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Takket

(21,421 posts)
Tue Apr 6, 2021, 10:10 PM Apr 2021

need DU help... not really a cooking question.....

I recently switched my cat to a new brand of dry food he needs for his aging body. The kibble sizes are slightly larger than what he was used to and the little guy has 17 year old teeth. To help him out i bought a mortar and pestle to crack the pieces down smaller but the process is tedious and not something i care to spend a lot of time doing every night.

can you recommend something that would do good to break down hard food into smaller pieces? His kibble is about the size of a black bean. i want to break it down a bit but not turn it into dust either!

I saw this on amazon. looks like it might do the trick, but wondering if something that doesn't cost $100 will do the same job!

maybe a mini food processor? but it needs to be able to handle hard food

https://www.amazon.com/YJSD-Crusher-Stainless-Processor-Homebrews/dp/B08GCTV49W

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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need DU help... not really a cooking question..... (Original Post) Takket Apr 2021 OP
Coffee grinder? One you would dedicate to the cat food? Just don't do it for too long. applegrove Apr 2021 #1
This message was self-deleted by its author applegrove Apr 2021 #7
Cuisinart mini prep would probably do the trick Warpy Apr 2021 #12
Okay. Good to know. applegrove Apr 2021 #13
Emulsion blender. sheshe2 Apr 2021 #2
does he actually chew? Kali Apr 2021 #3
Just pulse in a blender or food processor soothsayer Apr 2021 #4
Iron skillet and wooden mallet. NCjack Apr 2021 #5
Omit the mallet sir pball Apr 2021 #10
Try all the suggestions and let Mr. Cat decide. NCjack Apr 2021 #14
NutriBullet RicROC Apr 2021 #6
How bout soaking it in a little warm water. If the cat likes it - problem applegrove Apr 2021 #8
Put a cup or two in an old sock and wack it with a mallet. Ferrets are Cool Apr 2021 #9
A nut grinder/chopper is the tool you need intrepidity Apr 2021 #11
Pampered Chef food chopper AKwannabe Apr 2021 #15
thanks for the help everyone :) Takket Apr 2021 #16

Response to applegrove (Reply #1)

Warpy

(110,900 posts)
12. Cuisinart mini prep would probably do the trick
Wed Apr 7, 2021, 01:21 AM
Apr 2021

with just a couple of short pulses. They're small and won't break the bank.

A coffee or spice grinder is more likely to give you dust.

sheshe2

(83,319 posts)
2. Emulsion blender.
Tue Apr 6, 2021, 10:20 PM
Apr 2021

You could do a weeks food in a matter of minutes.

However not sure about hard foods.

Kali

(54,990 posts)
3. does he actually chew?
Tue Apr 6, 2021, 10:28 PM
Apr 2021

a lot of cats just swallow kibble whole. a cheap blender will break it up, but will have lots of fines too. any chance kitty will eat wet food? you could just soak it in warm water and increase hydration too. (lots of vets recommend canned for older males anyway as an aside on this part so that is another possibility to switch)

I wouldn't spend $200 to crunch up dry cat food.

soothsayer

(38,601 posts)
4. Just pulse in a blender or food processor
Tue Apr 6, 2021, 10:30 PM
Apr 2021

Or put in sturdy ziploc bags and step on them or take a rolling pin or wine bottle to them.

I’m sure there’s a way

RicROC

(1,202 posts)
6. NutriBullet
Tue Apr 6, 2021, 10:39 PM
Apr 2021

I found a NutriBullet at a GoodWill store. $8. Works as a good coffee bean grinder so I'm sure it would work on cat kibble.

applegrove

(118,006 posts)
8. How bout soaking it in a little warm water. If the cat likes it - problem
Tue Apr 6, 2021, 11:19 PM
Apr 2021

solved. My dad used to mix a little dry baby pablum in with dry cat food and a bit of hot water for our cat Gerry. I don't know why he did it. The cat loved it.

Ferrets are Cool

(21,057 posts)
9. Put a cup or two in an old sock and wack it with a mallet.
Tue Apr 6, 2021, 11:19 PM
Apr 2021
I used to do that. I also tried using a meat grinder, but that was more work.
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