UK Source for Smilla Cat Food Other than Zooplus?

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Critter Mom

Critter Mom

Member Since 2014
Hi all,

I just got a new delivery of Smilla kitten food from zooplus.co.uk. The quality is not as good as the previous batch and it's not agreeing with Saoirse (unlike the previous batch which she did great on).

I'm getting no joy out of zooplus customer services in terms of trying to place an order for more of the same product but from a different batch. Computer says, "No!" I don't want my problem referred to a product specialist: I want to be able to feed my cat this weekend. It has taken so long to find a food that agrees with her because of her pancreatitis. I explained how big a problem this was for her and that I would not have made such a request if I had a lot of choices about what to feed my little one, but it didn't get me very far. I also didn't appreciate attempts by zooplus to dismiss my complaint on the grounds that they hadn't received complaints from any other customers about the product. I would have expected better of them than that.

I know it's probably a shot in the dark, but does anyone else know of an alternative source of Smilla products for customers in the UK?
 
I tried using the UK Amazon link before, BJ, and it didn't work. I wanted to purchase something on Amazon and wanted the purchase to do something to support FDMB. I'll check it again.
 
Just tried it. All the Amazon links display as text only, not hyperlinks, on my browser (Firefox 32.0.3). :?
 
Box? :?

All it says is to click on the links to buy from the various Amazons, etc., but they only display as text. There's a hyperlink for ADW.
 
This is what I see. There is a small box where you can enter text, then the yellow button to the right to submit the query.
 

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I don't see anything like that, BJ. What did you use to get the screenshot? Let me know, and I'll try to get a snapshot of what my browser displays.
 
On a Windows PC, I used Alt-Prt Sc to do a screen capture.
I pasted it into Paint.
Cropped it to keep just the Amazon links.
Added the Arrow.
Saved it.
Checked that the size was under 480 pixels in both dimensions; had to shrink it a bit.

Also, I'm using FireFox.
 
Thanks, BJ. (Couldn't remember the screen cap key combination. :roll: )

As viewed in Firefox v.32.0.3 (Windows XP Professional):

Full screenshot of FDMB SHOP page:



Cropped Screenshot of Amazon and ADW links:
 

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And that's going in from the SHOP button at the top of this page, huh? Interesting.
Do you suppose it is because you're on an older operating system and browser?

Anyway, I did find you some links (above) by searching with Google, so even if it doesn't support the board, it may help you find what you need.
 
Just checked the links, BJ. Bitiba looks like it's zooplus with a different dress on. The call centre telephone number's a bit of a give-away (same DDI group). That said, the prices are cheaper if you're buying in bulk (minimum order for free delivery is £39 instead of £29). Handy link! Thank you. :smile: No joy on the other ones, but I have dropped an email to the manufacturer (Matina) to see if they can direct me to another supplier.

Regarding the SHOP display problem, I've just checked it on the same PC but using IE 7. The Amazon search boxes appear fine there. I can use IE7 when I need the SHOP links in the future. Still leaves the display problems with some versions of Firefox. I updated to my current version of Firefox recently, so there may be similar problems with older Firefox versions (I tried the SHOP link a while back before the update.)

I managed to get hold of one of the customer service managers at zooplus this morning and she was much more helpful. She didn't dismiss my observations about the differences between the food batches and showed genuine compassion for Saoirse and the problems we've had finding a good food that makes her better, not poorly. (My poor Munchkin's tummy and BG levels haven't been so good since running out of the last batch of Smilla kitten food.) The manager really took on board that the Smilla kitten food is the only food that Saoirse can eat comfortably so she agreed to check with the warehouse to see if there's a different batch so she can send a replacement. I've got so many things crossed right now that I couldn't make it across the room without falling over. nailbite_smile

I wish she could tolerate GranataPet. :YMSIGH:
 
There are some vet consulting services if you felt up to creating a cooked or raw food at home. Check the nearest veterinary college for possibilities.
 
It would be great to get to doing a home-cooked diet, BJ. Just to know that I could consistently and reliably provide Saoirse with food that agreed with her, and where I knew exactly what was in it. I did try feeding home-cooked chicken with a full-spectrum nutritional supplement (Felini Complete) but it didn't agree with her. My own health issues really get in the way of things, too. I must confess I'd be nervous of feeding raw.

I got an email back from Matina, the company that manufactures Smilla food. The only suppliers are Zooplus and its alter ego, Bitiba. They did say that they would investigate the quality issue. I got an email back from Zooplus saying that they were out of stock of the Smilla Kitten with Chicken. Out of curiosity I went to the website to check and had no problems adding a pack of it to the shopping basket. I found that quite upsetting - raises issues of supplier trustworthiness because it calls into question the veracity of the email they sent me.

I dread the thought of trialling a new food with Saoirse. I don't want to cause her any discomfort. Or worse: triggering a pancreatitis flare-up. :sad:
 
Dr Pierson of Cat Info does state you may add up to 20-25% plain meat, poultry, or fish to the canned food.
You might try testing out small batches of different proteins to see what works or doesn't for her.
 
Yes ma am if you go through the SHOP link the board gets a kick back to support the board.

Mel and The Fur Gang
 
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