Does your cat like spinach?

Does your cat like spinach? I know they put it in many natural and organic cat foods, but I never would have guessed what I saw this morning.

I had just washed some spinach, and had it drying on the kitchen counter. I turned my back for a second, and when I came back to the sink, Lola had jumped up on the counter, snatched a leaf and was eating it.

I've been giving all the cats a fresh catnip leaf every few days, and she may have thought that's what it was, but she really seemed to enjoy it and ate the whole thing. When it was gone, she went back for more. Just goes to show you a cat knows what's naturally good for them.

I'm not proud of the fact that she jumped up on the counter, but I'm having a devil of a time breaking her of it, and now she's helping herself to our food. With Lola, every day is a new experience.

Recommended Natural Pet Food list

I have compiled a list of my "Recommended Pet Foods" in my sidebar, but I need your help to make the list as complete as possible. If you use a pet food that fits the criteria below and you don't see it listed, please leave a comment with the product name so I can add it. Some companies make several products, some fit my criteria while others don't. So please be specific when listing your pet food.

Recommended Natural Pet Foods:
Barf World Raw patties
Blue Buffalo Co.
Evangers
From Family
Halo Purely for Pets
Holistic Blend
Merrick
Natura: Evo, Innova and Karma
Natura: California Natural canned only: Lamb/Chicken & Br.Rice/Herring & Sw.Potato
Nature's Variety - Instinct - canned
Newmans Own Organics Premium
Solid Gold: Hund-N-Flocken, Katz-N-Flocken, Millenia, Wolf King
The Honest Kitchen -dehydrated raw
Wellness by Old Mother Hubbard

Criteria for the list:

* First ingredient must be a specified meat such as "chicken" (not "chicken meal"-
it's fine if "chicken meal" (example) is the 2nd or 3rd ingredient.
* No by-products
* No corn as it's hard to digest and one of the prime causes of allergies in pets
* Fat should be specified, such as "chicken fat," not just "animal fat"
* Preservatives should be natural and not chemical, for instance Vitamin E

On the subject of "chicken meal," according to Wikipedia, the quality of the protein from "chicken meal" as an example depends on the type and amount of meat in the mixture, and although it's better than "chicken by-products," it's generally a lesser quality protein source than "chicken meat." Chicken meal is only the meat from the chicken, whereas chicken by-products can be all parts of the bird, including beaks, feathers, feet, intestines, etc.

On the subject of "fat," if the product doesn't specify the animal from which the fat was taken, and is labeled simply "animal fat," the contributing animal is not known, and the resulting oil is very low in linoleic acid which is essential for skin and coat health.

The pet foods that list meat as the first ingredient tend to be the most expensive, and I know that we can't all afford the top of the line pet foods. There are many other good pet foods out there where the first ingredient is for example "chicken meal," but my goal here was to list the very best pet foods. One trick I use is to mix a top brand with a less expensive yet all natural brand to help keep the cost down and make it go further, yet my pets still get the benefit of the high-end food. I also feed raw food for one meal a day to assure they are getting the best quality high protein diet I can give them. For premium content and convenience, nothing beats BARF World frozen raw food patties. For less expense but very convenient, try The Honest Kitchen's dehydrated raw mix and just add water. You might also consider making your own raw food mixture, which I posted about previously HERE. I know it takes a bit more time, but it can be done cheaply and raw food is the best food by far for your dog or cat.

Thank you everyone for any brands you contribute to the list.

Weight control for cats in a multiple cat home

I've already covered ways you can help your cat lose weight in my previous post. However, if you have one overweight cat in a multiple-cat household, it's hard to tell who's eating what, making it a bit trickier to help that one cat lose weight.

Here are some suggestions you can try:

1) If all cats are healthy, switch from free-feeding to meal-feeding. Only put food down at specific times of day, and pick up whatever isn't eaten.

2) If any cats are on a special diet, feed them separately in a room with a closed door, or a cat carrier.

3) You can feed all of your cats separately at meal time, and give an extra meal to the skinny cats if needed.

4) Try putting food for the skinny cats in a room or closet that is only accessible through a small opening just big enough for them to enter, but not the overweight cat.

5) There are cat doors that activate only for a cat who is wearing a special magnetic tag - you can put the tag only on the skinny cats.

More information on cat weight loss can be read HERE.

Diet help for your overweight cat

Cats can live more than 20 years, provided they have good nutrition and exercise. But obesity can shorten your cat's life, as well as cause health complications such as skin problems, lameness, urinary tract diseases, respiratory problems, immune system problems, heat intolerance, and problems with anesthesia if surgery is ever needed.

Most cats self-regulate their food ingestion, automatically maintaining an ideal weight. But cats can become overweight for a variety of reasons: medication, old age, lack of exercise, spaying/neutering, too many treats, over-feeding, and being allowed to graze all day long. Did you know that just 6 extra pieces of kibble per meal can cause your cat to gain weight?

A cat's ideal weight depends on breed, gender and body type. A good gauge is your cat's weight at 1 year old when they become an adult. If you adopted your cat later in his or her life, your veterinarian should be able to give you an ideal weight range based upon the cat's build.

If your cat is slightly overweight, cutting back on treats and food will probably be all that is needed. However, if your cat is obese, just cutting back on their food could cause malnutrition which leads to serious health problems. For specific tips on safe methods to help your cat lose weight, CLICK HERE.

It's also beneficial to help your over-weight cat increase their activity level. Try making him or her climb up their favorite cat tree or pole in order to reach their food. Playing with interactive toys such as Da Bird, Cat Dancer, or laser pointers can help get your cat moving and boost their metabolism. Just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.

It becomes more tricky if you have an overweight cat in a multiple cat household. I will cover this topic in a separate post next week.

When your cat won't eat

Until we adopted Lola, I had never had a problem with my cats eating, and wasn't aware that when a cat doesn't eat or drink in as little as 1 to 2 days, they can suffer serious health problems, such as liver disease. A cat can stop eating for many reasons; some are just picky eaters, while others can be suffering from a failing sense of smell, confusion, fright, or an illness. When we adopted Lola, luckily the humane society gave us a list of trouble signs to look out for and when to seek veterinary help, such as vomiting for more than 1 day, and not eating for more than 2 days.

At first both the humane society's in-house vet and my vet thought that it was most likely upset due to coming to a new environment, but both told me to keep a close eye on her. When the vomiting stopped and she ate some tuna and drank water, I thought we were out of the woods. However, the next day, she wouldn't even eat tuna, and it turned out she had an infection from her spaying. Antibiotics were all that was needed and her appetite returned within hours.

In my attempts to get Lola to eat, I found a very helpful site called The Amber Foundation. Here are some things you can try if your cat stops eating:
* if you normally feed dry food, try a fishy canned cat food
* try warming the food as it increases the smell (important for aging cats)
* try giving a favorite treat
* sprinkle a small amount of catnip over the food
* canned people tuna (packed in water) *don't use tuna packed in vegetable broth as it may contain onions)
* try cheese, milk, cream, or yogurt in very small amounts
* keep the food fresh - if your cat doesn't eat it within a short time, discard and try fresh food in a little while.
* Hand feeding is also an option if your cat won't eat on her own. I thinned down some canned cat food with water, and spooned it into Lola's mouth, and she did eat a little bit. It kept her hydrated until I could get her to the vet. A turkey baster can also be used.
* a teaspoon of pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) mixed with food can settle your pet's stomach upset, soothe constipation, and diarrhea.

VERY IMPORTANT - Your cat needs ta urine in her diet, which is found in cat food. It is not in tuna, so tuna should never be fed as a cat's sole diet.

Beware of the ingregients in cat treats

After posting this week on the Iams petfood scandal, one of my readers suggested I post about cat treats as well. So I did some research on a popular cat treat, Whiskas Temptations (chicken flavor). Here are the first 8 ingredients:
*chicken by-product meal
*ground corn
*animal fat
*rice
*dried meat by-product
*natural poultry flavor
*wheat flour
*corn gluten meal

A quick internet search of some of the ingredients shows this description:
*chicken by-product meal - an inferior source of protein made from necks, feet, intestines, etc.
*corn gluten meal - a by-product of processing corn. As a pesticide, it's intended for residential non-food use on lawns to prevent emergence of broad leaved weeds.
*Animal fat - an unspecified source that is not required to originate from slaughtered animals - animals can be obtained from any source, such as dead, diseased, euthanized from a shelter, and so on.

Also, as I've written before, cats are carnivores, meaning their natural diet is meat and not grains. The only meat source in Whiskas is the necks, feet and intestines of a chicken along with poultry "flavor". Whiskas also contains corn, rice and wheat flour, all grains. Grains are being used as a cheap filler in these products, and are not beneficial to your cat's health.

Here is a list of ingredients to avoid from The dog food project, which applies to cat food as well.

I personally no longer give my 3 cats any commercial cat treats. Instead of a treat, I give them a raw meat,organs,crushed bone,egg and vegetable mixture that when mixed together resembles canned cat food in consistency. They love it and are thriving on it.

I'm sure there are some safe cat treats marketed, and if any of you are using products that contain real meat and limit the grains, I'd like to hear what you're using, because I'm always open to new ideas.

Help for those cat hairballs

A hairball is a ball of the cat's fur which has been caught by their tongue while grooming, and is then swallowed. The hair can't be digested, and accumulates in the cat's stomach. The regurgitation of an occasional hairball (1 to 4 times a month) is normal, and usually causes no problem except the cleanup required. If more often than 4 times a month, you should consult your veterinarian.

Here are some things you can do to lessen the hairball incidences:
*brush your cat (long hair cats everyday; short hair cats at least once a week)
*Products are available that add fiber to the digestive tract and aid in passing the hair through.
*Herbal and homeopathic remedies are also available to help with digestion and elimination.
*Grow grass for your cat to much on - this adds fiber naturally to their diet.
*Add 1 teaspoon of pure canned pumpkin to the cat's food to add fiber.
*Feed a raw diet. Feeding a dry kibble doesn't do anything to help the cat digest the hair, but raw food can be very helpful.

Personally, I have seen a dramatic improvement with hairballs since I started giving my 3 cats a raw meat/pumpkin mixture once a day as their treat. See my previous post "Preparing a raw food diet for your cat."

Your cat and catnip

Catnip is an all-natural perennial herb from the mint family that originated in the Mediterranean but now is native to North America. Cats love to rub it, roll on it, and go a little crazy over it for short periods of time. The affects usually last about 30 minutes, after which the cat will probably sleep for a good long time, then return later for another go at the "nip." Very old or very young cats usually have less of a reaction to catnip, and about 10-30% of all cats don't respond to it at all.

The active ingredient in catnip leaves is nepetalactone, an oil that is released when the leaves are torn. Fresh catnip has the most oils and will have the most affect on your cat. You can grow your own in the yard or on a windowsill inside, and seeds can be purchased at most local nurseries. If you plan to grow it outside, I would suggest planting it in a 5 gallon container, set into the ground to contain the roots and keep it from taking over the area. If growing it inside, keep it in a safe place where your cat won't have access to it, as catnip should only be given in small quantities as a treat ( a sprig of fresh, or if dried the size of a quarter). Limit use to a couple times a week so your cat won't grow too used to the affects. Catnip is totally safe for your cat in small quantities. If you can't grow catnip, consider buying organic catnip available online or at some pet stores. It doesn't have as much oil as fresh, but retains most of it. Dried catnip is the least expensive and has the least oil in it. You can even buy a catnip spray that helps attract cats to scratching posts etc.

Catnip is also useful for humans as a tea to aid digestion, sooth heartburn, or as a natural sedative. It is also useful as an insect repellent if rubbed on the skin, or by planting catnip around your yard.

Preparing a raw diet for your cat

In my previous post on 10-16, I talked about why a raw food diet benefits your cat. Today's post will cover how to prepare it.

The easiest way to feed your cat a raw food diet is to purchase BARF frozen patties, which are complete with everything needed for your cat's health, and it also costs a little more money because it's all done for you.

The second way is to purchase the raw meat, organs, and bones preground, and add the supplements. A good place to purchase preground meat, organs and bones is Hare Today Gone Tomorrow. The mix will look very much like ground beef in consistency. Supplements can be purchased in a dehydrated form, such as Honest Kitchen Prowl Dehydrated Cat Food, available at Only Natural Pet Store (link is at the right), and you just add water to rehydrate them and mix in with the meat mixture. If you add your own supplements (such as cod liver oil, fatty acids, enzymes and taurine),this is where it gets tricky and you'll need to use a recipe and the right proportions to be nutritionally balanced.

The cheapest way is to grind your own meat. If you purchase the whole bird or prey including bones and organs, the balance of meat, organ and bones will already be correct. Suggested meat is chicken, turkey, pheasant, quail, and cornish game hen. You can try beef, but my cats don't like it much, so I don't use it. Most things I've read say to stay away from feeding your cat raw fish. If you don't use the whole bird, you can grind up the meat and organ meats, and add bonemeal. It can be purchased from Naturally Happy Pets. This is not garden grade bonemeal; it is from USDA beef for feeding animals. Then add the supplements mentioned above, but again make sure the proportions are correct based on a recipe. This is vital to your cat's health.

A good source to read for your cat's diet, along with many other aspects of your cat's life is Cat Health Secrets. I mix up a big batch, divide into small containers, and freeze until ready to use.

Your cat is a meat eater

Cats are true carnivores and have eaten raw food for thousands of years. They can exist on commercial pet food, but eating a diet they were never meant to consume could be leading to the many diseases they are now being diagnosed with. The main ingredient in most pet foods is not meat, it is grains which a cat doesn't digest well. These grains and the meat used are usually considered unsuitable for humans and contain human growth hormone, skin, fat containing pesticide residue, hair, toenails, joints, hooves, bowels, cancerous tissue, worm-infested organs and brains. Harmful chemicals and preservatives are added, such as sodium nitrite, ethoxyquin, BHA and BHT, all linked to cancer. Studies have shown that processed foods can be causing cancer, arthritis, obesity, dental disease and heart disease in pets. Up to 2 million pets now have food allergies. If your bag of cat food shows grains, corn meal, gluten, or meat by-products as the first ingredients, consider changing your pet food. Cats can't digest grains well, but it is often added to cat food as a cheap filler.

Feeding a raw food diet can normalize your cat's weight, improve skin and coat condition, and reduce shedding and hairballs among other things. It can be fed to kittens as well as adult cats; the only difference is in the portion size. If you decide to change your cat over to raw food, do it gradually over a 2 week period, and have patience. Your cat has become used to a high-carbohydrate diet and may resist at first, as cats hate change. Try adding a small amount of raw food to canned cat food, gradually increasing the amount of raw. You don't need to be concerned about parasites and disease, as a cat's digestive tract is designed for raw meat, and contains high concentrates of acid which kill parasites and bacteria.

The calcium/phosphorous ratio is critical in a cat's diet. Because of this, if you decide to feed a raw diet as your cat's sole diet, please do your research and follow a recipe to be sure the diet is balanced properly. There are also special raw diet recipes just for cats suffering from diseases such as chronic renal failure, irritable bowel disease, diabetes, cancer, etc. I feed my cats an all- natural kibble (Innova Evo and Wellness Core) to be sure they get a properly balanced diet, and I supplement with raw food as their second meal of the day. Both kibble formulas are available at Only Natural Pet Store and Amazon.com, links for which are at the right.

I will have another post dealing with making your own raw food later this week.

Is your cat food making kitty sick?

he dog and cat food recall was a scary time for all pet owners, and we'll probably never know just how many beloved pets died or became ill because of it.

About 2 years ago, while researching dog skin allergies, I read about the B.A.R.F. diet (stands for biologically available raw food). It made sense to me, as it follows what the natural diet of a dog and cat living in the wild would be: raw meat, bones, no chemicals, preservatives, or mystery ingredients you'll find listed on commercial pet foods. I spoke to my veterinarian about it, and he had never heard of it. Since he continued to recommend Eukanuba, Iams, Hills Science Diet, and Purina products, I didn't change my cat's food until the pet food recall. I've learned since then that nutrition courses are optional and most vets don't take them. So I don't think it's intentional on their part; they don't understand the dietary needs of a dog or cat, and also they are paid to recommend products by the pet food companies. When the pet food recall happened, I checked the black-listed brands daily, praying I wouldn't see my dog and cat foods listed. As pet owners, we place trust in them to provide safe food for our pets, and it's appalling what I learned is allowed in most commercial pet foods.

I want to know for sure what my pets are eating, so I switched all of them to an all natural dry food, supplemented by raw food. I only wish I had switched them years ago. Decide for yourself after you read this article on what bad things are allowed to be in commercial pet food, and find out if your pet food is on the safe list. My pet food brands weren't. It deals mainly with dog food, but the principles apply to cat food as well. For the link, GO HERE