LoveToKnow Cats:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Cats

Comments

Hi Kestrel,

I appreciate you sharing your opinion, and I wanted to add one more bit of information. A cat's digestive system is designed to pull most of it's liquid content from the food it eats. Cats actually don't drink a lot of water from bowls, so feeding wet foods is actually a healthy alternative, and really isn't spoiling them. In fact, vets actually recommend that cats that get urine crystals should be fed wet foods to increase their fluid intake.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Kestrel,

You make some excellent points. Our cats no longer live in the wild, so it can be difficult to feed them this way. There are a few people who are able to feed their cats a raw diet, however, cats need a lot of specific nutrients, so this should always be researched thoroughly and monitored by a veterinarian.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

a natural diet is fine as long as the cat is free to work it out for itself. Once humans start interfering it gets more complicated sadly. Yes, a cat will eat animals in the wild, and get their vegetation from what the animal has eaten or other sources when they need it, but it is their choice when their bodies tell them they 'need' something else. Domesticated cats have outside influences that, however much you try not to, will change this.

Additionally you have the RSPB, mammals trust, wildlife organisations etc who influence 'tree huggers' and you end up with cat haters. A perfect world would be great but is it workable? Just because some of us know that the natural diet is the best, natural cats just can't exist any more without risks.

A lot of research goes into good quality pet foods that overcome the things that domestic cats have to cope with that they wouldn't have to in the wild. All the cats' owners have to do is try not to spoil them all the time with wet food + 'what they like'. I like chocolate but I can't eat it all the time.

-- Contributed by: Kestrel

Hi Chuck,

I understand what you're saying, but when pet food manufacturers list "by products" it can be anything and everything and is often food that has been deemed unfit for human consumption.

For example, it was found that some were using dog and cat parts from euthanized animals. So, the term "by products" can mean many different things.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I am a little confused. Lets pretend my cats go outside and hunts for food. My cat kills a bird and eats it. The article states that this is the best food for my cat. The cat is eating the bird - BY PRODUCTS - and all. He will eat the bones, feathers, lungs, intestines, etc( you get the idea). This seems to be odd because if a cat food manufacture uses by-products, that is a no no.

-- Contributed by: Chuck

Hi Karie,

First, you should really try to purchase the best quality cat food you can afford. Preferably something without fillers or by products. Try to find something with a good source of lean protein. You can find good quality food at your local pet supply store and at health food stores as well as your veterinary office.

You also will want to look at any special needs your cat might have. For example, if the cat has long fur, you may want something with hairball control. If the cat is a overweight, you'll want something lower calorie and so on. Kittens have other special dietary needs, so be sure to get a kitten formula for kittens.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hello, I have just gotten a kitty and I am new to this feeding and taking care of, thing. So I was wondering if you can give me some advice about foods and others things that might be helpful. I really want a healthy cat so please help me

-- Contributed by: Karie

Hi Maria,

Whenever possible try to avoid by products. They really aren't as healthy for our pets. It is better to have whole meats, although it usually costs more money. You can find different varieties at your local pet supply store.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Some canned cat food have listed in their ingredients: meat and derivatives or fish and derivatives but than the can's name says: With Beed or with Fish in Gravy

Are the unhealth for domestic cats?

-- Contributed by: Maria

In this Sundays paper I got a plastic ad. It says go to Feedingsbelieving.com and tell my cat story and get a $5 coupon. When I go to this sight it says it is invalid. What's up? Thanks for your help.

Hi Judy,

It's possible that there was a server failure, or perhaps the coupon came out before the website was ready to go live. Sorry you didin't get a chance at that $5.00 coupon.

-- Contributed by: Judy

Hi Roberta,

Cats have pretty sensitive digestive systems and switching back and forth too rapidly can cause some problems too. One thing you can do is to prepare in advance for a change. For example, give them 25 percent of the dry and 75 percent of the canned for a few days. Then, give them 50 percent and 50 percent. Continue this until they are on 100 percent dry food. When you return, switch them back in the same pattern.

As for a good, high quality dry food, a lot is going to depend on your cats and their individual needs. I use an organic dry food that I purchase at our local health food store. It costs a little more, but as you said, the cats do so much better on this food. I've also found that they tend to eat less of the higher grade foods.

You may want to see if the manufacturer of your canned food offers a dry. This would probably be the easiest switch for the cat. Many times, your local veterinarian will have a nice selection of quality dry food as well.

The things I would look for in a dry food:

Omega-3s
Human grade meat
No by products
No wheat gluten

I would also keep a close eye on the extra ingredients that have funky, hard to pronounce, chemical names.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi! I'm going through the whole rethinking of cat food becuase of issues with my 2 girls. I have noticed they are both doing well after switching to a high grade canned food. But, I usually go away for long weekends, and this will create obvious issues. Is there a good dry food I can switch back and forth with so I can leave them for a couple days and not have to worry about boarding them? Thank you!!!

-- Contributed by: roberta

Hi, Kathy. Every brand of cat food is different. Just as you would do with any product you purchased for yourself, I would read labels carefully to find out which pet foods use by products and which use human-grade meat. I have found a couple of brands at Petsmart that are dry, organic and no byproducts for both my cats and dogs].

The food will cost a little more and you aren't likely to find it at Wal-mart or another discount retailer, but I think it is worth the little extra money to have peace of mind about what I'm feeding my companions. My fifteen-year-old cat has had improved skin and fur conditions and seems peppier since starting this new, organic food.

I hope you're able to find a brand that suits your needs. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Do you use by-products in your dry cat food?

-- Contributed by: Kathy Morey
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