We had already seen many dramatic health improvements from feeding raw to our animals: better coats, weight control, breath and teeth, body functions in general, healthier immune systems, and just plain friskier with more energy. But about five years ago another rather big diet modification became necessary. This incredible cat Bailey had had a number of health problems largely stemming from his kittenhood, when he was erroneously vaccinated while suffering from a respiratory illness. Yet another thing really worth discussing and sharing ideas about I think. But regarding his food situation, he began drinking tremendous amounts of water, averaging about a cup a day, in addition to the water already present in his raw food. Litter box use tripled. Unfortunately, nothing the vets tried improved the situation. Age related kidney damage, not yet visible on test results, was the suspected and logical explanation.
Stubborn as I am, and not liking the ramifications kidney trouble and conventional treatment would present, I went looking for other ideas. Yet again, the internet and its wealth of information (albeit needing filtering like what the kidneys do) came to the rescue. Reading of others’ experiences and thoughts on many subjects, and ultimately just trying to get back to basics, I thought about what seemed the most natural and logical to me.
I learned that cats, as obligate carnivores, actually have no nutritional need for carbohydrates. Even Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in their The Cornell Book of Cats says that, “Although carbohydrates usually make up about 40 percent of commercial dry cat foods, they are not a dietary necessity for the cat…carbohydrates are included as a source of energy and to provide structure for dry cat foods.”
While cats can get energy from carbohydrates it puts more stress on their systems than instead getting their energy from the protein and fats in their food. Their systems were not designed to macerate grains and digest them as we do. Their natural consumption of carbohydrates comes from the stomach contents of their prey, already nicely pre-digested. Commercial dry, and to a lesser degree wet cat food, contains so many carbohydrates because they are cheap binders, and act as food delivery systems that end up overtaxing the body.
Anyway, if you are known to your disorder, discount cialis you should follow these simple steps to naturally heal your thyroid. Many doctors have explained that sexual negative effects might be a greater problem than Merck states on its best price for levitra product brand. Normal human reproductive health is a common example of viagra online buy .Despite the fact that FDA, has set up some regulations and measures for manufacturing, like the brand tranquilizes, and incorporates a progression of tests to guarantee that the generic medication is precisely the same as the first medication. Weight is another issue that can bring about the sildenafil generic viagra dysfunctions that result in the whiplash injury. Another problem with commercial pet food is that it is highly processed, cooked so much that not only are nutrients and enzymes destroyed, but the healthy fat they need, has now been transformed into unhealthy grease that they do not need. Just as they can eat and benefit from raw bones, cooked ones can splinter and become very dangerous. Raw just seems the only way to go to me.
However, Bailey was already all raw fed, but still developed the excess water drinking; why? Well, the whole carbohydrate thing got me thinking. I also wondered if some animals are especially sensitive to carbohydrates; we all have our own propensities after all. The idea of trying to simulate whole raw prey just made so much sense once I thought about it. Look to nature. So I took away all carbohydrates and just fed meat/bones, and lo and behold, after six months with no change, 36 hours after going grainless, his drinking went down from one cup a day to just 2 tablespoons. Litter box back to normal.
Soon, things even further improved when I went from this whole prey raw model of feeding, to actually feeding whole prey. Bailey’s principle diet is now (and has been for about five years) whole mice shipped frozen from a reptile supplier who uses CO2 to be as humane as possible – the cycle of life sure is brutal. But it seems nature really does know best – after all, how amazing is it that mice are an incredible source of taurine. And years ago, it was a deficiency in commercial pet food of that very amino acid taurine, that was causing blindness and heart trouble in cats.
When I told the vet, at a holistic clinic incidentally, about removing all carbohydrates, she was very concerned favouring conventional (although now more widely debated) views of lowering protein for kidney patients and actually increasing carbohydrates. The opposite of what I was doing. She strongly felt I should add back at least half of the grains. All I had seen, and read, and thought about, told me otherwise. I went with my gut and didn’t put carbohydrates back into his gut. That was more than five years ago and he’s now 16 and frisky as ever.
Regarding chicks, could you contact a local farm? I contacted a local organic farm to see if they sell chicks, and they told me that they do not but that they get their chicks shipped over from a hatchery a state away, and some of the chicks do not make the journey, and that I could have them. Nothing would be wrong with them other than they were too young to survive the journey and were dehydrated. It wouldn’t have been a huge source of chicks for me, but they would be free. Or maybe you could contact a hatchery for more ideas.
@Leigh: Thanks for thinking of us and our chick situation, or lack thereof. I’ve checked in the past with no luck, but there are more organic farms these days (thankfully) so thanks for the needed reminder. I wonder though about chicks that were the weakest of the lost who don’t make the trip, likely least healthy and all that. Of course we can’t account for everything, just the best of what’s available.
Another reason I’m really glad you posted again Leigh, is I’m curious what your experience has been with feeding chicks. Bailey’s never had them, and has a somewhat sensitive digestive system. I was wondering if you’ve noticed any differences feeding chicks compared to mice, digestion-wise in particular. In addition to your good idea, I may also actually be able to get some via our mouse supplier (new owner who is able to import from the US). Do you get your chicks from Rodent Pro? Have you been pleased? Any others you recommend? Thanks again.
Leigh, thanks for commenting. Interestingly, chronic diarrhea was what first started our food journey too. Back in the late 1980’s we had a dog whose diarrhea would only stop when she was on medication. Vets had no idea other than the drugs, so we looked elsewhere for answers and came across Dr. Pitcairn’s book, and began making our own dog food (cooked in those days, but it was a start that lead us to learn more and go all raw etc.)
Even with the cooked homemade diet, her diarrhea went away and stayed away. Really makes a bold statement about just how unhealthy and sometimes toxic commercial pet food can be – some animals are just more sensitive to it, or show it in more obvious ways.
And yet the vets still sell the cans and kibble and vaccinate so much…but can have dire consequences. Bailey’s health problems began as a kitten after he was vaccinated while he had cat flu – long story I’ll have to post about. Let’s just say, vaccination is something I learned a lot about after that.
As for our mice, we get them from the Canadian Mouseman and have been really pleased. I do really wish we could get chicks as well (more varied whole prey choices) but unfortunately no one seems to carry them in Canada. Your kitty is very lucky!
Thank you for pointing me to this post and blog in your comment on my article on the different raw feeding types for pets. http://cats.suite101.com/article.cfm/raw-food-for-cats
Like your Bailey, I found out about raw in hopes of helping my old kitty with an illness. He had chronic diarrhea. Imagine my shock to learn that RAW food could HELP a cat with diarrhea…when my vet just wanted me to keep giving him antibiotics!
Now I have a brand new kitten for the first time. She is 6 months old and she is fed mice and chicks from RodentPro (is that who you use?). She just got a gold star from the vet for her sparkling white teeth (of course, most cats have nice teeth at her age).
She has had quite the medical history already, but I was very happy that while treating her for pneumonia and diarrhea, my vet said it was NOT a good time to vaccinate her. It really sucks that anywhere any cat is taken, the first thing they do is pump vaccines into them. My girl was not vaccinated at all until she was 5 months old. Then a week later she was spayed (also not a good idea to vaccinate with a surgery), and a month later she got her 2nd vaccination.
Keri, I’m so glad you find this post useful. If you’re interested, I’ve added a couple of great resources (RawPaws and Holisticat) to the list of “Interesting Sites.” All the best with your new additions to the family!
Another great post Liz and timely again as I am currently considering what to feed the three(!) adult cats we adopted over the last few months. Good info – thanks!
Sharon, thanks again for your comments. Raw sure can have dramatic results – all the animals I know of who have been switched to raw have done so much better after that change. Often better than their people could have imagined. Then again, when I think about it, commercial cooked pet food was a 20th century invention. Before that, aside from a few cooked table scraps perhaps, their diet was basically raw to begin with. I’m remembering this old cartoon I once saw of a dog roasting his dinner over an open fire…
GO BAILEY!! Raw helped my last dog loose weight and gain energy. Nothing before raw had helped. He was overweight and cutting down on the amount of food just lessen his energy levels. He’d walk half a block and lie down and rest. After six weeks on raw food he’d lost six pounds and had energy to spare.
Sharon