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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

3685.0. "Creamed Spinich Baby Food" by GENRAL::BALDRIDGE (Spring has Sprung) Thu Jun 07 1990 21:25

    I haven't seen a note to this effect yet, so I thought I'd tell all
    about what seems like a strange food for cats to like.
    
    	About 6 weeks ago, Jane and I went to a CFA cat show here in
    Colorado Springs (Our first cat show) and after watching several
    judging rings (that we still don't quite understand) and walking
    up and down the rows of cages, we came upon an owner who had just
    opened a jar of something and her cat, a Burmese,if I remember,
    was frantically trying to get at what she had opened.  We asked
    what was causing her kid to nearly go ballistic and she said it
    was creamed spinich baby food.  She said she had never seen a cat
    that didn't absolutely love it.
    
    	Needless to say we had to stop at the grocery store on the way
    home and get some creamed spinich to try out and, sure enuff, all
    three cats just went crazy over it. So now we keep a couple of jars
    around for treats.  When we were in Seattle a couple of weeks ago
    visiting our oldest daughter and family, we got some for their
    three cats. Two of them just loved it, but Einstein, their BIG (16lb)
    long hair, could have cared less, so 5 out of 6 ain't bad.
    
    	Anyone else ever tried creamed spinich with your feline kids?
    
    
    Chuck, Jane, Peaches, Cassandra & Purrkins (yum, yum, yum!)
       
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3685.1FRAGLE::PELUSOPAINTS; color your corralFri Jun 08 1990 12:317
    
    
    Good idea!  Nippa *loves* spinach salad.....this would be a lot easier
    for me to make for her....
    
    	M&N
    
3685.2Healthy Treat!SAGE::SPINGLERFri Jun 08 1990 12:538
    
    GREAT IDEA!!  Panther loves plain cooked spinach, I wonder how she will
    react to this?
    
    Feline Experimental,
    
    Sue & Panther (I love salad) & Spot (I'll eat anything!)
    
3685.3Can you make this from scratch?CGVAX2::LANDRYCloser to the HeartFri Jun 08 1990 13:008
    Is there a way you can mix this yourself without having to buy the baby
    food?  My two *love* to eat grass, maybe this would be a good
    alternative when they can't go out?
    
    I'm gonna get some this weekend and see!
    
    Anna/Zildjian/Spunks
    
3685.4TOPDOC::TRACHMANEmacX Exotics * 264-8298Fri Jun 08 1990 13:2813
    re: 3
    
    HMm, intersting idea - my Nikolas LOVES grass also - needless to
    say, he doesn't get grass but once or twice a year when he shoots
    out past my feet.  I gotta say, that creamed spinich baby food 
    doesn't make me want to run to the store, but the kids might 
    like it.  Actually, maybe I should just wash some raw spinich
    every now and then. 
    
    Anyone else's cat like spinich?  Could really be a good alternative
    to grass!
    
    E.T.
3685.5WHO MAKES THIS? MCIS2::BOISVERTFri Jun 08 1990 13:462
    Who makes this stuff (the commercial product I mean)?  Gerbers? 
    Beechnut?  I just don't remember seeing it on the shelves....
3685.6Never knew there was such a thingPROSE::GOGOLINFri Jun 08 1990 13:477
   Several years ago I was trying to live-trap a family of woodchucks
   that were dining on my garden. I was instructed to use spinach as bait
   in the Hav-a-hart trap. Sure enough, I caught all six woodchucks, plus 
   a skunk and a cat. I thought the cat just wandered into the trap by 
   mistake. Now I'm not so sure...

   Linda
3685.7Spinach and peasDECWET::GIRDLERFri Jun 08 1990 16:0315
I once made a recipe that had a filling consisting of spinach, ricotta cheese
and chicken, that was wrapped in springroll wrappers and baked. Well I gave
a sample of the filling to Snickers and he would have killed aynthing in his
way to get more of that stuff!!!

I find spinach to be OK, but even easier is to keep a big bag of frozen peas
in the freezer. Both my cats LOVE peas, I think they taste like grass also.
I just put some in a dish and microwave them for about 45 seconds. It has
gotten so that I can't microwave anything without 2 littles faces appearing
under the microwave, squeeking for peas. (not too spoiled, huh?) Since I
started giving them peas, their oats and grass have pretty much just become
play-things. They don't even want kitty treats anymore, they would rather have
a little dish of peas...

Debbie Snickers and Raisin
3685.8My babies love baby foodWILLEE::MERRITTFri Jun 08 1990 16:0510
    I always keep a few jars of baby food (Veg beef, Veg chicken, Ham)
    in my house so if one of my babies have problems with going to the
    bathroom or throwing up...I have this on hand to feed them.  They
    just love it and gobble it right down!  I figure that if a baby
    can eat it..it must be light on the stomach for the kitties!
    I'll have to try the cream spinich!!  I cooked them chicken last
    night...are they spoiled or what!!!
    
    Sandy (Tamba, Poco, and Barkley)
    
3685.9Try a blenderGENRAL::BALDRIDGESpring has SprungFri Jun 08 1990 16:359
    Yes, creamed spinich is in with all the other baby foods from Gerber,
    Beechnut, et. al.
    
    I expect one could throw whole spinich in the blender with a tiny bit
    of milk and it might work, but we've never tried it.  Don't know if it
    needs to be cooked.
    
    Chuck
    
3685.10me tooAIMHI::MCCURDYFri Jun 08 1990 16:457
    I also keep baby food on hand,, Happy will eat anything that does not
    eat her first,, Preschie shares Happy's philosiphy ,,HRH on  the other
    hand is a more selective.. she  will only eat the turkey baby food..
    (strained) and it must be GERBERS.. I am going to  pick up some
    of the creamed spinach..
    Kate
                            
3685.11FRAGLE::PELUSOPAINTS; color your corralFri Jun 08 1990 16:593
    re: .7
    
    	Another pea lover.....Nippa LOVES peas!!!
3685.12Here's a recipe....BOOVX1::MANDILEFri Jun 08 1990 18:4421
    How about a homemade recipe?
    
    Cream base:   2 TBL butter
                  2 TBL flour
                  1 cup milk
    Melt butter in saucepan on low heat. When completely melted,
    use a wire whisk to stir in the flour.  Let cook, stirring
    constantly to break up lumps and keep from burning.  When
    mixture is smooth and well mixed, add cup of milk and keep
    stirring.  DO NOT BOIL.  Let cook until mixture becomes thick
    and flour taste is gone.  Add approx 1/2-1 cup of cooked 
    chopped spinach (food processor chops nice & fine) to cream
    base and let cook for 10 min or so.  Add more flour if you
    want a thicker base, less etc. etc.  More or less spinach, etc.
    
    (I love creamed chipped beef on toast, and the crew love it
    too!)                                                          
    
    Lynne & crew
                                                                 
    
3685.13Or SOP as some call itVAXWRK::SKALTSISDebFri Jun 08 1990 19:318
    
    >(I love creamed chipped beef on toast, and the crew love it
    >too!)                                                          
    
    My father used to make SOS for my late cat Jet all of the time.
    Personally, I can't stand the smell of it.
    
    Deb
3685.14SANFAN::FOSSATJUFri Jun 08 1990 22:3614
    Once a week my husband buys about a dozen jumbo shrimp for my three
    - we have to put them out on the back porch while they are being
    boiled and then cooled off.  Sunday is usually prawn day (this is
    spoiled especially with the price of #13 prawns around here).
    
    So I think what I'll do is set a kitty table and serve the prawns
    with a side disk of creamed spinich.
    
    People don't eat this good - but what the he** are kitties for!
     I know mine will go for the spinich because all three are veggie
    junkies.  On my way home to buy a few jars.
    
    
    Giudi, Pippin, Gino & Stitch
3685.15SANFAN::FOSSATJUFri Jun 08 1990 22:376
    Correction to #13.
    
    Should have read:  side dish - not disk - this job is getting to
    me
    
    Giudi
3685.16I'll even learn to purrrr.....SAGE::SPINGLERMon Jun 11 1990 13:1310
    
    Giudi,
    
    Can I go to live with you as *YOUR CAT*????
    
    Feline Hungry,
    
    Sue (Who won't tell Panther & Spot how well your cats dine at your
    house!!)
    
3685.17my gals loved itSMEGIT::ROSSIMon Jun 11 1990 13:5114
    This weekend when I was at the grocery, I picked up some creamed
    spinach and as the base noter suggested would happen my 2 kids loved
    it.   I was very surprised that Maxine who only eats dry cat food even
    ventured a taste.  She had a spoon full and that was enough.  But my
    little tortie point, shes just twelve weeks,  K.C. (Kahlua N' Cream)  
    loved it. she ate half the jar.
    
    I was just wondering if feeding them too much spinach would cause 
    loose  stool  . 
    
    Please advise..
    
    Valerie       
    
3685.18add another to the veggie list!CSSE::CSTisn't that a moon cat?Tue Jun 12 1990 20:258
    My cat, Shin Khann has always liked those lesuer baby peas and also
    prefers the canned spinach to fresh.  I will also feed them wax and
    green beans (they prefer the wax) whenever we are having them for
    dinner.  Silly critters aren't they?!  In addition these things are
    great for cockatiels too!
    
    Karen, Ruby, Wing and Shin Khann (alias: Stinky)
    
3685.19SANFAN::FOSSATJUTue Jun 12 1990 23:2315
    I have one cat that goes absolutely crazy over asparagus - runs
    off with them - hides under the bed and stuffes his face with the
    suckers.  I asked our vet about this (Stitch I think would rather
    eat veggies than other stuff (except shrimp/praws/crab) and Dr.
    Scott said that veggies in moderation were fine.
    
    Sue, prawns are not the half of it - Richard has a special way of
    preparing chicken breasts, de-bonned and skinned, mind you, for
    the "babies".  There are other treats that I'm afraid to mention.
     We don't over do it but when they get treats, ahemmmm, they get
    treats.  Oh well - what am I working for??
    
    
    Giudi
    .  
3685.20FRAGLE::PELUSOPAINTS; color your corralWed Jun 13 1990 12:179
    Stop & Shop seems to be moving their isles around, so they didn't
    have much to pick from.....no spinach.....but I did try the strained
    peas, and Nippa went NUTS!  
    
    DOes anyone know if feeding babyfood several times a week will hurt 
    the kitties?  
    
    Michele & Nippa
    
3685.21popeye he is not...SANFAN::BALZERMAWed Jun 13 1990 15:4618
    
    Bailey eats just about everything---except creamed spinach.  I went
    to the market and was so thrilled that I could get him a new treat.
    I mean, all of the kitties loved it, right??? I dipped the spoon
    in the jar so he could lick it off (it works with the non-fat
    strawberry bannana yogurt), he sniffed it, looked up at me with
    a "you've GOT to be kidding" look on his face and walked away. 
    Undaunted, I put some down in a dish.  Not a lick was taken.  Sure
    Bailey, you wouldn't eat the spinich, but you were right there when
    I was eating the sourdough bread with melted jack cheese on it!
    I just don't understand it.  The smell is so aromatic... ;-)
    
    Marlene & Bailey (who would rather have have yogurt, tortilla chips,
                      pasta or pork chow fun)
    
    
    
    
3685.22To BeckyBEDAZL::ZICKEFOOSELENNICEWed Jun 13 1990 17:278
    The first poem I ever writ, 30 some years ago:
    
    	I love my little pussy cat,
        My pussy cat loves me.
    	She's black and white with big green eyes.
    	Her favorite food's green beans.
    
    
3685.23Yummmmmmeowyummmmm...SAGE::SPINGLERWed Jun 13 1990 20:1619
    
    Re:  .19
    
    Guidi,
    
    Sounds like the cats in your house are in good hands!!  I agree with
    your philosophy too.  Why not spoil them, isn't that why they own us?
    
    I have been known to cook meals of chicken livers in garlic and butter
    just for the cats.  They love chicken, turkey, ground turkey is a
    special treat, and Spot likes Pizza!  (I think she is after the cheese
    and tomato sauce.)
    
    I would still like to dine with your cats on prawn day!!
    
    Feline Hungry again!
    
    Sue (Who is leaving Panther & Spot in the Dark on this note!)
    
3685.24Attention Bridge club members.......FRAGLE::PELUSOPAINTS; color your corralWed Jun 13 1990 20:305
    purrp.....this sounds like a topic for the next bridge club or
    equitation meeting......purrp, I think we are getting ripped off....
    prawns????......my favorite!!!!
    
    Nippa (who snuck a peak at FELINE while michele stepped away)
3685.25CRUISE::NDCPutiput Scottish Folds - DTN: 297-2313Thu Jun 14 1990 12:114
    Well, Bob goes nutz over Broccoli.  I thought he was just being
    strange, which is normal for Bob.  Purrhaps not.  I'll have to try
    the spinach too.  My gang loves to graze.
     Nancy
3685.26I tried the creamed spinach too!NATASH::ANDERSONThu Jun 14 1990 12:3737
    I went grocery shopping last night - and HAD to go the baby food
    section to get my kids their treats.  (I honestly think I enjoy this
    more than they do - I get so excited to think I am going to surprise
    them with something special.)
    
    Otis (pardun my expression....THE HOG) was licking it out of the jar
    as I was trying to get it in the bowl.  He ate about 3/4 of the jar 
    before he went to bed.  (Still waiting to hear from someone of
    whether or not he will get the _runs_ from eating too much of it.)
    
    Tiffany - well, she's a snob.  She was nosy, got her face in there but
    then looked at me like - 'so, what's the big deal?'  However, I dabbed
    some on her nose - she licked it and then ate about a teaspoonful.
    
    Sam - wanted nothing to do with it.  He's a straight fish man!
    
    So, I guess Otis's special treats will consist of Gerber's creamed
    spinach.  Tiffany likes poached chicken breasts and I haven't found out
    yet what Sam's preferance is.
    
    I had bought fresh salmon, cod and a pound of scallops and was 
    wrapping individual servings (FOR ME) to put in the freezer and all 
    three came from NOWHERE when I opened the container of scallops.  I 
    shooed them all away and proceeded to finish the chore.  Later on I was
    getting the crew ready for bed and all finally settled in when I heard 
    this banging downstairs.  Sam had managed to open the kitchen cabinet 
    and knocked over the trash barrell and dumped it ALL over the kitchen 
    floor - trying to get to the container where the scallops were.
    What a mess!
    
    Needless to say - I will give them a bite of my supper tonight - but
    then I always do.
    
    What I won't do for those babies of mine.
    
    Marilyn
    
3685.27Nippa, thank you for informing us!!SAGE::SPINGLERThu Jun 14 1990 13:1318
    
    Purrrpppp... Gentle Nippa, thank you for the note concerning our diets. 
    I thought it most reprehensible of my Mummie not to tell me what other
    genteel cats were eating.  I am going on strike.  Starting today!!  I
    demand (politely of course) prawns, scallops, fresh salmon, fresh tuna
    steaks, creamed spinach, fresh chicken liver, caviaer, lobster, fine
    french wine, the freshest dairy cream, truffels, the finest chocolate!
    
    After all I deserve it!!  NO MORE OF THIS SCIENCE DIET BROWN STUFF!!!
    
    Mummie the time has come for me to eat as I deserve to!!!!   Buurrrpppp
    
    Panther Jane Spingler
    
    P.S. Part of our Bridge Club meeting this friday will be devoted to
    Strike Strategy.
                              
                    
3685.28WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOset home/cat_max=infinityThu Jun 14 1990 16:1210
    I am also interested in knowing if the creamed spinach gives kitties
    the runs.  I would think so, what with the milk content.  Anyway,
    could someone fill us in?
    
    When I want to treat my cats, I give them a can of sardines in oil.
    Boy!  I have never seen my cats eat more heartily than when they
    are munching on sardines.  Personally, I hate them...but I can't
    deny my babies.  
    
    Jo
3685.29Haven't seen a problem yetGENRAL::BALDRIDGESpring has SprungThu Jun 14 1990 18:459
    I've seen several questions about whether cats get the "runs" from
    eating the spinich baby food and all I can say is:  We've never had
    a problem in that regard. None of the cats want to eat much more than
    1-2 tablespoons at a time. I suppose a "piggy" cat, like some are, could
    have a problem with a whole jar at a time, but I don't have any
    experience to draw from.  "Your mileage may vary"
    
    Chuck, Jane, Peaches, Cassandra and Purrkins
    
3685.30So far no problems with 'piggy' Otis!NATASH::ANDERSONFri Jun 15 1990 12:2213
    Well, my piggy Otis, COULD eat the whole jar and tried valiantly to get
    his mouth in it (knocking it to the floor) while I was spooning it into
    his dish.
    
    He did eat almost a whole jar the first night at bought it - however
    not all at once - and he is fine.  I didn't notice any change in the
    litter box.
    
    Next time I am going to try the peas - I wonder if Gerber or Beechnut
    makes a creamed asparagus?
    
    Marilyn, Otis, Tiffany & Sam
    
3685.31Just when you think you know your cats...SAGE::SPINGLERFri Jun 15 1990 20:0430
    
    Well, I went out with great confidence and bought not one but TWO jars
    of strained creamed spinach.  (Silly Me!)  I was sure that with the
    track record of my two girls that they would both LOVE creamed spinach.
    
    *WRONG!!!!!*  It serves me right for being so sure of myself about
    ANYTHING that those two will do!!!
    
    It gave them the runs all right.  They ran in the other direction!!
    Picture this:  I gleefully call them
    to the kitchen and open the jar.  Relishing the thought that they will
    really love this special and healthful treat.  Well, Spot ventured a
    taste, (she will try anything) and made a funny face and stalked off
    mumbling to herself.  Panther took one sniff and looked at me.  I'm
    sure that if she were not such a lady that she would have given me
    quite a cussing out.  She was totally disgusted with that awful looking
    and smelling green stuff I had brought home just to poison her with!!! 
    I think this little caper is going to cost me.  Argus J. Please be
    gentle!
    
    Now I have a problem.  How do I exchange the unopened jar?  "Umm... I'd
    like to trade this in for maybe turkey or lobster flavor. The reason,
    ummm... well,  ur, my cats didn't like it???"  I think I will win the
    "Wackey Lady of the Week" award at the Market Basket.
    
    Feline Chagrinned!!  :-}
    
    Sue & Panther - "This is going to cost you Mummie!"
    	& Spot - "What was that awful green stuff???"
    
3685.32JJLIET::JUDYHealth spa? HA!Fri Jun 15 1990 20:549
    
    	"Wackey Lady of the Week"
    
    	ahahahhaha hee hee hee!
    
    	Thanks Sue!  I needed that laugh!
    
    
    	
3685.33 ahahahahaha!!!!!AIMHI::MCCURDYMon Jun 18 1990 16:5512
     Gee. Sue.. it would appear that you had an interesting evening
    after you left my house.. Wackey Lady of the Week... ahahaha
    I suspect your little FAUX- PAU.. will be the talk of
     HRH P.I.T. SEMINAR being held at at stately "Pookie Manor....
    for al of you that do not know..  HRH is holding a Princess
    in  Training Seminar for Preschie today.. Panther Jane Spingler
    is assisting in delivering the "course.. I am sure  that Pookie
     will be "billing " all  of the attendess kittyparents.. transportation
    is being provided as well as "HIGH TEA " after the graduation ceremony.
    AJP is officating  as master of ceremonies.. Gee I wonder if
    they will have any kitty tea left over.. hmmm..
    Kate
3685.34Only the Best for our Princess In TrainingNUTMEG::SPINGLERMon Jun 18 1990 19:5013
    
    Kate, I'm sure there will be some 'Kitty Tea' left over.  Panther Jane
    all ways orders more than she thinks she will need.  She is a very
    generous hostess.  I understand they are having Nashua fish Market
    deliver.  I'll be over after work for the smoked salmon. Yummmmmmmm
    
    Feline Silly today!
    
    Sue & Panther (gracious hostess) & Spot (Why wasn't I invited???)
    
    P. S. I believe A. J. P., Esquire will be delivering a seminar on "Feline
    Contract Law"  or "What's yours is now MINE."
    
3685.35And for those wishing to even further their educationVAXWRK::SKALTSISDebMon Jun 18 1990 20:314
    And for those who are interested, The Lovely Pip will be hosting the
    Graduate School seminar, QIT (Queen In Training).
    
    Deb
3685.36And now for the flip side...NUTMEG::SPINGLERTue Jun 19 1990 12:3710
    
    Spot, not to be out done by a "bunch of stuffed shirt kitties" (her
    words,) is hosting a Kitty Motorcycle Rally.  This is strictly for the
    unrefined.  Dress code, leather jackets and anything goes!
    
    Feline James Dean,
    
    Sue & Panther (Oh NO! I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS!)
    	& Spot IT'S PARTY TIME!!!!!!
    
3685.37..With fresh catnip!ESCROW::COCHRANERack and RuneTue Jun 19 1990 15:496
    re: .36
    
    Boogie will supply fresh catnip for all who attend the
    motorcycle rally!!!!
    
    Mary-Michael and the Gang o'Tabbies (Boogie, Misha, Mips and Belle)
3685.38 England swings!!!!!AIMHI::MCCURDYTue Jun 19 1990 16:284
    re: Deb.. ti was also my understanding that this seminar was being
    held in  England.. and that  "tour packages" were included.., the
    Palace, a cruise on the  Thames... etc..
    Kate
3685.39Pip has granted the Queen an audienceVAXWRK::SKALTSISDebTue Jun 19 1990 17:338
    That is indeed the one. And Pip wants to thanks HRH for arranging with
    Liz to make Buckingham Palace available for their sleeping quarters.

    Deb

    P.S. Students are urged to "bring money" as Pip recently passed the
    real estate bar and understand that it is a "buyers market" for those
    drafty old castles.
3685.40Will they caharte a private Jet?NUTMEG::SPINGLERThu Jun 21 1990 15:5811
    
    OH Oh...That must be why Panther was on the phone with her travel agent. 
    She has always wanted to visit "Jolly old England" she is quite
    interested in being the first pussycat knighted by the queen. 
    (Purrhaps for catching royal mice?)
    
    Feline Anglophile,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot (who would rather visit Graceland!)
    
                                            
3685.41No thank youHOCUS::FCOLLINSThu Jun 21 1990 18:3913
    I also went out and bought a jar for Oliver and came home excited
    that he would be experiencing something wonderful.  I put in one
    spoon full and he took a sniff and looked at me and said "what is
    this?"  Honest.  His mouth didn't move but his eyes sure were talking.
          
    I walked right past the baby food section on my next trip to the
    market, but wondered if there was anything else there he might like.
    
    Love to make him happy.
    
    Flo and Oliver - almost typed in Oliver and Flo 
    
    
3685.42SANDY::FRASERNever try to outstubborn a cat.Fri Jun 22 1990 12:459
	Well, being a sucker for my cats, I went out and got a jar of spinach
	for the horde, too.  The verdict:  two went wild over it, two looked 
	at me like I was trying to poison them, and the fifth ran away from
	the spoon, but all ate it happily when it was mixed in with their
	salmon (and boy, is that an interesting color combination!) :^}

	Sandy, slave to Smudge, Tas, Jenn, CC, and Beau . . .

3685.43Gotta kill them green beans first!RHODES::GREENECatmax = Catmax + 1Fri Jun 22 1990 14:1216
    I've GOT to try the spinach for the troops.  Wouldn't want them
    to be deprived...
    
    Meanwhile, an old FAVE is whole (halves will do) string beans.
    Not only do they [apparently] like the flavor, but before/during
    nibbling, they of course have to fling the beans all around and
    "kill them good".
    
    Alas, I found this out years ago, when, in the midst of one of my
    elegant (for a while, at least) dinner parties, I went to the kitchen
    to get the main course, including veggies -- freshly sauteed green
    beans.  The green beans COVERED the entire [large] kitchen floor.
    EACH bean had several nibbles out of it, and the 2 cats were
    deliriously flinging them around, attacking, and eating.
    
    A real treat, I guess!