Nutrition supplement for a kitten instead of a high costing food??

Question

Instead of buying a small expensive bag of all natural cat food like Orijen or Innova, can I use Iams kitten food and feed the kitten a weekly supplement that would work just as good as if I was feeding it that better quality food?

Answer 1

I feed my cat Purina One and he's still alive. My mom feeds her cat Iams and he's alive too...

My kitten also eats Friskies or Fancy Feast canned food, and I'm probably not going to burn eternally for it.

Don't worry, your cat will be fine eating Iams.

[bracing self for attacks]

Answer 2

No, that is not the same as feeding a high quality food. The higher end foods are very much worth the cost. Did you know you have to feed less of them (which saves you money in the end) because they have more concentrated nutrients and less filler material?

Definitely do not feed low quality foods like Iams. There are some pretty good foods that aren't too expensive like Felidae.

Answer 3

I would not advise it. And I certainly would advise against Iams, which is low quality for high cost.

Cats were never meant to eat dry food, also known as cereals or kibble. We, humans, make them eat it for convenience to us. It has nothing to do with them or their nutritional needs. It's completely species inappropriate.

All small domestic cats descended from desert cats. In the wild, desert cats derive their entire liquid intake from their prey. They do not have a thirst mechanism because they don't need it when eating a species appropriate diet. They get all they need from what they eat. Additionally water was usually not available to them in their desert climate. So they do not often drink water. Regular ol' house cats have descended from those same wild desert cats.

So in a home environment, your kitty does not get the moisture it needs from dry food and it’s almost always in a constant state of dehydration. Water fountains are encouraged to TRY to get your cat to drink more and your kitty may even enjoy it, but it will never meet its water intake needs drinking from a bowl.

Deadly feline illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure, obesity, allergies, Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), bladder stones, kidney stones,  urinary tract blockages and Urinary Tract Infections (FLUTD), with and without deadly crystals run rampant these days. Cats are not taking in enough water to stave them off. Proper water intake through a species appropriate diet alone can prevent most of these conditions.

Overall,  wet is all around better for any cats diet, be it canned or Raw and they should never be fed dry cereal kibble if we wish to most closely match their wild nutritional and dietary needs. Kibble meets our needs… not our cats.

I recommend varying the diet with a constant rotation of accepted canned foods that your cat enjoys. If you do this, and allow your cat the same assortment they would have in nature when eating mice, bugs, birds and rabbits, your cats’ digestive system won't be so sensitive and you won't have to run around looking for a specific brand when your store is out. You will have a nice variety to choose from instead.

Canned foods I recommend for your rotation:

Nature's Variety - http://www.naturesvariety.com/content.la...

Wellness Grain Free Formula’s - http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/cat_welln...

By Nature Organics - http://www.bynaturepetfoods.com/productp...

Organix -  http://www.castorpolluxpet.com/store/org...

Evanger's Holistic Pheasant - http://www.evangersdogfood.com/cat/20089...

Evanger's Organic Braised Chicken - http://www.evangersdogfood.com/cat/50103...

Evanger's Turkey & Butternut Squash - http://www.evangersdogfood.com/cat/50111...

Answer 4

The reason why there is a better quality food compared to IAMS are the meat source and ingredients used. Nutrition wise, all cat food has to adhere strictly to the AAFCO guidelines - therefore, it needs to be complete and balance for the sustenance of the cat. IAMS uses inferior meat source and cheap filler - less digestibility and because of that it is not recommended. Adding nutrition supplements to the food alone will not counter balance the inferiority of the food and is not advisable at all. Rather than using such unconventional and potentially hazardous method, it is better to just go ahead and feed a more appropriate brand of food that can guarantee your kitten's health.

Answer 5

How about feeding pieces of raw beef and raw boneless skinless chicken b*****s every other day. Don't feed anything ground though. There was one week where I couldn't get to a pet feed store so I bought a can of friskies and mixed in raw meat to make it healthier.

Answer 6

I've had six kits over the ears and fed them all Purina Kitten chow.  My vet has always commented on how healthy my cats have been.  I feed the kitten chow at least through the first six months.  

Answer 7

supplements are not recommended because you can't just throw a bunch of them together in a bowl and call it good. High quality premium food costs a lot for a reason. It is made with human-grade ingredients and is balanced and nutritionally complete. Paying the cost of the good food now will save you tons of money in vet bills later, seriously. Try to avoid foods with grains in them such as corn or wheat. Cats should not be eating so much carbs. It is unnatural for them. I recommend Natural Balance Green Pea & Duck formula. Grain free = problem free.

you can go ahead and feed your cat low quality food made by Iams and Friskies and Purina but from my 4 years experience as a veterinary tech and a pre-veterinary student I would say that feeding your cat these foods is equivalent to feeding your kids mcdonalds every day. it is junk food for them! yes, your cat can live on junk food but compared to a cat who is eating premium? no chance. take a look at the labels on Purina/Friskies/Iams bags. check out the high corn/wheat/rice content.. and what is the primary meat source listed? chicken BY-PRODUCTS? chicken LIVERS? chicken BROTH? it should be chicken(or other meat). PERIOD.