Switching to Evo

okironokiron
edited January 2008 in General


Ok, this is related to my cats, but I figure I could ask you guys as well (and my cat forum doesn't seem to know)


Starting 3 days ago I am switching my cats from Purina Indoor Formula to Evo. My friend who is currently switching her cats from Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul to Evo is getting all sorts of upset tummies so I'm taking it uber slow. Right now they're at one part Evo, 5 parts Purina (estimately). I only refill the food bowl once a day so when it's fine to refill, I have all three attacking each other to eat first. Yesterday only 2 nibbled on it at first (though the bowl was empty by tonight) and today..no one's touched it and I refilled it 30 minutes ago. No upset tummies so far and everything else is normal. I know it's supposed to fill them up faster because there's less fillers but should it make this drastic of a difference? Like I said, the food bowl is empty by the next day so it's not like they're being picky and not eating it.

Comments

  • RomiRomi
    edited November -1


    Do all 3 of your cats eat out of 1 food bowl?  It may be that since you leave the food out all day, they choose to eat whenever since its always available.  As long as the food is being eaten and gone by the next day, I think it should be fine...But if they are all eating out of one bowl that is left out all the time..its kind of hard to tell who is eating and who is not(if there is a cat who isn't eating). 


     For my dogs, I feed them once in the morning and once at night.  If they don't eat their food or walk away and start playing I take the food away and don't give them any until the next feeding time.  Then they know that they have to eat or they'll have to wait until the next feeding.  I used to leave food out for Portia all day because she would rarely eat.  But ever since I got Ninja and switched to Orijen, I made a feeding schedule and now they both devour their food everytime they see it.  Im not sure if cats are the same though..

  • okironokiron
    edited January 2008
    Yup, all three have one bowl. Yeah, they'll eat throughout the day but I'm so used to running at me while I'm refilling their bowl every single day (Dahmer for almost 2 years, Kayden for almost a year and Sassy for a month now) that I do find it odd when it stops suddenly with all three cats at the same time when I just changed their cat food to something richer than their usual. Dahmer and Kayden are used to me switching to other low grade cat food so it's not like their surprised by it.
  • kwyldkwyld
    edited November -1
    I would use 3 separate bowls for each kitty just to make it easier on them and less stressful, they can each eat without worrying about the other one eating all the food and attacking each other.  I would feed your kitties at scheduled feeding times like Romi said(2 times per day is fine), so they don't become overweight.  I had 2 perfectly healthy cats and fed them 2 times per day, 1/4 cup at each feeding time.  That's really good that they aren't getting upset tummies, sounds like they are adjusting to the food just fine, they might just be stressed about going to the bowl because they don't want to end up in a fight over it.   
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1


    To be honest. When I switched my cats (4 of em) from Organix to Orijen. I started the transition slow until I realized that they were eating the Orijen and leaving the other kibble. I also feed them in one bowl and leave it out.


    After I realized that I just switched completely. Only my 15 year old cat had any indigestion, but it didn't slow him down. He was just a bit squishy.


    We all know cats can be weird. Try switching to 3 parts old food and 1 part new and see what they are doing.


    If they haven't fought at the bowl before, I highly doubt they will start now. Cat are like people, they get uncomfortable around change. 

  • okironokiron
    edited November -1


    Kelly - My cats have a tendency to be underweight so no worries there. They're too active to gain any serious weight even though they get free fed. But like I said, I only refill once a day so once it's gone, you gotta wait till the next day. It's not really stressful for them and if waiting 5 minutes is the most stressful thing in their lives, then they got it pretty good. And that still doesn't make sense because why would they start stressing over it now though it was good for months? Oh and when I say fighting I don't mean any hissing or swiping claws, just pushing each other out of the way and climbing over each other.


    Jessica - I'll try that.


    Well I woke up to the bowl empty so it's not like they completely hate the food. 


     

  • kwyldkwyld
    edited November -1
    Rina-I was saying as a general idea to feed them seperately because I thought it might help, I thought when you said attacking each other, you meant they were really fighting! I aquired a cat a long time ago as an adult rescue, and he was 25 pounds! It was so ridiculous, and I had to put him on a strict feeding schedule, and if I would have free fed him, who knows how much larger he could have gotten. But I understand not all kitties are the same, and that's good that yours don't overeat
  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    Sorry Kelly I do have a tendency to overexaggerate. I'll try to separate bowls though. Maybe it'll work :) I'll do it tonight and let you know how it goes. Dahmer is turning 2 in April and he's about 9lbs. Kayden and Sassy aren't fully grown yet so can't tell ya much but they're all skinnier than Dahmer.
  • RomiRomi
    edited November -1
    Rina - if you're really worried your kitties aren't eating well...I think you should make a schedule so you can monitor them.  But again, since the bowl is empty every morning...I think they are fine...Let us know how it goes!
  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    Well sorry for the lack of update, forgot about this thread lol. I've come to the conclusion that my cats just doesn't seem to like Evo much. Now to look for another grain-free that they would hopefully like. Any suggestions?
  • HeidiHeidi
    edited November -1
    Well, I'm all about the Orijen personally!
  • RomiRomi
    edited February 2008
    Orijen +1 !!! Although my dogs get very stinky farts from it. I stopped mixing canned with their food, so hopefully that will help! And I still need to pick up some probiotics.  I can see a significant difference in Portia's fur.  Its so shiny and soft now.  And they both love it.
  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    O.O I looked up Orijen before looking at your comments guys and please tell me the website was lying. $41 for a 15lbs bag??? And the closest store is in El Segundo. Where do you 2 buy yours and for how much? (Yeah, I figure the dog and cat foods will vary in price but hey I love estimates) I'd be willing to try it out though.
  • RomiRomi
    edited February 2008
    www.k9cuisine.com . They offer free shipping for orders that are 50.00+. The food is pricey, but it is definately worth it! I came to conclusion that you can't be very picky with pricing when it comes to your animals. Like anything else, you get what you pay for. And Orijen is definately worth it! You will notice the difference once you switch. I spend about 200.00 for Portia and Ninja for food, which lasts about 2 months. I think Jessica put me in my place when I was looking for a new vet because I thought my old vet was charging me way too much. But when it comes to your loved one's, money shouldn't be an issue regarding their health. They deserve the best of the best.
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1


    According to my husband, putting people in their place, is a skill I have mastered.


    But it is ALWAYS out of love (when it comes to animals.) 

  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1


    $41 one for 15lbs of Orijen cat food is about right.  That's what I pay at my local pet food supplier.  It's worth it.  They will eat LESS on Orijen (and other high quality foods) than they do on cheap foods loaded with filler.


    Romi it must be all the canned food that you buy that gets your expenses way up there.  Or treats?  Jesus can treats be expensive.

  • okironokiron
    edited November -1


    Well according to my cat forum, "if they're eating the Purina, keep them on the Purina" is basically what I got told. That would defeat the purpose of me trying to switch them to better quality food.


    Is Orijen considered richer than Evo? What makes Orijen better than the other grain free food? 

  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1


    Why would you keep your cat on a shitty food if you can change it for the better?  That makes no sense at all.  I kept my cat on purina for too long and it nearly killed him with UTIs.


    I wouldn't say that Orijen is better than EVO, it's just what I use.  I haven't tried EVO with my cats.  Orijen is just slightly more expensive, probably because it's imported from Canada, and they might have higher manufacturing costs or ingredient costs.

  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1


    I dont know about richer, as I have not tried the EVO.


    The difference in my cats coat and energy levels when I switched them to Orijen.


    And sounds like you need a different cat forum if that is the kind of advice they give. Thats awful! 

  • MommyofNikoMommyofNiko
    edited November -1


    Let them eat cake....


    I have NO idea where that came from.


    hmmm....I think I am working too much.... 

  • HeidiHeidi
    edited November -1
    They don't eat very much Orijen.  My cats each 1/4 cup each per day.  It makes a huge difference.  They are shinier, cleaner, shed less, less stinky, their litter box is less stinky... it's just all around better.
  • RomiRomi
    edited February 2008


    Brandon, LOL.  Well I spend about 140.00 on the Orien Kibble for both(Adult for Portia, Puppy for Ninja).  And the canned was around 25-30 dollars.  And then I bought the rest are treats and bones ;)


     

  • okironokiron
    edited November -1


    Rachael my cats would love cake, don't think it'll be wise to have cats in tube and ball forms though.


    I guess I'll try Orijen then if I could figure out how to get it without going into LA. (Romi's site only has the dog food) 

  • RomiRomi
    edited November -1


    K9Cuisine has cat food...here you go buddy


    http://www.k9cuisine.com/p-148-orijen-cat-food.aspx    Laughing

  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    What?!?!?! I searched high and low on that site lmao. Thanks Romi :)
  • RomiRomi
    edited November -1
    hehe np, this is what we're here for. Tongue out
  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    Well I tried out Taste of the Wild. Oh me gee they went nuts for it. Tore the bag apart trying to get to the food. Cheaper than Evo and still grain free.
Sign In or Register to comment.

© Vanilla Keystone Theme 2024