I just read this today...

A spokesman for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry said Australia required all dry and semi-dried pet food to be either heat-treated or irradiated and Orijen was just one of a number of pet food manufacturers that exported to Australia.

"No other manufacturer has reported any similar issues," he said.

The Sydney cat neurologist who first identified the link between the pet food and the outbreak of illness in the local cat population, Dr Georgina Child, was sceptical of the company's claims.

"There is nothing to suggest any of the cats I have seen are vitamin A deficient … and while all the cats have eaten Orijen, most have also eaten a variety of other foods," she said.

The study quoted by the company was based on the findings of just eight cats and concluded that further research was required to support any link between vitamin A depletion, irradiation and neurological illness, Dr Child said.


http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/cat-food-firm-blames-deaths-on-quarantine-controls/2008/11/27/1227491735559.html

I don't know if it bothers you or not, but one product is manufactured by Menu Foods. I'm thinking it's the canned cat food.

["It is totally illegal for any dog food company to use rendered materials in their products."]

Toni's statement "It is totally illegal for any dog food company to use rendered materials in their products." still bothers me. We all know it's not illegal.

Cindy said "maybe she means that since their stuff is human-grade and USDA and all...that it's illegal for them". But, Toni doesn't seem to be talking just in reference to Merrick because she states "any dog food company".

I would like to find a wet food for my cats but, that just bothers me. I guess I'm too paranoid these days!

eternaljester81,

I asked my hubby about the cats and he said they seem to be going about the same amount. But....my husband, is not the type to pay much attention to that. To him it's just something he does as a regular chore. I wouldn't take his statement as gospel. My cats aren't eating as much as they used to, so I question if they are going as much. They must be eating enough to be satisfied. If they weren't, my female would let me know for sure. She's very vocal if she's hungry!

Another little report on the KumpiKat... I sat the bowl up on a counter today because my daughter had her dog over to visit. After they left, I noticed my male cat standing at the counter s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g his body as far as he could, and reaching with his paw for something on the counter. I wondered what in the world he was trying to get to. Then I realized, he was trying to get his food! I had forgotten I put it up there. I took that as a good sign. He was working very hard to get to his KumpiKat!

Sorry to hear your cats are giving you a hard time about the Honest Kitchen. Don't give up, we all know what they walk away from one day they may happily eat another day. Mine were snobby about the baby food, but I decided to try it again this morning. The male walked away and the female ate both of their plates. Tomorrow it may be the other way around. They drive me crazy sometimes! They have me very well trained. I expect soon the other cats in the neighborhood may hire them to train their owners too.

eternaljester81

LOL! Luckily, I don't have to deal with that area of cat care, but I'll ask my hubby when he gets home and get back to you.

eternaljester81,

Did you get your food from The Honest Kitchen yet? If so, how did your cats like it and how did it look to you? I am still looking for something wet to give mine as a treat. I tried baby food early in the recall. They only took a taste of it and turned up their noses. Next I tried Halo and Spot's Stew. They really didn't care for those. Neither would even taste it. I did go and read up on Prowl and I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on it. Also, are you having any better luck with your cats eating the KumpiKat?

Marsha

eternaljester81

I feel my cats are doing wonderful on it. They had been on Nutro (dry) for about a year. I changed them to Natural Balance Ultra and Venison & Green Pea (dry) when this recall all started. I noticed their fur was getting really nasty. I don't know which previous food it was, but it seemed like it was worse on the Natural Balance. They both were dull and dry looking, with a bad case of dandruff. They've only been on the KumpiKat for a week and already their fur is much nicer looking. I'm happy with it. I wish I could figure out a wet food to use also. They miss that. It was their morning treat. I'm reading up on the different brands and hope to settle on one soon. For right now I will keep them on the dry only.

eternaljester81

I have two cats that I started on KumpiKat about a week ago. I was worried at first because they just sniffed and walked away. I just held out and didn't give them any other food until they realized that this was their new food. They have been eating just fine ever since. It only took a few days for them to get back to normal with their eating habits. I didn't mix it with their old food or anything. I just switched them. There was no negative results from that at all. Good luck!