Just wanted to post about my gratitude

[Grateful for Hope]

I have posted about my boys (Spidey and Jake) here several times when I was in distress about what to do for Spidey, in particular. Just wanted to post an update and to express gratitude for this group, and for the companies that manufacture and sell healthy food for animals.

I don't have any recent pics (mostly because my life has had some rude shocks in the last month, and I haven't taken the time to take those pics).

However, the weekend before this last one, I happened to really look at Spidey, and, I couldn't believe what I saw. His fur is a shiny black (he has lost the "red" fur along his sides that was very dull), and, he has lost a lot of the dead-looking long side facial fur that was hiding his (I must say) very majestic facial bone structure.

Jake has always been shiny, and, I would feel badly when I would see the two of them together because
Spidey always looked very dull in comparison. Now, if anything, Jake is less so, largely because his fur is coarse, and Spidey's is very fine.

Since the early Jan. incident with Spidey (he needed an antibiotic because he was so nasally congested, and he wasn't eating), he has not been sick again.

I chalk most of this good news up to the fact that I have been feeding both boys premium grade food (mostly Innova Evo for Spidey as he is a kibbles kind of guy), and a mix of the Innova and raw food for Jake.

I chalk the rest up to this group because I have gotten such wonderful advice here.

Thank you all very much. I now have two very healthy, playful, and shiny boys, and I can't begin to tell all of you how very happy this makes me (their very human "mom").

:hug:

[roguevalley]

1. you are welcome. your babies must be extra beautiful now. Hug

them for me. :)

[Grateful for Hope]

3. I already did!

Thank you!!

[Lorien]

2. I'm so glad to hear that they are both doing so well

I watched the same happen with my kitty Miro when my cat sitter brought me a flyer from the Animal Protection League that told me about the difference between "human grade" and "pet grade" meats. Here I had been feeding Miro what I thought was the "best" out there; Science Diet and Iams (sometimes Kirkland signature), yet his coat was dull, he was sluggish and overweight, and he vomited regularly. Now he's on an all USDA human grade diet (mostly Innova Evo canned, as it doesn't contain grains) and has been now for three years. He seems like a much younger and healthier cat! Sleek soft black and bright white fur, bright eyes and expression, and he'll play for hours with his pom poms or Oberon and Puck.He went from 24 pounds to 14 1/2 pounds-nearly lost half of himself! He very rarely throws up-just the occasional hairball. He developed a fatty tumor on his back when he was on the pet grade food, and it hasn't grown at all since making the switch. At 17 he shows no sign of slowing down!

Jake and Spidey are much younger cats, and you've given them a terrific start. Given that they've got good genetics too, there's no doubt they'll be just as frisky as Miro at 17-and beyond! :toast:

[Grateful for Hope]

4. Miro sounds amazing for a 17-year-old cat!

It must really be true that nutrition can make such a difference -- and, I wonder if we will begin to see cats living far longer than their teens with the proper nutrition.

Sounds like Miro will, for sure!!

[Lorien]

5. The pet supply shop where I did my adoptions only sells

human grade and organic pet food. Many of their customers had cats in their 20's! I would have someone cooing over a kitten who would then say "Oh, I would love to take her home, but I don't think my 26 year old calico would like that very much-she's kind of set in her ways". The oldest one I heard of died when he was 28! Since the really good foods have only been on the market a short while, one can only speculate as to how they'll effect our kitty's longevity.

Oh, and throughout most of Miro's life every vet he saw said that he would be lucky if he made it to ten because weight has always been an issue for him. Guess he's proven them wrong, and then some!

[Eurobabe]

6. Innova is great stuff, glad your boyz are better

The Daemon can't eat it though, he barfs. Heck he even barfs kibble sometimes. Another good food, if you can find it is the new Newman's Own for cats, it too is human grade organic chicken and turkey, the guyz love it!

[BrklynLiberal]

7. It is wonderful to hear such great news about your babies.

Just one more wonderful thing about DU!!!
I also use Premium Food, Wellness and Merrick, for my furbabies(4 cats and a German Shepherd right now).
When I had a GSD with Degenerative Myelopathy I did home cooking for him and had him on a vegetarian diet.
I have found that a good diet does help to keep them with us longer since it keeps them healthy and happy, and it sure keeps me happy to have them with me for a long time.

Please post pics when you can.