Thoughts on Natural Instinct Raw Food

Fridaycat

Hello

I am seriously considering the purchase of some Natural Instinct raw cat food. The problem is that I don't live near where it is made and it is not (as far as I'm aware) sold in any of the shops / garden centres near me.

You can buy it online, but with the minimum order of 5kg plus delivery, the total cost will be £26.50.

I wouldn't mind this, but I have no idea whether or not any of my 5 cats will like it :eek: So it could potentially be quite a waste of money.

Knowing my cats, I think that my two Bengals will probably like it, and probably two of my three moggies, though I think my ginger boy will turn his nose up at it (he does for most wet food, but loves his dry *sigh*).

So - anyone got any feedback? What are your experiences of feeding this to your cats? Did they like it straight away or did you have to encourage them to eat it?

How much do you feed them at one time? I note they do two sizes, would the smaller one not be enough for 4 or 5 cats at one time? Should I go for the 1kg size?

Do you store unopened packs in the same freezer that you use for your food? How do you store opened packs if not fully used?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks in advance for any replies :T

paddypaws101

I use it and think it is a great product. Not all my cats will eat raw but the ones that do all like this. I store it in my regular freezer and opened tubs in the firidge. The product itself does not smell, and the end product ( poop! ) will be far less frequent and also NOT stinky. Expect poops every 2/3 days and to look almost constipated as there is no excess undigested food.
I like to use a tub up in 2 days, any more and they can tell it is not fresh...so it depends if all of yours would eat enough to finish the 1kg in this time. You need to feed less than wet food, they say 2-3% of body weight I think
I say give it a go...worst case scenario is that you have to offer it on Freecycle, but I doubt it will come to that.

Fridaycat

Thanks paddypaws When you say you like to use the tub up within a couple of days, is this the smaller or the larger tub? How many of your cats eat it?

Do you think instead of 5 x 1kg tubs, I should get 12 x 400g tubs (to make up the minimum order of 5kg) instead?

My Bengals do such smelly poos (the moggies don't), that I am hoping this will be of benefit :rotfl: They are not so bad now they're on the Grau Grain Free (they were on Felix when I first got them from the breeder) but you can still easily tell when they've "been"! And I have got a very bad sense of smell :rotfl:

Also, they are very susceptible to dodgy tummies and loose stools - raw should help with this as well, I believe?

paddypaws101

I would tend towards the smaller tubs for the first order, just my opinion. Should be great for dodgy tums too.

krlyr

Could you perhaps try them with some raw chicken from the supermarket first? I know cats can be a bit fussier/more selective but I was in a similar position with my dogs, the raw supplier had a minimum order and I didn't want to order a whole load (and buy a freezer to fit it) without knowing if they'd like it, so I tried them on various meats from supermarkets first.

Fridaycat

krlyr wrote: »

Could you perhaps try them with some raw chicken from the supermarket first? I know cats can be a bit fussier/more selective but I was in a similar position with my dogs, the raw supplier had a minimum order and I didn't want to order a whole load (and buy a freezer to fit it) without knowing if they'd like it, so I tried them on various meats from supermarkets first.

Good idea, krlyr. I think I will try this first.

paddypaws101

It IS a good idea....but many cats will eat one meat, yet not another....similarly one brand of raw but not others!

Fridaycat

paddypaws101 wrote: »

It IS a good idea....but many cats will eat one meat, yet not another....similarly one brand of raw but not others!

Ok, I have decided! I am going to Sainsbury's tomorrow anyway, so will get some raw chicken drumsticks or whatever, and I will also order some Natural Instinct as well.

I think I said on another thread that I spend far too much on my cats :rotfl:

paddypaws101

If you shop in sainsburys my lot all like their minced turkey thigh which is only £2, also the basic value beef mince which is £1.20.

Fridaycat

paddypaws101 wrote: »

If you shop in sainsburys my lot all like their minced turkey thigh which is only £2, also the basic value beef mince which is £1.20.

Thanks for the tips, paddypaws. I'll see what they've got when I go shopping

krlyr

I've heard that cats can be a bit iffy with bones so I'd maybe start off with mince or fillets