What Cats Are Meant to Eat - Club Canine - natural food for dogs and cats

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What are Cats Designed to Eat?
by Dakota Bawden-Tutte (reprinted with permission)

MISS KITTY IS A CARNIVORE

DID YOU KNOW...?

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1. Cats have no need for grains. (In ancient Egypt, cats guarded the grainaries against the grain-eating rats!)
2. Cats fed only dry food can become chronically dehydrated.
3. Cats are not designed to eat cooked (tinned or bagged) food.
4. Many veterinarians are seeing the benefits, & are recommending the 'raw prey' diet for maximum health in dogs & cats.

WHAT ARE CATS REALLY DESIGNED TO EAT?

Cats are true carnivores (physiologically/anatomically), designed to eat & digest whole, raw prey.

"If we want to understand the dietary needs of cats, we must look at cats as they live in the wild, & not at how they live as part of human civilization." -- Feline Future

The best cat food is that which most closely mimics what cats would eat in their natural habitat.

FROM COOKED TO RAW: THE BASIC STEPS

1. Find a meat (rabbit, pheasant, ostrich, etc.) your cat likes,
2. Introduce new food slowly, and
3. In small, small portions, and
4. Mix in well with the current food.

Start with 1/4 of the 'new' food, & mix with 3/4 of the 'old' food. Slowly increase the percentage of the 'new', as you decrease the 'old'. Remember, your cat's digestive system has spent years dining on over-cooked, dehydrated 'fast foods' - give it time to adjust. Every cat is individual. Patience, persistence, and 'creativity' will pay off in health dividends!

Feel Like You're Losing the Battle? - Here are Some Suggestions:

1. Slightly cook the meat (without bones!) first, then gradually decrease the cooking time until it is 'raw'.
2. Include raw meat, but mix in some enticement - a bit of tuna perhaps? Slowly decrease the enticement over time.
3. Fast your cat for a day or two (always have water available) before serving the 'new' raw food. (Only if your cat is in good health & not overweight)

You've tried everything to no avail? Our staff will be happy to assist you with other suggestions & ideas.

SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF FEEDING RAW:

• Reduced shedding
• Fewer hairballs
• Improved temperament
• Reduced litter box odor
• Less stool
• Healthy gums
• Clean teeth
• Fresh breath
• Fewer or no fleas
• General health improvement
• Less food consumption
• Happier cats!

WHAT, HOW MUCH, & HOW OFTEN TO FEED

What?
• 75-90% meat - of which 5-10% would be organs
• 5-25% bone - try chicken wing tips or necks)
• cold-pressed fish oils & natural vitamin/mineral supplements

How Much?
The average adult cat eats about 1/2 to 3/4 cup (100-150 grams) of food a day. Allow kittens to eat as much as they want, 3-4 times a day. (For improved hydration, add & mix in water.) Remove food between feedings.

How Often?

Healthy adults - twice a day. Kittens and older cats: 3-4 times a day. Kittens can start on solid raw food between 4 and 5 weeks, however, they'll continue to feed on their mother's milk until 3 months of age. (Whether feeding kittens, old cats, pregnant or nursing queens, adjust the number of times a day you feed, not the ingredients.)

DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is not intended to replace or override the advice of your veterinarian.

© 2000-2005. Dakota Bawden-Tutte. No part may be copied without the express permission of the author.

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