Cat Owners Struggle as Pet Food Prices Skyrocket
As the cost-of-living crisis worsens, more owners than ever are being forced to give up their furry friends. The price of cat and dog food has rocketed by nearly 60 per cent in the past 12 months and RSPCA research shows almost a quarter of owners are worried about how they will continue to feed their pets. Dogs Trust has also revealed the rising cost of food, vet care and insurance is behind the record numbers of calls it has received from people asking the charity to take in their pets.
Finding Affordable Alternatives for Your Cat
With the rise of pet inflation, it's important for cat owners to find more affordable options without compromising the quality of their pet's food. To help navigate the supermarket aisles, one cat owner put eight own-brand alternatives to the test with their picky cat, Wiggins. Here's how they fared:
Waitrose Pouches: Expensive and Overwhelming
Waitrose's jelly pouches are the most expensive of all the supermarket options and have an overwhelming smell. While the dry food is a hit, the pouches are rated 2/5.
Lidl Pate and Premium Mix: Lackluster and Unappetizing
Coshida's Lidl pate barely has a smell and the cat food was quickly thrown up. The dry food fared better but lacked a strong meaty smell. Rating: 1/5.
Tesco Pouches: Meaty and Affordable
Tesco's pouches are meaty and have a pleasant smell that attracts cats. The dry food is a great value for money. Rating: 5/5.
Aldi Pouches: Budget-Friendly and Attractive Packaging
Aldi's pouches have a decent meaty smell and attractive packaging. However, the dry food lost its appeal after a few bites. Rating: 4/5.
Morrisons Tasty Pouches: Enjoyable Wet Food but Average Dry Food
Morrisons' wet food is enjoyable but a bit expensive. The dry food resembles rabbit droppings and didn't capture the cat's interest. Rating: 3/5.
Sainsbury's Pouches: Pungent Smell with Mixed Reactions
Sainsbury's pouches have a strong smell and attracted the cat's attention. However, the dry food wasn't as enticing. Rating: 3/5.
Waitrose Essential Pouches: Expensive Budget Option
Waitrose's budget option is surprisingly expensive. While the pouches were eaten, the cat showed no interest in the dry food. Rating: 2/5.
Asda Pouches: Value for Money with Mixed Results
Asda's pouches are better value when bought in larger quantities and come in different flavors. The wet food was devoured quickly, but the dry food was less appealing. Rating: 3/5.
Conclusion: Affordable Alternatives Exist
While some own-brand alternatives may not be as appealing as the market leader, there are affordable options that cats will enjoy. By trying out different brands and flavors, cat owners can save money without compromising their pet's happiness.
