My Fussy Kittens Won't Touch This Food - Failed Attempt #2 with Florida Pet Food

I've got two mischievous kittens, a brother and sister duo named Senna and Sonia. They're not super picky eaters, but they did get tired of Territory of the Caucasus after four months. Before that, I tried local Bagira and some of Ozone's offerings, but none of those worked out. This is one of the many attempts.

As a cat owner, I've tried numerous cat food brands, but my two kittens, Senna and Sonia, have a unique palate. They're not finicky, but they do have their preferences. After four months of feeding them Territory of the Caucasus, they got tired of it. I tried local Bagira and some of Ozone's offerings, but none of those worked out. This is one of the many attempts to find a suitable cat food for my kittens.

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Florida Dry Food for Kittens

Description

Florida Turkey & Cranberry - a super-premium dry food for kittens aged 2 to 12 months, featuring turkey and cranberry. This balanced, complete nutrition promotes healthy digestion and supports various vitamins during growth.

Price: 2300+ roughly Place of purchase: Ozone Where to buy: marketplaces Volume: 4 kg Additives: turkey and cranberry Manufacturer: Florida Country: Turkey Age: 2 months to 1 year

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Packaging and appearance

I first tried the smaller pack, weighing 800 grams, as a test. Since my kittens enjoyed it, I started buying the larger 4 kg pack. The packaging is big, making it a bit difficult to store, but I appreciate that it lasted exactly a month for my two teenagers.

The backside has all the necessary information for using and feeding the kittens. It includes the composition, added vitamins, nutritional value, and a chart with weight and dosage recommendations.

One of the downsides is the lack of a zip closure. I think it's essential for a pack of this size. Storing the package as it comes is not very convenient.

Since the zip fastener is missing, and storing it in the bag is uncomfortable, I bought a special container with a tight lid, where I pour the food. This way, it stays fresh and fragrant for longer, doesn't dry out, and doesn't get stale.

The granules look uniform in size and shape, with almost no broken ones. The color of the granules is brown, but not overly roasted. Sometimes, the food is almost black, like it's been over-dried. That's not the case here.

I'm not a fan of the excessive crumb formation. I don't remember seeing this with other foods. I scoop out a portion, and there's a noticeable amount of crumbs.

The granules aren't dry; they have a slightly oily texture. The size is comfortable for kittens from 2 months to a year old. My cats are around 8 months old, but they're quite large since their mom is a purebred. They enjoy the granules, crunching them with a pleasant sound, and I haven't noticed any issues with swallowing.

Granule size: 5-5.5 mm

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Composition

Dehydrated chicken meat 36%, rice, corn, chicken fat, hydrolyzed chicken protein 6%, salmon oil, minerals, brewer's yeast, dried carrot, dried eggs, flaxseed, vitamins, dried cranberries, dried carrots, kelp, inulin (source of fructooligosaccharides), taurine.

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Nutritional value:

Protein 36% Fat 16% Fiber 3% Ash 7% Moisture 7% Calcium 1.3% Phosphorus 1% Copper 12 mg/kg Zinc 130 mg/kg Iron 100 mg/kg Manganese 40 mg/kg Iodine 2 mg/kg Taurine 1500 mg/kg Vitamin A 24,000 IU/kg Vitamin D 900 IU/kg Vitamin E 300 mg/kg

Energy value

383 kcal/100g

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Advantages of the food:

Fruits and berries are packed with antioxidants.Taurine supports heart health and vision.Beets, carrots, and yeast promote healthy digestion.Linseed, chicken fat, and fish oil provide natural sources of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, benefiting skin and coat health.

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Feeding Guidelines

Caloric needs vary based on age, breed, body type, and activity level.

Fresh water should always be freely available.

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Final Thoughts

I've got two kittens at home, and they're not even a year old yet – they'll be a year on April 13th. To be honest, I didn't have too many issues with them initially. Their appetite was always great, and they'd eat almost anything I bought from Ozon. Occasionally, they'd try to bury some food, but I'd switch to a different brand, and the problem would be resolved.

However, over the past couple of months, they've been consistently burying their food and refusing to eat it. I've tried both well-established brands they liked before and new manufacturers, hoping to find one that would appeal to them. At one point, we even stuck with the Florida brand, and they seemed to enjoy it – I'd always buy the larger pack, which would last them a month.

But then, the refusal started again. It happened with this particular food, which I thought was suitable for their age. They ate it normally for a week, then started burying it with their paws and dragging it around the room. I bought the same brand, but this time for kittens, thinking it would work out. But no, they completely ignored it.

I'm at a loss again because I took the 4kg pack, hoping they'd eat it – but no. The reason for the refusal remains unclear – it's not a cheap, unbalanced food like some other brands. It's actually got more minerals and vitamins, and the composition is richer.

When I offered this food to stray cats, they devoured it, and their eyes lit up. I even offered it to my own finicky felines – they sniffed it and walked away.

Another annoying aspect is the smell. Our litter box is in the corridor, and as our cats are indoor-only, they do their business there. The smell is overwhelming, nauseating even. It's nothing like with other foods – this one's a real stinker. It's a warning sign, if you ask me.

I've got a hunch that either this isn't the original product or the cat food on Ozon's warehouse is stored incorrectly, which makes it lose its flavor. Six months ago, my cats loved it, and I didn't have any complaints. The bowls were always spotless. But now, my furry little friends seem to have lost interest.

I'll give it a neutral rating. I don't know what's causing my cats to turn their noses up at this brand. Although, they used to love it. I won't be checking if it's worth it with Florida's brand again. I'll have to find a new food that my cats Senna and Sonia will enjoy.

And this isn't the first time they've been on the same page when it comes to choosing cat food. It's not like one of them refuses to eat it and the other doesn't. They're both solid in their dislike of this particular brand. Maybe it's not as great as it used to be.

Pros✅

The price, especially during sales and considering points redemption, is super affordable;Large volume, 4 kg packaging;Small granules, making it easy for kittens and young cats to eat;Crunchy texture;Aroma of the food, without any bitterness or additives;

Cons ❌

Cats flat-out refuse to eat it;