From fussy to thriving – how high-protein cat food brought balance to Pickle & Farrah’s diets
Every cat owner knows the challenge: two cats, two completely different personalities, and twice the dietary demands. For Sally, a busy university lecturer, Pickle and Farrah are more than pets – they’re family. Her cats’ health and happiness are top priorities, especially since Pickle became seriously ill last year.
Meet Pickle and Farrah
Managing Pickle’s IBD with care
Pickle, a sweet-natured four-year-old Balinese variant, enjoyed eating popular jelly-based cat food pouches. But last year, he suddenly became extremely lethargic, stopped eating, and was persistently sick. He was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and hastily put on a vet-recommended 80%+ meat, grain-free cat food diet.
Farrah’s food journey
Farrah, a playful and inquisitive two-year-old European Domestic moggy, was adopted from The Gift of Life Cat Rescue in Spain. Farrah was found on the streets of Granada, so her diet probably comprised anything she could get her paws on. Her Mediterranean start in life may explain her predisposition for fishy flavours! At the cat rescue centre, Farrah was on a dry food diet, but she was introduced to wet food in the UK.
The mealtime challenge
When Farrah joined the household this year, mealtimes became a balancing act. The sardine-loving senorita thrived on variety and texture, with a taste for crunchy biscuits. Meanwhile, picky Pickle has always preferred wet food and dislikes like red meat and fish. His need for a protein-rich, highly digestible diet was also a non-negotiable factor in avoiding painful IBD flare-ups.
Supporting Pickle’s sensitive stomach
Sally learned the hard way that some cats can’t tolerate the ingredients in mainstream brands. While they may be familiar and convenient, many everyday cat foods are highly processed and don’t always support the full nutritional needs of a true carnivore diet.
Juggling different brands and flavours can be time-consuming and often results in bowls left half full.
As a pet parent who works from home and on campus, Sally was looking for a premium pet food for a multi-cat household. She needed a range of flavours, high protein content and natural ingredients, without the endless trial and error.
The Thrive experience
Enter Thrive! Comprising at least 75% meat or fish, grain-free formulas, human-grade ingredients, and no unnecessary additives, Thrive’s recipes offered Sally’s cats an ideal balance of flavours and nutrients.
Pickle-approved poultry recipes
Chicken dinners are always a winner with Pickle, so he immediately gravitated towards Thrive’s poultry-based cat food. The Chicken with Vegetables and Chicken Breast & Chicken Liver wet foods were big hits. He even snacked on the premium chicken dry food, which contains 90% chicken – the highest meat content of any dry cat food in the world.
Pickle’s top picks:
- Chicken with Vegetables Complete Wet Cat Food
- Chicken Breast and Chicken Liver Complete Wet Cat Food
- Chicken Breast and Turkey Complete Wet Cat Food
- PremiumPlus™ Chicken Complete Dry Food
Farrah: Spoilt for choice
Of course, Farrah followed her nose straight to the fish! The Salmon & Herring Complete Dry Cat Food quickly became a favourite for the crunch-craving kitty. She also loved the tins of Ocean Fish, as well as Sardine with Mackerel complete wet food, methodically licking the bowl clean during each meal. When it came to treat time, Farrah was partial to Thrive’s freeze-dried shrimps.
Farrah’s fishy faves:
- Ocean Fish Complete Wet Cat Food
- Sardine and Mackerel Complete Wet Cat Food
- PremiumPlus™ Salmon & Herring Complete Dry Cat Food
- 100% Shrimp Cat Treats
Two cats supported by one natural carnivore diet
Thrive’s high-protein cat food range offers the flexibility to support two cats with different needs. It satisfies their tastes and delivers balanced nutrition that keeps both cats healthy – from bright eyes to glossy coats and strong teeth.
Most importantly, Pickle’s health has remained stable, with no IBD flare-ups. The wet food’s high moisture content provides hydration and supports his digestion, while the clean, natural ingredients and vitamins keep his sensitive system in balance. Farrah doesn’t need a special high-protein cat food diet, yet she’s thriving on the mix of wet and dry foods. The grain-free cat food keeps her energy levels as playful as ever.
Happy cats, happy owner
Beyond its nutritional benefits, Sally was reassured by Thrive’s solid reputation, reviews, and ethical practices. For Sally, the difference was clear: “You can tell it’s real, human-grade meat, and you can see the quality when you open a tin. And the fact that both cats lick their dishes clean says it all.”
If you have a multi-cat household or a cat with a sensitive stomach, discover Thrive’s full range of cat food here.
By Zahra Pettican
