Re: raw fed kitties

[Guest guest]

Hi Serene,

I didn't post those pictures, but I'm on a raw-feeding list call RawPaws

(rawpaws/) that I thoroughly recommend. It is for

any animal, but there are plenty of cat owners there as the group formed when

another one called Raw Cats folded.

" On RawPaws you will receive instruction on preparing a species appropriate raw

diet for cats, dogs, ferrets, birds and other companion animals.

Discussion will include holistic rearing, vaccine issues and herbs and how a

natural diet can help pets afflicted with IBD, Diabetes, pancreatitis, thyroid

and other auto-immune diseases.

You will also receive a good number of posts on research regarding human health

issues - because the health of our companion's guardians is very important to

their stress levels.

Discussion and exploration of raw diet, holistic care and other subject matter

will be led by your list mom - Marnie, formerly of Wellpet and RawCats mailing

lists. "

....Could you, or anyone else, give me some information about how to convert a

currently Science Diet-fed kitty to raw food? What types of meat and/or cuts

should I buy?

RawPaws has lots of info/tips on converting and also a basic recipe that is very

good. Lot's of info about the ratios of muscle and organ meats, and bone.

....Should I freeze the meat for 2 weeks as NT recommends for human

consumption?...

You don't have to as a cat's digestive system can handle a whole lot more

(bacteria) that ours can. Having said that, I believe cat's are quite picky

about how fresh their meat is - not like dogs. Mine certainly are You can if

you're still worried, though.

....Also, she can't thrive on meat alone, right? What should I add to it?...

That's also explained. They don't like to give out the recipe off-list as you

don't get all the support that way.

....Also, my Sesame (still a growing girl at 5-months old) is used to having dry

food available at all times, but as I obviously can't leave raw food out for

very long, how often do you suppose I should feed her?...

It depends a lot on your circumstances - temperature and whether you're home or

not. Unless it's really hot, you could probably leave it out for a couple of

hours. As I'm home during the day, I usually try to put uneaten food away once

the cats have lost interest, but I'm not terribly diligent. Some people use

timed feeders with cooling compartments. Cats are naturally geared to eat many

times per day, so we recommend 3-4 meals/day if you can manage it.

....Also, I know it's the right thing to do, but I could use a little pep talk

about feeding her raw meat as I am sometimes a bit paranoid about her cat-germs

and parasites and that sort of thing...

Many people are nervous at first from handling the raw meat. There are several

members who are vegetarian. Normal hygiene practices should be enough. Also, as

you've probably learnt from NT, once the animal is eating a 'species appropriate

diet' there are less 'germs and parasites' to worry about. A healthy animal

doesn't even need worming and de-fleaing.

Cheers,

Tas'.

[Guest guest]

>Also, my Sesame (still a growing girl at 5-months old) is used to

>having dry food available at all times, but as I obviously can't

>leave raw food out for very long, how often do you suppose I

>should feed her?

Serene:

I would make one comment about " leaving food out all the time " ...

I've been experimenting with mine, and really, animals do a LOT

better if they *don't* have access to food all the time. The feast/fast

mice are a great example: they feed them one day, all they want,

and they get no food at all the next. Those mice live MUCH longer

than mice fed all the time, even though they eat the same number

of calories, and they are healthier and more stress-resistant. In

the wild, mice don't get to eat whenever they want, they eat

when they *can*.

Anyway, I have some chickens that are noted for getting leg

problems as a breed. Sure enough, they started getting leg

problems. I switched them to feeding them during some

hours, then letting them go hungry for half the day. Leg problems

cleared right up, they are big and strong now.

And for myself, I'm on the Warrior diet, where you only eat for

4 hours out of the day. MY leg problems cleared up too, and

I've lost a good deal of weight, and my " low blood sugar " problems

cleared up too.

So ... don't stress about leaving food out. Yeah, if you leave

food out, cats will nibble all day, and sleep, and act more content.

And likely gain weight. If they get hungry they will act ornery and

go out and hunt mice ... but that is how a cat is supposed to act.

-- Heidi Jean