Holistic Pets

The largest ingredient in a dog’s diet, about 70 percent, is obviously the meat. People have read a lot about the dangers of parasites in raw meat.

Those dangers are to humans, not to our pets for the reason that dog’s bodies are acidic in their pH balance while ours are alkaline. Dogs digestive systems are also a lot shorter than ours, meaning everything passes through a lot quicker.

Dogs are canines, same family as wolves. So if canines were sickened by parasites in raw meat, the wild would never have produced a mature dog.

We always buy their meat from our local supermarket. We mostly get human grade hamburger for them.

The next biggest part of a dog’s raw food diet is vegetables and fruits, about 15 percent or so. The veggies need to be put in the blender and grated up quite good. Because of the dog’s intestines being short, the high amount of fiber and bulk in some vegetables will make it harder for them to digest, which means that they won’t be able to utilize the necessary nutrients from these foods. Remember that the bulk of these foods in the wild were obtained from partially digested intestines of animal prey. So it’s naturally chewed up.

We normally put in a mixture of carrots and broccoli.

Organ meat is next on the list. We give about 10 percent of organ meat to them. Beef heart or Beef Liver normally. We also buy this from our local grocery store. But I’ve seen it sold in natural pet food stores.

Organ meats are an important part of a the raw diet. All organ meat should be fresh, raw and can include liver, kidney, heart, brain, and tripe [stomach]. In its raw state it is a nutritionally valuable food with much needed protein, essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.

Next would be your fats or oils, which supply essential fatty acids. Research in essential fatty acid deficiency has shown that such a deficiency can lead to stunted growth, reproductive problems, and degeneration of lungs, liver, and kidneys. Too little essential fatty acid intake is also implicated in rheumatoid arthritis.

You can buy different oils like soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, or oil of evening primrose. Your best bet is to go to a local health food store or pet health food store and buy it from there, although you can obviously get most of those in your supermarket.

Give around one teaspoon or tablespoon depending on the size of your dog. Giving a little bit too much is not going to be a bad thing.

Next on the list is vitamins and mineral supplements.

Your pet will have a long-lived life without constant supplementation because on a raw diet their vitamins from food are already 100 percent bio-available to them so they are getting a good amount per day. But sometimes it may be necessary to give them added amounts.

Now you may argue here that according to my own statement, that dogs are canines, wolves don’t pop a daily vitamin pill in the wild. And while that is absolutely true, they also do not consume food grown in a nutrient worn-out earth, which your pet will be doing, unless you purchase your food organically or from a popular health food store. Plus they didn’t have the extra task of fighting off stress from all the new poisons in their environment like household cleaners for example.

Vitamins can be complicated. When you give them more of one thing it can deplete another; For instance, if you give your pet just B6 you can increase the need for other vitamins. This could cause nervous system damage along with other problems.

Your best bet when it comes to vitamins is to consult your local holistic vet about the right combination to give your pet depending on their diet, any deficiencies they may have, any diseases they may have, and anything else they need to take into account.

Raw bones are next on the list. I’ve heard a lot of sad stories about bones killing pets. But I’ve also heard a lot of stories about people feeding too small of bones to their pets or cooked bones to their pets.

This is my advice and this is what we feed. We always buy large raw beef or buffalo bones. My little one spends a lot of time chewing and cleaning his teeth in the process but also he likes the marrow which offers him a lot of nutrients.

If you are really worried you can buy pre-made mixtures of dog raw food. Most already mixed raw dog foods, which you can get from a pet health food store or pet raw food company directly, will have finely ground up bone in their product. But please make sure that they do grind it up or just look through the food before giving it to to your pet because people have found larger chunks of bones in the already made product.

And lastly I want to quickly mention water. We use for ourselves and our dogs bottled water. For many reasons that would fill up another article we feel this is best for our whole family including our dogs.

The amount of raw food that you give your dog will depend on many factors. Their weight, their age, their activity level, conditions they may have, and whether or not they are gaining or losing weight.

A general guideline that is used is 3-5 percent of their weight is fed daily. In other words a 100 pound normally active dog would require approximately 3 pounds of food per day. Or 1.5 pounds per meal if you are feeding two meals a day.

So if you are interested in feeding your pet raw make sure you research on it before jumping into it.

Yes it takes more time than putting some kibble in a bowl but it also gives you more time with your pet in the long run.

The raw food diet is as much a life-style as an eating plan; a naturalistic approach which excludes, in addition to cooked and animal foods, processed and refined ingredients.

In the ever-hungry quest for new fads and health panaceas, the raw food diet, with adherents such as Woody Harrelson and Donna Karan, is growing in mainstream popularity. Unlike many other bandwagons however, raw foods (also referred to as ‘living foods’), offer unarguable health benefits and one can reap rewards even as a 50% dabbler. To be a 100% extremist takes commitment, discipline and education and is best introduced gradually to avoid the overwhelm of inevitable detoxification.

A food is essentially ‘raw’ if it is kept below 115 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature above which enzymes are destroyed. Eating raw food ensures an opulent intake of nutrients, fibre, healthy oils and life-giving enzymes. Raw food is much more easily digested, taking half to a third of the time of cooked food, around 24-36 hours compared to 40-100 hours. Raw vegetables and fruits, are also predominantly alkaline so help to optmize the pH balance of the body (around 60-80% alkaline foods being recommended for a healthy internal environment resistant to disease).

Sprouts, raw juices and superfoods are favoured in a raw food diet, and dehydrating ‘ovens’ effectively concentrate the flavour of certain raw foods to assist in the creation of a mind-boggling array of as-cooked dishes. I’ve eaten a raw food pizza that unbelievably contained no wheat, no cheese and no cooked ingredients! It tasted delicious and I was stumped to figure out what it was actually made of!

Raw Power

Raw plant foods are healthy, regenerative, cleansing, energising, predominantly alkaline, and packed with vitamins, minerals, healthy oils, enzymes and antioxidants that promote health, beauty and longevity. As well as enhancing digestion and protecting against aging and disease, a raw food diet has noted weight loss benefits and promotes clear, beautiful skin.

The benefit of raw food becomes even more apparent in view of the effects cooking can have on constituents in food

The Effects of Cooking

Arthur Baker writes in Awakening Our Self-Healing Body, ‘Overly cooked foods literally wreck our body. They deny needed nutrients to the system since heat alters foodstuffs such that they are partially, mostly, or wholly destroyed. Nutrients are coagulated, deaminized, caramelized and rendered inorganic and become toxic and pathogenic in the body.’

The indigestible end products of cooked foods can linger in the gut, clogging the intestines and interfering with healthy elimination. They can cause a build-up of toxins, mutagens and carcinogens. Carbohydrates ferment, proteins putrefy and fats become rancid, creating free radicals that enter the blood stream.

Lipufuscin, the ‘aging pigment’, is an example of a waste product created from damaged proteins and fats. It accumulates in the skin and nervous system and is visible as brown ‘liver spots’ on the skin and eyes.

Toxic by-products and excess free radicals from cooked foods can weaken the immune system and accelerate the aging process.

Enzymes

Cooking destroys enzymes in our food. These delicate, heat sensitive proteins can destabilise at temperatures as low as 115 degrees Fahrenheit, hence even light steaming can render them inactive.

Enzymes, so abundant in a raw food diet, are highly functional catalysts involved in various health-regulating tasks in the body, such as breaking down food in digestion, delivering nutrients, carrying away toxic wastes and strengthening the endocrine and immune system. All living cells contain enzymes which function in cooperation with other minerals. As there is not an unlimited supply of enzymes, eating them in our food lifts the burden off organs to produce digestive enzymes which allows a greater use of enzymes for other metabolic purposes, freeing up more energy for the performance of other tasks.

Nutrients

In cooking food we can loose up to 97% of water-soluble vitamins (B and C) and 40% of fat-soluble vitamins (namely A, D, E and K).

Proteins

Heat denatures proteins, modifying their molecular structure and rendering them unusable. The bacteria in the gut feeds upon undigested proteins that tend to putrefy, giving rise to toxins. Raw foods provide healthy, readily available protein in greater supply without unwanted residue.

Fats

As oils are heat, light and air sensitive, heating can destroy the goodness of the and can alter molecules generating toxins and free radicals. Unrefined oils that are cold-pressed contain all their natural healthful substances (olive oil for example is rich in phytonutrients, flaxseed oil a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and so on). They should be kept refrigerated in dark sealed containers.

Fibre

Fibre is essential for health and helps to flush out the intestines, scrubbing them clean and aiding elimination. With cooked food fibre becomes a soft substance, loosing its brush-like quality. It can partially rot, ferment and putrefy in the gut, causing toxins, gas and heartburn.

Super Raw

Eating superfoods enhances a raw food diet even further. Superfoods are the most potent, antioxidant rich, nutrient dense, disease fighting, anti aging, beautifying, mood enhancing, immune boosting foods on the planet. Raw superfoods ensure an optimum intake of nutrients and phytochemicals for ultimate health, beauty and longevity.

Raw Food Diets For Dogs and Cats

A raw food diet for dogs and cats is natural and species-appropriate. Not only does it provide a rich supply of nutrients, antioxidants and enzymes, but ensures a move a way from low grade, inappropriate, highly processed and toxic ingredients found in commercial pet foods that can damage your pets health. If embarking on a homemade raw food diet for your pet (sometimes referred to as BARF – Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), thoroughly research the area first as nutritional balance is essential.

A healthy diet for dogs with bladder stones can make all the difference when it comes to treating and preventing this painful condition.  And if you’ve ever experienced your dog needing to go all the time and struggling or feeling pain when it does, you know just how difficult it can be.  Fortunately, for concerned pet owners, there are safe, gentle options for treatment which can ease symptoms and give you peace of mind.

There are two types of bladder stones common to most breeds of dogs, struvite and oxalate.  Struvite stones occur more frequently and are usually caused by urinary tract infection.   Oxalate stones are caused by a build up of calcium in the blood stream.  In either case, there are certain treatments that can help including a special diet after bladder stones in dogs have developed.

When bladder stones do occur they can cause a considerable amount of pain and discomfort.  The safest and easiest way to treat symptoms is with the use of homeopathic remedies.  Made from a special blend of plant based ingredients, these all natural products can not only ease symptoms but also strengthen the immune system to improve overall health.  Combined with a special diet for dogs with bladders stones, they can make all the difference to your pet.

So exactly what do you want to use as a diet after bladder stones in dogs?  The key to maintaining good urinary tract health is balancing pH levels.  Stones occur when the urine contains high levels of pH or alkaline.  In order to prevent this, it is imperative that you feed your dog a low pH diet.  In most cases, this means a diet rich in animal based proteins.

Since most packaged foods are mostly cereal or even vegetable based, they can actually increase alkaline levels in the urine.  They also tend to include a lot of additives and preservatives which can also be harmful to overall health.  When it comes to a diet for dogs with bladder stones, it is important that you avoid relying solely on packaged foods.

Before you consider a special diet after bladder stones in dogs, you should consult with your veterinarian.  In most cases, vets will suggest a diet which combines canned dog foods and homemade foods.  Canned foods tend to be better for dogs since they have a higher water content to help balance out the pH levels.  But you should never completely cut out packaged pet foods without first consulting your vet.

Along with a special diet for dogs with bladder stones, another part of treatment is the use of homeopathic remedies.  These products have antiseptic and antibacterial properties which can work to alleviate painful symptoms without subjecting your pet to harsh side effects.   Together with the right diet they can be the answer to your dog’s urinary tract issues.

If bladder stones are a problem for your dog, why not consider the safe, gentle, natural approach to help keep stones at bay?  With the right combination of diet, exercise and natural remedies, you can help your dog get healthy and avoid painful recurrences.  Avoiding bladder stones is as easy as eating right and relying on the healing power of nature so get your dog on the right path today.

If you are feeding your dog store bought food that is produced by the large manufacturing companies, your pet may face some health problems. Some large manufacturers are using products in their food that has been removed from human foods. Find out what you are feeding your dog or cat.

Like most of the population, you would think that dog and cat food manufacturers are paying close attention to a healthy formula for your pets’ good health and wellbeing. It may surprise you to know that not all manufacturers do, and that some use discarded animal parts that can actually harm your dog.

Not long ago, pet owners were shocked to find out that the food they were feeding their dogs had toxic ingredients and were causing many deaths in the pet world. Healthy dogs were fed this store-bought dog food that was well trusted by the unsuspecting public. Federal testing of some of the cat and dog food and the wheat gluten used in their production turned up the chemical melamine, which can be toxic in high doses. Gluten brings elasticity and chewiness to baked products, but in this case was toxic.

Know what’s in your pets food. Make sure to always read the labels. Watch for by-products, which can contain diseased and contaminated slaughterhouse meats. Healthy dogs and cats can have their lives shortened by what they are eating every day. Also, meat from animals that have been drugged and chemical preservatives are also dangerous.

If at all possible, feed your pet all natural dog foods that have not been on the shelf for a long period of time. Food should be manufactured in smaller quantities to allow freshness. Food that has been sitting in a store for a year will not have the same quantities of nutrition it did when fresh. The longer the food sets the less nutrition.

A healthy dog should have a life expectancy of twenty years or more, yet most only survive ten to fifteen years. Good nutrition is key to ensure your dog lives out his full life and is not taken early by preventable diseases and bad diet.

Many things can be caused from improper nutrition such as, Allergies, Arthritis, Bladder problems, Cancer, Dental problems, Diarrhea, Diabetes, Digestive problems, Kidney problems, Liver problems and Obesity. Obesity can be caused by too much sugar and carbohydrates that are found in store-bought dog foods.

In the end, buy a quality dog food. All natural human grade food with no preservatives added. An Internet search can quickly find you the best natural food for your pets. In doing so you will increase their lives and their happiness.

If you are feeding your dog store bought food that is produced by the large manufacturing companies, your pet may face some health problems. Some large manufacturers are using products in their food that has been removed from human foods. Find out what you are feeding your dog or cat.

Like most of the population, you would think that dog and cat food manufacturers are paying close attention to a healthy formula for your pets’ good health and wellbeing. It may surprise you to know that not all manufacturers do, and that some use discarded animal parts that can actually harm your dog.

Not long ago, pet owners were shocked to find out that the food they were feeding their dogs had toxic ingredients and were causing many deaths in the pet world. Healthy dogs were fed this store-bought dog food that was well trusted by the unsuspecting public. Federal testing of some of the cat and dog food and the wheat gluten used in their production turned up the chemical melamine, which can be toxic in high doses. Gluten brings elasticity and chewiness to baked products, but in this case was toxic.

Know what’s in your pets food. Make sure to always read the labels. Watch for by-products, which can contain diseased and contaminated slaughterhouse meats. Healthy dogs and cats can have their lives shortened by what they are eating every day. Also, meat from animals that have been drugged and chemical preservatives are also dangerous.

If at all possible, feed your pet all natural dog foods that have not been on the shelf for a long period of time. Food should be manufactured in smaller quantities to allow freshness. Food that has been sitting in a store for a year will not have the same quantities of nutrition it did when fresh. The longer the food sets the less nutrition.

A healthy dog should have a life expectancy of twenty years or more, yet most only survive ten to fifteen years. Good nutrition is key to ensure your dog lives out his full life and is not taken early by preventable diseases and bad diet.

Many things can be caused from improper nutrition such as, Allergies, Arthritis, Bladder problems, Cancer, Dental problems, Diarrhea, Diabetes, Digestive problems, Kidney problems, Liver problems and Obesity. Obesity can be caused by too much sugar and carbohydrates that are found in store-bought dog foods.

In the end, buy a quality dog food. All natural human grade food with no preservatives added. An Internet search can quickly find you the best natural food for your pets. In doing so you will increase their lives and their happiness.

If you have any questions on Dog supplies or Posh Pampered Pets, please call 979-221-7251 or email info@poshpamperedpets.com. Our home office is located in Waller, Texas, with warehouses located throughout the United States such as Dallas TX, Houston TX, New York NY, Denver CO, Chicago ILL, Seattle WA, Kansas City MO, Miami FL, Raleigh-Durham NC, Washington DC, Los Angeles CA, Fayetteville AR, Philadelphia PA, Phoenix Arizona, San Antonio TX Texas.

Everybody knows that an all-natural diet is a healthy diet. It’s no coincidence that what’s good for you is also good for your dog and cat. It’s also no secret that – aside from the buzzwords – most people don’t know enough about what “all-natural” means.

 

We are surrounded by eco-friendly, holistic catch-phrases: all-natural, free-range, green, organic. However, most of us don’t look beyond the words on the label to understand exactly what they are paying for when opting for these newer, healthier alternatives. Natural foods – simply stated – are those that contain no artificial additives or preservatives. When you and I are shopping at the grocery, this is what we are finding in our natural foods aisle. Are the rules the same when it comes to our pets?

 

In a sense, yes. Our dogs and cats are just as vulnerable to the negative affects of artificial food supplements as you and I are. These can lead to a number of negative health issues that will affect your pet’s quality of life. However, when it comes to a pet’s diet, “natural” usually also means “species specific.”

 

Although many pet food manufacturers probably have good intentions and stand behind their products, the ingredients in mainstream dog foods seem to indicate that quality can suffer in the name of profits. A quick look at what goes into most commercial dog and cat foods, reveals a make-it-cheap mentality that can cause negative effects on your pet’s health. Many manufacturers use “4D” meat in their pet foods. “4D” is a category that includes meat that comes from diseased, down, dying and dead animals. These ingredients are then combined with grain fillers to create the cheapest products possible.

 

“4D” meat may seem utterly unpalatable to you and I, but your dog has a digestive system that can handle less than optimum meats. However, like most pet owners, you probably want more nutritious ingredients going into your dog’s meal. As far as grain fillers go, your dog and cat have no need for these things in their diet and are not benefiting from them in any way. Add a nasty mix of sugar, salt, cancer-causing chemicals and preservatives; cook any remaining nutrients out, and you’ve got yourself a standard can of dog or cat food. Is there a better way?

 

There are a number of alternatives for your pet that are healthy and species specific. A species specific pet diet is one that is geared to match your pet’s nutritional needs, without negative or superfluous ingredients. For instance, your cat is a carnivore. Your cat needs meat and meat only. There is no need for you to pad your cat’s diet with grain and vegetable fillers. For dogs, an omnivorous diet is more appropriate, but most commercial foods are high on filler and low on important meat proteins and fats. Some pet owners are choosing to feed their pets an all natural, species specific diet, by cooking for their pets: creating homemade meals just like the ones they are cooking for themselves and their family members. For some owners, this might be a great alternative, but many find that this path is time consuming and difficult. Luckily, there are now a variety of all-natural pet foods available from suppliers who are dedicated to providing pets with species specific diets. 

 

The Trippet company sells a variety of great dog foods that make species specific considerations a high priority. Trippet Duck and Salmon Tripe Dog Food gives your dog a great combination of meaty protein and lots of Omega 3 fatty oils. Their Trippet Green Food formula incorporates plant nutrients in combination with the digestive enzymes that allow dogs to metabolize them. Tiki Cat has a number of great all-natural cat food solutions such as Tiki Cat.. Both are full of the protein your little tiger needs, without excess fillers and flavors.

 

Always ask your vet when you are considering changes to your pet’s diet. Chances are you’ll find that fresh, natural, healthy food is as important to your pet as it is to you.

• Paw Naturaw Elk Diet is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages
• Biologically appropriate raw food complete with balanced nutrition
• 100% human grade
• Whole food ingredients fortified with vitamin and mineral supplements
• Boneless, Zero Grains, No Gluten and Soy Free

Product Description
Exotic protein sources such as elk feed wonderfully especially for dogs with sensitive systems or allergies. The purity and whole food goodness of Paw Naturaw Elk Diet for delights dogs with its superiority in taste and nutrition and eases the minds of caretakers preparing the meals. Paw Naturaw Elk Diet features 100% human-grade ingredients and fresh organic fruits and vegetables. GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Crude Protein 15% min, Crude Fat 7% min, Crude Fiber 1% max, Moisture 68% max. TRANSPARENCY FOR TRUST: 71% elk meat mixed with 27.5% organic vegetables and fruits and 1.5% vitamin, mineral and organic oil supplements. Paw Naturaw carefully sources wholesome ingredients to mix into its raw diets. Elk diets feature USDA inspected elk processed for human consumption from local farms and ranches in the continental United States. Processing of Paw Naturaw diets occurs in a state of the art, temperature-controlled, production room in its own FDA registered and USDA certified organic factory built to LEED green specifications. HEALTH BENEFITS FOUND FEEDING PAW NATURAW: 1. Shinier, softer, and healthier hair or coat, 2. Brighter and clearer eyes, 3. Cleaner ears, 4. Improved skin conditions, 5. Bad breath disappears, 6. Reduces gas, 7. Stools shrink in size and become more biodegradable, 8. Energy and vitality increase, 9. Instinctual senses sharpen, 10. Heart and muscle mass strengthens organically, 11. Immune system functions improve its ability to fight off diseases and infections, and 12. Visits to the veterinary clinic diminish as the body holistically corrects itself of which reduces medical expenses over the course of your pet’s life. ABOUT PAW NATURAW: Paw Naturaw is a family-founded and -operated business with members dedicated to operating a socially responsible company according to a quadruple bottom line of pets, people, planet and profit.

Paw Naturaw Elk Diet for Dogs, Patties, 5-Pound Bags

You have probably all heard and read a lot of different information about health and nutrition for your dog. Commercial dog food companies realize that we want a nutritionally balanced, high quality food for our pets. After much study, we now have a better understanding of various ingredients that are beneficial and how these ingredients impact our dog’s health. It has also been found that a high quality pet vitamin can be helpful in maintaining optimal health in dogs.

Certain minerals are crucial for things like the functioning of muscles and nerves, transporting oxygen in the blood, and formation of bone and cartilage. The two minerals required in the highest amount are Calcium and Phosphorous. These minerals work together in the body to grow and maintain the skeletal system. The important thing is the ratio of calcium and phosphorous to provide the best nutrition. Magnesium also works with calcium and phosphorous as well as Vitamin C, Vitamin E and potassium. Magnesium aids the body in absorbing the other vitamins and minerals. Potassium helps maintain the level of fluid and is also needed for enzymes, muscles, and nerves.

Some other important things you should look for in a pet vitamin-mineral supplement include, copper, iodine, zinc, selenium, manganese and iron. Although these minerals are required in lesser amounts, they are equally important.

Copper works as an antioxidant, as well as forming red blood cells and aiding in the development of collagen and connective tissue. Iodine is needed for the functioning of the thyroid gland and production of thyroid hormone. the thyroid gland regulates growth and metabolism. Iron and copper together produce hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. Selenium is an antioxidant and zinc is beneficial for skin and coat.

For older dogs, a pet vitamin containing the supplements glucosamine and chondroitin can be extremely helpful in dealing with arthritis. These nutrients support joints and decrease damage to joint cartilage and are completely safe for your dog.

A high quality, all natural pet vitamin contains some other ingredients that provide health benefits for your dog. Some of these ingredients are not as familiar, but are helpful in keeping your dog as healthy as possible. Ingredients like kelp, seaweed, algae and brewers yeast are known as prebiotic and probiotic supplements. They provide natural sources of antioxidants and vitamins, and aid in digestion and absorption of nutrients. 

Our pets are living a longer, better quality life than ever before. Now that we understand the importance of good nutrition, we can provide our beloved pets with the best quality food and pet vitamins available.

Joseph M. Sabol is a world class Doberman breeder. Please go to http://petvitamins4u.com or to http://theroadhousedobes.com for further information

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_M_Sabol

They say we are what we eat. This applies to your pet as much as it applies to yourself. A good diet means less health problems, less trips to the vet and lower veterinary bills. But how much thought have you given to what your cat should be eating to maintain optimum health? Ask yourself the following questions.

1) How many times a day do you feed your cat?

Since cats cannot be exercised like dogs can, the only way you can influence your cats weight is by controlling the amount and type of food he or she eats. If the cat is being fed individual meals several times daily, there is often a tendency by the owner to offer the daily supply of food on several occasions rather than divide up the daily feed into several meals. This can also occur with cats fed dry food ad lib. Cats usually regulate their food intake, but continual exposure to large quantities of food may lead to over-eating and subsequent obesity if too many calories are consumed. In short, both several individual meals a day and ad lib feeding are fine, it is the total amount offered per 24 hour period which is the important figure.

Kittens should be fed small meals at regular intervals due to their tiny stomachs. Four or five meals are recommended at eight weeks of age, decreasing to two at six months of age.

2) Is your cats diet manufactured specifically for cats or do you give human food?

Some cat owners like to spoil their cat by feeding them human food as the bulk of their diet. Others have tried feeding their cat regular catfood, but find their fussy cat will not touch it, and prefers to wait for the inevitable human food offering, which soon becomes the staple diet.

Is it really unhealthy to feed cats human food though? Of course it depends what food. Remember that cats are carnivores, and require a high proportion of meat in their diet. They simply cannot adapt to a low protein diet, and will lose bodyweight if deprived of it. In fact, as a species they are relatively unique… a deficiency of the amino acid, arginine, in a single meal can lead to symptoms of lethargy, hypersalivation and vocalisation. Arginine is required by the cat to produce urea, a waste product resulting from the breakdown of protein.

Another essential nutrient for the cat is the amino acid, taurine, which the cat cannot manufacture sufficiently by itself to meet its needs. The cat’s diet must therefore contain taurine in sufficient quantities. If a deficiency develops there is a high risk of serious and irreversible damage to major organs such as the heart and the eye. Taurine is found almost entirely in meat, confirming the fact that the cat is a compulsory carnivore.

Another disease of nutritional origin is that caused by cats eating raw liver regularly, who can suffer from a condition called hypervitaminosis A. Cats suffering from this can present with signs of lethargy, unthriftiness, a stiff neck and other skeletal problems. To play it safe, do not feed your cat liver more than once a week.

Reputable cat foods are formulated after extensive trials by pet food companies to provide the mixture of protein, carbohydrate and fat that suits feline physiology best. It is easier, cheaper and possibly more healthy for your cat to be fed a reputable cat food diet, with occasional treats if desired (tuna, liver etc).

3) Which is better out of dry cat food or wet cat food?

Most vets recommend complete dry biscuit based cat food. This is because studies have shown that cats on dry food diets are less likely to suffer from dental disease than those on wet food from a tin or pouch. The physical motion of biting these biscuits helps prevent tartar from adhering to the surface of the tooth. However, even cats with no teeth can eat biscuit based food without a problem, as they just scoop up the biscuits with their tongue and swallow them whole. Another advantage of dry food is that it does not spoil as quickly which is useful for cats that are fed ad lib.

There are occasionally reasons why a wet food is preferable, as a method to increase the water consumption in a cat with a urinary problem such as cystitis.

4) Which is the best cat food to choose?

There are so many different brands of cat food on the market, the best one is basically a matter of opinion. Certainly palatability is a factor, there is no point in purchasing a particular food if your cat cannot stand it, although this is occasionally a necessity in cats requiring prescription diets. Rather than recommending you a specific brand, we suggest that you choose one which adheres to the criteria below.

Cat foods labeled as complete and balanced must meet standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), either by meeting a nutrient profile or by passing a feeding trial. There are now two separate nutrient profiles for cats – one for growth (kittens) and one for maintenance (adults). Maximum levels of intake of some nutrients have been established for the first time because of the concern that overnutrition, rather than undernutrition, is a bigger problem with many pet foods today. The standards include recommendations on protein, fat, fat soluble vitamins, water soluble vitamins, and mineral content of foods. If you are prepared to get technical, you should choose a food that comes closest to AAFCO recommendations.

In summary, consider the following points:

Choose a food that suits your cats age. Most big pet food companies will have different foods for kittens vs adults. Cats with medical conditions may be recommended special prescription diets.

Choose a food that come closest to AAFCO recommendations.

The ingredients contains the truth about a particular food. Everything else is there only for marketing purposes.

There are no legal and scientific definitions for the terms “premium,” “super premium,” “quality,” or “natural.”

Use dry matter numbers to evaluate and compare foods.

The source of ingredients (e.g. animal vs vegetable) does not matter, except in the case of food allergies.

Avoid supplementation. All commercial cat foods have more than enough protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Feeding your cat a good food incorrectly can lead to significant problems.

5) My cat is overweight, but no matter how hard I try I cannot get him to lose weight. What can I do?

Your cat is almost certainly being fed too much. Below some common mistakes are listed. Have a good look at these and make sure none of them could apply to your cat.

Not following the guidelines on the packet when measuring a portion. Most cat foods will have a table on the packaging suggesting daily portions for cats of different weights. The weight of food suggested is per 24 hrs, not per portion! Use your kitchen weighing scales to measure out the portion until you are sure of the correct amount.

Using a complete dry diet as a replacement for regular biscuits, and mixing it with wet cat food. If it says complete, you should not mix it with anything or you will overfeed.

Offering inappropriate food that is high in fat, or cream/full fat milk to drink.

Several members of the household feeding the cat at different times, whenever the cat is meows for food.

Giving the cat regular treats in addition to its main meal.

The cat is getting fed by neighbors, who think they are being kind by feeding it and enjoy the attention it gives them.

The cat is scavenging food from outside sources, such as other peoples bins.

The cat is part of a multi-cat household and is stealing food from the other cat(s), or even the dog.

Keep an open mind. If there is a possibility that any of the above scenarios might be the case with your cat, investigate it. If you are still at a loss, consider starting a prescription diet (see below).

6) I have heard you can get special light diets, or prescription diets for fat cats. Do they really work?

Yes they do, if used properly. These types of cat food are available in complete wet (tinned or pouches) form or dry (biscuit) form, and are growing in popularity amongst conscientious pet owners. They are low in calories and high in fibre, and often contain high levels of L-carnitine. L-carnitine has been used to help with fat metabolism in other species and recent scientific work indicates that it helps reduce weight in overweight dogs and cats. The real benefit of these low calorie diets though is that because of its low calories, cats can still eat reasonable sized portions and therefore feel full. This means they are more content and less likely to beg and look for extra food.

These diets are perfectly healthy for normal sized cats to eat too, so if you have a multi cat household and it is unfeasible to separate the cats during feeding time, you can safely feed all of the cats the prescription diet together.

7) Where can I buy this low calorie food from?

Many of the big pet food companies are waking up to the problem of pet obesity, and adding light versions to their range. However, they are unlikely to be as effective as the traditional prescription diets that are on the market.

They are known as prescription diets, because they are a specialist food normally prescribed by a veterinarian. However, you do not need a prescription to buy the food as it is a general sales list product. These foods are rarely available in supermarkets as many supermarkets are keen to sell their own brand, or have deals with the big pet food manufacturers. Many owners but their prescription diet from their veterinary clinic for convenience, whilst others prefer to shop around to get the best price. Many online pharmacies and pet stores are now offering these prescription foods, but whilst they may appear cheaper online, watch out for delivery charges added on top.

Science Diet Canned Cat Food Turkey 5.5oz Case