KumpiKat

[karatemom2]

Started my 19 yo cat on this dry kibble without problems so far.  Switched from Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Kitten kibble which has been the only dry food she would eat that agreed with her and kept her weight up.  She has been in slow renal failure for years, but has been stable.  She's my kitty that throws up very easily and gets loose stools very easily but she has not had any problems with the diet switch.  She is also eating Evangers canned (to supplement her diet and to get powdered potassium and cosequin supplements).  I would say that so far, it's been a good experience.

[Hattie]

Started my family of four boys on KumpiKat a week ago, starting second small bag.  Ages range from 10 mos to 15 yrs.  Switched from Hills c/d -- no transitioning.  No tummy troubles at all from anyone.  Everybody just loves it, they are so excited about their food now!  The oldest one really seems to like the small kibble, easier for him to eat.  The baby drags the bag around the house, tearing at it to get to the food-I need to buy a container.  All four are much perkier already, they are much more playful and eyes are brighter.  Even the oldest one's eyes have cleared some, I even found him up on the bed the other day -- it's been years since he did that.

This is so much better food than I was feeding them (I'm sorry boys, I didn't know better).  I really wasn't expecting to see any difference in such a short time, but I have.

Delivery and customer service are great.  I have a 20# bag coming in a couple days - I don't want to run out!

I'll try to keep this updated if I see other changes in my babies.  So far, a really good experience.

[jenny]

I had looked at this one -but the protein is too low and carbs too high.  Decided against it.

[karatemom2]

Jenny, could you explain more?  The crude protein in Kumpikat is listed at not less than 31% which is higher than alot of other dry kibble I've seen.  In my case, my senior cat was on kitten kibble (and canned) mainly for calories.  The protein content was actually too high for her kidneys, but her bowels wouldn't handle a higher carb load which would have technically been better for her.  So we had to compromise and listen to what her body wanted.  Better to keep her weight up and bowels happy.  She made it to age 19.  But I am curious as to your reasons about the protein vs. carbs in Kumpi vs. other kibble.  Thanks.

[jenny]

Hi - in your case with your cat having kidney issues, your cat would want to be on the lower protein food. However, from the reading i've been doing most experts seem to say that higher levels of protein are better.  My cats have been eating Royal Canine weight control - it has protein of 38.5 % (42.1 if you look convert to dry matter).  I had also tried their vet diabetic food to help my cats loose weight - it is at 44 % and 48 % if you look at dry matter.  However, due to my obvious concerns about corn gluten in these products I've been evaluating other products.  I've currently moved my cats to 50 % canned (Felidae, Wellness) because, as you mention, most kibble is in the 30's for protein.  There are a few exceptions - CORE, EVO - however, those are so high in calories that I can't put my cats on those either.   I've done reading from MANY sources and there really seems to be an overwhelming concensus that canned is better for cats health, but we frequenly choose dry for convenience sake.  There is a web page that does an excellent job of summarizing the research in this area:
http://www.maxshouse.com/feline_nutrition.htm

Here are a couple of others:
http://home.earthlink.net/~jacm2/id1.html
http://www.yourdiabeticcat.com/

[karatemom2]

Hi Jenny,

Thanks for your reply.  I found it informative.  My cat ate a combination of canned and dry.  She ate the healthiest in her later years as I became more educated in the differences in cat foods.  (She ate grocery store brands for the majority of her life, and she made it to 19 years!)  She surprised us, tolerating the higher protein despite the kidney issues, but like I said, any time we lowered the protein content, her bowels protested.  We had to work with her body.  She lasted a long time on that diet, and even when she passed, she hadn't lost much weight at the end.  I think keeping her weight up kept her healthy enough to stay with us longer.  If nothing else, I think this pet food poisoning crisis has made pet parents more aware of pet nutrition and pet food ingredients.  At least that's a good thing that has come out of this tragedy.

[Mary K]

Karatemom2, Did you just lose your 19 year old?

[karatemom2]

Yes, on April 16th.  But it was because of her age and health issues, not food related causes.  She was 19. 

[jenny]

karatemom2 - so sorry you lost your cat.  But sounds like she had a good life with people that took great care of her. 

As you said, you have to work with their bodies.  One of my three cats has pancreatitis and IBD - he rarely eats the food he should for these issues (and after doing more reading this is probably a good thing).  He is doing fine with my changing of foods and also his weight is up.  I give him what he will eat and adjust if I need to.

[eternaljester81]

We just got KumpiKat and our five cats are being rather slow about taking to it. They've always jumped right on whatever kimble we put down, but before they had always eaten supermarket brands (aka 'cat crack'). Has anyone else using KumpiKat had this problem?

[mshomo]

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!

[eternaljester81]

mshomo,
Thank you for your response! I'll try that. If you don't mind me asking, how are your cats doing on the KumpiKat?

[mshomo]

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]

mshomo,
Thank you so much for your response again. I just ordered a 'travel' size pack of Honest Kitchen Prowl. It's the freeze dried raw food you add warm water to. I'm going to see if my cats will eat that for wet. Right now they are getting about one teaspoon of Gerber's baby food (one of the meats) mixed with about three tablespoons of water as a daily 'wet' treat.

[mshomo]

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