Thursday, March 28, 2024

Why Is Cat Food Hard To Find

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Letter: Why Is Some Cat Food So Hard To Find

Cat food shortage leads to empty shelves

Letters submitted by BDN readers are verified by BDN Opinion Page staff. Send your letters to .

Does no one in the newsroom have cats that eat wet cat food made from chicken? It is scarcer than toilet paper and yeast were a year ago.

Id like to see a focused story on and including: chicken processing plants, people who do the processing, how it is distributed through to the retail supermarkets, how pet shelters are affected and what to expect.

I am a dedicated BDN print reader. I want to say the ritual that surrounds the paper is a truly important part of my day. Beyond that even though I am almost never up when Bonnie tosses it onto my steps, I sense the human connection between the paper being delivered and me picking it up that doesnt exist electronically.

Sheila Stratton

When Will Your Favorite Brands Be Back On Shelves

Dont expect the shortage to get better anytime soon, said Dan Lavalle, manager of Pet World, in Natick. He said distributors expect it to continue for at least a couple of more months.

Its been a challenge the past couple of months, he said. It could take some time into the first quarter of next year before the canned food is back. They will do a run on some foods that are popular and stop making it so they can make other products, but theyre trying to keep the best selling SKUs available.

Its not just pet stores. Grocery stores that carry more mainstream brands are also feeling the pinch, according to Wegmans supermarkets spokeswoman Marcie Rivera said.

We are experiencing supply issues with some pet food products, she said. Suppliers all around the world are being faced with an array of challenges affecting their businesses, causing a domino effect on retailers and customers. Raw material and labor shortages, as well as transportation constraints are impacting businesses the most, and its expected to last well into next year. While we may not have every variety in stock, we will have options available in every category.

Purina Pro Plan Critical Nutrition Cat Food Best For Weight Gain

Whilst the vast majority of cats are overweight, there are a few who need a helping hand with their weight gain. This is especially true of cats who have been ill, or who have recently been rescued. This food is high calorie at 208 kcal/5.5 oz can, meaning even cats who struggle to eat much should be able to get their daily calorie allowance. Its even been formulated with a smooth consistency in case syringe feeding becomes necessary.

Please note it is very important to follow your veterinarians advice when it comes to your cats weight. Most healthy adult cats do not need to gain any weight, but if youre not sure then your vet will be able to tell you whether theyre at an ideal weight or not, or you can read our guide below. If you think your cat is losing weight you should also take them in for a check over, as many medical conditions can contribute to weight loss, and simply feeding more will not correct the problem.

Wherever Ive worked as a vet, we always have this on the shelf or in the back office. Not only is it ideal for inpatients being fed after surgery but its ideal for cats presented with vomiting and diarrhea, as it is easy to digest.

  • Stew texture can result in pickiness

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The Same Diet Is Necessary For Some

For Frosty, a rescue cat who has belonged to Barbara Hengstenberg and her husband, Bill, for seven years now, eating the same diet is important for his severe gastrointestinal issues.

Hengstenberg, 59, said she was nervous when she couldn’t find Frosty’s preferred 9 Lives Meaty Paté Super Supper canned food. Luckily, he weathered a couple of days with a substitute brand better than expected. Hengstenberg, of Bear Creek, North Carolina, now stocks up on his usual fare on the rare occasions she finds it.

“We don’t have children, so our pets have always been very, very special to us, she says.

We Chose Foods That Were Rich In High

Constipation In Cats: Treatment

Cats need a lot of protein. But its more complicated than just looking for high-protein food. Instead, we also have to think about the quality of that protein. When choosing the best cat food, we paid attention to the difference between crude protein and digestible protein.

Protein exists on a digestibility spectrum rated by biological value.

For example, 36g of crude protein from feathers is not equivalent to 36g of crude protein from an egg they have vastly different biological values. An egg has a biological value of 100 , while the feather is virtually indigestible.

Yet both the feather protein and the egg protein look lovely on the guaranteed analysis and lend the impression of a high-quality food capable of nourishing your cat.

Digestibility values, not percentages in the guaranteed analysis, are key to measuring nutritional value.

To make things a little more interesting, we dont know everything about protein digestibility in cats. No one has figured out exactly which protein sources are the most bioavailable or the least. Instead, were left to put together a picture based on what scarce information is available.

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Cat Food In Short Supply High Demand

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Major delays in the global supply chain make it practically impossible to predict when the products you need will be in stock. Some days its bananas, orange juice and cream cheese, others its electronics, toilet paper and lumber. Now, many shelves for canned cat food are empty.

Shes fussy just like her cat food because its fussycat, said Mike of St. Albans.

He drove down to the Pet Food Warehouse in Shelburne Sunday morning to buy his cat her favorite brand of food.

Some brands of wet cat food are plentiful and others have been snatched up.

Mike says he cant find the brand he wants anywhere in St. Albans, a challenge hes faced for the past two to three months.

Anything fish we cant get. Weve been stuck for two of the same kind for months, said Mike.

I just got a kitten and she has a sensitive stomach, said Michelle Fuller of Starksboro.

Fuller says she cant find the type of food that meets her felines needs anywhere.

Guys Farm and Yard in Williston was the third store on her statewide hunt Sunday. But, no luck there either.

Im going to look for an alternative thats easier to get, said Fuller.

However, Guys Farm and Yard is actually quite stocked, especially compared to the Shaws, Hannaford and Walmart in the Burlington area on Sunday.

Some things, unfortunately, do get back-ordered, but we do our best to try to get everything in here at least once a week, said Holly Peet, an employee of Guys Farm and Yard.

Most Read

Bha Bht And Ethoxyquin

These chemical preservatives have been linked to organ disease, cancer, and skin problems. Its easy to avoid BHA and BHT by selecting foods preserved with mixed tocopherols .

Ethoxyquin is more stealthy while its often not added to pet food itself, it can sneak a ride in with fish meal.

Because of the risk of dangerous preservatives entering the food at various points on the supply chain, its important to choose a transparent, communicative company that closely monitors their suppliers.

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What Foods You Can Feed Your Pet

“For a dog, you need a basic protein and basic carbohydrate type diet,” Dr Laing explains.

“It can be boiled or steamed chicken with rice and a mixture of veggies as well with the meat, rice and pasta.

“You want to avoid anything fatty, so definitely no off-cuts of meat that have the fat trim because dogs and acts are very sensitive to fat content.”

That said, dogs do need some fat. Dr Minshull says adding a bit of oil to meals can be beneficial.

Cats tend to be a little bit fussier than dogs, so it can be harder to find food from the pantry for our feline friends.

“You can feed them things like white fish, or salmon or tuna in a short-term situation,” Dr Laing says.

“They are unlikely to accept a lot of carbohydrates, cats are not really fans of rice or pasta.

“They preferentially like a high-protein diet so you can use lean beef or lean pork. Cats also particularly like kangaroo if you’ve got any of that in the freezer.”

It’s important to make sure that any tinned tuna you feed your cat doesn’t have added flavour, Dr Minshull says.

Is There A Nationwide Shortage Of Cat Food

Why some items are hard to find at the grocery store!

The reports of a canned cat food shortage aren’t new and pet owners have been complaining about it for months. As with other food product shortages, the global supply chain woes are at play in the canned cat food shortage as well.

Also, a shortage of packaging materials has made things complicated for canned cat food companies. The driver shortage means that when companies produce products, it takes longer than usual to reach retail stores. Finally, as we saw in the initial days of the COVID-19 pandemic, people seem to be hoarding essential supplies.

While thats the usual consumer behavior, especially because a lot of people couldn’t during the lockdowns in 2020, it puts pressure on the food shortage situation.

This cat food shortage is getting insanely old. Its been MONTHS of searching and searching for food for my fur kids. And of course my kids have to be picky as hell so I cant get anything else. And its not just wet food, its dry as well. Was hoping once supply chain

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What Treats Can I Safely Feed My Cat

Everybody loves to treat their pets, and as a vet, I always calculate a treat allowance into a meal plan for cats. In order to make sure your pet doesnt end up overweight, you should definitely consider their calorie allowance when it comes to treats. Nutrition experts recommend that no more than 10% of your cats daily calories come from treats, and dont forget to take those calories out of your calculations for daily food allowance!

As for what sort of treats there are lots of cat treats on the market that are suitable- as a vet I like to opt for dual-purpose treats such as those that help with dental health or hairballs. Id definitely steer clear of human food though, as flavorings and ingredients can be toxic to cats, and it can be really hard to find out how many calories are in a small bit of tuna.

About Fussie Cat Food

Aptly named, Fussie Cat was developed to appease fussy felines. This brand is manufactured by Pets Global, Inc., an independently owned, holistic pet wellness company. Based in Valencia, CA, Pets Global, Inc. is also the name behind brands like Zignature and Essence.

Pets Global, Inc. was founded on a passion for animal welfare and they offer what they call Physiologically Tuned recipes for cats and dogs. The Fussie Cat brand in particular is designed for taste as well as species-appropriate nutrition.

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This Pet Food Is Being Pulled From Walmart And Target Shelves Amid A Shortage

Things like Sriracha hot sauce and baby formula have been hard to find on grocery store shelves recentlya situation pet owners know all too well. Dog food and cat food have been facing shortages since early Spring this year after an increase in demand started in 2020 when lockdowns found many people adopting a furry family member. In the last few months, it’s been hard to find certain pet foods, though, with one major grocery chain even discontinuing several options after supply shortages.

Unfortunately, pet food sold at Walmart, Target, and other stores is facing another hit, as one brand is recalling one of its types of dog food because it could be contaminated with Salmonella. If a 4.5-pound bag of Freshpet Select Fresh From The Kitchen Home Cooked Chicken Recipe dog food is in your kitchen. Read on for all the details about how it could be a danger to you and your pet.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

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Freshpet Inc. says the bags were sold in over 100 Walmart stores in Alabama and Georgia, as well as some Target stores and other retailers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.

Bags feature a picture of chicken on a wooden cutting board surrounded by vegetables with a black and white dog looking on. They contain a “Sell by Date” of 10/29/22 and a UPC code of 627975011673 on the bottom of the bag.

Raw Chicken Liver And Salmon

Photo: Cute Fresh Step Cat Litter Advertisement, This Kitty Has to " Go ...

Raw chicken liver and heart homemade cat food recipe may not sound particularly appetising to you, but Mr Whiskers will definitely be drooling over this tasty homemade cat food recipe! Chicken liver and heart boast essential nutrients that your cat needs, including tons of vitamin A, vitamin B, minerals, iron and protein. With so many nutrients packed in a meal, this recipe is also suitable for kittens whore on a growth spurt! However, moderation is key when it comes to raw chicken liver consumption as too much of it may cause your cat to have loose stools.

Prep time: 10 minutes

  • 700g raw chicken wings with bones and skin
  • 100g raw salmon with bones
  • 1 tsp taurine supplement powder

Recipe Instructions:

  • Puree all the organ meat into the water using the Tefal Multifunction Easyforce Food Processor
  • Pour the mixture into a BioloMix meat grinder and add in the remaining ingredients. Grind all the ingredients together and its ready to serve!
  • Freeze the excess in small portions for easy serving later on
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    Does Renewable Energy Really Cause Pet Food Shortages

    Other ingredients in short supply are the oils and fats essential for cat health, and the reason for this may surprise you. A lot of these products are harder to come by for pet food manufacturers because of the favorable tariffs offered to companies making renewable fuels.

    It seems a lot of these fats and oils are now being diverted to industries involved in the production of renewable diesel. As the PFI states “PFI and its members support efforts to fight climate change, but current policies create a government-driven market advantage to the energy sector and a disadvantage to companies purchasing ingredients for pet food.”

    First We Looked For Foods With Low Carbohydrate Content

    Cats use a process called gluconeogenesis to convert protein into glucose. Unlike in people, it is protein, not carbohydrate matter, which is the main type of fuel used to maintain a cats blood glucose concentrations.

    Cats can metabolize carbohydrates instead of protein, but its not ideal. Cats are mildly insulin resistant, similar to a person with diabetes. And sustained carbohydrate intake could make your cat more likely to develop diabetes over time.

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    What Do Customers Think Of Fussie Cat Food

    Because Fussie Cat is sold on both Amazon and Chewy, I was able to find plenty of customer reviews. Most products carry at least a 3.5-star rating, though many are over 4 stars.

    Many customers comment that Fussie Cat foods are true to their name in being highly palatable and appealing to even picky eaters. Customers seem to love the quality and there are several comments about the food being good for cats with sensitive stomachs. Many customers also appreciate that Fussie Cat dry foods feature novel proteins and many recipes are chicken-free.

    Of the negative reviews I saw, many were related to cats simply not liking the product. Some customers were turned off by the gelatinous texture and others were concerned about the carrageenan content.

    Lets take a look at a few reviews from some of the most popular recipes from Fussie Cat.

    The Search Beyond The Store:

    Foods That Might Be Hard To Find In 2022

    First off, don’t give up. Second, to find that favorite can of food, experts say its important to plan ahead. The key is to shop in advance before your supply at home runs low.

    So it really seems to be ebbing and flowing depending on your certain food, and also what state you are in,” said Susan Wollschlager with the Connecticut Humane Society. “So really just plan ahead have a backup plan, get in touch with your veterinarian now, you don’t want to wait.”

    Going beyond your regular shopping aisle work too. Check other stores, even online stores.

    Sometimes you have some shipping delays or it’s out of stock,” Wollschlager said. “But then, if you check the next day it might be back in stock, so keep a really close eye online so that you can monitor how it’s looking. And the other huge thing is: do not wait until you run out.”

    If you’re still having trouble, talk to your veterinarian. They’re also navigating the shortage for their clients and pets at home, and are ready to guide you.

    Dr. Andrea Dennis is the founder and Chief Veterinarian of Bloomfield Animal Hospital. She first recommends sizing up or down if you do find your food, just in a different size.

    “The other thing I recommend doing is for specialized diets. If you know your cat or dog can not take beef, then look at the labelsand try to stick with the same ingredients,” Dennis said.

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