Pets at home purely food/dry only diet

Stefficook

Hi all, I know this thread has turned slightly to water bowls etc, but just read through and wanted to mention something which I think is important when considering pet food.
We got two gorgeous kitties last may, and as we were preparing for them we went shopping for food - my partner suggested Iams as we saw it on offer somewhere, but I refused because I've seen so much publicity on their awful animal testing. He didn't believe me so when we got home I went on tinterweb to show him, and found that not only were Iams involved in awful unnecessary animal testing, but also lots of other pet food manufacturers.

I went on a hunt to find food that was free from animal testing, and had a massive challenge on my hands!! When we got the kitties and went to the vet, they recommended Hills Science Plan, which we initially used, but then found out that they use horrendous tests on animals, so started my search again!!
Our kitties are on a mostly dry diet and drink lots of water (mostly out of our glasses!) and have wet food as a treat most evenings. THe only food i've found so far that isn't tested on animals (in an unnecesary way) and has a high meat/fish content, is Burns natural food.
The dry food has a very high meat content and little fillers (which can cause lots of horrid things) and the wet food is a minimum 85% fish - it usually smells just like pure salmon!

I know people on here obviously want value for money - as do i - and burns is not the cheapest food, but for the quality it's great value, as the animal gets the nutrients they need,so don't have to eat as much as they would of a cheaper food. We buy a 2.5kg bag at about £17 and it lasts us three weeks between two cats, witha bit of wet food too at about 70p a pouch.

Just wanted to let everyone know that some of these companies aren't all they seem, and animal welfare comes second to profit. I have no idea about the pets at home one, but they do sell products which have animal tests that are well known. Google something like "boycott Iams" and it will all come up on the search.

thanks

Stefficook

Oh and the other thing i meant to say!! When I refer to "meat/fish" content, that's pure fish or meat, not animal derivatives, which a lot of them say maybe 60% meat or meat derivatives. That's not meat, it's bits of 'meat' that are left over (chicken feet etc...) but not pure meat. Again not to put a downer on a bargain, but i'd say you usualy get what you pay for, if it's super cheap, the ingredients may not be all they seem. I understand some people can't afford to buy stuff that is expensive for the sake of more meat, but for those who want to get the best they can for their pets, I just wanted to point it out.

Rev

Stefficook wrote: »

Oh and the other thing i meant to say!! When I refer to "meat/fish" content, that's pure fish or meat, not animal derivatives, which a lot of them say maybe 60% meat or meat derivatives. That's not meat, it's bits of 'meat' that are left over (chicken feet etc...) but not pure meat. Again not to put a downer on a bargain, but i'd say you usualy get what you pay for, if it's super cheap, the ingredients may not be all they seem. I understand some people can't afford to buy stuff that is expensive for the sake of more meat, but for those who want to get the best they can for their pets, I just wanted to point it out.

This thing is, a lot of people couldn't care less if it's tested on animals, or if it's full of crap. Since becoming more knowledgeable about pet nutrition I'm astounded at the amount of people I talk to about it who say things like 'it's just a cat/dog' or 'well, it's cheap, I'm not paying more just to feed a cat/dog'.

A huge amount of people just don't care.

There are a few companies that don't test on animals, here's a list a found on uncaged.

Arden Grange

Burns

Europa Pet Foods Ltd
(Brands: Europa - please note: this is NOT Europa supermarkets)

Naturediet

Pero Foods Ltd

Trophy Pet Food

I don't rate burns personally, but I'm a big fan of Arden Grange,AG is usually a little cheaper and has much less rice, burns is usually about 60% rice, on the majority of their foods the first listen ingredient is rice.

Here's a small list of foods that are tested on animals, I imagine a huge amount of people use these, and even after learning how awful the food is and how it's tested on animals, they will continue to use them.

IAMS / Eukanuba owned by Procter & Gamble
Hills Science Diet owned by Colgate Palmolive

The majority of pet food brands available in the UK are produced by two animal testing companies - "Nestl! Purina/Friskies" and "Pedigree, Masterfoods (Mars Inc)."

Nestl! Purina/Friskies:
Alpo, Bonio, Felix, Go Cat, Gourmet,
Omega Complete, Proplan, Spillers, Vital Balance, Winalot.

Pedigree, Masterfoods (Mars Inc):
Bounce, Cesar, Chappie, Frolic, James Wellbeloved, Katkins,Kitekat, Pal, Pedigree Chum, Royal Canin, Sheba,
Techni-cal (US & Canada), Whiskas.
Pedigree also manufacture Thomas rabbit food and Trill bird food.

There are alternatives to animal tested food that are easily available, sad fact is, a lot of people just can't be bothered.

Apricot

I am totally against animal testing and it amazes me how ignorant some people are when it comes to these issues.
I personally don't rate Burns either - I prefer to spend a little more and feed my two Orijen (who don't test unecessarily on animals) which costs me roughly £30 per month for two cats. It's not the most MSE cat food but my two have never looked healthier and their poo doesn't stink anymore which is a big bonus when you live in a small flat!

Rev

princessleah_ wrote: »

I am totally against animal testing and it amazes me how ignorant some people are when it comes to these issues.
I personally don't rate Burns either - I prefer to spend a little more and feed my two Orijen (who don't test unecessarily on animals) which costs me roughly £30 per month for two cats. It's not the most MSE cat food but my two have never looked healthier and their poo doesn't stink anymore which is a big bonus when you live in a small flat!

Me too. Sadly my two turned their nose up at Orijen, they wolfed Applaws, but then a few issues with their dry food popped up so I stopped feeding it.

I think a lot of people look at the price per bag and say it's too expensive, but given the quality of Orijen, and the feeding amounts, it works out pennies more per day than the god awful crap like felix, whiskas etc.

Trying to get them onto a full raw diet but they just look at me like I'm an alien whenever I put it down lol.

missmontana

wow, I never knew about animal testing... I've just ordered a free sample from the Trophy Pet food site for the cats. Been using Hills Science seeing as the vets recommend it. Might have to change that now!
Where's the best place to buy Orijen?

mem_2

Pets At Home Purely is currently on special offer online only. I bought two 2kg boxes for a tenner (saving of £5.49). I go through Topcashback too and get 5% cash back.

ka7e

mem wrote: »

Pets At Home Purely is currently on special offer online only. I bought two 2kg boxes for a tenner (saving of £5.49). I go through Topcashback too and get 5% cash back.

5% off Quidco too! And it takes it off the full amount before discount is added

10% off orders over £59

And free P&P if your order is over £29

Rev

missmontana wrote: »

wow, I never knew about animal testing... I've just ordered a free sample from the Trophy Pet food site for the cats. Been using Hills Science seeing as the vets recommend it. Might have to change that now!
Where's the best place to buy Orijen?

Vets recommend whatever food they're getting a kick back for selling. They know very little about nutrition unless it's an area they've specialised it.

I used to get Orijen from K9Capers or berriewoods. I've never seen it on offer though.

calmspirit

thanks everyone for their input on this thread!

I picked up a small bag of Hills (on offer) for mickey to try but he still prefers the Pets at home Purely....thats fine with me!

I am not sure how you are suposed to work out which foods have 'proper' meat and which have reclaimed? meat......they are not going to advertise that are they? But at the end of the day, and as much as I am against animal testing, I dont know who actually makes the pets at home food?

Just about to order a water fountain from ebay but worried about the noise it might make......he is a bit of a scaredy cat!

thanks again for all the input on this subject!