplemented - through a veterinarian is best. This would only be needed if the dog is deficient.

• L-Carnitine is formed by the amino acids, lysine and methionine. It is naturally produced by the liver and kidneys. 

If your dog has reached the stage where it needs L-Carnitine as a suppliment, then chances are it does not need only a Cardiac health diet - it needs medical attention and probably medication. 

• This I believe can also be supplemented. Again, this is only if your dog is not producing enough on its own.

Both Vitamin B and magnesium can be added through high quality ingredients. 

• Thiamin, Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Niacin - I see these in dog food ingredients all the time.  Those are Vitamin B1, B2, B5,B3

Whole grains are a good source- hey look, for once rice may be for a purpose other than saving money. 

• Spinach, Kale, Fish - all high in Magnesium.

I am thinking - just my thoughts - if the food was half decent in the first place, maybe there would not be a need for supplements?

Orijen Adult Dog

Awesome Company - all ingredients are local and fresh.

Seriously, they are so involved with their suppliers that if there was a recall, they could go punch the guy in the face that messed up the product - and they would know him by name. (I am assuming)

I really can not say if this is appropriate for a dog dealing with heart problems. 
I just think adding crappy food and chemicals to a sick animal is not all that beneficial. 

Why not take a print out of their ingredients and analysis - along with the Science Diet h/d - to your vet. 

Why no, Mr Smith, I... I mean Fido, would not benefit from that high quality food. 
You should stick with the food that has Corn as its first ingredient. 
Pork Fat (Lard) and Chicken By-Product Meal (4-D) are phenomenal ingredients. (Just joking around...I actually deal with fantastic vets and I respect them greatly)
**********************

i/d- Gastrointestinal Health

Ingredients - 

Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Pork Fat, Powdered Cellulose, Dried Chicken, Lactic Acid, Chicken Liver Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Calcium Sulfate, Dried Beet Pulp, DL-Methionine, Iodized Salt, Dried Yeast, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Phosphoric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors.


What in the hell is Dried Chicken? Is it like freeze dried? Dehydrated? Powder? Chicken out of the bathtub wrapped in a towel?



How it is stated to help-

• Highly digestible protein and fat to help assimilate nutrients and repair tissues faster
• Mixed fiber source to help maintain gastrointestinal health
• Optimal balance of nutrients to help replenish the body and help encourage recovery
• Added antioxidants to help control cell oxidation

4-D Chicken scraps, Rice, Corn, Corn, Lard, Wood...

I am having issues digesting the idea, never mind the food. 

'Highly digestible protein' - the meat protein is  - the rest ..not so much. 

I do not like Corn in pet foods. 
Corn bad. 
Corn useless.
Corn not highly digestible.

Fluffy needs less grains - or no grains.

Try different meat sources. High quality - named meat sources. 
Not By-Products

Here is an idea for a grain free that is still chicken - in case Sir Fluffs McFlufferson is a huge fan of chicken.

Instinct Grain Free Chicken

We recently had a cat who needed surgery to have part of her colon removed. 
After the surgery we were given Royal Canin Gastrointestinal 

I believe the idea was to slow down the gastro system  - I could  be wrong.

Since there was a shorter distance for the food to travel, she was using the litter box around 10 times a day. 
I felt rather bad for this poor meow. 

The food, I believe - was not super beneficial for her. 
She needed to put on weight, I could not see how this food was going to do that.
Of course I am not a veterinarian. 
Brewers rice is the first ingredient - am I the only one who thinks that is unhelpful ?

She was not losing weight - that was a good thing - but she was not really gaining weight either. 

How could she? the food was not being absorbed into her system - it was taking a short cut right to the litter box.

Halfway through the bag I started to add what I am currently feeding the rest of the meows

Earthborn Primitive Feline 

She is fully on Earthborn now and spending much less time in the litter box. 
She is also pretending to be the mother cat to 3 kittens... she is actually their Grandmother. Felling young and loving it I guess. 

**********************

j/d- Feline Mobility

Ingredients-

 Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal, Pork Fat, Soybean Mill Run, Fish Oil, Chicken Liver Flavor, Flaxseed, L-Lysine, Lactic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Citrate, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Potassium Chloride, Cysteine, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, L-Threonine, minerals (Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Iodized Salt, L-Tryptophan, L-Carnitine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Magnesium Oxide, Phosphoric Acid, Beta Carotene, Natural Flavors.

• Hill's® Prescription Diet® j/d® Feline is clinically proven to help cats be more active in 28 days.
• Prescription Diet® j/d® Feline contains omega-3 fatty acids, which nourish cartilage.
• Controlled phosphorus and high levels of omega-3 fatty acids help maintain kidney health.
• High carnitine helps burn fat while maintaining lean muscle mass.

* Hill's® Prescription Diet® j/d® Feline is the first clinically proven therapeutic food for cats with mobility issues available in the U.S. It is clinically proven to help cats be more active in 28 days.*

Are we talking Arthritis ? Hip Issues? Muscle Issues? Laziness? 
Is it Disease or Age related?

The site is unclear.

Most Mobility Issues in cats seem to come with age. 

Old kitty, old bones, old joints.. 
Years of crappy food ...
Bad genetics...

• If a cat was fed a high quality food - low in phosphorus, high in omega 3's. Lean and clean meats and the proper nutrients - would 28 days be enough for them to notice a difference ? 

• Weight of a cat is also important. Losing some pounds off Fluffy can greatly improve her over all health. 

So who not look for a grain free high quality meat protein food?

Wellness Senior Cat Food
High in omega 3's 
Deboned Chicken & Chicken Meal

I like the idea of printing off the ingredients and guaranteed analysis and handing it to your vet....If the food is not good then they can tell you why!

Hey, it could be total crap - I only know what half of the stuff in there is. 

• Your vet should be able to help you decide between foods - make sure you do your homework. 

Science Diet and Royal Canin are partnered with many Veterinary Clinics. 

• Get them to prove to you why the food is better. 

I would like to walk into a clinic and not see big company branding all over the place. 


These food suggestions are just ideas for options - j/d may just be exactly what your cat needs ... 

Or maybe it needs a Raw food diet.
Or Rabbit
Or Mice...or a mousie stew.

************************* 

Pet Food Ingredients - Name Continued

Names continued - 

d/d- Skin Support ( darn, I wanted to say designated dumbass)

Duck & Green Pea formula - Feline

Ingredients -

Ground Yellow Peas, Pea Protein Concentrate, Duck, Ground Green Peas, Pork Fat, Powdered Cellulose, Calcium Sulfate, Chicken Liver Flavor, Fish Oil, Lactic Acid, Choline Chloride, DL -Methionine, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Glyceryl Monostearate, Iodized Salt, Potassium Sulfate, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement , Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Dicalcium Phosphate, Cysteine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Phosphoric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Natural Flavor.

• Highly digestible single intact animal protein source and single carbohydrate source to help avoid common food sensitivities
• High levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that help nourish the skin and coat
• Combination of antioxidants helps maintain a healthy immune system and skin barrier function
• Two different novel protein sources to provide more choices in managing food sensitivity

Interesting points - kinda sorta full of crap..but interesting. 

A cats digestive system is not designed to deal with peas, pea protein, yellow or green. 
A cat in the wild will never be caught hunting a legume. 

If it wasn't hard enough to digest, they added powdered cellulose.
Cats also lack the need to hunt a Pine Tree. 

I do not see the reasoning behind it's use in regards to this food. 

Let's see if I can find something I like better...

Natural Balance - Green pea & Duck

We use to use this when we had cats with sensitive stomachs.

Ingredients - 

Peas, Duck, Duck Meal, Pea Protein, Canola Oil, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Taurine, DL-methionine, Natural Mixed Tocopherols, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Folic Acid.

• I still am not a fan of the Pea - it isn't normal for a cat to eat. 

• The Canola Oil  - although some do not like it - has vitamin e, omega 3 - these would be beneficial for the skin.

If you have a cat suffering from skin allergies - you may not need a prescription diet to fix the problem. 

• You will have to do your homework - find a food that has limited ingredients - high quality protein and very little grain - or Grain Free!

Avoid foods known to have high histamine levels  - such as fish and processed meats.

You need to trust your brand. Trust they are sourcing their meats from a reliable and responsible company. 

*****************

e/d- No Food Name - I suggest Feline/Canine Eating Disorders - they exist! Just think of the money they could make off of Bulimic Cats! Or Pica, that would probably be very profitable in dogs.

Eating Disorders are not to be taken as a joke, it is very possible some animals have a psychological aspect to why they over eat or restrict.

That would make for an interesting post.
*****************

f/d- No Food Name - I suggest Fad or Fake or Fraud Diet....wait, it may already exist.

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g/d- Early Cardiac Healthy Aging

Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Pork Fat, Chicken By-Product Meal, Soybean Mill Run, Pork Protein Isolate, Lactic Acid, Chicken Liver Flavor, Calcium Sulfate, Fish Meal, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Citrate, Natural Flavor, DL-Methionine, Iodized Salt, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Phosphoric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors.

• Reduced phosphorus to minimize stress on aging kidneys
• Reduced sodium to help maintain normal blood pressure
• Optimal fat levels to reduce pancreatic workload
• Added taurine to help maintain normal heart muscle function

So a senior kitty cat food?
Fluffy will be so happy.

What do senior cats need?

• Lower protein

• Lower Fat

As stated above- 

• Reduced phosohorus & sodium. 

They tend to lose a bit of their senses as they age - not just random meowing at the top of the stairs because - well I have no idea. ( Cubby will not divulge that information)

• Taste and Smell - Since they have basically evolved to trust their senses, this may be one of the reasons an old cat will suddenly shun their food.

Teeth - if they still have them - if not then texture is even more important. 



This one was a bit harder than I anticipated. Probably because I was looking for a Senior food - and not just food. 

I should just look for food. 
As I have said before, in the wild there are no mice marked kitten, adult, and senior. 

A high quality food with a medium amount of protein, stick to your lean meats. 
Grain free is still best, if not grain free then at least corn free.

Wet food is a fantastic option - teeth or no teeth.

Instead of totally changing your current food - try different version of the same. 

pate, chunks, shredded, cubed, flaked. 

If the idea is just to get your senior cat to eat - mix the good with the meowchow - trick the old fur faces with the cat version of cheese on broccoli.

That only worked with me once.  

Pet Food Ingredients - N - Name (Science Diet Prescription Foods)

N

Name

Sitting in the Vet's office, I notice that there are many of these bags and cans of  Hills brand Cat and Dog foods.

So now I want to know what they all stand for.

the /d stands for Diet - as in meal, not diet as in weight management.

Not all letters have a corresponding food, but I am sure I can think of some way to fill in the blanks.

*Red ingredients are ones I consider not so fantastic ( what I have learned so far)
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a/d- Critical Care- Given after surgery or recovery from illness. 

Ingredients -Water, Pork Liver, Poultry Liver, Chicken, Corn Flour, Pork Protein Isolate, Fish Oil, Chicken Liver Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Magnesium Oxide, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Beta Carotene, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid.

How it's stated to help-

• Highly digestible ingredients and extra calories to help during recovery
• Highly digestible proteins to help wound and tissue healing, preserving lean body mass and promoting a healthy immune system
• Increased level of potassium to help avoid depletion
• Highly palatability with a soft consistency aids acceptance by inappetant pets and gives flexibility in feeding -- by bowl, spoon, syringe or feeding tube

Possible Option- 

Wellness CORE Turkey& Duck

Turkey, Pork Liver, Turkey Broth, Duck, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Ground Flaxseed, Cranberries, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Dried Kelp, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Alfalfa Meal, Salt, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Cobalt Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Niacin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Biotin, Folic Acid.

• Wellness has higher quality protein & is grain free.
• Almost any food can be made more palatable if you add a bit of water and stir it up. 
• (Carrageenan is possibly bad - but there are two forms - one is used in foods and comes from red algae or seaweed - the other is from the same source but acid is added at high temperatures which is said to be unsafe due to the possible link to Cancer.)
• Wellness is about 20 cents cheaper (depending)

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b/d- Canine- Healthy Aging and Alertness- Brain Support

Ingredients -
Whole Grain Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Pork Fat, Brewers Rice, Soybean Mill Run, Flaxseed, Soybean Meal, Fish Meal, Lactic Acid, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Soybean Oil, Dried Carrots, Dried Spinach, Dried Grape Pomace, Dried Tomato Pomace, Dried Citrus Pulp, Potassium Chloride, Oat Fiber, Choline Chloride, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), L-Lysine, Iodized Salt, Calcium Carbonate, L-Tryptophan, Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Carnitine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Lipoic Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Natural Flavors.

How it's stated to help - 

• Clinically tested to support memory and learning ability in older dogs
• Antioxidants to help protect brain cells and support a healthy immune system
• High levels of L-carnitine to help preserve muscle mass
• High in Omega-3 fatty acids to support brain health
• Appropriate levels of protein, phosphorus and sodium to promote heart and kidney health
• Contains fruits and vegetables with naturally occurring vitamins and antioxidants

Possible option-

Merrick Salmon & Sweet Potato

Ingredients-
Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes, Whitefish Meal, Natural Flavor, Canola Oil, Deboned Whitefish, Apples, Blueberries, Yeast Culture, Organic Alfalfa, Flaxseed Oil, Potassium Chloride, Salmon Oil, Salt, Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate), Choline Chloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product.

• Merrick has higher quality protein & is grain free
• Salmon is high in Omega 3 fatty acids
• Quality Fish containing L-Carnitine
• For around the same price as a 17 lb bag of Science Diet b/d, you can get a 25lb bag of Merrick Salmon & Sweet Potato

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c/d- Urinary Tract Health- Bladder Support


Ingredients-
Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal, Pork Fat, Chicken, Chicken Liver Flavor, Lactic Acid, Fish Oil, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Sulfate, Iodized Salt, Potassium Citrate, DL-Methionine, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Phosphoric Acid, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene.

How it's stated to help-

• Clinically tested to dissolve struvite uroliths in as little as 7 days (Average 27 days)
• Rich in fish oil - an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids - to help promote healthy skin and a shiny coat
• Controlled sodium, magnesium, and phosphorus levels for bladder health
• Antioxidants to promote a healthy immune system
• Ideal for long-term feeding and multi-cat households.
• Dry and canned formulas can be mixed or fed concurrently

Or - stop feeding dry food. 
The main cause of Struvite Crystals is DRY FOOD - kick the kibble 
Fluffy needs more water.
The urine is too concentrated.
Magnesium ammonium phosphate - bind together to form crystals - the crystals can bind together to form stones. (this is all to sciency for me)

You have a few choices -

A c/d or crappy diet - food which costs way more than it should, considering the rather low quality ingredients. 

Stop feeding dry food - stick to wet food. A good quality wet food!

Raw Diet - hey if you only have 1 cat then your excuses must be limited.

• Weruva Steak Frites is a low phosphorus wet food containing NO Gain, GMO, MSG 

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This is getting rather long and I am only on d/d
I will continue this post in chunks.