Cat Nutrition
Diet is the brick and mortar of health…
Putting a little thought into what you feed your cat(s) can pay big dividends over their lifetime and very possibly help them avoid serious, painful, life-threatening, and costly illnesses. An increasing number of nutrition-savvy veterinarians are now strongly recommending the feeding of canned food instead of dry kibble.
Like medical doctors for humans, veterinarians receive very little training in school regarding nutrition. And what is discussed is often taught by representatives of large pet food companies, or the curriculum is sponsored and heavily influenced by members of the commercial pet food industry. This represents a significant conflict of interest.
Three Key Negative Issues with Dry Food
- Water content is too low — predisposing your cat to serious and life-threatening urinary tract diseases including extremely painful and often fatal urethral obstructions. Cats do not have a very strong thirst drive when compared to other species. Therefore, it is critical for them to ingest a water-rich diet.
- Carbohydrate load is too high — possibly predisposing your cat to diabetes, obesity, and intestinal disease. Note that low-carb dry foods are NOT healthy diets since they are still water depleted and are harshly cooked resulting in nutrient loss/alteration.
- Type of protein — too high in plant-based versus animal-based proteins. Cats are obligate carnivores and designed to eat meat, not grains/plants.
Other negative issues with dry food include: Bacterial contamination (can lead to vomiting and diarrhea), Fungal mycotoxins (contained in grains and are extremely toxic), Insects and their feces in stored grains and finished dried foods (can cause respiratory problems), Ingredients that often cause allergic reactions, All dry food is harshly cooked which destroys/alters vital nutrients.
Cats inherently have a low thirst drive and need to consume water with their food. A cat's normal prey is ~70–75% water; dry food is only 5–10% water. Contrary to the wishful thinking of cat owners, cats do not make up this deficit at the water bowl.
Carbohydrates wreak havoc on some cats' blood sugar/insulin balance predisposing them to diabetes. Dry foods, as well as some canned foods, are high in carbohydrates. 'Grain-free' does not always mean 'low-carb' since potatoes and peas are often used instead of grains.
Cats are strict carnivores which means they are designed to get their protein from meat – not from the high level of grains/peas/potatoes found in dry food. Proteins derived from animal tissues have a complete amino acid profile. Plant proteins do not.
Contrary to a popular myth, dry food exerts no beneficial effect on dental health and has no scientific support for its use in preventing dental disease. Brushing your cat's teeth daily is the best way to keep their mouth healthy. Also, supplying chunks of meat to chew on is also helpful.
Top Picks for Canned Cat Food
Tiki Canned Cat Food, Pure Vita Canned Cat Food, Nature's Variety Instinct LID Canned Cat Food
Top Picks for Raw Frozen Cat Food
Primal Raw Frozen, Redcat Raw Frozen