Sophie's World

A bit ago, we switched Sophie from Science Diet to Wellness canned cat food. I have to admit that the change was readily approved by Sophie. I can’t say that she’s lost weight, but her coat looks fantastic.

Feeding canned food has its advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, I know it’s a better diet for her. I have better control of how much she eats. These are all very good points. The disadvantage is buying the food.

We live well off the beaten path. The Wellness brand is not sold at PetSmart. We have to find a Chuck and Don’s to get the food. I like the store, but the salespeople are a little more predator than I’d like. If I need something, I’ll ask. Don’t pounce on me the minute I walk in the door.

Anyway, making the trip to get Sophie’s food is a bit of a pain. Instead, I’ve opted to buy it online. A 10% discount was included for my next order. Even with the shipping, it’s still about the same price as going to the store. I’m saved the out-of-the-way trip, which is an added bonus. Just something to investigate if you need to regularly go out of your way to buy food.

Sophie’s in luck: our catnip plant is in flower. Dozens of blossoms are ready to be harvested and dried. She will have enough catnip to last for months.

Catnip is an interesting plant. It is a perennial. You’ll often find it on disturbed areas like the sides of a trail. Whenever we’re out walking, I’ll keep an eye for it. Trust me, it’s everywhere. Funny, Sophie always knows when I’ve picked some. She’s right there, searching for it when we come home. That’s probably not a difficult task since the scent can be quite strong.

Sophie rather enjoys the hallucinogenic effect of the catnip. She reacts immediately when I put some on the floor for her, rolling around with her eyes all dilated. She’ll bat at it, sniff it, lick it, and finally eat it. She’s actually quite amusing to watch.

The ingredient that causes the effect is nepetalactone. The sniffing initializes its effect. Eating the catnip will affect a cat like a sedative, as it does in people. In fact, the folklore reports that catnip was given to children that couldn’t sleep. A bit of nip, and they were down for the night.

I suppose that I give it to her for a similar reason. When she’s peevish or being a pest, I’ll give her a bit to occupy herself. Those moments usually come when I’m trying to cook dinner and she wants to play. She has her bit of fun. I get dinner on the table. It’s a win-win situation.

Our little catnip plant is not so little anymore. Though it attracts bees, it repels the mosquitoes, give and take. Well, when the flowers are harvested, the bees will be gone–and so will the bugs!

Photo by cygnus921

Today illustrates a good point.  Here we are with a winter storm warning and one canned cat food left.  As luck would have it too, the nearest store carrying Sophie’s food is 20 miles away.

Of course, she’ll get her food, but boy, it sure would have been easier to have someone else doing the driving.  So, I wanted to share this coupon savings.   You can get $5 off of a $5 off of an orders over $20 with the coupon code: INSTANT5 at PetNutritionProducts.com. Not bad considering a lot of coupon deals want you to spend over $50.  Stock up on the canned cat food!

I have to feel a little sorry for dogs. My Wellness diet is the best possible nutrition for me, formulated for what a cat like me needs. Supplementing this pet’s diet is necessary with a good nutrition base.

Cats have it easy. The whole image of cats revolves around being a carnivores. Lions, meat eaters–or man eaters, as the case may be. Leopards, tigers, bobcats, and lynxes. We’re all meat eaters. So, if there are a few scraps to toss out to the outside cats, chances are it will be meat.

Dogs, on the other hand, are a different story. Dogs will eat anything. You wouldn’t catch me eating sticks or rocks or anyone’s socks, for that matter. Dogs just are not that finicky. It makes sense then that a dog might need a bit of supplementing in his diet, perhaps some dog vitamins.

Good nutrition is key to your pet’s health and longevity. A proper diet formulated for your pet’s specific needs will make for a happier pet and a happier owner.

OK,so I’ve been on my “catkins diet” for several months now and I’m ready to weigh in a verdict about my diet change. I love it!

Since being on Wellness cat food, my coat has transformed into this luxurious fur. I feel sated between meals. I sleep better. I like the regular schedule of feedings, though with Chris and Norm working, my afternoon meal is sometimes delayed. This is to say nothing of the taste. I love it! All in all, it was a good change.  Again, the whole reason behind the change was to let me as the carnivore I am, eat a diet that is in tune with my biology and my physiology.  Only polar bears could be considered more of a carnivore, but then again, they don’t have much choice in the matter, do they?  And it’s like I’ve always said, cats and dogs are just not the same animal.