The Raw Food Diet
Cats are carnivores, plain and simple. In the wild a cat will catch her prey and eat it, flesh, bones and organs (including the vegetable content of the stomach), fresh and raw. The pet food industry has convinced 3 generations of people that kibble and canned food is a healthy balanced diet for our cats, when, it is the most unhealthy diet we could give them. Commercial food may be the main reason so many are dying at ten or twelve rather than twenty-two or so…
Commercial cat foods contain grains (wheat, soy, corn, peanut hulls), meals (rendered animal parts including pets killed in shelters), rancid oils and grease, sweeteners, fish by-products, animal by-products, sometimes “4D” animals (dead, dying, diseased, disabled), chemicals including preservatives, food coloring, BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin, which are potentially cancer causing, and this is just the short list. It’s no wonder that there has been an explosion of chronic degenerative disease occurring in today’s domesticated cat population!
Indeed cats are actually obligate carnivores, which essentially means that the nutrition they require must come from the meat, organs and bones of the bodies of other animals, and because of the cat’s particular anatomical and physiological design, the most ideal and natural way for them to consume that flesh and bone is in its raw state. A cat who is well nourished and free of toxins and undue stress is a cat whose internal terrain is well-balanced. This kind of equilibrium automatically gives rise to an immune system that’s healthy and strong and able to function at peak performance to protect the body from succumbing to chronic illness.
Commercial cat foods contain grains (wheat, soy, corn, peanut hulls), meals (rendered animal parts including pets killed in shelters), rancid oils and grease, sweeteners, fish by-products, animal by-products, sometimes “4D” animals (dead, dying, diseased, disabled), chemicals including preservatives, food coloring, BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin, which are potentially cancer causing, and this is just the short list. It’s no wonder that there has been an explosion of chronic degenerative disease occurring in today’s domesticated cat population!
Indeed cats are actually obligate carnivores, which essentially means that the nutrition they require must come from the meat, organs and bones of the bodies of other animals, and because of the cat’s particular anatomical and physiological design, the most ideal and natural way for them to consume that flesh and bone is in its raw state. A cat who is well nourished and free of toxins and undue stress is a cat whose internal terrain is well-balanced. This kind of equilibrium automatically gives rise to an immune system that’s healthy and strong and able to function at peak performance to protect the body from succumbing to chronic illness.
Home Made Raw Cat Food
Making your own food is safer, less expensive, and more convenient than having a sick cat! In emergencies, there are frozen raw organic foods available.
I usually use chicken (or other meat) including liver, gizzard, and heart (cats must have the organs, as they do not manufacture the needed taurine these organs contain). If you don’t get a whole chicken with organs, buy liver and heart!) on hand, plus Solid gold Seameal brand multivitamin with sea vegetable, nutritional yeast (large flake) and lecethin. Earth Animal internal flea powder, and diatomaceous earth for parasites (not constantly). Cats love dried fish (tho salty) and fish flakes.
I grind necks and backs (backs contain some organs), and put in meat and supplements. My husband cuts up the many chickens we go through in a day, and we give them raw meaty bones to chew on: they love them, and the chewing is good for the teeth, gums, and jaws. I put the leftover bits back through the grinder. My grinder of choice is the Tasin-108 purchased from One-Stop Jerky Shop on-line for $179.00 It rocks!! It’s VERY easy! and serve with warm chicken broth over it. Cats love mackerel, tho it has too much mercury and sodium in it for frequent use. Small fish are inexpensive..sardines in water, or smelt. Fish in general is not good for them, though fish oil is! I also worry about radiation in fish, especially from the Pacific ocean. Bummer. Small fish are lower on the food chain, so contain fewer toxins. I once in a while sprinkle yeast over the food, or a dried treat, if I needed for a new cat who is transitioning to this diet. I give raw bones morning and evening. Keeps the teeth and gums healthy. Contrary to myth , cooked bones are okay too.Here's my basic recipe.
I usually use chicken, as it’s the least expensive, but with just a few cats, use duck, rabbit, beef, (the big beef bones won’t go through the grinder, so you have to use small bones and/or bone meal) and various meats. They all have different, nutritional components., valuable minerals etc.
I also add Solid Gold Seameal multi-vitamin as per the package directions. As needed, I add probiotics & digestive enzymes (if anyone is on antibiotics or has GI tract problems), lysine if they have herpes in the eyes, etc. Transfer Factor is a great supplement and Seacure …there are millions of good things…if you can get to Healthy Spot, or even call them they can advise. It’s a learning process…I add some broth& nutritional yeast to this, and mix thoroughly!
I warm the broth and put it over the food, to bring it up to the temp of fresh-killed prey J and give bones & chunks of meat once or twice daily.
S.F. Raw is a great source of information, and of food! www.sfraw.org.
RawFedKitty, Feline Nutrition Education Society is a great resource...lots of "how-tos" and Frequently-Asked Questions, etc., etc! check them out at
www.felinenutrition.org.
If you want to buy ground meat, and add supplements, either TC Feline or Feline Instinct has all you need in addition to the meat. Dr. Anne Reed of Richmond sells it, and endorses it, so it must be okay! It can be had on-line. But don't forget the raw meaty bones for them to chew on!
Why Genetically Modified Food is bad
http://www.naturalnews.com/033043_GMOs_crop_failures.html#ixzz1SfwuzETn
World's Best Litter contains genetically modified corn...(DUH!) Yesterday's News, Feline Pine, and Sweat Scoop (which I don't like) are said to be GMO-free and non-toxic. The one litter I'm completely comfortable with is the Smart Litter, original, sold only at Pet Food Express. Safe, and performs beautifully!! Second favorite now is Green Tea Leaves litter, which has some wood added from bits leftover from the making of furniture & musical instruments...not treated with anything. It's lightweight, inexpensive, and works well!!
Here’s a good link to why commercial dog and cat foods are dangerous…
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-industry-exposed/shocking-truth-about-dog-food/comment-page-1/#comment-27597
I usually use chicken (or other meat) including liver, gizzard, and heart (cats must have the organs, as they do not manufacture the needed taurine these organs contain). If you don’t get a whole chicken with organs, buy liver and heart!) on hand, plus Solid gold Seameal brand multivitamin with sea vegetable, nutritional yeast (large flake) and lecethin. Earth Animal internal flea powder, and diatomaceous earth for parasites (not constantly). Cats love dried fish (tho salty) and fish flakes.
I grind necks and backs (backs contain some organs), and put in meat and supplements. My husband cuts up the many chickens we go through in a day, and we give them raw meaty bones to chew on: they love them, and the chewing is good for the teeth, gums, and jaws. I put the leftover bits back through the grinder. My grinder of choice is the Tasin-108 purchased from One-Stop Jerky Shop on-line for $179.00 It rocks!! It’s VERY easy! and serve with warm chicken broth over it. Cats love mackerel, tho it has too much mercury and sodium in it for frequent use. Small fish are inexpensive..sardines in water, or smelt. Fish in general is not good for them, though fish oil is! I also worry about radiation in fish, especially from the Pacific ocean. Bummer. Small fish are lower on the food chain, so contain fewer toxins. I once in a while sprinkle yeast over the food, or a dried treat, if I needed for a new cat who is transitioning to this diet. I give raw bones morning and evening. Keeps the teeth and gums healthy. Contrary to myth , cooked bones are okay too.Here's my basic recipe.
I usually use chicken, as it’s the least expensive, but with just a few cats, use duck, rabbit, beef, (the big beef bones won’t go through the grinder, so you have to use small bones and/or bone meal) and various meats. They all have different, nutritional components., valuable minerals etc.
I also add Solid Gold Seameal multi-vitamin as per the package directions. As needed, I add probiotics & digestive enzymes (if anyone is on antibiotics or has GI tract problems), lysine if they have herpes in the eyes, etc. Transfer Factor is a great supplement and Seacure …there are millions of good things…if you can get to Healthy Spot, or even call them they can advise. It’s a learning process…I add some broth& nutritional yeast to this, and mix thoroughly!
I warm the broth and put it over the food, to bring it up to the temp of fresh-killed prey J and give bones & chunks of meat once or twice daily.
S.F. Raw is a great source of information, and of food! www.sfraw.org.
RawFedKitty, Feline Nutrition Education Society is a great resource...lots of "how-tos" and Frequently-Asked Questions, etc., etc! check them out at
www.felinenutrition.org.
If you want to buy ground meat, and add supplements, either TC Feline or Feline Instinct has all you need in addition to the meat. Dr. Anne Reed of Richmond sells it, and endorses it, so it must be okay! It can be had on-line. But don't forget the raw meaty bones for them to chew on!
Why Genetically Modified Food is bad
http://www.naturalnews.com/033043_GMOs_crop_failures.html#ixzz1SfwuzETn
World's Best Litter contains genetically modified corn...(DUH!) Yesterday's News, Feline Pine, and Sweat Scoop (which I don't like) are said to be GMO-free and non-toxic. The one litter I'm completely comfortable with is the Smart Litter, original, sold only at Pet Food Express. Safe, and performs beautifully!! Second favorite now is Green Tea Leaves litter, which has some wood added from bits leftover from the making of furniture & musical instruments...not treated with anything. It's lightweight, inexpensive, and works well!!
Here’s a good link to why commercial dog and cat foods are dangerous…
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-industry-exposed/shocking-truth-about-dog-food/comment-page-1/#comment-27597