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I have noticed the latest bag I emptied into the food storage jar contains about 1 rogue "X" shaped kibble per cup of the normal round shape. For anyone concerned besides myself, I just spoke to customer service, and they were testing some other shapes out recently to see if cats would like the new shapes, and some got mixed in. She said it's the same formula and they've had other similar calls about this. Not to worry I guess....
Last edited by itscolduphere; 10-09-2009 at 03:37 PM..
Reason: Received answer from company
In gen Kibble is bad for cats. I'd only feed it as a treat, on a budget in major life transition such as moving, or if you are leaving out of town for days on end and have no one to feed the cats.
Over a period of years/months free feeding Kibble/dry food. can lead to.
Dental disease
Obesity
Dehydration
Kidney failure/stones
Feline Diebeties
UTI's
Lifelong fixsation (all they'll ever eat)
premature death from these stated above issues.
While your dry is vastly better then most brands it still will cause dehydration and dental problems.
Some of us use a combination. My neutered male gets Wellness grain-free canned (mixed with a tablespoon of water) as his primary source of nutrition, 2/3 of a can total per day. And I leave him a tiny quantity, less than 1/8 cup, of the Nature's Variety grain-free dry kibble when I go to bed, because otherwise he awakens me at 2:00 a.m. to tell me that he's starving. Seems to me to be a reasonable compromise; he loves them both, is at the ideal weight according to his vet, and has no urinary problems. And I get to sleep through the night.
To the OP, thanks very much for the heads-up about the new shapes that appeared in the bag you bought. I'll be due to buy another bag myself in another month or so, and I'd have been just as disconcerted as you were by the X shapes mixed among the little pellets.
I just spoke to customer service, and they were testing some other shapes out recently to see if cats would like the new shapes, and some got mixed in. She said it's the same formula and they've had other similar calls about this. Not to worry I guess....
Have to be honest: I'd worry and do more research, ideally from unbiased sources. That she told you that they did it to see if "cats would like the new shapes" makes me wonder what tree she fell out of yesterday.
Cats are attracted by (pungent) smell, which is what entices them in the first place. The shapes and colors are there to appeal to us humans. That lady, IMO, nuts to tell you that.
My cat was fostered since 4 days old and we got her from the shelter, and has eaten kibble all her life. We tried wet and she will not eat it. We also live in NC and have had repeated fire ant problems, so I am reluctant to leave wet out where ants will smell it. I brush her teeth, which are fine per last vet visit. She also drinks and loves plenty of fresh water. I appreciate the concern from the above poster. Taking good care of her... I'm proud to be ASPCA Founders society member, WWF Partners in Conservation member, and NAVS Life Partner member...
:-)
If I keep seeing the X shapes in future bags I will pick them out until I can find a different acceptable grain-free kibble.
Last edited by itscolduphere; 10-10-2009 at 04:06 PM..
Have to be honest: I'd worry and do more research, ideally from unbiased sources. That she told you that they did it to see if "cats would like the new shapes" makes me wonder what tree she fell out of yesterday.
Cats are attracted by (pungent) smell, which is what entices them in the first place. The shapes and colors are there to appeal to us humans. That lady, IMO, nuts to tell you that.
I'm agreeing with this. . .it's my understanding that felines can't see things well at all, up close, and that they go by small and also touch with their whiskers.
Lol, I think there was a marketing thing going on all right, but being tested where the cat owners.
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