cat food

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Cats deserve a great diet too!

Healthy, happy cats will thrive on a fresh food diet.  It must be high in animal protein, fat, and bone to ensure it fulfils their daily nutritional requirements.

A fresh food diet is one that is high in water content which is needed for proper cell function, energy, growth, and to support the essential body processes.  By nature, cats have a low thirst drive so to be sure they are getting all they require, it must come from their food intake.  The most important thing we can do for our cats is to provide them with a wet diet to ensure the body receives the necessary amount of this essential nutrient for overall, good health.

The right diet will help your cat maintain a proper body weight, have a healthy shinny coat, have lots of energy for a happy, playful demeanor and to help your pet to avoid many of today’s common health conditions.  A cat who thrives will look and feel great on the inside as well as the outside and it will be obvious to anyone who observes them.

Years ago it was common for a cat to live to 15 to 20 years but, not so today.  Many cats are now suffering from obesity, diabetes, gum disease, joint problems and many, many other preventable health conditions.  So often I learn of cats who have been living with these conditions or others from a very early age, sometimes as young as one or two years old.

Please consider your options when it comes to feeding your cat and think about the affects this has on their health, happiness and longevity.

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History of commercial pet foods

Just wanted to share some facts about the history of commercial pet foods.  Makes me wonder what people fed their animals before commercial pet foods were available.  I know the answer, do you?

The History of commercial pet foods, according to the Pet Food Institute:

  • James Spratt, an electrical engineer in England, developed a dog biscuit around 1860
  • Production of the dog biscuit began in the U.S. about 1890
  • Canned horse meat was introduced in the U.S. after World War I
  • Canned cat food and dry meat-meal for dogs was introduced in the 1930’s
  • The extrusion process was developed for cereals in 1950, and this was the beginning of kibble
  • The Pet Food Institute was founded in 1958 by the top pet food manufacturers at that time
  • Expansion in the variety of canned, moist and semi-moist foods grew in the 1960’s
  • The 2013 top 5 U.S. manufacturers hold approximately 70-80% of pet food sales and have so for many years (each markets various brands and types of pet foods):
    • Mars Petcare Inc.
    • Nestle Purina PetCare
    • Del Monte Foods Co.
    • Hill’s Pet Nutrition
    • Proctor & Gamble
  • The top 5 U.S. pet food manufacturers above also hold significant market share in human food manufacturing and distribution.  Hmmm, smart business decision to reduce their scrap rates and create a secondary market for their waste.