I'm worried that the male cat gets good "clean" food while he (hopefully) recovers. I am going to get a bag of the dry food you recommend and see how they like it.
I just switched my two kitties to Natural Balance kibble yesterday. They had eaten Science Diet all their lives, with a topping of canned 9-Lives or similar wet food. Although there haven't been problems with 9-Lives, I'm replacing the wet food with Natural Balance or Petguard canned foods. The ingredients are less processed and appear much more nutritious.
When I gave them the new food, one cat dove into her dish and would nearly have eaten the plastic right along with her dinner. She ate like she'd been waiting all her life for this meal. I had to remove her from the room to keep her from pushing her sister aside to eat both dinners. (This morning she's hanging around the kitchen looking for more . . . )
Kitty number two is typically more cautious (also much smarter). She sniffed the new stuff and initially was pretty suspicious. She kept looking over at her sister and saw her devouring something with gusto. After a bit, she also started eating, and kept going. She removed some of the kibble from her dish and put it on the floor beside her. After finishing everything in her bowl, she ate it up too. She took about 3x as long as usual to eat, but licked the bowl clean.
Long story, but I was very pleasantly surprised at how quickly my girls accepted the new food. I'd certainly recommend you give it a try with your little buddy. I don't usually sniff cat food, but I did this time. The kibble smells fresher and less oily than the Science Diet, and the canned food smells like, well, cat food - but good cat food. Good luck.
Or you could take your cat to the pet store and let him pick a mouse out from the mouse tank. I mean that is what the mouse tank is for right? People really don't buy them as pets do they??
Try giving your cat sardines. They are high in calcium, iron and fish oils. Cats need higher protien levels than dogs so on the BARF diet that is taken into account. Since most cats hunt most already have a bit of the BARF diet in their rations.
Here is some basic information on Natural Balance (sorry I got the name wrong late last night)Ultra premium dry cat food
Contains fresh chicken, duck, carrots, & potatoes, glucosamine, cranberry powder, brown rice, grape seed oil, flax seed and oatmeal. Vitamin & mineral packed with vitamins A & E, beta carotene, potassium, omegas 3 & 6, lecithin, linoleic acid, & biotin. Also is taurine fortified & has added yucca to help control waste odors. Free of artificial flavors, colors and chemical preservatives. Has 34% Protein, 18% Fat & 3% Fiber.
The full label can be found at 1800jeffers.com Jeffers is also a great source for pet medicines, toys, treats and supplies. If you do vaccinate your own pet find out what your State law is regarding rabies vaccine. Most States require certification from a vet. But you can buy wormer, prescription meds ( with script) and other medical supplies at a much lower cost.
The baby food is something people should try!
I bought a maltepoo who would NOT eat dry food-no way. So I tried mixing the dry with strained meat baby food. It coated, and softened, the dry food and he loved it!
He still eats it sometimes( he's almost 2 now) but I alternate Lil Cesars food and food I cook for him- chicken and rice, turkey and rice, chicken liver and dry food.
Why pay big $ for 'human type' foods that are not only overpriced, but not what they claim to be, when you can just MAKE human food? It's more trouble, but safer!
I can see how it would be expensive if you have huge dogs or multiple pets, but if commercial pet food cannot be trusted their lives are worth it.
What a SCAM this has uncovered! Cheap dog food and expensive are the same thing! And what about prosecutions?
If my neighbor 'accidentally' poisoned my pet, or if someone 'put down' unwanted pets by poisoning there would be criminal charges! Mass poisoning should be prosecuted!
And people should have learned that 'gourmet' food is a rip-off!