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 Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 2:46 am
So I was researching around on the internet for all things cats. Then I happened to run across a site about proportions for cat food, which in turn led me to this site. The author talks about how they make their own cat food out of chicken thighs or rabbit meat. What do you all think about this type of diet? Would a cat who has had blockage problems in the past thrive on this, as opposed to something prescribed by a vet? Any other thoughts or comments are appreciated! smile
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Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 5:39 am
most diets vets recomend are crap. big name companies like hills which makes science diet pretty much run the nutrition courses that vets take in college. most vets really dont know much about nutrition at all.
raw is one of the best things you can feed your cat. cats are designed to eat raw food, its a lot easier for them to digest so i assume it would be perfectly fine for a cat with blockage issues.
also keep in mind that most vets dont approve of raw diets just because they arent properly educated on the subject. most vets who continue to do their own independent research will be perfectly ok with a raw diet, ive even met some vets who prefer to feed raw to their own animals
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Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 12:18 pm
As mentioned, a raw diet is ideal for cats.
This lady has clearly done a lot of research into cat nutrition and knows her stuff - she's also a vet and directly states:
"most veterinarians are very poorly educated in the area of nutrition. 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."
If you haven't already, make sure you check out the "Prescription/Therapeutic Diets" section of "Feeding Your Cat: Know the Basics of Feline Nutrition". The following is merely part of what's includedQuote: Here is an excerpt from the "Veterinarian-Prescribed Diets/OTC Options" paper that I am working on:
'Prescription Diet’ trademark - marketing tool creates false perception
As an example of the serious lack of regulatory oversight, Hill’s secured trademark status for the term “prescription diet” in 1990 thus reinforcing the perception that, like prescription medications, their diets are subject to intense scrutiny and testing. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
There is a strong argument to be made that no trademark protection should be granted for any marketing label containing the word “prescription” given the strong potential to seduce the buyers of these products into a false sense of security growing out of the assumption that anything labeled “prescription” has been put through multiple layers of regulatory and testing paces.
If any product - including food - is allowed to carry a “prescription” label, it needs to be held to the same standards as a prescription medication. Otherwise, the word “prescription” becomes no more than a marketing label, and as such, should hold no more credibility than any other marketing slogan.
To quote the FDA/CVM Communications Staff Deputy Director:
“‘Prescription diet’ is an industry-coined term and holds no legal meaning.”
In other words, these diets contain no ingredient that actually requires a prescription. The trademarked term “prescription diet” is simply a clever marketing tool between Hill’s and veterinarians. The sale of these diets is restricted (by Hill’s, not by law) to veterinarians only. In return, Hill’s enjoys a boost in perception of quality brought about by this profession’s endorsement of their products. However, this perception of quality is undeserved and this incestuous relationship jeopardizes the integrity of our profession.
End excerpt There's also Quote: However, contrary to what is often believed by both the veterinarian and the client, the 'therapeutic/prescription' diets sold in veterinary hospitals are not formulated for optimal health of a carnivore and, in many cases, are actually detrimental to the patient's health. In addition, they are simply not necessary in most cases and do not optimally address the problems they claim to treat.
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Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 2:43 pm
Very interesting. Maybe people misconceive raw diets to be hazardous because we are humans, and we cannot eat many things raw. I believe this would also fall under the owners who transcend their own type of diet onto their pets. I actually spent hours last night reading the section on how to make the food myself, and have become very interested in it. I adopted a female cat recently with the expectation we would be feeding her a prescription diet for her past blockage issues (to make sure it doesn't happen again). I don't have the money right now to buy a grinder, but I'll reconsider this around January when I do. The article itself has really opened my eyes. I also spent a lot of my time yesterday reading a book about cat behavior and things of that nature. I also looked in the grain argument a lot of people (yourself included) proposed to me in the pet forum. Your information is sound and it makes sense. Cats are only domesticated, but their bodies still hold true to their natural (raw) diet. I think possibly because they cannot "speak" to us as a child would, is why many individuals tend to feed them whatever is cheapest/most convenient. As I said above, I don't have money to purchase the necessary things to make a raw diet for my kitty. But in January, I should have some leeway and be able to afford it. I know Shanna66 already answered this to a degree, but do you think that a raw diet is the optimal path to go with a cat who has had blockage problems?
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Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 5:03 pm
l Rikka l Very interesting. Maybe people misconceive raw diets to be hazardous because we are humans, and we cannot eat many things raw. I believe this would also fall under the owners who transcend their own type of diet onto their pets. I actually spent hours last night reading the section on how to make the food myself, and have become very interested in it. I adopted a female cat recently with the expectation we would be feeding her a prescription diet for her past blockage issues (to make sure it doesn't happen again). I don't have the money right now to buy a grinder, but I'll reconsider this around January when I do. The article itself has really opened my eyes. I also spent a lot of my time yesterday reading a book about cat behavior and things of that nature. I also looked in the grain argument a lot of people (yourself included) proposed to me in the pet forum. Your information is sound and it makes sense. Cats are only domesticated, but their bodies still hold true to their natural (raw) diet. I think possibly because they cannot "speak" to us as a child would, is why many individuals tend to feed them whatever is cheapest/most convenient. As I said above, I don't have money to purchase the necessary things to make a raw diet for my kitty. But in January, I should have some leeway and be able to afford it. I know Shanna66 already answered this to a degree, but do you think that a raw diet is the optimal path to go with a cat who has had blockage problems?
I think as a result of this, people haven't done research to realize what cats/dogs actually need for food and the cheaper companies play off this by providing at food that looks/sounds like an ideal diet - from a human-needs perspective - why else would we feed rainbow puke to animals we claim are colour-blind?
And of course it doesn't help that most vets blindly follow along with what the food companies have told them and people seem to think vets (and uneducated pet store employees) are the knowledge-gods of pet care
You don't necessarily need a grinder, it's just that a lot of cats won't eat bones or meat off the bone whereas ground is a more familiar texture/consistency. You could try offering something like a chicken wing and seeing how she does with it.
Raw most likely is the ideal diet for your girl, as it is with most
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Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 5:28 pm
Hmmm. But in terms of the recipe this vet provided (the article I posted) I would still need the vitamins and whatnot right? Like for example, even if I didn't per-say grind the meat up, but cut it into small pieces or something, it would still be necessary to add fish oil, vitamin E, Vitamin B-complex, taurine, and the Morton Lite salt with iodine to it? Amazon does have a meat grinder for around $30. I don't know if I would necessarily have to purchase a very expensive grinder. I do feel that if I were to be stepping into the territory of making Lilim her own food, I would want to follow those posted instructions exactly. I wouldn't want to make a mistake or something and her get sick. Edit: That particular grinder doesn't seem to be capable of grinding up bones. Are the bones necessary for the diet, though?
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Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 6:40 pm
l Rikka l Hmmm. But in terms of the recipe this vet provided (the article I posted) I would still need the vitamins and whatnot right? Like for example, even if I didn't per-say grind the meat up, but cut it into small pieces or something, it would still be necessary to add fish oil, vitamin E, Vitamin B-complex, taurine, and the Morton Lite salt with iodine to it? Amazon does have a meat grinder for around $30. I don't know if I would necessarily have to purchase a very expensive grinder. I do feel that if I were to be stepping into the territory of making Lilim her own food, I would want to follow those posted instructions exactly. I wouldn't want to make a mistake or something and her get sick. Edit: That particular grinder doesn't seem to be capable of grinding up bones. Are the bones necessary for the diet, though?
I think if you're serious about feeding raw you ought to invest in a good grinder, something that'll work well and last a long time.
I don't know if you've checked them out yet or not but there's a couple threads about raw feeding in the pets forum - I can find the links for you if you want.
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Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 7:11 pm
I see, okay. And yeah, I definitely understand. If I decide to go through with making her own food, I will invest in a good grinder. That would be helpful actually! smile
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Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2013 11:13 am
l Rikka l I see, okay. And yeah, I definitely understand. If I decide to go through with making her own food, I will invest in a good grinder. That would be helpful actually! smile http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/pets/raw-feeding-now-with-pictures/t.67902181/ http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/pets/the-2nd-official-raw-feeding-thread-and-guide/t.87245475/
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Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2013 5:54 pm
Thanks! Those links were helpful smile I was researching on more raw-diet stuff when I stumbled across this article. With all of the other things I've read while looking into raw diets state the complete opposite, saying the "myths" proposed from that school are legitimate. Thoughts? Edit Also this
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Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2013 6:34 pm
l Rikka l Thanks! Those links were helpful smile I was researching on more raw-diet stuff when I stumbled across this article. With all of the other things I've read while looking into raw diets state the complete opposite, saying the "myths" proposed from that school are legitimate. Thoughts? Edit Also this
The first article I'm guessing is at least a few years old, as their newest source is from 2007. Being from a vet school, I'm guessing there's some bias as a result of what they teach based on what they've been taught (and who's providing the funding). In the myth section, the "grains are healthy ingredients" thing made me laugh. They are right about by-products not being as bad as the stigma they've been given, and semi-right about the risk of bones (some bones and cuts do pose a considerable risk, but plenty are safe). And of course there's a risk of nutrient-deficiencies, especially with homemade because people can get measurements wrong, but if the only way to ensure a "proper" amount of nutrients is consumed by a being is by consuming premade, processed foods like kibble why aren't humans on a similar food-source?
The second article is of course right that there's a risk of bacterial infection with the handling of raw meat, but it's a risk people take by preparing their own food as well.
The level 4 evidence of nutritional risk in feeding thing, it seems to me they're talking about poorly-executed/quite imbalanced diets
The first example in the risk with shared environments to me presented a fairly unbalanced study - of course you're going to find a greater occurrence of bacteria in the raw, where you have ten times as many samples and sources as in the canned/kibble
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:36 pm
l Rikka l Very interesting. Maybe people misconceive raw diets to be hazardous because we are humans, and we cannot eat many things raw. I believe this would also fall under the owners who transcend their own type of diet onto their pets. I actually spent hours last night reading the section on how to make the food myself, and have become very interested in it. I adopted a female cat recently with the expectation we would be feeding her a prescription diet for her past blockage issues (to make sure it doesn't happen again). I don't have the money right now to buy a grinder, but I'll reconsider this around January when I do. The article itself has really opened my eyes. I also spent a lot of my time yesterday reading a book about cat behavior and things of that nature. I also looked in the grain argument a lot of people (yourself included) proposed to me in the pet forum. Your information is sound and it makes sense. Cats are only domesticated, but their bodies still hold true to their natural (raw) diet. I think possibly because they cannot "speak" to us as a child would, is why many individuals tend to feed them whatever is cheapest/most convenient. As I said above, I don't have money to purchase the necessary things to make a raw diet for my kitty. But in January, I should have some leeway and be able to afford it. I know Shanna66 already answered this to a degree, but do you think that a raw diet is the optimal path to go with a cat who has had blockage problems? the only reason raw meat is an issue for us is that we have very long digestive tracks, our systems are more for digesting plant material rather than meat. cats, dogs, ferrets, and other meat eating animals have shorter digestive systems since they dont need to break down their food as much so there isnt really enough time for bacteria to cause issues for them like it would us even then though, illness from consuming raw meat is a lot more rare than most people think. as long as you get your meat from a good source and keep it clean there isnt a huge risk. there is still a risk of course, but its not nearly as huge as some people make is sound
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 8:20 pm
And if you haven't already, read through the comments on the thing from the ASPCA that you posted in the raw thread. The article is a waste, but the comments were, for the most part, really good.
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 8:31 pm
You guys have been very helpful with this. I have done some further research, and I think I'm pretty comfortable going raw. Just need to get the funds for a nice grinder <3
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