The Daily Cat

Unlike its cat food category, J.M. Smucker's people food business is in a bit of a jam. As Americans put more thought into what they eat, packaged food sales are stagnant and even declining. And that could explain Smucker's purchase of Rachel Ray Nutrish (Ainsworth Pet Nutrition).

For years, cat food has tried to sound like people food. You know... "white meat chicken breast," "garden greens," "wild caught fish" and "cooked in a delicate sauce..." But now, things seem to be going the other way. Could people food really be going to the dogs (and cats)?

Smucker's purchase of Rachel Ray Nutrish is the second buyout by a large company of a premium pet food manufacturer this year. In February, General Mills announced plans to purchase Blue Buffalo.

Candy Makers Sweet On Cat Food

"I’m a cat. We aren't required to make sense.” 
― Seanan McGuire, A Local Habitation

The American Animal Hospital Association has new guidelines for veterinarians caring for diabetic cats. Among their suggestions are some things the lay experts at Felinediabetes.com have been recommending for years: home testing and an all-wet-food diet for diabetic cats.


One in 230 cats has diabetes, according to Zoetis, the manufacturer of Revolution, Clavamox and other medications for animals. Like other experts, Zoetis says feline diabetes is often under diagnosed. A recent study reported by the Winn Feline Foundation found that the top risk factors for feline diabetes are obesity, an inactive strictly-indoors lifestyle, repeated steroid injections and an all- or mostly-dry food diet.

Caring For Diabetic Cats

“Cats are cats . . . the world over!
These intelligent, peace-loving, four-footed friends- who are without prejudice, without hate, without greed- may someday teach us something.
-James Mackintosh Qwilleran” 
― Lilian Jackson Braun, The Cat Who Saw Stars

"There is, incidentally, no way of talking about cats that enables one to come off as a sane person.” 
― Dan Grerg

A new study suggests vets can add tramadol to the list of arthritis treatments for cats. Reported by the Winn Feline Foundation, the study looked at 24 geriatric cats with osteoarthritis in at least one joint. Researchers found that cats who got 2mg of tramadol
every 12 hours had improved
levels of activity.

The most common arthritis treatments for cats are glucosamine supplements, Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs can have serious and sometimes deadly side effects. But tramadol, too, has drawbacks.

How Tramadol Works

“A cat's rage is beautiful, burning with pure cat flame, all its hair standing up and crackling blue sparks, eyes blazing and sputtering.” 
― William S. Burroughs, The Cat Inside

Looking for someone to talk to in the middle of the night? If the topic is cat food, you could give Chewy.com a ring. Chewy's new call center opened last month in Hollywood, Fla. with 1,000 "kind" people poised to deliver 24/7 customer service, 365 days a year.

Four hundred more customer service reps are in the process of joining the team now.

Even more than selection and price, it's customer service that makes Chewy a different breed of retailer. Customer service reps answer phone calls within two rings and respond to emails within half an hour. The retailer sends handwritten Christmas cards to customers and flowers and sympathy cards to Chewy shoppers who have lost their animal companions.

Not happy with your order? The customer service rep might send you a replacement and tell you to donate the one you already have to a local shelter.

Chewy's New Call Center: Working In A Sea Of Cubicle

“Cats are cats . . . the world over!
These intelligent, peace-loving, four-footed friends- who are without prejudice, without hate, without greed- may someday teach us something.
-James Mackintosh Qwilleran” 
― Lilian Jackson Braun, The Cat Who Saw Stars

Here's something to chew on: Dental treats for cats are taking a bite out of vets' pocketbooks as more and more people opt for home dental care for their cats instead of expensive dentistry at the vet's office.

Just eight percent of the people who responded to the 2017-2018 American Pet Products Association's National Pet Owners Survey said their cats saw a veterinarian for dental care in the past year. Meanwhile, Packaged Facts found that dental treats for cats and dogs account for 25 percent of all treat sales. Dental chews also took a sizable bite out of vets' pocketbooks.

But Do Dental Treats For Cats Clean Their Teeth?

“A cat's rage is beautiful, burning with pure cat flame, all its hair standing up and crackling blue sparks, eyes blazing and sputtering.” 
― William S. Burroughs, The Cat Inside

Maybe your cats can't do their own shopping on Amazon... yet. But they can receive their own "purrsonalized"  recommendations and coupons with Amazon Pet Profiles.

The Amazon Pet Profiles are new and could give the retailer an even larger share of the online pet supply market.

According to the most recent American Pet Product Association's National Pet Owners Survey, Amazon had the lion's share of online pet supply shoppers with 54 percent. Chewy.com, the retailer I thought was everybody's favorite, was far behind Amazon, Petsmart.com and Walmart.com with just 18 percent.

How To Do Amazon Pet Profiles