Available Feline Diets
There are three main types of food available for core diet: commercial dry, commercial canned, raw (either commercially prepared or homemade). Each type of diet has its own pros and cons, and these should be thoughtfully reviewed so that the needs of the kitten AND the adopting family are met. Below is a brief review of each type of diet.
Commercial dry food is the least beneficial diet for a cat. While it can be left out for long periods of time without spoiling, it is very low in moisture content, highly processed, and contains many synthetic ingredients as nutrients and preservatives. Dry foods contribute to bad breath, dental disease and obesity. Thyroid disease and diabetes can also be caused/aggravated by commercial kibble diets. Low moisture content of kibble and dehydrated foods are also large contributors to kidney dysfunction, since cats do not have an adequate thirst drive to make up for this deficiency in their diet. (even with ready access to a water bowl.) Due to lack of digestive enzymes, this diet also makes for some very foul litter box odors. This type of food should never be fed alone, if used.
Commercial Canned or packaged wet foods offer a vast improvement in moisture content, and will keep your kitten more adequately hydrated. This type of food should not be left out for long periods of time, as it can spoil, attract pests and cause stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhea if ingested. Even with improved moisture, not all wet foods are created equal. Many brands use synthetic nutrients, preservatives and plant fillers, just as kibble does. Fiber and protein content is an important consideration for this food as well as it varies widely from one brand to the next. High fiber, animal source protein content is ideal. Foods with very low fiber content and plant fillers (potatoes, rice, barley, wheat, soy, fruits/vegetables etc.) will often produce frequent loos or runny stools that may be foul because of the inability to digest plant proteins. Better taste and texture variety can also be achieved with commercial wet diets vs. dry diets. This can be helpful with picky eaters, and will provide sensory stimulation for your cat/kitten.
Raw
Raw feeding is the most beneficial diet for cats. As obligate carnivores, their bodies are designed specifically to process animal based food sources such as muscle meat, organ meat, bone and other body structures. Commercial dry and wet food both contain plant based fillers such as grains, rice and potatoes that are unable to be digested. Plant based fillers cause the diet to be high in carbohydrates as well, contributing to dental disease, obesity, diabetes and thyroid disease. Commercially prepared raw diets are available in the freezer section of many pet stores now for easier feeding. Many people choose to make their own home made blend as well. Either commercial or homemade preparation is appropriate for feeding. The raw diet is a high moisture, fiber animal protein diet that supports good digestive, kidney and metabolic health. Through personal experience, I have also found that this diet almost completely eliminates feces odor and reduces the amount of waste produced, since the body is able to absorb more of the nutrients in the food. This diet cannot be left out for longer than an hour or so at a time, and dishes used for feeding must either be disposable, or washed thoroughly between each meal.
Adult cats and kittens in the Distinct household are fed a raw diet to promote health and wellness. Having experience the transition from commercial dry/wet blended diet to raw feeding, I can attest that there is a large difference in the physical condition, energy level and disposition of our four legged family members. Raw feeding can be a wonderful way to help your cat or kitten really thrive vs. survive in your home, but only if done with care. If precautions for cleanliness and assurance of a balanced diet are not possible, it is better to consider a commercially prepared grain free canned diet.
What Is An Obligate Carnivore?
The simple definition is an animal that is obligated to consume a meat based diet, as dictated by it's own biology. Tooth structure and enzyme/digestive processes within the body are largely responsible for determining this.
Cats are obligate carnivores, as many other predatory species, and are largely unable to utilize nutrient and protein sources from plants.
Kibble and grain based food items are not the evolutionary diet of the feline. In fact, kibble was only introduce in the early 1900's as a novel, convenient pet food item for the luxury pet. Prior to that, diet consisted of freshly caught prey animals and other sources of meat provided by guardians. The wonderful biology of the feline digestive tract is well equipped to handle raw proteins, as that is what nature raised them on before the 19th century.
Is A Raw Diet Risky?
Feeding a raw diet is no more risky than eating natural, holistic foods from a whole foods market. In fact, the concept is exactly the same as that of a holistic and/or organic balanced diet for humans since humans have the exact same struggle with the drastic change in diet and nutrition. (fast food and processed/packaged foods were also introduced in the early 1900's, at approximately the same time kibble was introduced as a faster, more convenient way to feed dogs)
It is important to understand that risk for cross contamination exists with the raw diet just as is does with any commercially prepared diets. Prior to switching the Distinct household to a balanced, holistic raw diet, we were victim of several salmonella pet food recalls in the high end brands of kibble and canned food being used. After the stress of the vet bills and visits to treat the food borne illness more than once, I decided that I would rather feed a healthier diet that I knew was prepared well, and human grade.
If handled correctly, prepared in a sanitary manner, frozen for an adequate amount of time prior to feeding, and cleaned up once thawed/eaten, the risk for contamination and illness is very low.
Which Way Is The RIGHT Way To Feed A Raw Diet?
There is more than one 'right way' to feed a raw diet. As long as the ingredients provide balance and follow the appropriate nutrition spectrum for a cat, then the form (ground, chopped, whole pieces etc.) makes very little difference.
Balance and cleanliness are the most important rules of feeding a raw diet:
In the Distinct home, adult cats and kittens are fed a home ground meat/bone/organ mixture. This was chosen as the best way to feed our multi cat home because it ensures that each and every cat receives the appropriate ratios of meat/bone/organ in every meal. No one can be a picky kitty, and large food pieces, such as bone in cuts, do not get carried off under the couch. In addition to our home prepared ground mixture, chunked meats are also provided (salmon cubes, beef cubes, roughly chunked pieces of chicken/turkey heart, sardines etc) for chewing and taste/texture variety.
However, in households with few cats present, a whole prey or 'franken prey' diet may also be appropriate, depending on the comfort level of the owner and the needs of the cat. Some cats require and enjoy more sensory stimulation during meal time to avoid boredom/anorexia, and this is an excellent way to provide it, because they must work to investigate and chew their food. Flavors are also distinct and plentiful.
In short, there is more than one way to approach providing your new baby with a raw diet. As long as you are able to provide a good balance in a sanitary manner, there is not a wrong way.
What Makes Up A Balanced Diet?
A balanced raw diet is a calculated percentage of meat, bone and organ from a variety of protein sources. Variety is incredibly important when planning meals so that the diet is sure to meet the unique nutritional needs of the feline. Whether feeding ground, ‘frankenprey’ or whole prey modeled meals, they must contain good variety. Most recipes follow the follow percentages for total weight:
Muscle Meat
Protein rich food source that contains many essential amino acids. Protein from muscle meat can easily be converted into proteins that help your cat/kitten to grow and develop their own body mass. Each protein source (chicken, turkey, beef etc.) is different in its content, and the type of proteins it contains. Feeding a variety prevents deficiencies of any one type, and allows your cat/kitten to grow and thrive with a protein based metabolism.
Sources of muscle meat frequently included in our raw diet are chicken thigh, chicken heart, beef heart, turkey heart, beef roast, fish etc.
Bone
Calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, magnesium rich material that absolutely must not be eliminated from the diet. Feeding raw bones is safe, as they are easily chewed and digested. Feeding cooked bones is not safe, as they become brittle in the cooking process, and will harden and splinter when chewed on. Cooked bones pose a severe health threat due to the risk of intestinal perforation. Deficiency of bone nutrients in the diet can cause severe neurological, cardiac and bone disease. Including a bone source is preferable to adding calcium or mineral supplements as it is well rounded, easily absorbed and usually already included in the meat sources being purchased. In addition to the valuable minerals it contains, it also has marrow at the center which is rich in items needed to develop healthy blood cells and brain/nerve function.
Soft poultry bones are ideal for running through a meat grinder, and for chewing. Our recipe utilizes whole chicken thighs to meat both bone requirement, and part of the muscle meat requirement.
Organ Meat
Nature’s multi-vitamin. Organ meats are extremely dense in a large variety of vitamins. It is also important not to exclude this valuable source in a prepared raw diet. These vitamins help to ensure that your cat/kittens metabolism, immune system and healthy cell growth are functioning well.
Sources of organ meat include liver, kidney, spleen, brain, lungs etc. However, our recipe includes only liver and kidney, as these are easy to source and typically the cleanest.
Sample Recipe:
10 pounds Chicken or turkey heart
5 pounds organ meat (chicken liver, beef kidney)
5 pounds fish (mackerel, capelin, sardine or salmon)
10 pounds beef heart or roast
30 pounds chicken leg quarters or thighs- bone in skin on
40 egg yolks (may be chicken, duck etc)
approximately 6 cups of water
Ingredients can be run through grinder using a coarse or chunking grinding plate, mixed together, and portioned into containers for freezing. To feed, remove from freezer and thaw. Our cats are typically fed morning and evening, with the exception of pregnant queens and growing kittens. They will be fed 3 times daily. If the container selected for freezing will fit enough for one day, it is easy to remember just to set out a container in the morning or evening each day.
The chunkier the mix, the more chewing is promoted. Chewing is good for the teeth and jaws, and helps to keep them free from buildup. It also enriches the mealtime activity. This is a very good reason to use the chunk or coarse grind plate.
A Few Tips For Safe Meat Handling...
There are three main types of food available for core diet: commercial dry, commercial canned, raw (either commercially prepared or homemade). Each type of diet has its own pros and cons, and these should be thoughtfully reviewed so that the needs of the kitten AND the adopting family are met. Below is a brief review of each type of diet.
Commercial dry food is the least beneficial diet for a cat. While it can be left out for long periods of time without spoiling, it is very low in moisture content, highly processed, and contains many synthetic ingredients as nutrients and preservatives. Dry foods contribute to bad breath, dental disease and obesity. Thyroid disease and diabetes can also be caused/aggravated by commercial kibble diets. Low moisture content of kibble and dehydrated foods are also large contributors to kidney dysfunction, since cats do not have an adequate thirst drive to make up for this deficiency in their diet. (even with ready access to a water bowl.) Due to lack of digestive enzymes, this diet also makes for some very foul litter box odors. This type of food should never be fed alone, if used.
Commercial Canned or packaged wet foods offer a vast improvement in moisture content, and will keep your kitten more adequately hydrated. This type of food should not be left out for long periods of time, as it can spoil, attract pests and cause stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhea if ingested. Even with improved moisture, not all wet foods are created equal. Many brands use synthetic nutrients, preservatives and plant fillers, just as kibble does. Fiber and protein content is an important consideration for this food as well as it varies widely from one brand to the next. High fiber, animal source protein content is ideal. Foods with very low fiber content and plant fillers (potatoes, rice, barley, wheat, soy, fruits/vegetables etc.) will often produce frequent loos or runny stools that may be foul because of the inability to digest plant proteins. Better taste and texture variety can also be achieved with commercial wet diets vs. dry diets. This can be helpful with picky eaters, and will provide sensory stimulation for your cat/kitten.
Raw
Raw feeding is the most beneficial diet for cats. As obligate carnivores, their bodies are designed specifically to process animal based food sources such as muscle meat, organ meat, bone and other body structures. Commercial dry and wet food both contain plant based fillers such as grains, rice and potatoes that are unable to be digested. Plant based fillers cause the diet to be high in carbohydrates as well, contributing to dental disease, obesity, diabetes and thyroid disease. Commercially prepared raw diets are available in the freezer section of many pet stores now for easier feeding. Many people choose to make their own home made blend as well. Either commercial or homemade preparation is appropriate for feeding. The raw diet is a high moisture, fiber animal protein diet that supports good digestive, kidney and metabolic health. Through personal experience, I have also found that this diet almost completely eliminates feces odor and reduces the amount of waste produced, since the body is able to absorb more of the nutrients in the food. This diet cannot be left out for longer than an hour or so at a time, and dishes used for feeding must either be disposable, or washed thoroughly between each meal.
Adult cats and kittens in the Distinct household are fed a raw diet to promote health and wellness. Having experience the transition from commercial dry/wet blended diet to raw feeding, I can attest that there is a large difference in the physical condition, energy level and disposition of our four legged family members. Raw feeding can be a wonderful way to help your cat or kitten really thrive vs. survive in your home, but only if done with care. If precautions for cleanliness and assurance of a balanced diet are not possible, it is better to consider a commercially prepared grain free canned diet.
What Is An Obligate Carnivore?
The simple definition is an animal that is obligated to consume a meat based diet, as dictated by it's own biology. Tooth structure and enzyme/digestive processes within the body are largely responsible for determining this.
Cats are obligate carnivores, as many other predatory species, and are largely unable to utilize nutrient and protein sources from plants.
Kibble and grain based food items are not the evolutionary diet of the feline. In fact, kibble was only introduce in the early 1900's as a novel, convenient pet food item for the luxury pet. Prior to that, diet consisted of freshly caught prey animals and other sources of meat provided by guardians. The wonderful biology of the feline digestive tract is well equipped to handle raw proteins, as that is what nature raised them on before the 19th century.
Is A Raw Diet Risky?
Feeding a raw diet is no more risky than eating natural, holistic foods from a whole foods market. In fact, the concept is exactly the same as that of a holistic and/or organic balanced diet for humans since humans have the exact same struggle with the drastic change in diet and nutrition. (fast food and processed/packaged foods were also introduced in the early 1900's, at approximately the same time kibble was introduced as a faster, more convenient way to feed dogs)
It is important to understand that risk for cross contamination exists with the raw diet just as is does with any commercially prepared diets. Prior to switching the Distinct household to a balanced, holistic raw diet, we were victim of several salmonella pet food recalls in the high end brands of kibble and canned food being used. After the stress of the vet bills and visits to treat the food borne illness more than once, I decided that I would rather feed a healthier diet that I knew was prepared well, and human grade.
If handled correctly, prepared in a sanitary manner, frozen for an adequate amount of time prior to feeding, and cleaned up once thawed/eaten, the risk for contamination and illness is very low.
Which Way Is The RIGHT Way To Feed A Raw Diet?
There is more than one 'right way' to feed a raw diet. As long as the ingredients provide balance and follow the appropriate nutrition spectrum for a cat, then the form (ground, chopped, whole pieces etc.) makes very little difference.
Balance and cleanliness are the most important rules of feeding a raw diet:
- wash your hands, the preparation space, the utensils to prepare it, the grinder/parts etc. Bowls, dishes and mats should also be washed and wiped down frequently.
- provide variety in each meal. Slapping a piece of chicken breast down on a plate for your cat/kitten does not provide the balance required to promote health. Several protein sources (chicken, turkey, beef etc) should be used, as well as several types of tissue (muscle meat, bone and organ)
- Handle the meat used for feeding as if you would be eating it in a sushi restaurant. Keep it chilled, handle with protective wear, and do not allow to be thawed for long before freezing.
In the Distinct home, adult cats and kittens are fed a home ground meat/bone/organ mixture. This was chosen as the best way to feed our multi cat home because it ensures that each and every cat receives the appropriate ratios of meat/bone/organ in every meal. No one can be a picky kitty, and large food pieces, such as bone in cuts, do not get carried off under the couch. In addition to our home prepared ground mixture, chunked meats are also provided (salmon cubes, beef cubes, roughly chunked pieces of chicken/turkey heart, sardines etc) for chewing and taste/texture variety.
However, in households with few cats present, a whole prey or 'franken prey' diet may also be appropriate, depending on the comfort level of the owner and the needs of the cat. Some cats require and enjoy more sensory stimulation during meal time to avoid boredom/anorexia, and this is an excellent way to provide it, because they must work to investigate and chew their food. Flavors are also distinct and plentiful.
In short, there is more than one way to approach providing your new baby with a raw diet. As long as you are able to provide a good balance in a sanitary manner, there is not a wrong way.
What Makes Up A Balanced Diet?
A balanced raw diet is a calculated percentage of meat, bone and organ from a variety of protein sources. Variety is incredibly important when planning meals so that the diet is sure to meet the unique nutritional needs of the feline. Whether feeding ground, ‘frankenprey’ or whole prey modeled meals, they must contain good variety. Most recipes follow the follow percentages for total weight:
- 80% muscle meat
- 10% bone
- 10% organ (half liver, half other)
Muscle Meat
Protein rich food source that contains many essential amino acids. Protein from muscle meat can easily be converted into proteins that help your cat/kitten to grow and develop their own body mass. Each protein source (chicken, turkey, beef etc.) is different in its content, and the type of proteins it contains. Feeding a variety prevents deficiencies of any one type, and allows your cat/kitten to grow and thrive with a protein based metabolism.
Sources of muscle meat frequently included in our raw diet are chicken thigh, chicken heart, beef heart, turkey heart, beef roast, fish etc.
Bone
Calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, magnesium rich material that absolutely must not be eliminated from the diet. Feeding raw bones is safe, as they are easily chewed and digested. Feeding cooked bones is not safe, as they become brittle in the cooking process, and will harden and splinter when chewed on. Cooked bones pose a severe health threat due to the risk of intestinal perforation. Deficiency of bone nutrients in the diet can cause severe neurological, cardiac and bone disease. Including a bone source is preferable to adding calcium or mineral supplements as it is well rounded, easily absorbed and usually already included in the meat sources being purchased. In addition to the valuable minerals it contains, it also has marrow at the center which is rich in items needed to develop healthy blood cells and brain/nerve function.
Soft poultry bones are ideal for running through a meat grinder, and for chewing. Our recipe utilizes whole chicken thighs to meat both bone requirement, and part of the muscle meat requirement.
Organ Meat
Nature’s multi-vitamin. Organ meats are extremely dense in a large variety of vitamins. It is also important not to exclude this valuable source in a prepared raw diet. These vitamins help to ensure that your cat/kittens metabolism, immune system and healthy cell growth are functioning well.
Sources of organ meat include liver, kidney, spleen, brain, lungs etc. However, our recipe includes only liver and kidney, as these are easy to source and typically the cleanest.
Sample Recipe:
10 pounds Chicken or turkey heart
5 pounds organ meat (chicken liver, beef kidney)
5 pounds fish (mackerel, capelin, sardine or salmon)
10 pounds beef heart or roast
30 pounds chicken leg quarters or thighs- bone in skin on
40 egg yolks (may be chicken, duck etc)
approximately 6 cups of water
Ingredients can be run through grinder using a coarse or chunking grinding plate, mixed together, and portioned into containers for freezing. To feed, remove from freezer and thaw. Our cats are typically fed morning and evening, with the exception of pregnant queens and growing kittens. They will be fed 3 times daily. If the container selected for freezing will fit enough for one day, it is easy to remember just to set out a container in the morning or evening each day.
The chunkier the mix, the more chewing is promoted. Chewing is good for the teeth and jaws, and helps to keep them free from buildup. It also enriches the mealtime activity. This is a very good reason to use the chunk or coarse grind plate.
A Few Tips For Safe Meat Handling...
- Wash your hands, equipment and work space often with a strong disinfectant.
- Wear gloves- this will protect you, as well as the meat as you are processing it.
- Work with meat that is still slightly frozen. It is workable this way, and can last out of the freezer long enough not to become dangerous until refrozen. You should be able to feel crystals of ice still- similar to a popsicle, but easily move it around.
- Refreeze immediately. Once the mixture is complete, portion into containers and place back into the freezer.
- Allow meat that has been thawed to stand in the freezer once frozen solid for at least 72 hours before feeding. Do not wait until you are completely out of food to grind a new batch. This helps kill bacterial contaminants.
- Wash bowls and dishes used for feeding between each meal. For those that would like to have less dishes produced from feeding pets, disposable paper plates work wonderfully. Once your kitten or cat is finished, you can simply toss the plate.
- I cannot stress this last one enough... when it doubt, throw it out. If it has a questionable smell, color or texture, do not feed it to your pet.