Guest guest Posted December 12, 2009 Report Share Posted December 12, 2009 Has anyone tried the Tropical Traditions raw pet food? I'm worried about my cat. We had to put my other one to sleep a few months ago because of obesity and UTIs, and now my other one is starting to get fat. They've both always eaten dry cat food, which is terrible, but all my family ever says is " oh my, she's getting fat. We should now give her 1/2 a cup of dry nuggets every day instead of 3/4. " It's so annoying!! It's not the amount of calories she's getting, it's the crap 'food' we're feeding her!!! I'm thinking if the food is pre-made they might consider the switch, so that's why I'm wondering about TT's. Sorry for rambling, I know this is seriously OT, but I just feel like this is a repeat of what happened with my other cat, and I can't stand it. Peace =) Alyssa 15 yo UC April 2008, dx Sept 2008 SCD June 2009 (restarted) No meds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2009 Report Share Posted December 12, 2009 At 10:18 PM 12/12/2009, you wrote: I'm thinking if the food is pre-made they might consider the switch, so that's why I'm wondering about TT's. Sorry for rambling, I know this is seriously OT, but I just feel like this is a repeat of what happened with my other cat, and I can't stand it. The TT food looks like a pretty good one. Be sure it has plenty of taurine in it -- you could add some yourself if you're not sure. But cats need plenty of taurine. — Marilyn New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001 Darn Good SCD Cook No Human Children Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2009 Report Share Posted December 12, 2009 > > > At 10:18 PM 12/12/2009, you wrote: >> I'm thinking if the food is pre-made >> they might consider the switch, so that's why I'm wondering about >> TT's. Sorry for rambling, I know this is seriously OT, but I just feel >> like this is a repeat of what happened with my other cat, and I can't >> stand it. > > The TT food looks like a pretty good one. Be sure it has plenty of taurine in it -- you could add some yourself if you're not sure. But cats need plenty of taurine. I had a sudden visual of Marilyn saying, " make your own, make your own, make your own! " I tried the dried raw lamb that they have as snacks - or something - it's been a while and my cat didn't touch it - but he's totally finicky. Just found some commercial raw food for the first time this week that he'll eat - Nature's Variety frozen raw food for cats and dogs. http://www.naturesvariety.com/ Also got some Bravo salmon log to try. But I've gradually been feeding him more and more raw food - like raw chicken and raw fish - just stuff that I buy, not commercial cat food. Huh, I also give him some canned Instinct, which I didn't realize until now was part of the same company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2009 Report Share Posted December 12, 2009 At 12:06 AM 12/13/2009, you wrote: I had a sudden visual of Marilyn saying, " make your own, make your own, make your own! " <VBG> Well, and so I do. But canids are a little easier to feed than felines: dogs are opportunistic omnivores (meaning they'll eat just about anything that doesn't eat them first!). Dogs moved in with us humans because they liked our cooking! Felines are obligate carnivores. They moved in with us because our granaries were chocka-block full of rodents which made great chow for the cats. I even have the recipe I used for my Cat Lady, Starblaze PrettyCat Tahja Feline, who lived to be 19. — Marilyn New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001 Darn Good SCD Cook No Human Children Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2009 Report Share Posted December 12, 2009 At 12:06 AM 12/13/2009, you wrote: I had a sudden visual of Marilyn saying, " make your own, make your own, make your own! " <VBG> Additional thought: now, if you REALLY want to make your own, full-fledged, homemade cat food, you raise mice on a high Omega 3 diet (flax seed and other stuff) and then at supper time, you toss a couple of live mice into the bath tub where they can't escape and let the cat go after them. You use the bathtub because it's easier to clean up after the cat is done.... — Marilyn New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001 Darn Good SCD Cook No Human Children Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 The TT food looks like a pretty good one. Be sure it has plenty of taurine in it -- you could add some yourself if you're not sure. But cats need plenty of taurine.Taurine is what they get from the heart of the animal, right? And how should I start her eating this? Just gradually increase the amount of this she's getting and decrease her dry food? I'm less worried about salmonella and stuff since It's been frozen, but it's still a heck of a lot different from dry food... Peace =)Alyssa 15 yoUC April 2008, dx Sept 2008SCD June 2009 (restarted)No meds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 At 08:04 AM 12/13/2009, you wrote: Taurine is what they get from the heart of the animal, right? And how should I start her eating this? Just gradually increase the amount of this she's getting and decrease her dry food? I'm less worried about salmonella and stuff since It's been frozen, but it's still a heck of a lot different from dry food... Check. Now, for those who think I've wimped out on my mantra of " Make your own, make your own, make your own! " here's a recipe: http://www.felinefuture.com/?p=1299 And this has other recipes, plus info on transitioning your cat to the raw food. (Some cats will be finicky; my Starblaze said, " Finally! Some of the good stuff! " We have a foundling beagle pup -- about seven months old. She was hungry. I had no kibble: it's been eleven years since there was kibble in the house. I looked at Harry and said, " Well, we can try her on a chicken wing... if she can't handle it, I can always grind it, bone and all, in my Maverick grinder. " We handed Babette a chicken wing. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Swallow.... and she never looked back. Kibble? What's that? http://www.felinefuture.com/?page_id=2312 In fact, spend a bunch of time browsing this website if you're concerned about kitty nutrition. — Marilyn New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001 Darn Good SCD Cook No Human Children Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 I was told EVO (by Innova) is next best thing to the BARF diet. It's grain free and low carb (I think it's something like 95% meat and 5% fruit/veggie). Naturally, my dog won't eat it, but you might be able to get your cat to. Holly Crohn's SCD 12/01/08 > > Has anyone tried the Tropical Traditions raw pet food? I'm worried > about my cat. We had to put my other one to sleep a few months ago > because of obesity and UTIs, and now my other one is starting to get > fat. They've both always eaten dry cat food, which is terrible, but > all my family ever says is " oh my, she's getting fat. We should now > give her 1/2 a cup of dry nuggets every day instead of 3/4. " It's so > annoying!! It's not the amount of calories she's getting, it's the > crap 'food' we're feeding her!!! I'm thinking if the food is pre-made > they might consider the switch, so that's why I'm wondering about > TT's. Sorry for rambling, I know this is seriously OT, but I just feel > like this is a repeat of what happened with my other cat, and I can't > stand it. > > Peace =) > Alyssa 15 yo > UC April 2008, dx Sept 2008 > SCD June 2009 (restarted) > No meds! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 > Has anyone tried the Tropical Traditions raw pet food? I'm worried> about my cat. We had to put my other one to sleep a few months ago> because of obesity and UTIs, and now my other one is starting to get> fat. They've both always eaten dry cat food, which is terrible, but> all my family ever says is "oh my, she's getting fat. We should now> give her 1/2 a cup of dry nuggets every day instead of 3/4." It's so> annoying!! It's not the amount of calories she's getting, it's the> crap 'food' we're feeding her!!! I'm thinking if the food is pre-made> they might consider the switch, so that's why I'm wondering about> TT's. Sorry for rambling, I know this is seriously OT, but I just feel> like this is a repeat of what happened with my other cat, and I can't> stand it.>> Peace =)> Alyssa 15 yo> UC April 2008, dx Sept 2008> SCD June 2009 (restarted)> No meds!>You're right, it's the dry food. There are tons of carbs in dry cat food; mostly starches like corn, wheat, other grains, but also sugars of various kind -- and cats don't even eat carbs naturally, a all; they're obligate carnivores: strictly meat eaters. They don't need and can't live properly on carbohydrates. She needs not just reducing the dry food but switching to a good canned food would help tremendously. But cats can be addicted to the tried and true, so if you/your family do/does that, you'll have to initially mix a little canned with the dry, then a little more, etc., until she's eating mostly canned, and then all canned. Yes, it's more expensive; but there's no question that it's far, far healthier for the animal.Do you have anything to say about what she gets fed? Can't you convince your family that the death of the first cat was directly related to a bad diet? Surely they don't want to go through that trauma and sorrow again! n-- Now available. A fine Christmas gift for cat lovers:Confessions of a Cataholic: My Life With the 10 Cats Who Caused My Addictionby n Van Tilwww.wordpowerpublishing.com ; signed copies; free shipping in U.S., reduced shipping elsewhere; free gift wrapping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 Do you have anything to say about what she gets fed? Can't you convince your family that the death of the first cat was directly related to a bad diet? Surely they don't want to go through that trauma and sorrow again! They shudder at the thought of making our own food, but they're willing to try the EVO dry food (better since it's grain free and 95% meat, but still lacks moisture that I know cats need). I'm trying to convince my mom to let me try to wean her onto the TT raw chicken steaks. BTW, n, since I know you're a cat lover, do you think the TT raw chicken steaks look healthy? The only thing I'm a little concerned about is the crude fiber being 7%, even though it's from coconut and not grains. Do cats get that much fiber in the wild? Thanks! Peace =)Alyssa 15 yoUC April 2008, dx Sept 2008SCD June 2009 (restarted)No meds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 I want to check out the raw diet. Last time I did--they meant 'live and raw'. Not TT but diet ideas after the contamination in the pet food problem. Mom adopted a kitten Nov. 2006. She also has an elder cat who is nearly 15 yo. I could not take the litter box so I started adding an 1/8 t. of homemade yogurt to her (canned) food. I didn't think he would take it but he does--goes from bowl to bowl licking out the yogurt. Both do so much better in the litter box area...and believe it or not if the kitten (she's just small and a lot younger than the elder) has a lot more behavioral issues if I stop or drop off on the yogurt. She chews wires, won't mind at all (I think she was a dog in her last life because she's usually very well behaved). So all that to say, if you can try wet food--no luck mixing yogurt with people or dry cat food but with any type of decent canned food (read the labels for the least additives I guess) and 1 spoonful of yogurt dripped lol --we worked up gradually to a regular soup for not a measuring spoon. They do a lot better, stay less hungry with it. The only time I skimp with them is like now when I have half a bowl and haven't started fresh yogurt. Hope this helps. Debbie 40 cd > Has anyone tried the Tropical Traditions raw pet food? I'm worried > about my cat. We had to put my other one to sleep a few months ago> because of obesity and UTIs, and now my other one is starting to get> fat. They've both always eaten dry cat food, which is terrible, but > all my family ever says is " oh my, she's getting fat. We should now> give her 1/2 a cup of dry nuggets every day instead of 3/4. " It's so> annoying!! It's not the amount of calories she's getting, it's the > crap 'food' we're feeding her!!! I'm thinking if the food is pre-made> they might consider the switch, so that's why I'm wondering about> TT's. Sorry for rambling, I know this is seriously OT, but I just feel > like this is a repeat of what happened with my other cat, and I can't> stand it.>> Peace =)> Alyssa 15 yo> UC April 2008, dx Sept 2008> SCD June 2009 (restarted)> No meds! > You're right, it's the dry food. There are tons of carbs in dry cat food; mostly starches like corn, wheat, other grains, but also sugars of various kind -- and cats don't even eat carbs naturally, a all; they're obligate carnivores: strictly meat eaters. They don't need and can't live properly on carbohydrates. She needs not just reducing the dry food but switching to a good canned food would help tremendously. But cats can be addicted to the tried and true, so if you/your family do/does that, you'll have to initially mix a little canned with the dry, then a little more, etc., until she's eating mostly canned, and then all canned. Yes, it's more expensive; but there's no question that it's far, far healthier for the animal. Do you have anything to say about what she gets fed? Can't you convince your family that the death of the first cat was directly related to a bad diet? Surely they don't want to go through that trauma and sorrow again! n -- Now available. A fine Christmas gift for cat lovers:Confessions of a Cataholic: My Life With the 10 Cats Who Caused My Addictionby n Van Tilwww.wordpowerpublishing.com ; signed copies; free shipping in U.S., reduced shipping elsewhere; free gift wrapping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 EVO has canned cat food too. Lots of nice varieties, even duck and venison. Holly Crohn's SCD 12/01/08 > They shudder at the thought of making our own food, but they're > willing to try the EVO dry food (better since it's grain free and 95% > meat, but still lacks moisture that I know cats need). I'm trying to > convince my mom to let me try to wean her onto the TT raw chicken > steaks. BTW, n, since I know you're a cat lover, do you think the > TT raw chicken steaks look healthy? The only thing I'm a little > concerned about is the crude fiber being 7%, even though it's from > coconut and not grains. Do cats get that much fiber in the wild? Thanks! > > Peace =) > Alyssa 15 yo > UC April 2008, dx Sept 2008 > SCD June 2009 (restarted) > No meds! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 My cat won't eat it. Mara > I was told EVO (by Innova) is next best thing to the BARF diet. It's grain free and low carb (I think it's something like 95% meat and 5% fruit/veggie). Naturally, my dog won't eat it, but you might be able to get your cat to. > > Holly > Crohn's > SCD 12/01/08 > > >> >> Has anyone tried the Tropical Traditions raw pet food? I'm worried >> about my cat. We had to put my other one to sleep a few months ago >> because of obesity and UTIs, and now my other one is starting to get >> fat. They've both always eaten dry cat food, which is terrible, but >> all my family ever says is " oh my, she's getting fat. We should now >> give her 1/2 a cup of dry nuggets every day instead of 3/4. " It's so >> annoying!! It's not the amount of calories she's getting, it's the >> crap 'food' we're feeding her!!! I'm thinking if the food is pre-made >> they might consider the switch, so that's why I'm wondering about >> TT's. Sorry for rambling, I know this is seriously OT, but I just feel >> like this is a repeat of what happened with my other cat, and I can't >> stand it. >> >> Peace =) >> Alyssa 15 yo >> UC April 2008, dx Sept 2008 >> SCD June 2009 (restarted) >> No meds! >> > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 >> Do you have anything to say about what she gets fed? Can't you>> convince your family that the death of the first cat was directly>> related to a bad diet? Surely they don't want to go through that>> trauma and sorrow again!>>> They shudder at the thought of making our own food, but they're> willing to try the EVO dry food (better since it's grain free and 95%> meat, but still lacks moisture that I know cats need). I'm trying to> convince my mom to let me try to wean her onto the TT raw chicken> steaks. BTW, n, since I know you're a cat lover, do you think the> TT raw chicken steaks look healthy? The only thing I'm a little> concerned about is the crude fiber being 7%, even though it's from> coconut and not grains. Do cats get that much fiber in the wild? Thanks!>As Tex Debi said, EVO also makes canned food. But it's quite pricey. I don't know if that's an issue or not. I've never tried the TT raw food myself -- nor have my cats ;-) Cats do get quite a lot of fiber in the wild, because when they make a kill they eat most of the animal they kill, so they're chomping on bone, gristle, tendons, etc. as well as meat and fat. (I won't get more graphic than that). I doubt that 7% of fiber would be a problem. But getting fiber from coconut is rather weird. Better than grain, as you say, but, again, its something that cats obviously don't eat. (I'm getting a very funny picture in my head of a cat climbing a cocunt palm and pitching down a coconut to his buddies on the ground. Fore!) I guess a lot of people would be freaked out if they used animal-based fiber. And clearly that would be far more expensive.If your parents don't like the raw food idea you might want to try an incremental approach, for the cat and for them. How about getting some decent canned food (mixed with the dry, at first, as I explained before) and then you can shoot for eventually switching to the raw chicken. Believe it or not, a cat used to only dry food may not even necessarily like real meat, especially raw. That's why I suggested that you opt for canned food as a first step.n-- Now available. A fine Christmas gift for cat lovers:Confessions of a Cataholic: My Life With the 10 Cats Who Caused My Addictionby n Van Tilwww.wordpowerpublishing.com ; signed copies; free shipping in U.S., reduced shipping elsewhere; free gift wrapping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2009 Report Share Posted December 13, 2009 > > > At 12:06 AM 12/13/2009, you wrote: >> I had a sudden visual of Marilyn saying, " make your own, make your own, make your own! " > > Well, and so I do. But canids are a little easier to feed than felines: LOL, I'll say! Sometimes my cat likes raw food, sometimes he says, thanks, but not today. Give me something else. But not that can of food (after I put one down), and not that one either (after I put another one down), and not that one either. And then: " Finally, you put down the right one. " Then he'll stop eating that one, and sometimes he goes back to one of the other ones. Or not. He drives me crazy with the food, but since he's 17.5, he ain't changing now, and when he's not being a curmudgeon, he's awfully sweet. > I even have the recipe I used for my Cat Lady, Starblaze PrettyCat Tahja Feline, who lived to be 19. Do you mind posting it? My cat is pushing 18 currently. Mara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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