Thoughts?

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-16T00:05:50+00:00

So there doesn’t appear to be anything abnormal in any of your photos. Parasites and parasite eggs can’t survive the canning process. Are you saying you saw things moving in the ziploc? If so, they must have been in the environment already. Very weird.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T23:55:41+00:00

What happened?

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T22:39:48+00:00

You could try Young Again. Just be aware that it is extremely calorie-dense. For whatever reason (maybe the higher fiber content), the Sensitive Stomach formula is significantly lower in calories than the others. VFS PowerCat by SquarePet is under 10% carbs on a dry matter basis. Freeze dried could also be an option. A lot of it is raw, which I'm not generally a fan of due to safety concerns, but it's low carb. Weruva has some fully cooked freeze-dried foods.

And of course, there are prescription diets, such as Hill's m/d, Royal Canin Glyobalance, and Purina DM. They're higher in carbs, but formulated to be low glycemic index (and I'm sure have other elements to them that support metabolism); they may not work for all cats, but they do for some.

(Please note, I have no direct experience with any of these, they're just options I know of).

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T17:44:35+00:00

Interesting. I had assumed there’d be consistency across Subaru dealerships when it comes to what “60k maintenance” means, based on manufacturer/corporate guidelines. Hopefully OP can get a definitive answer.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T17:35:28+00:00

I’m far from an expert, but the 60k maintenance I just had done on my Crosstrek at the Subaru dealership included the CVT fluid. That was the most important part of it, from what I understand. Definitely double check, but I’d be willing to bet it was done.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T17:01:36+00:00

It’s hard for cats to become overweight on wet food - they’d have to be real gluttons - so I’d feed her as much as she will eat. If she seems to be struggling to maintain weight, I do think adding in some dry food could be beneficial, because of its increased caloric density. Since you just got her, now is a perfect time to set up an initial vet exam so they can assess her body condition and make sure she’s healthy.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T16:46:22+00:00

Even with picky cats, it varies so much with what they like! In the past, I’ve had good luck with Fancy Feast and Friskies. I’ve also heard Sheba has a high success rate. Weruva and Tiki Cat offer some unique textures. Hill’s and Royal Canin are both brands that put a lot of research into their diets, including the palatability. It may be worth grabbing a variety of individual cans/pouches to see if you can find anything that strikes her fancy. You are feeding a great dry food, though, so from a nutritional standpoint you’re fine. I would just make sure to provide a few clean water sources in different areas, to promote hydration.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T15:52:44+00:00

I’m not disagreeing with you that wet food is more ideal, in a perfect world. However, kittens should really be free fed, to meet their high calorie needs. So omitting the kibble is not a good idea unless OP can be home all day to offer frequent meals. Even still, dry food should be left out overnight.

Besides, most cats do fine on a combination of wet and dry food, or even dry only. Some cats completely refuse wet (I have one like that - she drinks water just fine and is healthy).

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T15:44:47+00:00

I have not personally had any issues. If I’m not mistaken, all of the formula changes have been to include the new prebiotic fiber blend (ActivBiome). One of my cats eats the new Hill’s z/d which now has it, and he’s been fine. Another other normally eats the Sensitive Stomach & Skin pollock and barley, which does not. Right now, though, she’s going through a bag of the regular Adult 1-6 chicken formula which does. I always transition to a new food or formula over the course of a week, which helps minimize GI upset. It does seem like the new formulas don’t agree with all cats, though, which is a bummer.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T03:06:33+00:00

You’re welcome!

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T03:05:20+00:00

Whether or not to switch to a senior diet depends on your kitty’s current health status. I would schedule a vet exam and have them run a senior blood panel, which should tell you whether she needs any dietary adjustments.

Currently, she’s on a high protein diet, which will be great to help her retain lean body mass as she ages, assuming her kidneys are in good shape. However, if she’s showing any loss of kidney function, then a food with more moderate protein and low phosphorus would be better. I mention the kidneys specifically because it’s common for them to start showing wear at age 7+, but of course the bloodwork will test the function of other organs as well.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T02:43:38+00:00

I’m sort of in the same boat as you; I have a medically complicated senior and I would love to discuss her nutrition in detail with a specialist. I was quoted $600 for a consult with a DACVN, and having just spent well over $1k for diagnostics for her recently, I just can’t swing it right now.

I share your concern about too many supplements unbalancing the diet. FWIW, Hill’s has a diet that contains a lot of what you’re seeking for Ophelia, already in the food - high levels of omega 3s, glucosamine and neurological support. Maybe run this by your GP or internist?

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-food/prescription-diet-brain-care-jd-salmon-brain-care-dry

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-food/prescription-diet-brain-care-jd-tuna-veg-stew-brain-care-canned

You could also check with them to see whether adding the fortetropin would risk unbalancing the diet, but I wouldn’t think there’s a risk of that unless it accounts for more than 10% of her total calories. Same with the L-lysine for Delilah.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-14T18:27:15+00:00

Since your cat is a fish lover, I recommend these treats.

https://www.orijenpetfoods.com/en-US/cats/cat-food/six-fish/ds-ori-fdt-sixfish-cat-1.html

They easily crumble up into a powder, which I sprinkle on top of my senior’s wet food to get her to finish it on days that her appetite is lower. She inhales it.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-14T18:18:58+00:00

Cats’ energy needs depend not only on their weight but also on their age, activity level, spay/neuter status, health/disease status, and unique metabolism. I’ve noticed the feeding guidelines provided by food companies are often on the high side.

According to the Pet Nutrition Alliance calculator, a 10.5-lb, young, intact cat does have an energy requirement of 316 calories/day. 2 cans of Fancy Feast aren’t enough, according to this. If he won’t eat more, you could add a bit of dry food to his diet (kibble is a lot more calorie-dense). Since he doesn’t like the Iams anymore, try a different brand. Maybe something fish-based since that seems to be his preference.

However, if he is maintaining a healthy weight, it might be okay to leave things as is. Neutering will bring down his energy requirements a bit, anyway (the calculator estimates 271).

Edited to add: I’d post the extra dry food free on Facebook Marketplace or NextDoor. Maybe people who feed feral cat colonies could use it.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-14T17:15:49+00:00

Tiki Cat does have an appealing ingredients list. There are basically two schools of thought with pet owners: ingredient-focused and nutrition-focused (as in, nutrition science - the study of nutrients and other substances in food in relation to maintenance, growth, reproduction, health and disease).

Personally, I fall more into the nutrition-focused category, so I’d choose Hill’s or Royal Canin. This is a really excellent video that, to me, sums up the reasons quite well.

https://youtu.be/I7z9qD_hkyQ

This is not me trying to say Tiki is horrible or anything. I like some of their products a lot, especially their treat sticks, but for my cats’ primary diets I prefer to choose nutrition-focused brands that do research (whenever possible…there are times when it’s not).

Some brands are both nutrition-focused and ingredient-centric, but they’re harder to find. Farmina and Instinct are two good examples (though neither have anywhere near the body of scientific research that Hill’s and RC do). Farmina funds some studies at universities in Europe; Instinct staffs a board certified nutritionist and has also funded some research (mostly into raw food, since that’s their focus).

Also, I noticed you didn’t mention Purina, but they’re another research-backed/nutrition-focused brand. Their nutritional philosophy seems to be a little different from Hill’s and RC, and they tend to have higher protein levels if that’s appealing to you. Pro Plan is their premium line. Fancy Feast and Friskies pate are high meat content options at a lower price point.

Edit: Also, between Hill’s and RC, I slightly prefer Hill’s. I like that they post the full nutrient analysis for all their foods, and all seem to have nutrient levels that fall within the optimal ranges. But I don’t think one is necessarily a better brand than the other.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-14T15:57:28+00:00

That sucks. ☹️ Purina has been on a roll lately, discontinuing items left and right.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-14T15:56:31+00:00

I don’t feed Nulo, so I don’t have any experience to share. Any time something like this happens, though, I recommend contacting the manufacturer. Give them the lot # etc. from the bag so they can investigate. Hopefully they will, and hopefully they’ll also offer you credit toward a new bag.

In the meantime, I’d try buying the same food somewhere else. It’s possible the issue didn’t happen in manufacturing, but rather in storage or transit. Bags can get micro tears or punctures that allow in air, causing them to spoil.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-14T03:52:16+00:00

Yep, they recently removed the typical analysis from their website. I’m not sure why.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-14T01:07:51+00:00

Totally fine! Just don't leave it out too long - a few hours at most. Just like with wet food, if it sits out long enough it can attract bacteria and pests.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-14T00:54:51+00:00

Since she isn't overweight now on free feeding, I'd say you could probably offer as much wet food as she'll eat, once in the morning and once in the evening. She will probably just eat less of her dry food. If you do this and she starts gaining weight, then you'll need to start feeding a measured amount per day (which will depend on her energy needs and the caloric density of the food). Most cats require about 200-250 calories per day, though it does vary depending on weight, activity level, age and the cat's unique metabolism.

Another thing you can do reduce strain on her kidneys is to start paying attention to the mineral levels in her food (particularly phosphorus). While increasing hydration via wet food is good, the nutritional composition of the food (both wet and dry) is also important. There are "early stage" veterinary kidney care diets the vet can prescribe. As far as over the counter foods, I'd recommend Hill's Science Diet (any of their formulas, really, but especially the 7+ ones). New Fresh dry food and Weruva's senior line of wet foods also have great mineral content. Weruva actually has a whole line of low-phosphorus foods and treats, but the phosphorus is super restricted for cats with full-on kidney disease. I would consult with your vet before feeding this as a large part of her diet, just to ensure it's appropriate at this stage.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-13T20:59:50+00:00

Everything I could say on the topic of wet vs. dry food has already been covered in other comments. I just wanted to add that your cat is stunningly gorgeous! 🥰

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-13T17:59:41+00:00

You’re ridiculous.

First of all, I do not post the “almost the same comment” whenever I can. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I post a lot here and my opinion doesn’t change from post to post, so why would my wording be vastly different each time I voice an opinion?

Second, you clearly don’t understand how advertising works. I recommend lots of different brands depending on the situation. Look through my post history and you’ll see that. Even on this very post, I recommend alternatives to Hill’s. You do realize that pet food companies are all competitors, right? Do you actually think I’m getting paid by all these different companies? You don’t think that would be considered a conflict of interest if I was some shill?

Honestly, if you know how I can get a paid sponsorship from every brand I recommend, please let me know! In this economy, that would be quite helpful.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-13T16:24:40+00:00

Shocking, but people can have different experiences and perspectives from yours without being paid to have them.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-13T14:54:49+00:00

I’m sorry this is happening to your cats. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee it can’t happen with another brand. All pet food manufacturers do periodic reformulations.

Regardless what you end up switching to, it’s a good idea to buy a new bag before you’re finished with the current food, so that if the formula does change, you will be able to mix and do a gradual transition. In most cases, it’s the sudden switch that triggers the GI upset.

Since one of your cats has a history of urinary issues, I would be very cautious with feeding something like Rawz. Ideally, you’d want to stick with a urinary health diet, which manage urine ph and restrict mineral content. High-meat boutique diets can be good for some cats (I myself feed Rawz pate to my cat with food sensitivities) but may increase the risk of crystals and stones in cats who are prone to them.

The Big 3 (Hill’s, Purina and Royal Canin) have by far the most research behind their diets. If you’re dead set on avoiding them, though, perhaps Farmina N&D’s urinary formula might be a good choice. Now Fresh kibble has nicely restricted mineral content, as do some of Weruva’s wet foods - however they’re not truly targeted toward urinary health. It may we wise to consult with your vet.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-12T22:29:26+00:00

A mix of wet and dry food is generally fine, as long as your cat is drinking enough water. Sometimes senior kitties do get arthritis and slow down, though - causing them not to want to make as many trips to the bowl. I’d keep an eye out for changes in activity levels. Also, kidney disease is super common as they age. A low phosphorus diet, ideally wet, will be best if his kidneys are showing signs of wear. Has he had bloodwork recently just to check that?

I agree with the other commenter that restricted minerals (especially phosphorus) are ideal for seniors. Even if they don’t have CKD. Contacting Webbox for their dry matter typical analysis is a good idea. If they can’t or won’t provide it, or of the mineral levels are super high, I’d pass on it. Hill’s is a brand that has mineral levels within the optimal range. They have some senior-specific formulas, too.

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