cat nutrition

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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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Not all home prepared diets are created equal

Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet.  A poor diet can have a deleterious impact on health.

Home prepared, species appropriate diets are the healthiest diets for our dogs and cats but, they must be balanced or you run the risk of nutrient deficiencies or excesses which can equally cause serious health problems.

A diet of primarily chicken necks or chicken wings is not a balanced diet.  A bowl of raw pork ribs is not a balanced diet.  Cooked meat with grains and carrots is not a balanced diet.  There are as many ways to do this wrong as there are ways to do this right.

Dogs and cats have different nutritional needs so please be sure to learn about those differences before you start making pet foods.  Also, not all information on the internet is from reliable sources so be careful of whose advice you are following.

If you are not able to provide a varied, balanced, nutritious, fresh food diet to your animals please consider purchasing a high quality, commercial raw food.  At least you will be providing the proper nutrients!

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Why processed foods are bad for us all

The pet food industry is slowing beginning to shift because the consumer is rightfully forcing changes.  As I’ve watch the industry trends over the years and as I speak to more and more pet parents, it’s becoming obvious to me that people are relying on common sense, doing their own research, and not just giving into the word of veterinarians or pet food companies when making decisions.  People are definitely becoming more aware and involved, especially when it comes to feeding their companions.  I’m happy to see more interest in home prepared foods as I truly believe it is the best diet for all of us.  This enables us to select the freshest ingredients and customize a diet specific to our needs.  It provides the best nutrition for overall health and longevity, it costs less money upfront, and it saves money down the road in health care costs.

Fresh, raw, whole foods are in their natural states and offer the most amount of enzymes, vitamins and minerals which leads to proper digestion, a strong immune system and improved overall health.

Commercial, processed foods may be convenient and easy to use but, most are made with inferior ingredients and are not healthy at all.  People are now realizing the negative impacts these products are having on their animal’s well-being.  Many dogs and cats are suffering needlessly and many are dying well before their time.  There are several contributors to overall health, but diet and proper nutrition are the foundation and must be addressed as the first part of any wellness plan.  Animals as well as humans were not designed to thrive on inferior, artificial, poor quality, species inappropriate ingredients and for most, when these are things consumed, they will trigger health issues over time.

Processing modifies or removes important components of food, like nutrients, fiber, and water which then changes the way they are digested and assimilated in the body.  Unlike whole foods, which contain a mix of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, fiber, and water to help you feel satisfied, processed foods stimulate dopamine which can lead to excessive hunger and weight gain.  Refined carbohydrates found in processed foods also break down into sugar which increases insulin levels and can contribute to chronic disease.  Another concern with processed foods are with the use of genetically modified ingredients which have been linked to reproductive issues as well as other health concerns and we are just beginning to understand the effects of this.

Food additives are another problem and many have been linked to cancer, autoimmune disease, kidney, liver, thyroid, gastrointestinal problems and many more health issues.  Below are some of the common additives that are often found in processed foods:

Nitrates and Nitrites in meats such as hot dogs, deli meats and some pet foods and treats.  These can turn to nitrosamines when combined with heat and become carcinogenic.

Potassium Bromate is often used in flours and baked products and has been shown to cause kidney and nervous system damage.

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) are banned in several countries but, still used here in the USA in some foods.  These have been known to cause cancer, allergic reactions, thyroid changes and other endocrine system reactions.

Artificial Flavors are usually manufactured in a lab and when listed on food packaging, we really have no idea what it is.  It could actually be a blend of many additives so it’s hard to gage the impacts on the body until a negative reaction occurs.

Artificial Colors currently approved for use in the USA are linked to a wide range of health issues from cancer to hyperactivity and allergy like reactions and these are commonly included in many foods.

These are just some of the common additives that are used in human as well as pet foods and treats but, there are several others that are equally disturbing.  They are usually added to processed foods to aid in processing, preserving and enhancing the look and/or flavors of the product.

The best part of whole, fresh foods is they don’t need additives to make them look or taste good.  Those grown or raised using good, healthy farming practices are delicious on their own.  Unlike preserved foods, they do have a shorter shelf life.  They also require proper handling but, they usually are consumed quickly because they taste so good, it’s hardly a concern.  Humans and pets alike will be much better off consuming fresh, quality foods.  A properly balanced, species appropriate diet is the starting point of wellness for us all.

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Why do we need to supplement the diet?

Most commercial pet foods provide the minimum amount of nutrition to maintain adequate health.  Factor in the contamination of our environment along with the chemical additives in many commercial products and it is clear that excellent health cannot be sustained with minimal nutrition.  Many home prepared diets are not well-balanced and the amount of nutrition the body requires is hard to get through food alone.  In addition, our soils are not as fertile as they once were.  Thanks to commercial farming and agrochemicals the soils have degraded over time.

Many recent studies show that individual nutrients at supplemental dosages (higher than those found through diet alone) have significant effects on the prevention and treatment of a number of diseases and even serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.

A supplemental program should be based on the individual needs of the animal and it’s always best to get input from a qualified practitioner because it is possible to create health problems due to over supplementation.  The breed, overall health, age, activity level, diet, stress and other factors must be considered when designing the program.  Supplements come in powders, capsules, and tablets.  The easiest way to give supplements to animals is to mix it into the food at the time of feeding.  Powders are mixed directly into the food at the time of feeding.  Capsules can be opened and mixed into the food, and tablets can be crushed and mixed into the food.  In addition, if the animal will take it, they can be given directly by mouth.

Remember, when thinking about making changes to improve health, the first step is to improve the diet because high quality, wholesome foods are the basis of nutrition and overall health.  A healthy, balanced diet is the foundation which will be supported by everything else.

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Healthy cats require appropriate nutrition

A cat is an obligatory carnivore.  This means they must eat meat to be healthy!

A cat’s digestive system evolved thousands of years ago and nature designed it to get its nutrients from whole foods.  In order to accomplish this, it must eat a species appropriate diet (a diet that evolved in nature for a specific animal).  A cat’s digestive system is short and acidic so when consuming the proper foods, the body utilizes the food quickly and efficiently.

Animal protein is a natural source of taurine which is a requirement for all cats.  Health problems such as dilated cardiomyopathy and blindness have been associated with diets lacking the proper amounts of taurine.  In addition, proteins provide essential amino acids which are required for the body to manufacture antibodies, enzymes, hormones, tissue, and maintain proper pH balance.  They also provide energy and are essential for growth and development.

Complete proteins are found in meats, eggs, and fish.  Incomplete proteins are found in legumes, grains, and vegetables.  Plant proteins are considered incomplete proteins because they do not supply all the necessary amino acids that a cat needs to maintain health.  Cats cannot convert beta-carotene from plants into vitamin A so they need to get their vitamin A from an animal source.

Carbohydrates are not necessary nutrients for cats.  A cat’s natural diet based on evolution, did not contain carbohydrates.  Grains are not needed and can actually cause problems because they break down into sugars, which is known to cause health issues including cancer.

The very best diet that you can provide your cat is a species appropriate, raw food diet that is high in animal proteins.  Cats who eat this way are vibrant, energetic, and have very little health problems throughout their lives.

 

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Raising healthy dogs and cats

Pet as well as human health is not created by taking a pill to eliminate a symptom, it is created by the things that we do and the choices we make in our lives.  This includes the food that we eat, the air that we breathe, the environment we live in, the physical and mental stimulation we get, and a number of other factors.

Since our animals rely on us to make these choices for them, we need to understand the decisions we make either contribute to chronic health or chronic illness.  From a holistic standpoint, we are interested in nutrition and diet as the primary tools for wellness.  Food has to be wholesome, fresh, consist of high quality ingredients, and be digestible to provide maximum benefit.  Food is the basic foundation of health.  It provides energy to the whole body and supports cell function which contributes to the overall strength of the immune system.  Strong, healthy immune systems are generally very capable of dealing with the day to day intruders that may otherwise compromise health and create a response (symptom).

Highly processed, non-fresh, unnatural commercial diets often contribute to deficiencies, imbalances, malnutrition, malabsorption, and sensitivities in our dogs and cats.  We often see the effects of this diet by the symptoms our pets experience such as digestive upset, poor elimination, itchy skin, ear infections, behavioral problems, reoccurring illness, and so many others.  Long term effects of poor nutrition for our animals is something “the experts” are still unraveling.  We do know that weak immune systems, chronic health problems, and various diseases continue to affect our pets at younger ages and the reoccurring use of medications to address these issues, in many cases, is wreaking further havoc on their bodies.

Our dogs and cats require good quality animal proteins and thrive when eating a correctly balanced, species appropriate diet.  They do best with the least amount of chemicals in their systems, are happiest when they get regular mental and physical stimulation, are at peace when they live with consistent leadership from their people, excel when they maintain an appropriate body weight index, and live long, productive lives when they are in excellent health.  Please consider this when making choices for your animals, since they rely on us to make these decisions and provide for them.