Pets and their diet?

[LVGeneration]

Hi everybody, I was thinking it would be interesting to see what people on this forum do to keep their pets healthy. (I have a cat).

So what do you feed your pets?

And another question for vegetarians/vegans who don't eat meat for moral reasons primarily (not for health). What do you feed your dog/cat/etc. ?
What would Steve feed his dog/cat, assuming he had one?

Thanks

[funchy]

Originally Posted by LVGeneration

Hi everybody, I was thinking it would be interesting to see what people on this forum do to keep their pets healthy. (I have a cat).

So what do you feed your pets?

A halfway decent brand of commercial pet food. Sometimes some people food.

I've tried the raw meat pet diet, exotic brands, you name it. The real-meat diet thing didn't help them, my dog still had gas, and then I was worrying about food poisoning dangers. So I eventually gave up the raw meat thing.

I do admit I am aware of the (unpleasant) source of most pet foods. However, this is just what's working best for their situation. I am in a somewhat rural area, so my choices are limited.

I know it's not science, but I will say my pets do well and generally live up until a ripe old age. My oldest cat I got when I moved out of my parents' house 17+ years ago, and she doesn't act old.

Tip: if you want to try a DIY cat diet, be aware you usually need to add taurine, if you're giving kitty the kind of cuts of meat people would eat. My local healthfood co-op sells taurine in their bulk dept.

There are some good pet diet books for this you may want to refer to, if you wanted to try raw or homemade dog or cat foods.

And another question for vegetarians/vegans who don't eat meat for moral reasons primarily (not for health). What do you feed your dog/cat/etc. ?

I haven't touched meat in 15+ yrs. Humans don't NEED meat,and if anything, we generally do better without it.

A cat does, however. In my opinion it's easy to give a cat malnutrition if you don't know what you're doing & try to remove meat out of their diet. A dog is an omnivore and there do make low-meat and meat-free dog foods, though I can't say that I've tried them with my dogs.

If you only remember one thing from this post: If someone is going to try making up their own pet foods or wants to try an unconventional new kind, do homework first.

[LVGeneration]

Thanks for your reply, funchy.
I have been reading lately about the ill effects of commercial cat food, and the benefits of a raw diet for cats.
I know you have to carefully add taurine and other supplements to cat food if you're going to make your own, but for now I still feed him mostly commercial food, it's a lot more convenient.

Two days ago I read about the benefits of raw liver (it has taurine and vitamin A), and I bought some human grade raw chicken livers. My cat ate a bit and threw it up (I noticed he does that with new food introduced in his diet), but then when he ate some more he seemed to have been OK with it.

BTW, my cat is about 2 years old, and for the last year I've been feeding him Purina Naturals dry food, which is still bad I think, but at least it doesn't have artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Now I'm trying to limit the amount of dry food he receives, and add more meat, like canned Meow Mix with tuna, beef, etc., and also give him raw liver from time to time.

[aggie]

i always had dogs when i was younger and somehow ended up a cat person. for about 20 years i had about nine cats and most were strays and unfortunately went thru a lot of illnesses.

years ago i had them on iams to prevent the bladder/kidney stones....that was before we all found out about iams.

dogs can be vegetarians, cats cannot as stated because of the need for taurine. they can go blind without it.

cats are not as domesticated as dogs and would in reality do better on a raw or a least semi raw diet, according to some natural food/health books for cats. we have unfortunately almost destroyed the immune system for cats with all of the innoculations...

you really do need to do a lot of research...it is more than just diet...

when one of my cats had feline leukemia she lasted 2 and 1/2 years on a "natural cat" regimine mega doses of vit c...along with dry and wet food combination.

[ginkgo]

I have a distributorship in an MLM company that sells a couple of pet products made from cold-processed herbs from the Amazon. I have had over 20 veterinarians in my downline.

One of them says that 75% of pets get cancer. Some here may not agree with the all raw diet. That is fine, but does anyone believe that it is healthy to eat no raw foods at all. In other words, only cooked food. Does anyone here eat only cooked food and no raw food.

I feel that pets eating a 100% cooked food diet is the cause of all this cancer. I say why not let them have some raw foods. Their ancestors ate all raw foods. Although one expert found a group of dogs in the wild that starts fires and cook their food. I am kidding! Did you think that I was serious? So get them some raw meat and raw bones to chew on.

Most vegans believe it is not ethical to have pets. But some feed their pets a 100% plant food diet, although it may be only with dogs and not cats.

[LVGeneration]

I love to hear everybody's opinion about this. I know some people are against feeding raw meat because of the dangers of food poisoning, worms, etc., but I will continue to try it with my cat in mixture with dry food and canned meat. I also just had my cat checked by the vet, and everything was OK, including his fecal analysis for worms. He does have a pretty serious heart condition that he was born with, but apart from open heart surgery (which is risky), there's nothing I can do about it. Just try to give him a happy life.

In a few months I will take him back to the vet to see how he's doing, and I shall post the results. Hopefully he'll be OK with this new diet.

[liamona]

My dog eats about a 90% raw diet. Mostly chicken, chicken organs, beef heart and kidneys, and some raw dairy like super-sour milk. She also eats table scraps.

She's pretty healthy, so far no worms or any gut issues after a year on the diet. In fact, she loves it when the meat has been sitting in the fridge for a while, smelling downright putrid. Yay me.

[Mogget]

At the moment my cat eats commercial cat food, but I would like to invest the time and effort into changing him to a raw diet as he loves raw meat andis otherwise qute a fussy eater. I give him, chicken necks/wings but keep the commercial food too as I have not properly supplemented his raw food.

My snakes eat frozen thawed rats from a very reputable supplier (they are such gorgeous healthy rats!)

My turtle has access to live fish/crustaceans and frozen turtle food made of fish and vegetable matter. Sometime I give him a little roo meat as a treat.

[LVGeneration]

I didn't try chicken necks and wings yet. I've decided that I want to stop feeding my cat mostly dry food, which is unnatural and I'm sure unhealthy in the long run. So for a few days now I've been giving him canned cat meat mixed with a bit of raw chicken liver, and just a little bit of dry food. He isn't used to this diet, so I have to slowly make the changes. Hopefully I will eventually get him to eat mainly raw/wet cat food.

I think it's easier with dogs, cats are so fussy about meat, mine doesn't want it anymore if it's been in the food bowl for more than 30 minutes, even if it's canned cat food

[hopena]

I need to get my dogs back to a raw diet (or mostly raw). They've been eating more cooked food since last year, since I've needed help from my family when it comes to feeding them. Our eldest had to be put to sleep, thanks to a huge tumour in his chest, earlier this year... he'd been fed mostly raw foods (with a few supplements), up until last Summer, when I needed the help.

[liamona]

Originally Posted by LVGeneration

I didn't try chicken necks and wings yet. I've decided that I want to stop feeding my cat mostly dry food, which is unnatural and I'm sure unhealthy in the long run.

I got my cat from a shelter, and she has some food issues. She doesn't like any solid raw, wet, or canned food (even tuna! my dog loves tuna).

It's funny, when I feed my dog her raw foods, my cat will come running over to see what's in her bowl, and then turn her nose up at it. I think she's hoping it's raw milk, something she does really love and will nudge my much bigger dog out of the way to drink most of it.

But she prefers dry kibble. And not the good kind from specialty pet stores or Whole Foods—she actually prefers junk, like the kind you get at the 99 cent stores. We've compromised on Purina. At least their line for cats with urinary tract problems contain no meat by-products, food coloring or artificial flavors.

I think it's easier with dogs, cats are so fussy about meat, mine doesn't want it anymore if it's been in the food bowl for more than 30 minutes, even if it's canned cat food

I think it's because cats are true carnivores, whereas dogs are scavengers.

[LVGeneration]

Originally Posted by hopena

I need to get my dogs back to a raw diet (or mostly raw). They've been eating more cooked food since last year, since I've needed help from my family when it comes to feeding them. Our eldest had to be put to sleep, thanks to a huge tumour in his chest, earlier this year... he'd been fed mostly raw foods (with a few supplements), up until last Summer, when I needed the help.

Awhhh, I'm sorry to hear about your dog...You fed him a raw, healthy diet and he still got that tumor, but I'm sure it would have been worse without the diet.

[LVGeneration]

Originally Posted by liamona

We've compromised on Purina. At least their line for cats with urinary tract problems contain no meat by-products, food coloring or artificial flavors.

I didn't know this about their urinary tract line, I feed my cat Purina Naturals and thought was one of the best, though it still has meat by-products, but no coloring, flavors or preservatives.

[aelle]

I think it's important to keep in mind that animals, like humans, have differences between individuals - both in terms of preferences and in terms of health. Some dogs do well on a vegetarian or vegan diet, some don't. Some cats can live on a vegan diet supplemented in taurine, most don't.

I am a vegan for the animals and for the environment. I don't have any pets right now, but if I did, here's what I'd do:

I'd start my dog on a vegan diet - mix of dry pet food and homemade food - and monitor their health. In case of problems, I'd supplement with eggs. If it wasn't enough, I'd supplement with chicken meat and small fish, since they're the meats with the lowest environmental impact.

I'd mostly feed my cat cheap cuts of fish. I heard too many sad, failed stories of vegan cats to give it a try. In Asia the human consumption of fish and seafood is huge, with masive waste. I'd feel I wouldn't have so bad an impact by using up less desired products and by-products of this industry.

These are the results of my personal reflexion. They might change with time and don't reflect those of all vegans by any means.

[liamona]

Originally Posted by aelle

I'd mostly feed my cat cheap cuts of fish. I heard too many sad, failed stories of vegan cats to give it a try. In Asia the human consumption of fish and seafood is huge, with masive waste. I'd feel I wouldn't have so bad an impact by using up less desired products and by-products of this industry.

You're absolutely right—anyone who eats meat or feeds it to their pets ought to also consume the "less desired" products as well, because they contain a lot of nutrients.

It doesn't necessarily have to be expensive, either, especially if you know any hunters. Ask them for the cast-offs of whatever they've hunted. There should be plenty left over.

In the winter I like to make bone broth for my dog, and then warm a couple of pieces of raw meaty bones and some kind of raw organ in it, like beef heart or kidneys.

Depending on what we have for dinner leftovers, we also add beans, tortillas, and potatoes to the broth. I think that's pretty well-rounded.

My dog also gets any leftover breakfast, which usually includes eggs.

If the meat I get for her doesn't defrost fast enough for her evening meal, I often give her three large raw eggs mixed up in a bowl.

[Hatred4Scammers]

My cat only eats commercial pet food made for cats. He rejects food made for humans. He doesn't like drinking cow milk. So yeah. I hope it's not unhealthy for him. I want him to live past 30. He's currently turning 9 years old.

[axisfx]

I registered just for this post, as it is something near to my heart. I had a loved kitten who died of something I believe could have been prevented had he been fed properly. Not related to the pet food scare by the way.

Cats are obligate carnivores and need to eat protein from animal flesh and calcium from the bones. Commercial cat food is carbohydrate based for its calories, cats don't do carbs. My wife and I have been feeding a raw diet for over 2 years now and the word "amazing" doesn't describe it enough. They are lean, muscular and fit. Our vets marvel at their body structure when we bring them in for check-ups. They have not visited the vet for vaccines or any kind of sickness, just a heating pad and rest for them.

We had to buy a meat grinder, about $200 for an electric one. Generally whole chickens that we cut up and grind, with fresh liver. Fresh heart is always something we look for, but hardly fine. We round it out with a handful of supplements. Mix it all up, package and freeze. We do this about ever 14-16 days (@20lbs) and it takes roughly 90 minutes from start to cleanup. Rabbit, foul, sheep and a little fish are generally the guidelines. Beef in small quantities, as with goat. Never, ever, ever pork. Ever.

Where you live determines your cost. If you can source foul for cheap, you are in. The rest is for variety, but chicken is our main diet. Below I have listed our main sources that we base our cats diet on. One is a book, the other is a website, which basis a lot on the book. I hope this helps.

Raising Cats Naturally: How to care for your cat the way nature intended by Michelle T. Bernard in Pets

Feeding Your Cat** Know the Basi

[LVGeneration]

Originally Posted by axisfx

I registered just for this post, as it is something near to my heart. I had a loved kitten who died of something I believe could have been prevented had he been fed properly. Not related to the pet food scare by the way.

Cats are obligate carnivores and need to eat protein from animal flesh and calcium from the bones. Commercial cat food is carbohydrate based for its calories, cats don't do carbs. My wife and I have been feeding a raw diet for over 2 years now and the word "amazing" doesn't describe it enough. They are lean, muscular and fit. Our vets marvel at their body structure when we bring them in for check-ups. They have not visited the vet for vaccines or any kind of sickness, just a heating pad and rest for them.

We had to buy a meat grinder, about $200 for an electric one. Generally whole chickens that we cut up and grind, with fresh liver. Fresh heart is always something we look for, but hardly fine. We round it out with a handful of supplements. Mix it all up, package and freeze. We do this about ever 14-16 days (@20lbs) and it takes roughly 90 minutes from start to cleanup. Rabbit, foul, sheep and a little fish are generally the guidelines. Beef in small quantities, as with goat. Never, ever, ever pork. Ever.

Where you live determines your cost. If you can source foul for cheap, you are in. The rest is for variety, but chicken is our main diet. Below I have listed our main sources that we base our cats diet on. One is a book, the other is a website, which basis a lot on the book. I hope this helps.

Raising Cats Naturally: How to care for your cat the way nature intended by Michelle T. Bernard in Pets

Feeding Your Cat** Know the Basi

Thank you so much for registering to answer this post, it's so nice of you! The info you provided is definitely very helpful, they way you take care of your cats' diet is an inspiration and a goal to achieve. I live in Las Vegas and sourcing foul isn't cheap, the free-range organic meats are very expensive. But I guess regular, farm raised meat would still be better than the commercial dry food.

Well, thanks again, and hope to see you around the forum again!!

BTW, here's a picture of my cat:

[liamona]

Originally Posted by LVGeneration

BTW, here's a picture of my cat:

He's beautiful! And looking so much like he's enjoying getting his picture taken.

[LVGeneration]

Originally Posted by liamona

He's beautiful! And looking so much like he's enjoying getting his picture taken.

Thanks! I take so many pictures of him that I think he's starting to like it
As you can see, he looooooves to chew on his toys, and also mess with me when I'm at my computer

[liamona]

I'll bet he doesn't appreciate that you get him toys that match his fur coat. LOL.

[maximumlight]

I never reply, but I had to put in my two cents. I have a 15 year old terrier and she was eating canned dog food and dry dog food, a very high quality brand recommended by the vet. she unfortunatley got diabetes and ws not doing well...our intuition told us to make her own food..it's basically chicken, barley, and some other stuff. if you look at teh contents of dog food, even the most expensive brand, the number one ingredient is usually corn...do research...dogs are not supposed to be eating corn. it is because of the farming lobbies that they use corn in everything...

anyway, dogs should not be eating dog food. it's ****. my dog used to push her bowl around the kitchen, she never wanted to eat it.

we supplement her food with vitamins and "ultimate meal" [look it up on amazon].

almost anything can be better than dog food for dogs...

[WillieLongIII]

My dog has become such a finicky eater lately it's hard to get him on a set schedule. I definitely need to take him to the vet soon to make sure nothing else is wrong. He is always happy and energetic though.

[liamona]

Originally Posted by maximumlight

my dog used to push her bowl around the kitchen, she never wanted to eat it.

That's a sure sign that something is wrong with the food, since dogs generally eat anything.

Most kibble-fed dogs act like they're starving all the time; I guess they really are.

On top of it, their owners usually follow the standard vet advice to never feed them table scraps, and it unnerves me to see these mad-hungry doggies with a crazed look when we eat real food in front of them. Talk about animal cruelty.

One of my friend's dog is overweight despite being on a limited diet and has cold paws all the time. I wonder if he has a thyroid condition.

[LVGeneration]

Originally Posted by liamona

I'll bet he doesn't appreciate that you get him toys that match his fur coat. LOL.

Lol. Actually his favorite toy in the world is a lion his size, that he wrestles all day long. He doesn't like mouse toys, I've noticed, but likes a bee stuffed toy and balls. Oh, and he's soooo funny when he's on catnip ...

[LVGeneration]

Originally Posted by maximumlight

I never reply, but I had to put in my two cents. I have a 15 year old terrier and she was eating canned dog food and dry dog food, a very high quality brand recommended by the vet. she unfortunatley got diabetes and ws not doing well...our intuition told us to make her own food..it's basically chicken, barley, and some other stuff. if you look at teh contents of dog food, even the most expensive brand, the number one ingredient is usually corn...do research...dogs are not supposed to be eating corn. it is because of the farming lobbies that they use corn in everything...

anyway, dogs should not be eating dog food. it's ****. my dog used to push her bowl around the kitchen, she never wanted to eat it.

we supplement her food with vitamins and "ultimate meal" [look it up on amazon].

almost anything can be better than dog food for dogs...

Thanks for your reply, I hope your dog will do a lot better on the natural diet. You're right about the corn, I actually saw a documentary about how corn is so subsidized by the American gov., that we produce a lot more than we need, so corn ends up in pet food, sodas (HFCS), and many processed foods.

I just remembered something that I thought was quite ironic. I took my cat to the vet a few weeks ago cuz he is starting to show a belly. He's only 10 pounds, but the vet told me to keep him on a diet, hence this thread and me trying to feed him better. Well, the vet also told me she has a cat that's obese, over 20 pounds, but seemingly healthy otherwise. I just thought a vet of all people should know how to feed their cat so they don't get to be obese...

[Aleksander Krstic]

I'd suggest unprocessed food.

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by liamona

On top of it, their owners usually follow the standard vet advice to never feed them table scraps, and it unnerves me to see these mad-hungry doggies with a crazed look when we eat real food in front of them. Talk about animal cruelty.

If it is good or not to feed a dog (or cat) table scraps depends a whole lot on what you are eating... If you eat a lot of fast food, deep fried food or spicy food... please do not do that to your pet!

I just recently tried changing my cats diet. Although she felt better on it (more playful, running around, being nice to us instead of lying around all day) I had to change back because it gave her very bad diarea. So, when we have moved to mexico (she´s coming with us) she will have to get used to different food... but i will also buy more fresh meat for her there (cheaper).

What meat especially is good for cats? I have been afraid to give her raw chicken because of salmonella.. is that a real worry for cats?

[axisfx]

Originally Posted by ssandra

If it is good or not to feed a dog (or cat) table scraps depends a whole lot on what you are eating... If you eat a lot of fast food, deep fried food or spicy food... please do not do that to your pet!

I just recently tried changing my cats diet. Although she felt better on it (more playful, running around, being nice to us instead of lying around all day) I had to change back because it gave her very bad diarea. So, when we have moved to mexico (she´s coming with us) she will have to get used to different food... but i will also buy more fresh meat for her there (cheaper).

What meat especially is good for cats? I have been afraid to give her raw chicken because of salmonella.. is that a real worry for cats?

ssandra, you can read my previous post in this thread. The fresher the chicken, the better. Cats naturally only eat meat, they handle raw meat better than humans. If you have ever had uncooked chicken, you see how quick it "exits", where a cat has no problem. I remember picking up my little boy Bradley, who was fed mothers milk and dried food (6 weeks old) and the first thing he got when we brought him home was cut up chicken breast. Since that day, he has eaten nothing but raw meat. Chicken, turkey, rabbit, beef. He has a habit of stealing tortillas, bread, cereal and ice cream/yogurt, but what can we do. For a 13lb cat, he is quite sneaky.

[danthony]

Science Diet for my Terrier, Senior Breed and another Non allergic Brand for my ChiPoo as that one gets allergies. I also make sure my dogs get plenty of exercise by letting them out in the back yard to run around at least twice a day. Keeping around six or so toys around help to keep their stress levels down as well, especially when you are away.

Learn how to reward your dogs for good behavior too that will help keep them healthy. Cheers