I have two cats, one of which has an incredibly sensitive stomach. I spent the first five years of her life switching her between brands, trying to find something which agreed with her. With some she would have an extra smelly litter box, with some she’d be throwing up, and with others she just wouldn’t eat. I tried ‘Royal Canin’ on a whim and she loves it. She has no more tummy issues, and her litter box isn’t deadly after one poop from across the room. (This was my major complaint about Orijen, and other high protein foods.)

My other cat can eat anything and be happy, but her fur is noticeably glossier and softer when she’s eating Royal Canin, so I figure that’s a good sign. She’s also extra smelly when on higher protein diets, so rather than live in the bog of eternal stench a little grain in the diet it is.

One disadvantage is that in Ireland it is difficult to find Indoor Mature in the 10 kg bag, and buying it in smaller sizes is less economical. The other disadvantage is the price, but if you could see the difference in his weight, general health, fur, attitude, energy and mood since we switched you would see it is worth it to pay the extra money to find a pet food which is designed to take care of your cat, and not just keep him alive.

One thing also I read repeatedly that if you care for your animal you feed them the best. That’s great, but some seem to me too be pompous about that. I love my cat as much as anyone. The term “organic” is often used like an “I am better then you” attitude. It is a great word if only it was always true. Did you know that some organic farms still us natural pesticides which is okay unless they use synthetic also. The USA, Canada, and Australia have regulations that food only needs to be 95 percent to be organic. 5 percent of the food can be non organic and still be legally deemed an organic product. So unless you do all the research of each ingredient of the product you purchase, or ask if they can tell you where they received it from a list that would state the farm, and how they made that product you can’t really know how good it really is. So the lesson here do your own research. Find out what best choice for your pet is. Also when switching food start with a third of a cup mixed with the old food. It should take about a month before you switch completely from one food to another. I wish you all the best of luck!

In the last week, the 3 youngest were exposed to a toxin and stopped eating. All are doing as well as can be expected on a Royal Canin Recovery/water slurry.

I don’t have a lot of knowledge of how purebred cats do on RC. My kitties have tried: Baby Cat, Kitten, Urinary S/O, Recovery, Adult, Mature, and Adult Fit 32, and the bottom line is: based on personal experience I recommend this brand in a heartbeat.

But, all animals are different. Be wary of anyone who denounces all foods in favor of one. I’m a vet assistant and have met pets that do awesome on grocery store food or table scraps, and ones who do poorly on vet recommended or organic or holistic foods. This is what I tell all of my clients: “Know your pet.” We recommend certain food because studies tell us that most pets do well on those foods, yes, even those with grain and corn. There aren’t many studies on some of the newer organic foods but that’s no indication of good/poor quality. Judge foods individually based on how your pet is doing: Does he eat the food? Is his coat/skin healthy? Does he have normal bowel movements? Does he have any medical conditions/allergies? Is he over/under weight? Do yearly blood work (even on young cats) if you can afford it. Ultimately, feed your cat what he does best on whether Uta’s vet recommended, holistic, or grocery store.

Mixing the kibbles will ensure she does not eat a solo brand that is lacking in something (and get sick from Vitamin deficiency) or get a huge dose of contaminates a.k.a. poison from a singular brand that she has no choice but to eat. If she is hungry and that food don’t smell right, she can choose to pick out the good kibbles and not to eat the bad ones. Mixing kibbles also ensures my kitty from being bored from just one brand, albeit it is a little on the expensive side, but my kitty has firm stools to prove her diet is good for her, and a TDF coat plus that of her health.

So I truly believe in little different meals the way of the cats in the wild, and the variety that will give the kitty bodies what they need to sustain their health. I like Royal Canine, but it is but only one of the brands I like.