![]() Making your own raw meat diet gives you the most control over what goes into your cat's food, allowing you to select the meats and supplements you use. ![]() Know the Basics of Feline Nutrition. Lisa A. Pierson, DVMIf you do not want to read this entire webpage, please review this shortened version: Feeding Your Cat – Short version – 4 pages. That may sound like a very obvious and basic statement but if you think about it. What does it mean to be an . It means that cats lack specific metabolic (enzymatic) pathways and cannot utilize plant proteins as efficiently as animal proteins. It is very important to remember that not all proteins are created equal. Proteins derived from animal tissues have a complete amino acid profile. You would never see a wild cat chasing down a herd of biscuits running across the plains of Africa or dehydrating her mouse and topping it off with corn meal. In the wild, your cat would be eating a high protein, high- moisture, meat/organ- based diet, with a moderate level of fat and with only. The average dry food contains 3. Why are we feeding such a species- inappropriate diet? The cat’s lack of a strong thirst drive can lead to low- level, chronic dehydration when dry food makes up the bulk of their diet especially if they have any level of kidney insufficiency. He is 1. 8 years old and still runs around like a kitten. Learn How To Read a Pet Food Ingredient Label. For more details regarding pet food ingredient labels, see Commercial Foods. Note: . This is why it is important to not just consider the list of ingredients but to also look at the Cat Food Composition chart, or call the company for the information. A good example of the above issue is a food like canned Wellness. At first glance, this food may be dismissed as inappropriate for a carnivore because it contains several high carbohydrate ingredients in the form of fruits and vegetables, including potatoes which are very high in starch (carbohydrate). However, the low carbohydrate level (3- 5%) tells us that the amount of fruits and vegetables is very low. Feeding A Normal Dog or Cat. Owners can prepare diets for their pets with no more difficulty than for their own needs. The following diets contain. Making homemade food for your cat can be a healthy, economical and nutritionally complete choice. Our male cat is about 15 years old and has always ate dry food from a variety of brands from el cheapo Western Family to Science Diet plus Friskies, Purina, etc. My cat ate Science diet dry food for the first several years of his life, at the recommendation of his vet (I Again, we would like to stay under 1. Grains and potatoes should be absent from a cat’s diet but, unfortunately, they are cheap so they are included in many commercial cat foods. Grains/potatoes are cheaper than meat. Stay away from food with gravy and sauces because they usually use high carbohydrate thickeners. Soy contains phytoestrogens and soy also negatively influences the thyroid gland. Given how common hyperthyroidism is in the cat, soy has no business being in cat food. Unfortunately, soy is a common ingredient used by many pet food manufacturers – especially Purina – because it enhances their profit margin. When considering allergies, the ingredient list is useful since we don’t care how much of the offending ingredient is in the food. In fact, they can be extremely nutritious. However, there is more variability when quality is being considered when compared to muscle meat. By- products are discussed in more detail on the Commercial Foods page in this. A muscle meat will be listed as . A “meal” product is more commonly found in dry foods. By- products can include feet, intestines, feathers, egg shells, etc., which are less nutritious (less biologically valuable/digestible) than meat. ![]() Avoid foods listing “liver” as a first ingredient. Liver is cheaper than muscle meat so it will increase a company’s profit margin when used in high amounts. Preservatives are important ingredients that we need to pay attention to. This label originally started out in the dry food market but it has now made its way to canned food labels. A Siamese is no different from Persian or a Maine Coon – or an . No matter the breed, the cat is still an obligate carnivore. Royal Canin was one of the first companies to come out with these breed specific diets as a marketing gimmick. The labels on Hill’s over- the- counter products contain a statement that says? I have never received an answer and the VIN threads have had Hill’s representatives participating. This field of study is not emphasized in veterinary schools and the minimal course work that is required, is often taught by people who have strong ties to the pet food industry. ![]() These are also usually the same people who are advising general practitioners on all matters of nutrition. Canned s/d is occasionally used but only temporarily (~2- 4 weeks) pending re- evaluation of the patient. Instead of defaulting to the . ![]() ![]() Since 2. 00. 3, I have spent a few hours in the kitchen 4- 6 times a year making food for my cats which is a very small price to pay for the control that I have over what goes into their food bowls. I do not feed any commercial food to my own cats and I would definitely never feed them any “prescription” diets. I would love to see veterinarians stop being so . ![]() This often leads to obesity. Fat cells produce a substance that makes the other cells in the body resistant to insulin. The rise in creatinine and BUN, and muscle wasting, can lead to an often- erroneous conclusion that the patient. The first paragraph on that webpage states: If I could have the reader take away just one word from this discussion, it would be “water”. ![]() Stones are also very common and can lead to a life- threatening urinary tract blockage. I sincerely hope that these pictures of Opie make a huge impact on anyone who is still not convinced that dry food causes significant suffering in many cats. However, they can become a problem if Man continues to insist on feeding the cat a water- depleted diet. Mindy and Mikie. Urine p. H is also often considered when discussing urinary tract problems but we really need to stop focusing so heavily on p. H. Again, a proper amount of water in the diet is the important issue here – not urine p. H. Many of the often- prescribed feline lower urinary tract diets are formulated to make the urine acidic but it is thought that these low magnesium, acidifying diets may actually exacerbate painful cystitis. Also, these acidifying diets often end up promoting calcium oxylate stone formation and can also lead to hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) which can cause or exacerbate kidney disease. It is also important to note – for those people still stuck on worrying about the urine p. H – that there are many factors which determine the p. H of urine and only one of them is diet. Urine p. H varies throughout the day and using one p. EVO Pet Products offers a full line of grain-free, low carbohydrate, and protein-rich dog food and dog treats, grain-free, low carbohydrate, and protein-rich cat food.H measurement from a single urine sample is very misleading and is not terribly helpful information. With regard to dry food and urinary tract health, aside from the lack of water in this type of diet, there is also a correlation between the consumption of a high carbohydrate diet and the formation of struvite crystals as shown by this study. When this happens, the abuse of antibiotics continues. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): IBD can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and/or constipation in the cat. However, a healthy intestinal tract should be able to deal with hair normally ingested by the cat. That said, if we want to help our cats out in this area, we need to brush them daily. Trying to . Carbohydrates are minimally used for energy and those that are not used are converted to and stored as fat. The goal is to lose fat while maintaining muscle mass. In several studies, cats fed a high protein/low carbohydrate diet lost weight but maintained their lean body mass in comparison to cats fed a high carbohydrate/low fat diet. Many caretakers feed very small amounts of these “light” diets hoping that their cat will lose weight.! ![]() The caretaker often ends up with either a crabby, overweight cat or a thinner cat that may have lost too much muscle mass. See Molly. Kittens, however, loved using her for a pillow. Molly. This diet is even more unhealthy than it used to be. There are much more species appropriate – and less expensive – ways to address feline obesity. There remain many unanswered questions concerning the fact that cats often suffer from poor dental health but one very obvious answer lies in the fact that humans. This is a far cry from the consistency of dry or canned food. Neither dry kibble nor canned food comes close to mimicking a cat. Given what a cat does eat in nature, it makes much more sense to be feeding part of the diet in the form of large chunks of meat (as large as you can get your cat to chew on) or gizzards (tough and fibrous) which a cat. See Making Cat Food – Dental Health. Notice the phrase . Many cats have very painful mouths but show no outward signs of this pain. Please see this section on my Making Cat Food page which details just a few of the many pet food recalls due to contamination of commercial pet food with deadly chemicals. Molds are very common contaminants of grains but molds can be found in many different food sources. Cats, like children, often resist what is best for them. The most important issue is actually making the change, not how fast you accomplish it. For this reason, it is very important to stop free- feeding dry food. They are not going to try anything new if their bowl of junk food is in front of them 2. Cats do not need food available at all times. It really is okay for them to experience a hunger pain! Those pitiful little cries of “I have not had food for two WHOLE hours!” were hard to take. This is important for cats that are trained to walk onto it otherwise, scales like the Salter one linked above may tip. Small cats in the wild eat 8- 1. I do not worry about leaving canned food out for up to 1. Keep in mind that a lion is not going to eat his entire prey immediately. Once you have established scheduled mealtimes, you will most likely need to start feeding a bit less at each mealtime in order to get. There have been many deaths of dogs and cats secondary to eating mold mycotoxins, vomitoxins and aflatoxins which often contaminate the grains found in dry food. Put them on a separate plate from his small portion of dry food. Once in a quiet setting, away from the other cats, two of my cats would eat canned food/tuna . You can worry about feeding a a different canned food later if you want to and you can always mix different types of food together. Recipe: Feline Nutrition's Easy Raw Cat Food. Last Updated on Saturday, August 2. PM. Published on Sunday, January 1. PM. Written by Margaret Gates Making raw cat food at home isn't hard to do at all, anyone can do it. Once you make your own, you will realize that raw cat food isn't complicated. It helps to know how ground raw diets are made, because commercially made frozen foods are made in much the same way, just on a larger scale. Taking the mystery out of what you feed your cats is important. While your cats benefit from the nutritionally better food, the benefit to you in terms of peace of mind shouldn't be overlooked. What does a homemade ground raw meat diet consist of? Most importantly, it is more than just meat. Ground raw meat diets for cats consist of meat, organs, bone, fat, egg yolks, water and supplements. All of these are necessary to make the diet balanced. The goal is to mimic the natural prey- based diet of cats. Notice the lack of any carbohydrate- based ingredients. These are not needed in the diet of an obligate carnivore. Making your own raw meat diet gives you the most control over what goes into your cat's food, allowing you to select the meats and supplements you use. Contrary to what many people think, homemade raw diets are usually less expensive than canned diets. The supplemented, ground diet can be the basis of your cat's healthy diet. To round out the diet, we recommend varying the meats you feed and adding in whole meats, with and without bones, to provide dental benefits and psychological stimulation. Depending on your available freezer space and the number of cats you are preparing food for, you should only have to make food every two to four weeks. Once you do it a few times, you'll realize how easy it is. You can easily make 1. Following is an overview of what equipment you'll need to get started, what meats and supplements you'll need, a recipe to follow, recipe variations, average costs and some helpful tips. Please note that raw meat diets can have many positive health benefits, even for cats with medical conditions. But, if your cat is ill, you should consult with a veterinarian before you change your cat's diet. This recipe may not be suitable for cats that have chronic kidney disease or other medical issues. Equipment. Grinder. You will need a grinder that can handle bones. Lower- end meat grinders usually can't, so choose the most powerful grinder your budget will allow. The more powerful the grinder, the larger the bones you can grind. Also, the more powerful machines can grind much more quickly, which can make a big difference if you are making large quantities. Please note that the higher end models can be quite heavy. Grinder parts must be hand- washed; do not put them in the dishwasher. Make sure the grinder you get has a reverse function, not all of them do. Keep in mind that it is frequently skin, sinew and cartilage, not bone, that cause jams in grinders. At the lower end of grinders that can handle bones up to the size of chicken thigh bones is the Waring Pro MG8. You would not be able to do anything larger than a chicken thigh bone on this model, but it will get the job done. Slightly more powerful is the STX- 1. MG Magnum which can handle thigh and most chicken leg bones. The popular Tasin TS- 1. On the higher end, there is the Westin 2. Commercial Meat Grinder, which states that it can handle bones for pet food and will make short work of even chicken leg quarters and most turkey bones. It is also quieter than smaller grinders. A very sharp knife. Keep your knife sharp. You are more likely to cut yourself with a dull blade than a sharp one. Poultry shears. Very handy. Meat cleaver. You may not need a meat cleaver if you are starting with parts, but it's a must if you are working from a whole carcass. Set of mixing bowls. Preferably stainless steel bowls. You'll need at least three: a small one to mix the eggs and supplements, a medium one to use under the grinder outlet and a large one that's at least 8 quarts, for mixing it all up. Plastic or glass freezable containers and labels. Or use freezer Ziploc. Or you can use ear buds and listen to music. Latex or nitrile gloves. Gloves make it easier to reduce the possibility of contaminating other surfaces. Keep a few pair handy so you can don new ones rather than trying to put used ones back on. Newspaper, paper or plastic to cover your work surface. Makes clean up much easier. Kitchen scale. Some scales have a weight limit of 5 pounds. Be sure to get a kitchen scale that can handle at least 1. Large cutting board. Make sure it will fit in the dishwasher. Freezer space. You'll need to have enough space to store what you make. Meat and Eggs. Try to get the best quality and the freshest meat you can. Cats may refuse meat if it's not fresh. The recipe calls for chicken hearts, which can be difficult to source. Hare Today sells chicken hearts at a very good price. They are often available at Asian supermarkets, so try checking ethnic food stores in your area or ask your butcher if he can get them for you. Try to use the real organs if at all possible; hearts are a major source for An essential feline nutrient found in many organs and their associated fluids, including the heart, brains and eyes. Insects are also an abundant source. These supplements are required. Skipping supplements or letting your recipe . There are different recipes that call for slightly different supplements, but they cover the same basic needs of the cat. What these supplements make up for is the fact that we aren't feeding cats the whole prey diet they would get in the wild. People have used recipes such as the one below for years without any deficiencies showing up. It is always a good idea to vary the meats you feed, not only for variety for your cat, but also to cover any unknown gaps in the nutrient profile of a particular meat. There may be an as yet unidentified essential micro- nutrient in one kind of meat and not another. All of these supplements are available from Whole Foods, and most are available at health food stores or online. Note: You may also use a premixed supplement instead of these individual supplements. Make sure that is it intended specifically for use with raw meat and that it's not just a general nutritional supplement. Also note that most come in different versions depending on whether you are using meat with bone or meat without bone. Some brands are Alnutrin, TCfeline and Feline's Pride Raw Made Easy. Please see the Easy Raw Diet Feeding page for links and additional resources. Here are the supplements you'll need: Taurine – Use powdered taurine. It comes in 5. 00 mg capsules. You can also buy loose powder taurine online. Wild Salmon Oil or Wild Caught Small Fish Oil – Some cats don't like the taste of salmon oil. Get capsules, not a liquid in a bottle. Once opened, the liquid can go rancid quickly. It's okay to drop the whole capsule into the grinder, the gelatin capsule is edible. This oil replaces the Omega acids that would usually be in the eyes and brains of the animal eaten. Do not use cod liver oil as it can be high in vitamin A which is toxic in large amounts. Vitamin E – Get the dry form in capsules, it's much easier than using the liquid capsules. If you can't find the dry form, you will need to pierce the capsules and squeeze the liquid out. Vitamin B Complex – Get capsules with powdered content. Lite Salt – Make sure it contains iodine. If Lite Salt is unavailable, use regular iodized table salt, but half the amount the recipe calls for. Psyllium Husk Powder – An optional ingredient that may be helpful when first feeding a raw diet. This adds fiber with minimal An organic substance composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; mainly from plant origin. The most important carbohydrates are starches, sugars, celluloses and gums. If your cats have been eating dry food for a long time, they may have lost elasticity in their bowels and may benefit from fiber in their food. Also, some cats may have constipation issues when initially fed a raw diet, so adding fiber in the beginning is a good idea. You can omit it later as your cats adjust to the new diet. Recipe Using Chicken Thighs with Bone. Remove about 2. 0 to 2. For example, if you use ten thighs, then take out the bone from two of them. This keeps the calcium/phosphorus ratio correct. Remove the skin from half of the thighs. If your cats are chubby you can remove all of the skin before weighing it. Don't remove the fat from the meat. Weigh the meat after you have removed these skin and bone amounts. You should purchase about 5 pounds (about 2. A metric unit of mass or weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram. If you can't source chicken heart, then substitute with 4. Taurine. If you do omit raw heart, remember to make up the missing 1. Use bottled spring water, not tap water which can have too many chemicals. Taurine. This is in addition to the taurine you may have added if you didn't use hearts. Taurine is water soluble so you don't have to worry about your cat getting too much. Vitamin B Complex. Acronym for International Unit. Measures the biological activity or potency of a substance. The precise definition of one IU differs from one substance to another and there is no equivalence amongst different substances. Therefore, each substance has a different IU to milligram conversion. Enter the weight of the meat with bone after you have removed the extra bone and half of the skin and the calculator will figure out how much of all the other ingredients you need. Round off the supplement amounts as necessary. Putting It All Together. Be organized, it will save a lot of time. Cover your work surface with paper or plastic. Set up your grinder, cutting board, tools, supplements and bowls. Oh, and it's probably a good idea to put your four- footed . Remove the skin from half of the chicken thighs, or from all of them if your cats are chubby. Remove the bone from 2. Next, weigh out what you will need (image A). Rinse the meat with water to help remove any surface bacteria.
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