If you feed dreamies etc, do you reduce food?

[PlayingHouse]

My boys have just started going out during the day.

I bang their bowls during the evening and they come running back so I reward with a few dreamies.

Should I be cutting their food down like the back of the packet says?

[shaska]

I would only cut down food if I was doing 15+ dreamies a day every day. I think of them like chocolate or cake - if it's occasional then no need to worry, if it's a regular thing then needs compensating for.

[cozietoesie]

The problem might come if they were having a whole load of Dreamies over a long period because they're a complementary food and not nutritionally balanced. If they're so incredibly tasty (I don't know because Seniorboy won't touch them) then although they're only a couple of calories each, it might put them off their standard nosh and that wouldn't necessarily be a good thing.

I think regarding them as a special treat is the way to go.

[basketofshells]

Just a few in the evenings and they'll be fine. For basketcat I do the same, keeping them as treats given only when she comes in at night (and as a reward for not eating us when she has her monthly flea treatment). If I gave them at random times she'd start looking for them constantly and refusing her normal food. She's a healthy weight so that system works for her :)

[RubbishMantra]

Yes, I give them (about 5 each) when they come in for their evening curfew. The rattling of the packet gets an effective Pavlov reaction, and the cats appear as if by magic.

Also after pills, ear cleaning and the like.

I even have a packet in my bedside cabinet.

Just a thought, has anyone tasted one? Because (most) cats clearly find them delicious, and you know what fussy buggers they are. I imagine them to be like cheese balls - those crispy snack things, that have a processed cheese centre. Crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle. Like an Armadillo.

[PlayingHouse]

I only give them 5 each.

If they start dropping their normal food, I may have to think again then.

[chockbic]

I've eaten a bit of salmon pate cat food

No Dreamies yet. Will see how the food budget is

[Moln]

Don't here either.

He got them daily when I was rewarding him to come on hearing his name (May have to revisit that lesson now!!)

But now it's just for after pills/ear cleaning etc

[RubbishMantra]

Mmm, drinks and nibbles at chock's. Anyone fancy a salmon pate blini? Or one of these crispy square things filled with tempting beef, or delicious cheese?

What did it taste like? And why did you taste it? Then again, i did try a dog chocolate drop once. The ones that have worming stuff in them. Tasted powdery.

[chockbic]

I'm sure I can rustle something up, quick smart. A splash of prosecco too?

I don't know, possibly a rite of passage. I've ticked it off my bucket list . It was sort of fishy and a bit slimy. No good for sandwiches.

Doggy choc drops are the norm. Everyone chows on those.

[RubbishMantra]

Hmm, in the face of your bravery with the cat food, I may have to try a Dreamie. Find out what all the fuss is about. But I'd probably get addicted, and start screaming for them every time dh picked up anything resembling their packaging. I got a packet of bay-leaves out the cupboard the other day, and MCat started shouting at me, thinking I was brandishing Dreamies.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I think they put dead, diseased and dying animals into pet food.

Probably best if you dont eat it.