Wet Cat Food: Canned vs Pouches vs Trays

AMO

Hi all,

I have noticed when buying cat food that canned cat food seems to be better value.

An average tray is about 25p-55p depending on brand.
Pouches are about £3-£5 for a box of 12 (25p-45p) so slightly cheaper on average.
However, tins are about 75p for a Whiskers Supermeat which lasts more than 3 meals.

Our cat seems to know if the food is from a tin and doesn't seem to be as enthusiatic as eating it.

What's the difference between tin and trayed food and why is the quantity so vastly different?

Thanks.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

My kitty never liked tinned food.

My theories were: maybe the trays & pouches taste nicer & are fresher. Also, I wondered whether she could taste the metallic taste of the tin.

VoucherMan

My two have always had Whiskas tins. It's what they were on when I got them from the rescue & I've never changed.

I've always thought of pouches as a convenience product for those who don't like having a part used tin hanging around. An idea which has been thoroughly exploited by manufacturers. And as with all convenience foods you pay a premium for the privilege.

catkins

When I had 2 cats I fed them on pouches but now I have 4 it works out expensive. I have tried feeding them tinned and my latest two cats' previous owners said they ate tins but they either leave it all or eat a tiny bit and leave the rest. I have been throwing so much in the bin and feel sorry for them as they must be hungry (yes I know I am being a big softie).

I have tried all makes of tinned - Whiskas, Tesco, Sainsbury, Waitrose, Felix, etc but it makes no difference. I have had to go back to pouches but it is costing me a fortune.

Also I find most supermarkets or pet shops have only a very small range of tinned food now and loads of boxes of pouches

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I preferred feeding my cat food that was in trays or pouches. The food was fresher & I could alter the flavour for her.

It didn't work out more expensive than tins because I was forever throwing out tinned food because she refused to eat it.

gunsandbanjos

Can I throw tetra paks into the equation? I use Bozita and find them very good, keeps the food fresh and no metallic taste.

AMO

Yes, with our kitten originally it was fed Royal Canine dry food which it ate. Then we also started feeding it pouches (Whiskers) which it liked. Then we tried trays which it seemed to prefer even more.

We then saw the Whiskers Kitten tins (half height) at ASDA (50p) - about twice the quantity of a tray. However, it stinks. We fed it to the kitten but he wouldn't eat it unless there was nothing else to eat. So we went back to pouches and trays.

Now about 3-4 months later, walking in Pets At Home I saw the Whiskers Supermeat Rabbit tin (full height, about 80p). I thought why not give it a go.

Well, the kitten likes it more than the Whiskers Kitten tin, but still nowhere near as much as pouches and trays.

What we've also found is that the kitten likes terrine. If its gravy or jelly, he just licks the gravy or jelly and then leaves the meat - very odd - I assume most of the flavour is in the jelly or gravy.

So terrine type of food is his favourite. These mainly come in trays but Sheba's seams to have released pouches with terrine so we're going to try that.

Looking at the Whiskers tinned food (supermeat) a second and third time (as the tin can cover many meals) the meat doesn't look as good as what comes in the trays and pouches. It's kind of mashed but with bits of veg (or some bits of green stuff and with a small amout of water)

Whilst tins are very good value, I think I'm going to give up on them.

Thanks all.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Problem is tinned food isn't good value if the kitties won't eat it. You end up throwing more away, which in the long run is quite costly.

In my experience of owning a cat, they can be quite fussy. My old kittie liked a choice of flavours and brands, so I used to buy a wide range of brands and flavours.

RachRubyD

My cat won't eat tins at all. Tried to give her butchers tins and had to throw them all away. Tried given her hi-life wet in chicken won't eat it. She just wants whiskers tuna or chicken. Or felix as good as it gets. She just wants rubbish food and starved her for a day and still won't eat hi-life. Had to cook chicken thighs in the end to shut her up. Just going out my mind trying to find a wet food thats decent and she likes.

Think pouches suits most people and cats. Prefer wet over dry though.

UKTigerlily

Nature's Menu pouches are very good, 12 x 100g per box for around £6 but 70% meat, mine loves them but hates Hi Life & Classic

UKTigerlily

Does anybody know if P@H have stopped their Purely Senior wet? I only see dry now