08-27-2009, 08:20 AM
Thanks guys, I read all your tips carefully and appreciate them. Sorry everyone for taking the topic OT to cat food. Although in truth I spend a significant amount of money on cat groceries, and the prices matter.
macuu, Petco sounds great, but I only get to Kona once or twice a year and then I have five times the things I want to do in the limited time. It costs me some 40-50 bucks in gas to drive over, so I'd have to buy a lot of cat food to make any savings. Maybe one will open over here someday. Sigh. Meanwhile, it's on the list for my next Kona trip, whenever that might be. (I do go to the west side, but I am so busy trying to see friends and family in North and South Kohala, that I don't have time to add a run to Kona.)
FYI, the Walmart brands I've had trouble with are the Sheba - which sells really cheap there - and the FF Elegant Medley (but on that they mostly sell primavera, which is my cats' last choice). I know about date codes and I checked the rejected food and the date was good for a year. Yet the cats wouldn't even try a bite.
Have had no trouble with the Safeway offerings, but will begin checking dates there. The few flavors of FF my cats like are generally nearly sold out. Perhaps the odd flavors hang out on the shelf too long.
My stupid cats don't like any of the brands sold at vets shops or Stacey's pets, or Island Naturals. They like the greens added healthy varieties of regular store brands. Purina Healthful life, Purina Naturals, and Fancy Feast Gourmet Gold (ocean flavors only). I buy small bags, one pound or 3 pound at most, because they don't like stale kibble. I am religious about pushing the air out and rolling and clipping the bag shut because the kibble stays fresh longer. I prefer the bags over jars because a jar will have air whereas I can roll the bag tight. I haven't had any bugs that I know of.
My calico is the one who insists on wet food. My husband spoiled her from kittenhood with fresh poke ... sigh. I can't afford that. Although, if it's on sale, it's more bang for the buck by weight than high end cat food, and makes a great treat (getting the previously frozen ahi with no shoyu or seasonings). Anyway, I am lucky that the one that craves wet food has a cast iron stomach (also eats rats), and is not very picky compared to mama cat who mostly likes kibble.
Because that cat is not picky, I know there is something off with the cat food I got at Walmart because she sniffed and bolted out the door and refused to touch it even when she didn't eat all day (she loves to eat). So ... I save money on the can but have to throw it all out 50% of the time, so I think I'm done!
As it wasn't the date, and the packaging wasn't visibly punctured, and the food didn't smell spoiled, I am stumped why the same flavor is acceptable from KTA or Safeway or Foodland.
btw, the KTA downtown has way better prices on the wet food than Safeway, and sometimes I stop there. I won't go in the KTA Puainako, hate the speed bumps and crowds. Foodland is excellent but I rarely have time to stop there leaving Kohala, usually trying to get home before dark. (Makes mental note to budget some time).
macuu, Petco sounds great, but I only get to Kona once or twice a year and then I have five times the things I want to do in the limited time. It costs me some 40-50 bucks in gas to drive over, so I'd have to buy a lot of cat food to make any savings. Maybe one will open over here someday. Sigh. Meanwhile, it's on the list for my next Kona trip, whenever that might be. (I do go to the west side, but I am so busy trying to see friends and family in North and South Kohala, that I don't have time to add a run to Kona.)
FYI, the Walmart brands I've had trouble with are the Sheba - which sells really cheap there - and the FF Elegant Medley (but on that they mostly sell primavera, which is my cats' last choice). I know about date codes and I checked the rejected food and the date was good for a year. Yet the cats wouldn't even try a bite.
Have had no trouble with the Safeway offerings, but will begin checking dates there. The few flavors of FF my cats like are generally nearly sold out. Perhaps the odd flavors hang out on the shelf too long.
My stupid cats don't like any of the brands sold at vets shops or Stacey's pets, or Island Naturals. They like the greens added healthy varieties of regular store brands. Purina Healthful life, Purina Naturals, and Fancy Feast Gourmet Gold (ocean flavors only). I buy small bags, one pound or 3 pound at most, because they don't like stale kibble. I am religious about pushing the air out and rolling and clipping the bag shut because the kibble stays fresh longer. I prefer the bags over jars because a jar will have air whereas I can roll the bag tight. I haven't had any bugs that I know of.
My calico is the one who insists on wet food. My husband spoiled her from kittenhood with fresh poke ... sigh. I can't afford that. Although, if it's on sale, it's more bang for the buck by weight than high end cat food, and makes a great treat (getting the previously frozen ahi with no shoyu or seasonings). Anyway, I am lucky that the one that craves wet food has a cast iron stomach (also eats rats), and is not very picky compared to mama cat who mostly likes kibble.
Because that cat is not picky, I know there is something off with the cat food I got at Walmart because she sniffed and bolted out the door and refused to touch it even when she didn't eat all day (she loves to eat). So ... I save money on the can but have to throw it all out 50% of the time, so I think I'm done!
As it wasn't the date, and the packaging wasn't visibly punctured, and the food didn't smell spoiled, I am stumped why the same flavor is acceptable from KTA or Safeway or Foodland.
btw, the KTA downtown has way better prices on the wet food than Safeway, and sometimes I stop there. I won't go in the KTA Puainako, hate the speed bumps and crowds. Foodland is excellent but I rarely have time to stop there leaving Kohala, usually trying to get home before dark. (Makes mental note to budget some time).