Cat Food Recipes

Cats are carnivores and should be fed as such. They evolved to process raw meat, and this is a recipe for a balanced raw meat diet. Nothing is optional-not the bones, not the supplements, not the organs-believe me, if I could, I would cut stuff from this recipe, too. Simply put, though, cats have strange metabolic requirements and must process animal protein. The recipe below is what I make up once a month for my cat Shadow. It costs about $20 a month for everything (the supplements last a long time), and she is obnoxiously healthy for it.

5 lbs chicken legs, trimmed, with no skins

1 lb chicken heart

1/2 lb chicken liver

3 Vitamin B 100 complex vitamins

5 capsules of salmon oil

1 capsule of kelp

1 cup of cooked brown rice (I don't like to feed rice, but it really helps with the hairballs)

2-5 egg yolks

This recipe is loosely based on the recipe found on www.catnutrition.org. I've basically translated everything into pounds, rounded to the nearest easy-to-remember number, and juggled the supplements a bit, since Shadow is a young and healthy cat and doesn't need as much by way of preventive medicine.

And basically, I send everything through a grinder. Chicken legs, complete with bones, the heart, the liver, the rice-all of it gets ground up into a pink sludge. I sprinkle in the contents of the vitamin capsules, dump in the egg yolks, add enough water to make it easier to mix, and stir.

If you've only just decided to transition your cat to raw, don't go out and buy all of this stuff right away; a grinder is expensive, and the supplements aren't cheap, either. You will probably want to buy a bit of chicken and cut off little pieces, and offer them to your cat-how well it's accepted will be an indication as to how easy the transition can be. The website www.catnutrition.org contains a lot of information about how to transition your cat, why feeding raw is the best, and how to go about doing this.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1057635/cat_food_recipes.html

Feed Your Kitty Raw Cat Food for Less Vet Visits

Wild cats eat nothing but "raw meat" with few exceptions. So, what has changed in the last several thousands years? Are house cats any different than wild cats? Not really. Most cats have an easy time returning to the wild and their digestive systems are largely the same as their wild counterparts.

So, why are you feeding your kitty wheat and corn? Cats don´t eat grass seed. And it shows. Have you noticed that your kitty is overweight and often sickly? Hopefully your cat is the "mouse-catcher" around the house and it has been able to balance out its diet naturally. If not, your kitty may be sluggish and prone to sickness.

Research has shown that feeding your kitty raw cat food, can lead to less pet visits. The reason? Raw food is not the same as cooked food. Raw food contains natural enzymes that are still intact. Also, many vitamins are destroyed by cooking. Humans are the only creatures who cook their food. The rest of the animal kingdom eats it raw. And that is how cats have evolved. Their digestive systems are adapted to raw food.

Raw cat food is not difficult to prepare. It does take a little extra work. But, isn´t your kitty´s health worth it. You can prepare a weeks worth in an hour or so, then you can freeze it and it will stay fresh. The day before, you can take out a frozen packet and let it thaw in the fridge.

Do you have to worry about "food poisoning?" Well, do you think a lion gets food poisoning? No, not if they eat fresh meat. Actually, even humans can eat fresh meat - raw fish, even raw beef and other sea food are ok to eat raw as long as they´re fresh.

So, do you want to have less vet visits and better health for your kitty? Then try a raw diet. Your kitty will thank you.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1200148/feed_your_kitty_raw_cat_food_for_less.html

Review: Friskies Select Indoor Premium Cat Food

As a pet owner, I understand my cat is part of the family. And, I'm always trying to find him the best nutritional products available at my local stores.

Recently, we had a coupon for Friskies Select Indoor Premium canned cat food. Since he is primarily an indoor cat, the food was specifically formulated for his needs and he's always like the Friskies brand, we decided we would give it a try.

What a big waste of money that was.

Like many cats, our cat is somewhat picky when it comes to eating. But, we recently bought a bag of dry cat food (from a different brand) that was meant for indoor cats and he devoured it. Plus, like I said before, he eats Friskies canned food all the time. So, buying this variety of the same brand shouldn't have been much different. Unfortunately, it was.

I have, on occasion, switched brands of canned food on my cat; simply in an effort to save money. While he's always preferred his regular brand, he would eventually eat the different brand. He might have waited until he was starving before he tried it; but he still ate it.

That is not the case with the Friskies Select Indoor cat food. There is something about this brand he absolutely hates. When we bought this, we made the mistake of not buying at least a can or two of his regular food. I ended up having to run back to the store for that very reason because he simply would not eat this. It sat in his bowl all day and, because he was starving, he would walk over, look at it and even sniff it. But, he would walk away. I think he would have starved himself to death before eating this.

And, to be honest, looking at the food, I can kind of understand why. I can't remember the exact flavor I was looking at but, mixed in the meat I could have sworn I saw green things that looked like peas. They probably weren't peas but they were definitely some sort of garden vegetable. I can't remember my cat ever eating a salad before so I really have to question the thought process behind putting garden greens in his food.

The food also smells terrible. Most canned food has a nasty odor to it; especially when you first open the can. But, this was bad enough to make you want to gag. I imagine that wasn't helping his appetite either.

Maybe there's a cat somewhere that might actually enjoy this variety of cat food. But, from my experience with it, I can honestly say I won't be buying this for my cat ever again.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1209177/review_friskies_select_indoor_premium.html

How to Recycle and Reuse Empty Cat Food Cans

Are you looking for some great ways to recycle and reuse cat food cans? In many areas they can be put out with other recyclable items, but here are a few creative ways you can reuse them as well.

Cat food cans can be made into candles. Be sure to make them with two or three wicks so that they wax burns evenly. This will also make the candles brighter which makes them excellent to use as emergency candles or camping candles. Standing wicks with metal bases can be purchased at your local craft store by the bagful. The finished candles will be stackable.

If you would like to give these candles as gifts in gift baskets or sell them with your other handmade crafts, decorate them by gluing a piece of one inch wide lace or ribbon around the outside. These candles are also a great accent for an outdoor party or barbecue.

Cat food cans are great for organizing a desk drawer. They are larger and more useful than the plastic drawer organizers you can buy in stores. Cat food cans are large enough to hold full packages of supplies such as thumb tacks, rubber bands and paper clips. Just set a few cans down inside the drawer along the front or along one side.

Cat food cans can also be used to organize your craft supplies. They can hold small items such as beads, buttons, sequins, or other items. The cans are also stackable, so you can stack them several cans deep on a shelf. Use a sharpie to write the contents on the side so that you don't have to go searching through them for supplies.

Are you throwing a barbecue or large party? Save several cat food cans to set out to be used as ashtrays. Be sure to have many available so that no one will be tempted to throw their cigarette butts on your lawn.

Empty cat food cans can also be made into pin cushions. Fill the can with batting or scrap fabric. Lay another piece of fabric over the top and tuck it into the can all around the sides so that it makes a sort of cushion over the top. Squeeze hot glue down around the inside edge of the can to hold the piece of cloth in place. If you want to decorate the outside of the pin cushion, glue a piece of 1" wide ribbon or lace around the can. Glued-on buttons are also a nice touch!

Empty cat food cans are great containers to use as a portable paint palette. Just squeeze your paint out in the bottom of the can and use a reusable plastic can lid to cover it and keep your paint from drying. You can also use the can lid to mix colors.

You can create a great organizer for your shop using cat food cans. Place the cans onto a square of plywood and nail them down to the board using a nail through the bottom of each can. Be sure that the nails are not too long or they will go straight through the wood and come out the other side. If you do not have nails small enough, you can glue the cans to the board using heavy duty glue or hot glue. Use the cans to sort out your screws, bolts, nails, screwdriver bits, and other small items.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1219493/how_to_recycle_and_reuse_empty_cat.html

What to Do when Your Cat Develops Food Allergies

Cats make marvelous companions. It is so easy to become attached to them. But when they become ill, it is heart breaking. When a cat first show signs that it has developed a food allergy, it is hard to know what is wrong with them. They scratch themselves to the point of scratching off their fur and they develop skin problems.

It is best to consult your veterinarian when you notice something is wrong. To an untrained eye, there would be confusion as to what is wrong. Is it an allergy or intolerance to some kind of food substance? If it is a food intolerance, they vomit heavily and cry in so much pain It is quite scary for you and no doubt for the poor cat as well. The good news is that both are easy to deal with. All that is required is to find out what food is causing them problems and do a simple change in their diet.

Is your cat's itching caused by food or some reaction the skin is having to something your cat may have touch? The best way of knowing would be if the scratching does not stop with antihistamines or steroid treatments.

A veterinarian would be the best at making the distinction as to what the problem is. They will rule out flea bites, yeast infections and atopy. Once they are ruled out, trial an error on the food begins. Your vet will tell you what foods to try. Many of these foods you can get at the larger food stores, however, some of them you will have to buy from your vet. No table scraps (which you should not give them anyways) and no cat treats. Follow the vets instructions to the letter.

If this stops the problem, after 3 months, give you cat a little of their original food. This way you know for sure that this was the problem. If the problem comes back return to and keep the up with the new diet.

You can make homemade food for your cat. But this can be even more costly than what you get from the vet. That is a discussion and decision you have to make with your vet.

The overall goal here is to help your cat out. They cannot tell you when there is something wrong or what is wrong . You have to try and diagnosis what is wrong by knowing your cat. Once you have discovered what is wrong, the solution is easy and , although you cat may not be happy about the new diet at first, it will all work out.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1219101/what_to_do_when_your_cat_develops_food.html

Review: Purina Healthful Life Cat Food

My cat has a normal brand of dry cat food he absolutely loves. But, he was running low on that the other day and I had a sample bag of Purina Healthful Life cat food in our cupboard so I decided to give that particular brand a try with him.

Overall, it turned out not to be too bad of a product but I think I do still prefer his normal brand.

The Healthful Life brand, which is a variation of Purina Cat Chow, claims to offer the same great taste cats love but includes "a natural fiber blend" which apparently is meant to keep my cat's digestive tract healthy.

That is all well and good, but my biggest reason for trying this brand was to see if he would actually eat it. He's very picky and his regular brand of dry food is the first brand we were able to get him to eat on a regular basis so I was a bit skeptical, even though we did introduce him to this gradually.

After trying him with it a couple of weeks now, I will say he does eat it. So, I will give Purina points for that. The fact he's eating it means it must taste good; at least to him.

In terms of improving his health, I'm not convinced one way or another on that one. He's not a very active cat. He sleeps pretty much all day, except at meal times and when he wants to play for a few minutes before bed. I won't say the Healthful Life didn't improve his overall health. But, I will say I didn't notice any real changes in terms of his normal daily habits. In other words, it's not like he suddenly gained more energy or anything.

Really the biggest change I noticed after giving him this food for a few days is one that I'll admit isn't a change I liked. I'm trying to put this the most delicate and least gross way possible. But, after having this cat food for a few days I have noticed his litter boxes tend to stink a lot more. And, without going into any descriptive details, I will mention I have to scoop a lot more than I used to too. This might be a good thing because it means it's cleaning him out. But, as a person who really hates cleaning the litter box, I can't honestly say I'm a big fan of that reaction.

It's nice to know there's another brand of cat food my cat will eat in a pinch, especially if I find the Healthful Life on sale. But, I think I'm going to be going back to his regular brand the next time I get to the store.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1283924/review_purina_healthful_life_cat_food.html

Homemade Cat Food

As a cat lover and owner, you want the best for your cat. They're just like humans- the more nutrients and minerals they get from their food, the healthier they are. But cats can be picky eaters. Of all the store-bought brands of cat food on the market, one of my furry friends, Kermit, will only eat Meow Mix™, period. Fortunately, he will eat the homemade cat food recipes I make for him, so I know he's getting the foods he needs to keep him strong and healthy. Basically, cats prefer homemade cat food with meat, poultry, and dairy products. They don't know it, but they also need some vegetables in their daily diets as well. What they never need is onions, starchy vegetables, like peas and corn, salt, sugar, chocolate, fruits, nuts, mushrooms, caffeine, spices, peppers, and bones. Cats can usually chew up and digest soft, canned salmon bones, but they can't handle chicken and other hard, small bones.

Here's a healthy, homemade cat food recipe for Chicken Soup for Cats:

Boil a pound or two of chicken parts such as livers, hearts, and giblets in a pan of water on the stove. Or, use the same amount of boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead. Either one works fine, but the latter is more expensive to buy.

Boil the chicken until it's tender and is cooked thoroughly. Then, stir in a cup of steamed green beans. Add the mixture to your food processor or blender. Grind it up or turn it into a puree, whichever your cat prefers. Then, add enough chicken broth to make a soup, and serve.

Store any leftover Chicken Soup or other homemade cat food in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to a week. None of my cats like cold food straight from the refrigerator, so I place a serving of the food on a microwave- safe paper plate. I then nuke it on medium power for approximately ten seconds. (The exact time will depend on the wattage of your microwave oven.) The homemade cat food isn't hot, but it isn't chilly anymore either.

My Tuna 'n Egg Kitty Casserole is one of Kermit's favorite feasts. The ingredients are one can of tuna fish in oil- don't drain it- and a scrambled egg or two, depending on their size. Then, simply mix the tuna fish in with the egg and mix it together well.

Note: Does your cat have a problem with Diarrhea? If so, simply mix a cup of cooked white or brown rice into any of these recipes. The rice will help to bind their bowels and stop the problem naturally without giving them drugs.

A little garlic powder sprinkled into a cat's homemade food can help deter bothersome fleas too.

Cheese and Macaroni Surprise is another recipe your cat will love, especially if they have a penchant for dairy products. Boil some macaroni (following the package directions to make a couple cups) until it is tender; drain. Melt a chunk of Velveeta™ cheese product in your microwave oven on low power. Then, mix the cheese into the macaroni. Add enough milk so it's smooth and not sticky. Then toss in a handful of any chopped or sliced meat or poultry food your cat likes. Grind it up and serve it to your feline.

Since most cats adore chicken, liver, turkey, fish, lamb, and veal, you can use any of these meats and poultry foods to make up your own homemade cat food recipes. Just remember to cook their food thoroughly. And, either cut the meats and poultry into small, thin slices, or grind or puree it in your food processor or blender.

And finally, remember to rotate your kitty's homemade food choices. If you feed him or her the same food every day, they tire of it quickly.



Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/28961/homemade_cat_food.html

Fancy Feast Savory Salmon Canned Cat Food Satisfies My Cats

Although I am not a cat, I have to say Fancy Feast Savory Salmon canned cat food is a fabulous product. My cats will devour a can of Fancy Feast Savory Salmon canned cat food in a matter of mere seconds, so I think it is safe to speak for them and say that this is a great product. Fancy Feast canned cat food comes in a large selection of flavors and variety.

You can find Fancy Feast Savory Salmon canned cat food sliced, grilled, flaked and traditional mashed varieties. There are actually over fifty different varieties of Fancy feast canned cat food. There is a choice out there for every cat. Fancy Feast Savory Salmon canned cat food is of the flaked variety and the texture seems to appeal greatly to both of my cats. If I had to guess their favorite feature, I would have to say it is the flaked texture of this cat food. I have tried giving them chopped cat food and mashed cat food with no luck. The chopped pieces seem to be too large and are not so easily digestible. The mashed varieties of cat food don’t seem to be appealing at all. I guess they want to feel like they are chewing on something.

Fancy Feast Savory Salmon canned cat food is a healthy and safe product to feed your cat. Fancy Feats is made by Purina, a well-known pet food company that has the health and well being of your pets as their number one goal. Fancy Feast Savory Salmon canned cat food uses quality ingredients compared to other cheaper canned cat foods. Cheap canned cat foods can lead to urinary track infections and other health problems during the life of your cat. If you are going to invest in canned cat foods for your pets, you should take the time to read the labels and look for quality ingredients. It will save you time and money at the vet’s office.

Personally I could not live without Fancy Feast Savory Salmon canned cat food for a number of reasons. I work at home and it can often be a chore to get my overly affectionate and attention-seeking cats to leave me alone. If I feed them a can of Fancy Feast Savory Salmon caned cat food they are satisfied, full, and are soon lulled into a sleepy food coma that seems to resemble the one I achieve every year at Thanksgiving. I believe it is a true test of how good a feast was if it can create a great and wonderfully fulfilling nap!

Fancy Feast Savory Salmon canned cat food can be found at the grocery store and almost every pet store I have every seen. A can cost upwards of $0.50, so try looking for the cases. This will definitely save you a little money. You can even find a variety pack of Fancy Feast canned cat food at Sam’s Club.



Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/41787/fancy_feast_savory_salmon_canned_cat.html

Homemade Cat Food

You’ve probably noticed that pets love people food, and cats have their own persuasive ways to get their owners to share. Why wouldn’t cats want to eat the same food their owners are eating? Cat food doesn’t look very appetizing, and if cat food tastes anything like it smells, of course cats prefer people food. People get tired of eating the same foods day after day, and cats are no exception.

If you want to give your kitty something to purr about, consider giving him the following homemade cat food. Cats love homemade cat food, and it’s no wonder why. Homemade cat food contains the meat cats crave, and considering the cost of small cans of cat food, homemade cat food really isn’t very expensive. Make your kitty a batch of homemade cat food, and watch his anticipation turn into delight when he finds out the food you’ve made is especially for him.

Beef and Liver Dinner

Your kitty is sure to love this homemade cat food, and it’s relatively cheap considering the quantity it makes. Unless you have several cats who are able to consume one and a half pounds of homemade cat food within three or four days, consider freezing individual portions. This homemade cat food recipe makes twelve two-ounce portions.

1 pound browned ground beef, drained

¼ pound liver, fully cooked and diced

1-cup cooked brown rice

1-teaspoon corn oil

1-teaspoon crushed antacid tablets

Blend all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and refrigerate or freeze until ready to serve.

Turkey Special

This homemade turkey dinner for cats will become your favorite feline’s preferred cuisine. You won’t need to freeze this homemade cat food. Your kitty will finish this delicious turkey dinner within a few days of preparation. Refrigerate any unused portions until ready to serve.

1-cup browned ground turkey, drained

½-cup white rice

1/8-cup grated cooked carrots

2 teaspoons small curd cottage cheese

2 teaspoons corn oil

Blend all ingredients in a medium size mixing bowl, and refrigerate extra portions until ready to serve.

Purrfect Sardine Nibblers

Cats love sardines, and your kitty will think you’re the greatest hunter in the world when you give him this tasty sardine dinner. This homemade hard cat food is just what you’re kitty has been waiting for. Make sardine nibblers today, and store this homemade kitty cuisine in a tight-sealing container for up to two months.

1/8-cup wheat germ

1/8-cup wheat flour

1/8-cup soy drink mix

1/8-cup brewers yeast

½ can sardines, including liquid

1-½ tablespoons water

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and grease a baking sheet. Combine the wheat germ, wheat flour, soy drink mix, and yeast. Mash the sardines, and mix them with the water in a small bowl. Blend the sardines and water with the dry ingredients, and knead this mixture into dough. Roll the dough into quarter-inch balls, and place them on a greased baking sheet. Flatten them slightly, and bake them for approximately eight minutes, or until set. Let this homemade cat food cool on a wire rack before storing or serving.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/49989/homemade_cat_food.html

10 Reasons Why You Should Not Buy Cheap Cat Food

1. The cheaper the cat food the worse it is for your cat and the more it will cost you in the long run with vet bills and complicated health problems. Cost is relative. Feeding a better quality food means your cat eats less and since it is more digestible your cat is absorbing more nutrition, producing less waste, and higher priced, but more nutritionally sound food is far more cost effective.

2. It might be better for a cat to eat inferior and mediocre cat food instead of no food and starving, but if the food is so low quality, you really do end up starving your cat.

3. BHA and BHT are cancer causing chemicals and you can often see this listed as one of the first four or five ingredients on dozens of cheap cat food products. BHA and BHT are cheap preservatives in some foods.

4. Cheap cat food is not high in protein. Your cat may seem to like the cheap cat food just because they eat it and make frequent trips to their dry food bowl. But maybe when your cat keeps eating that cheap cat food it is because they are so darn hungry from not getting enough protein they keep going back to their only food bowl hoping to feed their hunger.

5. Cheap cat food also makes your cat load up their kitty litter box. According to Care 4 Cats at http://www.care-4-cats.com/cat-food.htm



"The very cheapest pet food has a lot of ash as a filler, and the animal has to eat a lot to get enough nutritive value, producing lots of excrement. Better to buy less of a more expensive brand and save on cat litter costs too!

6. Cheap cat foods put extra fat into their foods so if cats have a nice shiny coat of the owners who are uneducated on ingredients are fooled into thinking their pet is healthy. Remember the old saying "Don't judge a book by its cover?" Don't judge your cat simply because the fur looks good. If they are not eating an adequate diet, eventually that good looking fur will stop looking good and get in sync with the look of their unhealthy insides.



7. By-products are often listed as one of the first three ingredients, and sadly it is often the first ingredient listed in cheap cat food. By-products are products that would not even stand alone to be considered food. By-products are disgusting and imagine if the company had to list exactly what the by products were? They could be beaks and feet and feather and bones and guts and eyeballs and on and on. It is just not natural and it is horrible to think that the biggest ingredient in the food you feed your cat is a waste product and not fit for consumption. NEVER buy cat food where by-products are listed as one of the first 5 ingredients. It is difficult to digest and does nothing nutritionally for your cat's health.

8. Corn fillers. Corn isn't cat food; it is another cheap filler that is difficult to digest. It is another reason cheap cat food is high in carbohydrates and high carbohydrate diets often lead to diabetes, kidney failure, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, obesity and many other complications in cats. Grains such as corn, rice, wheat and so on, should be absent or only minimally present in your cat's diet.

9. When was the last time you heard a veterinarian recommend a cheap cat food? Never. There are no professional pet journal articles mentioning you should feed your cat cheap versions of cat food found in both dry and canned form.

10. Just because you see the word beef or chicken or liver or fish doesn't mean the cat food even contains any of those items! There are industry standards in naming products and consumers are often fooled because of it. There is a difference between Chick cat food, chicken flavored cat food, chicken dinner, etc. According to consumersearch.com

"Of great concern to many pet owners is the quality of ingredients in cat food, primarily the type of protein source in food. Just as for human food, there are regulations regarding the labeling of cat food that can help consumers assess the amount of meat in the food. If a product is labeled "Beef Dog Food", for example, 95% of its ingredients must be beef. If it says "Chicken Dinner" or "Lamb Formula", it must contain only 25% of the meat. If the packaging simply states "Chicken Flavor", the food merely needs to taste like chicken to the cat; it does not need to actually have any chicken in it."

See the full story here:

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/family/cat-food/fullstory.html 

According to Lisa A. Pierson, DVM, she says "In the wild, your cat would be eating a high protein, high-moisture content, meat-based diet, with a moderate level of fat and with only approximately 3-5 percent of her diet consisting of carbohydrates. The average dry food contains 35-50 percent carbohydrates. Some of the cheaper dry foods contain even higher levels."



Cats are carnivores. They don't crave dough and bread and corn muffins, what cats want is meat. So, feeding your cat a high carbohydrate cat food, whether it is dry food or canned food, is much like feeding it doughnut as its main meal with some corn meal gluten pie as dessert. Just because the cat food is shaped like cute little fish doesn't mean it has anything really to do with fish ingredients. What is also appalling is how often cheap cat food is colored with chemical ingredients proven to cause cancer, just because the color as to somehow be pleasing to our human eyes. You cat doesn't care what color its food is! Your cat eats to fuel its body and what fuels its body best is a high protein diet which is impossible to get from a cheap cat food.

So, do yourself a favor, and most importantly your cat, and stop buying cheap cat food and read the ingredients. Buy more than one kind of high quality cat food and let your cat have a varied diet that doesn't just consist of dry food, but a mixture of dry and wet food.

Be generous with your cat and let them experience deli cuts of meat, tuna fish packed in water, sardines packed in water, salmon and other high quality high protein foods. And for an extra special treat, wheat grass, also known as pet grass, is a favorite among cats to aid in their digestion. Make sure you only give them organic wheat grass to snack on too.

A good diet of high quality high protein cat food is the best way you can show your cat you love them and want them to be around for many many years.



Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/58569/10_reasons_why_you_should_not_buy_cheap.html

Feeding Your Cat People Food

It seems that every time the family sits down to dinner the cat is sitting on any perch it can find to get better view, a better sniff of the yummy looking and smelling people food. For most cat lovers, the temptation to give in and give their cat a treat is too overwhelming to completely quell. So, small bits of this and tiny bites of that are tossed on the floor or gently hand fed to the eager cat.

For the most part, that's just fine. Feeding cats people food, in general, is not bad for them if it is not done to the extent that the cat is no longer eating a healthy and balanced meal with the essential nutrients a cat needs to stay healthy.

Most of the foods that humans eat are perfectly safe for cats to eat, however, keep in mind that every time you allow Fluffy to eat some of your people food, you are also reinforcing bad habits that you may not be able reverse in the future.

There are some people foods that are bad for cats, toxic to be exact. If all you're feeding our cat from the table scraps are bits of meats and some a few vegetables you really have nothing to worry about.

With that being said, there are a few vegetables and fruits that one should be aware not to feed their cat. In most cases, if you are not sure whether a particular piece of people food is safe for your cat to eat, then play it safe and don't feed it to them.

We'll start out with good old-fashioned milk. While the actual drinking of milk is not going to cause any damage to your cat, the side effects can cause the problems. If a cat is already eating a healthy diet and drinks too much milk, the lactose in the milk can cause the cat to come down with upset and cramped stomach problems. To prevent this, only give the cat small portions of milk and only a few times a week.

Some other people foods you should avoid feeding your cat include onions and garlic that contain a toxin that can attack red blood cells and if bad enough, your cat can run the risk of contracting anemia. Tomatoes and raw potatoes are members of the Solanaceae family of plants (the same as the deadly Nightshade plant) and can cause extreme intestinal problems.

Grapes, raisins and chocolate are all deemed to be not healthy for cats to ingest. In fact, most veterinarians discourage allowing any pets to eat them and particularly dogs. These three items can be toxic to your pet and studies have shown that even the smallest amount can be detrimental.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/149239/feeding_your_cat_people_food.html

Product Review: Natural Balance Dry Cat Food

I am a cat owner and always on the lookout for quality products to improve my cats' health and longevity. One of the best products I have found on the market today is Natural Balance Cat Food. My cats love the taste, and I love the ingredients and the company behind the product. Dick Van Patten, the actor, started this company in 1989, with the idea of creating the healthiest pet food around, not just for pets, but for zoo animals as well. He wanted it to be made from quality ingredients, and without using animal testing.

I found out about this cat food by way of a free sample at a pet supply store that I frequent. I brought the bag home, and gave the sample to my cats, who all went nuts over it. After seeing this, I kept the bag so that I could research the product, and I looked up more information at www.naturalbalanceinc.com. The thing I liked the most was the ingredient list. When you compare the ingredient list on a bag of Natural Balance, to the ingredient list on a bag of other leading store brand cat food, such as Friskies, you will see quite a difference. For example, the first five ingredients of the Natural Balance food are Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Duck and Lamb Meal. This sounds pretty good to me. This is the type of thing that I want to feed my cats. Natural Balance contains no preservatives or by-products, and is relatively high in protein.

To get further research besides reading the biased information on the Natural Balance web site, I also did a search for reviews on the food on the web. Everything I read about Natural Balance was positive. Consumers claimed that their cats had visible health improvement, such as a healthier looking coat, increased activity and other positive things. After I started feeding this food to my cats regularly, I noticed improvements as well, and I don't think it was a coincidence. Basically, just like humans, when you eat healthy, quality food, your health and quality of life improves. I saw this happening with my cats. One particular thing I noticed was a lot less random vomiting, hairballs, etc. I am sure that being on a diet of Natural Balance was the reason for this positive change.

Natural Balance Dry Cat Food is available in three different formulas. The formulas are Ultra Premium, Venison & Green Pea, and Reduced Calorie. I have tried each of these formulas on my cats, and they have all been met with great enthusiasm, with the Reduced Calorie being the least favorite. However, I have noticed this is always the case with any reduced calorie cat food of any brand, so I don't consider it a negative against the brand. I usually purchase the 6.6 pound bag of Natural Balance. This cat food can be a little pricey, but I feel that the improved health of my cats is worth it. I have now been using this food for around two years, and I will continue to use it as long as it is being made.

I would absolutely recommend Natural Balance Dry Cat Food to any cat owner. After feeding a cat this food for a few weeks, you will notice the health benefits and positive changes. This is good, quality cat food without chemicals or by-products, and the company does not support animal testing. Natural Balance also regularly contributes to animal charities to help abused and neglected animals. It makes me feel good to support a pet food company that involves themselves in these kind of activities. Therefore, I can justify the higher price because of all the good that goes into the product, and all the good that comes from using this product. For more information about Natural Balance pet food, visit their web site at www.naturalbalanceinc.com.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/147761/product_review_natural_balance_dry.html

Top Secret Information About Cat Food

Greetings cat companion owners.

I just wanted to share with you some TOP SECRET INFORMATION ABOUT FOOD FOR CATS. Our cats out here on the farm, in North Carolina have the best of both worlds. Free to run around and catch small prey and have a specially prepared diet, which promotes good health and is kind to their digestive system. We feel by far this food type, and/or method of feeding cats is the best thing on Earth since catnip.

TOP SECRET #1

There is a food you can feed your cat that will keep their teeth clean and gums healthy that with the exception from your yearly check up you may never have to pay for to have another dental cleaning. There is a food you can feed your cat that will make their stools/poops virtually odor free. For some reason fleas and little critters that run around on their skin, disappear.

TOP SECRET #2

Our cat companion is is known as a, obligate carnivore, That their digestive system is not set up absorb most of the ingredients found in manufactured (aka Kibble) foods? Nature intended for animals to basically eat what they catch. There is a food you can feed your cat that contains no artificial ingredients and/or animal by products, and is so natural, that cats all over the world have been eating it for years? Now if nature intended for them to eat what they catch, would it not seem true that the prey they catch has the needed ingredients in it for them to live in a healthy form?

TOP SECRET #4

There is a food that has been pr oven to virtually eliminate and/or reduce things like allergies,urinary tract problems, kidney disease, obesity, IBD, diabetes and

cancer. Did you know that the reason so many people are looking to learn about this very healthy, fresh, natural kind of food, is because they're realizing that commercial cat "food", AKA KIBBLE is made from processed ingredients that are left over from the human food industry, and animal by-products.

What is this food you ask? It's know by several names, RMB, BARF, etc.

I have attempted to share some information here that a lot of companion owners know and others do not. Our information here comes from many years of personal and farm experience. As there is a wealth of information out on both types of feeding programs, some similarities may seem to appear. Any similarity to any published information is unintentional.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/170649/top_secret_information_about_cat_food.html

Cat & Dog Food Recall

The recall of cat and dog foods of some 80 brands have been linked to kidney failure, says the Food and Drug Administration. These Companies outsource

the the production and packaging of their wet or canned food, which is the affected type. This is the suspected reason of 10 confirmed deaths across the northern half of the U.S. Dry food is more nutritious and contains less fat than canned food.

So next time you are in the supermarket to buy your loved one food, pause and think...the easy, good tasting stuff is usually the worst for them. Plus, dry food promotes healthy teeth and gums. Yumm Yumm. Per ounce, thats an expensive taste, and my opinion is that the dry food tastes better anyway. I couldn't bring myself to try the canned food, it reminds me of a hang over morning, I ate a cold left over plate of Salisbury Steak with Gravy!

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/186527/cat_dog_food_recall.html

Worried About Pet Food Recalls? See If Homemade Cat Food is for You

With all the talk of pet food recalls going on in the news, I've taken a step back to look at my cats' diet. I started quite some time ago cooking at home for the family, but have never seemed to get away from commerical foods for my pets.

Wanting my cats' to be healthy is important to me, so I set out to see what I could find about making my cats' food at home. I found it's not that difficult to make cat food, and the benefit is that you know what you're putting into their stomachs, so you can dispell some of the concern about contamination.

To make your own cat food, you simply need to follow these steps:

1.Know what to feed, and what not to. Don't feed your cat chocolate, alcohol, onions, pork, bacon, raw fish, raw eggs, milk or bones. Each one of those things can have an unsatisfactory effect on cats. Also, don't feed your cat dog food! Cats require more protein than dogs do, so dog food will not meet your cats' nutritional needs.

2.Limit the tuna fish intake. Tuna fish can be an enjoyable treat for cats, but don't go overboard. There are mercury levels in tuna fish, and has risks that are associated with overfeeding.

3.Feed liver in moderation. Vitamin A exists in liver. If you are giving your cat a supplement, skip the liver portion of their diets. An overdose on Vitamin A is deadly.

4.Search the internet. All of us cat lovers know that cats can be finicky. There are a wide range of recipes online so do a search and find recipes with ingredients that your cats love. Some recipe books also have cat food recipes included. Look for recipes that are high in protein.

5.Include vegetables. A healthy meal might consist of something along the lines of: 1 pound of ground turkey, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, ½ teaspoon garlic powder and 2 teaspoons of brewer's yeast. Another yummy meal might be 4 ounces of meat, two eggs, 1 tablespoon carrots, 1 tablespoon cottage cheese and 1 tablespoon sunflower oil. Make sure you cook all meat before serving it.

6.Adding flavors such as garlic and kelp powder can make the meal more tasty. Small amounts of dairy are fine, but don't overdo the milk. You can also use a lactose free milk.

7.Don't go 100% right away. Your cat will have to adjust to your new food slowly as to not upset his or her stomach. Start by adding small amounts of your new food with the old commercial food and build up gradually.

8.Don't keep cat food too long. Three days is the maximum amount of time you should keep your newly prepared food, so don't cook too much and plan on keeping it for convenience later.

It can be a lot of work to have more meals to prepare, especially if you're family isn't interested in sharing a kelp flavored meal. Overall, it's not difficult if you can set aside the time to prepare a good meal for your cat. As always, it's a wise idea to consult with your vet before starting any kind of new dietary routine for your pet.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/186312/worried_about_pet_food_recalls_see.html

Iams Weight Control Dry Cat Food is the Cat's Meow

How do you write a product review about a cat food? You could rate it based on whether your cat eats it, but won't a cat eat pretty much anything if it's hungry enough? Especially if the cat food you're trying to rate is all you feed it? I have a better solution. I interviewed our cat, Pearl for this product review. She has been eating Iams dry cat food since kittenhood. She began on Iams Kitten™ formula, moved up to the adult formula, Iams Original™ and when she started to look a bit pudgy, settled in with Iams Weight Control™ formula. So, Pearl is somewhat of an expert on Iams dry cat foods. She is more qualified than I am to rate Iams Weight Control™ dry cat food. She will tell you it's the cat's meow! But, let's hear the product review in her words.

CG- Pearl, what do you think of Iams Weight Control™ dry cat food?

PG- Meooooooooooooooow. [Is it time to eat?]

(From here onward, I will translate Pearl's answers to reduce the incidence of the word "Meow," in this product review.)

CG- How does Iams Weight Control™ dry cat food compare to the other Iams dry cat food you've tried?

PG- Iams Kitten™ formula was the most delectable, but eating too much of it is how I ended up on Iams Weight Control™ dry cat food. I still chase my tail now and then, but not enough to use up those extra calories in kitten food, I guess.

CG- How does Iams Weight Control dry cat food compare to canned cat food?

PG- I have never been a fan of canned cat food. It comes in two varieties, mushy and gooey. Yuck. I like some crunch in my food.

CG- Is Iams Weight Control™dry cat food better tasting than other brands of dry cat food?

PG- The vet said it's the best. Why would I try another brand?

CG- Iams Weight Control™ does cost a little more than some common brands of dry cat food, right? $7 or $8 for a 4 pound bag?

PG- I'm worth every cent.

CG- Did the recent recalls of cat food scare you?

PG- Sure did. I checked the bag myself to make sure none of that tainted wheat gluten was in there. Then I heard there were other bad things in dry cat foods like BHA and BHT, ethoxyquin and propylene glycol. I gave that ingredients list the cat's eye. Not one of those dangerous ingredients is in my Iams Weight Control™cat food, I'm relieved to say.

CG- Now, an important question in this product review is whether Iams Weight Control™ formula helped you to manage your weight?

PG- I'm a cat. When someone is pouring cat food in my bowl, I bump up against them as hard as I can, hoping they'll spill the whole container right smack into my food bowl.

CG- So your weight...

PG- One time, the cover fell off that plastic container we store my cat food in. What a bonanza that was. I had to eat off the floor though.

CG- Pearl, can you tell me whether Iams Weight Control™formula dry cat food has actually brought your weight down?

PG- I weigh a measly 9 pounds, these days. The vet says that's healthy. So maybe I can have seconds tonight?

CG- We'll discuss it. Is there anything else you think it's important for cat owners to know about Iams Weight Control™dry cat food?

PG- It comes in a pretty turquiose bag. A strong bag that cats can't claw open. And those little cat food nuggets, they sound like a rainforest rhythm stick when they pour into my little ceramic cat bowl. C'mon over to my house and pour some so you can see for yourself.

It appears that Pearl has found the purr-fect nutrition for her needs, Iams Weight Control™ dry cat food.

If you found this article informative, you might also like to read some of my other articles on pets. Read about rabbits or turtles by clicking on the highlighted words in this sentence.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/198115/iams_weight_control_dry_cat_food_is.html

Concerned About What's in Your Commercial Pet Food? Try These Homemade Cat Food and Treat Recipes

Every day lately, it seems there is another pet food recall, warning dog and cat owners not to feed their pets different brands of foods. This is getting scary. Who knows which pet food will be recalled next. Though I am still using the kibble my cats normally eat, I am now supplementing my pets with a few homemade recipes. These are not meant for feeding your pets forever, since I"m not a vet or nutritionist but they are good for filling their furry tummies while we wait out the lowdown on the canned foods, which seem most affected by these pet food recalls. Here are the basic recipes I am using, don't add other ingredients unless you know for sure that they don't hurt your pets. We all know chocolate is off-limits to pets, as are other foods such as onions. Stick with these ingredients, which seem to be pet safe, according to pet experts I've read about.

Homemade Cat Food

2 cups ground chicken, lean beef or turkey, thoroughly cooked and diced;

4 cups rice, cooked in chicken or beef broth;

1/2 cup potatoes, ground;

1/4 cup spinach or carrots, ground;

1/4 cup green beans, ground;

2 tbsp melted butter;

dash of garlic powder

Mix everything together in large pot or bowl. Make sure it is completely cool before feeding to your cat. Store in covered container in refrigerator.

Homemade Cat Treats

1 1/2 cup oats, ground;

1/4 cup butter;

1/2 cup flour;

1/2 cup chicken broth;

1/4 cup cubed or shredded American or mild cheddar cheese -or- shredded chicken

Mix all ingredients together, form small cookies and bake on greased cookie sheet until done at 350 degrees. Roughly 25 minutes but check as ovens vary. Do not overcook.

Our pets deserve food that is safe, so hopefully, this current pet food crisis will alert the authorities to make sure they buy quality products and be more careful of what they put in their pet food recipes. Cats have specific nutritional needs so don't feed them any of these recipes on a long term basis, as I do not know the breakdown of nutritional value for them. But, by using fresh, healthful ingredients, cooking the meat thoroughly and storing the food you make in the refrigerator, it can help to tie your kitty over until it is safe to go buy food at the store again. Enjoy.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/206961/concerned_about_whats_in_your_commercial.html

Friskies Cat Food: The Best for My Cats, Especially Now

"Friskies" has always been a favorite with my cats. Over at Yahoo in one of the cat chats, pet owners are understandably frantic over the massive pet food recall initiated by Menu Foods in March (2007) and followed in early April by an extensive Purina Brands recall. Is Friskies canned cat food on the recall list? I did discover it is manufactured by Nestle Purina Pet Care Co., but, nope, I'm happy to report, Friskies is not on a recall list.

As a lifetime cat-companion (to claim cat ownership is novice-speak), I credit myself with nearly fifty years of cat maintenance, top to bottom, as it were. And when it comes to food, I've always headed straight for the Friskies aisle. Both dry food and wet. It doesn't surprise me that Friskies is not on the recall list, but I'm relieved, to be sure.

From my first childhood cat, Blackie, who hopped around with casts on both hind legs, (a bit of bad driving by Mom), to Huckle, the calico who grew with my kids and lived to be 18 human years, to my current duo of fur-shedding furniture-shredders (say that ten times), I've never had a cat who walked away from Friskies. For cats, the traditional picky-eaters, that's saying something.

Kroger grocery chain (also Fry's out west) runs a seemingly open-ended "sale" on Friskies® canned food in nearly all varieties. My cats recommend Ocean Whitefish and Tuna prepared as a loaf, although shredded salmon is always a nice change of pace. At $.29 per can and sometimes 4/$1.00,there's a significant value-added feature to the name-brand Friskies® product.

Proceeding cautiously through a puzzling time of pet food recalls, as the list grows longer than Santa's, I tried to feed my cats table scraps (no thanks!) and then I offered a store-brand tuna meant for humans. Yet even the tuna was shunned like an iPod in Amish Acres.

I wouldn't neglect my cats' need for fiber, certainly, and Friskies is again the go-to brand. Specifically, Friskies Dry Ocean Whitefish Flavor is a must in our home.

The Pet Food Industry has done well owning up to the recent disturbing news regarding poisonous wheat gluten.

By the way, for a list of non-Friskie tainted brands, check your cupboards and toss the many cat foods from Menu brands, (Among those on the Menu Brands list are variations of Americas Choice, Preferred Pets, Authority, Best Choice, Companion,Compliments, Demoulas Market Basket, Eukanuba, Fine Feline Cat, Food Lion, Foodtown,Giant Companion, Hannaford,Hill country Fare,Hy-Vee, Iams, Key Food,Laura Lynn, Li'l Red, Loving Meals, Main Choice, Nutriplan, Nutro Max Gourmet Classics,Nutro NaturalChoice, Paws, Pet Pride, Presidents Choice, Price Chopper, Priority, Save-A-Lot, Schnucks, Sophisticat, Special Kitty Canada, Special Kitty US, Springfield Prize, Sprout, Total Pet, My True Friend, Wegmans, Western Family, White Rose, Winn Dixie.)

Also on the recall list is Science Diet. I'm not sure whether or not Menu Foods makes Science Diet.

(Their recall affects only 3-ounce and 5.5-ounce cans of Kitten Savory Cuts Ocean Fish; 5.5-ounce cans of Feline Adult Savory Cuts Beef, Chicken and Ocean Fish, and 5.5-ounce cans of Feline Senior Savory Cuts Chicken.)

I'm not certain which other brands will pop up on the list of shame, however, it is now several weeks past the initial scare; I'm guessing Friskies is still in the clear!

In the event you have a loud, slobbery but loveable mutt, there's some info on tainted dog food as well. CNN has been on top of the pet food recall lists from the beginning and is a reliable source for the latest recalls. Here is the CNN recall list from March 31, 2007.

Nestle Purina announced on its web site it is "confident that the contaminated wheat gluten has been isolated to this limited production quantity of ALPO Prime Cuts canned products" for dogs. None of its dry food is damaged. Purina (and thus Friskies) cat food consumers are safe - let's hope it stays that way!

I would have a big hole in my heart if I didn't have a cat around. And since my cats can't seem to live without Friskies brand, then neither can I. And that, as I often hear my cats mumble before they tell me to get outta their faces, is that.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/203560/friskies_cat_food_the_best_for_my_cats.html

Natural Balance Organic Cat Food: The Best Affordable Organic Cat Food

After the Menu Foods pet food scare I started looking for a new canned food that I could feel safe feeding to my cat. I wanted to find an organic food that was not associated with Menu Foods but wasn't terribly expensive and wasn't available only at fancy pet shops. After doing research I found out about Natural Balance, an organic but reasonably priced and easy to find canned food.

My cat is very fussy about her food, so I bought a couple 3 oz individual meal sized cans at 80 cents apiece at Petco. I originally bought the Chicken and Liver pate flavor and the Venison and Green Pea flavor. The 3 oz cans have "easy open" pull tabs so no can opener is necessary. The first thing I noticed when I opened the can was that this food doesn't reek like some canned foods do. All the flavors I've given my cat seem to have a uniform "pate" texture which is easy for cats to eat. My cat is a Snowshoe Siamese, and has a very flat face, so the shape and texture of what she eats is important and she has no trouble with the Natural Balance food.

When I gave my cat the Chicken and Liver I expected her to turn up her nose and walk away but she ate the entire can! The next day I gave her the Venison and Green Pea and she ate that entire can as well. Even though you should always switch cat foods slowly to avoid stomach upset I switched her canned food without the recommended mixing of old and new foods because her old food was the tainted Nutro pouch food. Even with the quick food switch she had no stomach upset or vomiting from the new food, it was very gentle on her stomach. Now she begs for her Natural Balance food each morning. The Ultra flavor seems to be her favorite of all the flavors.

There was a variety of flavors to choose from: Chicken and Liver Pate, Ultra Formula, Indoor Cat Formula, Venison and Green Pea, Salmon, Turkey and Giblets, and another seafood formula. Venison and Green Pea is a great food for pets with skin allergies or food sensitivities. There is a line of prescription diets that is prescribed for animals with those problems but is very expensive, so for a cat with those sensitivities Natural Balance makes an affordable alternative. Most Petco's carry Natural Balance canned and dry food, but I have not found it in any other major pet food store.

After feeding her Natural Balance for a few days I noticed changes in my cat. She looks leaner, and her coat is much shinier and softer. She isn't shedding as much. Her eyes are bright and shiny and she tons of energy. Her litter box isn't quite so unpleasant to scoop out each day. Natural Balance is a very high quality, affordable, all organic food and my cat won't eat anything else from now on. I recommend Natural Balance to any pet owners who would like to give their pets a high quality organic diet but don't have the time to run around to specialty stores and don't have the money to pay the higher prices of "boutique" organic brands like Wellness.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/204426/natural_balance_organic_cat_food_the.html

Royal Canin Persian Cat Food

Like many concerned pet owners I searched for a long time to find the "right" dry food for my cat. I feed my cat canned food once a day but I leave dry food out for her to graze on all the time. I don't mind paying for quality food but I don't want to spend more on her food than I spend on my own. Royal Canin is a high quality food with several great formulas. It's a bit more expensive than some quality brands but to me it's worth every penny.

I have an adopted Snowshoe Siamese cat. A Snowshoe Siamese is a cross breed, it's an Exotic crossed with a Siamese to produce Siamese coloring with four white feet. They also tend to have the flat face of an Exotic or Persian, some more pronounced than others. My cat has a very flat face, so normal kibble can be very difficult for her to eat. It never occurred to me that the shape of her food was important until I watched her struggle to eat her kibble one day and it dawned on me that she wasn't physically able to eat it without difficulty. I did some research and found that Royal Canin makes breed specific dry foods for cats and dogs. They make unique formulas for Persians, Siamese, and Maine Coone cats as well as a host of other formulas for cats who have allergies, cats who have hairball problems and other conditions of concern for pet owners. I bought the Persian formula and was very pleased with it. At about $20 per 3 lb bag it's not cheap, but if you have a Persian or a Persian family breed this kibble is the best. My cat has no trouble with the shape of the kibble, and she really likes the taste. I feel comfortable giving her Royal Canin because it's a high quality food. Since she has been eating Royal Canin in combination with her Natural Balance canned food her coat is softer and shinier, she has more energy, and is healthier than she's ever been.

Royal Canin is a French company that has been in business for over thirty years. They also make some high quality prescription pet food diets and are considered a leader in the pet food industry. They work continuously with vets, breeders and other animal professionals to continue to develop quality food that puts the needs of the pet first. You can find Royal Canin at any major pet store like Petco or Petsmart, although not all stores carry all the Royal Canin formulas. While Royal Canin is a bit more expensive than some other dry cat foods, keep in mind you get what you pay for. Royal Canin is a quality cat food that is worth the extra cost.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/204816/royal_canin_persian_cat_food.html

Tainted Cat Food? Not If You Make it Yourself

Recent concerns over tainted wheat gluten have left many cat owners worrying about the safety of the cat foods they have been purchasing. At present, dozens of pouched and canned foods have been recalled, and the list is growing with the recall of some dry foods as well. Major pet food companies including Hills Science Diet, Nutro, and Iams are now listed as being recalled. For the safety of your pet, you may seriously want to consider making your own cat food and treats.

When looking at the nutritional needs of any cat, protein and water will be at the top of the list. The protein must be from another animal, fish, beef, poultry, etc. Too many vegetarians feel their pets can safely follow a vegetarian diet and the truth is that the protein in vegetables is hard for a feline's digestive system. Feeding cats a meat-free diet is detrimental to their health.

Take a look at the dietary needs of a cat:

Calcium-Found in dairy products and sardines.

Choline-Found in eggs, milk, and wheat germ.

Copper-Found in organ meats, meat, seafood, and wheat bran.

Essential Fatty Acids-Found in seafood.

Folic Acid-Found in wheat germ, liver, and peas.

Iodine-Found in saltwater fish and shellfish.

Iron-Found in leafy green vegetables and beef.

Magnesium-Found in nuts, peas, and grains.

Manganese-Found in grains.

Niacin-Found in fish, poultry, pork, and liver.

Pantothenic Acid-Found in eggs, fish, poultry, and organ meats.

Phosphorus-Found in eggs, meat, and dairy products

Potassium-Found in milk, yogurt, and peas.

Protein-Only from an animal source

Riboflavin-Found in eggs, milk products, and organ meats.

Selenium-Found in seafood, eggs, and poultry.

Sodium-Found in saltwater seafood.

Vitamins A (Found in eggs and milk), B Complex (Found in grains, seafood, and yeast), D (Found in milk products), E (Found in eggs and sardines), K (Found in liver and pork)

Zinc-Found in meats, fish, and dairy products.

Much like humans, cats dietary needs are easily met by mixing a few food sources together. Many times a diet of seafood, rice, and perhaps peas, if your cat enjoys them, will meet all needs. Cats require only a few hundred calories per day, so their portions should be sized accordingly. Cats should be fed twice a day and usually ½ cup of food will suffice at each meal. Add in some dry kibble to help break up tartar and plaque that can form on their teeth.

Moist Food Recipes:

Use this format as a guideline and then mix and match the proteins to offer a variety.

1 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks

2 egg whites, whipped to stiff peaks

2 egg yolks, cooked thoroughly.

2 cups cooked, ground proteins (poultry, fish, liver, beef, pork, etc.)

1 tbsp wheat germ

½ cup cooked brown rice

¼ cup canned peas (If desired.)

Place all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until well mixed. You can refrigerate this mixture for a few days. If your cat enjoys his or her food at room temperature, simply heat it in the microwave for thirty seconds and then stir to avoid hot spots. Serve ½ cup twice a day.

Dry Kibble Recipe:

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 cups ground protein (liver, kidneys, heart, poultry, beef, pork, and tuna work well.)

2 eggs

¼ cup wheat germ

1 tsp yeast

Mix the ingredients in a food processor and add just enough water to make the mixture into a thick dough. Roll out and cut into bite-sized squares. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 325 for an hour. Allow to cool and place in an air-tight container. Serve this food between meals to allow the cat access to dry food that can break up tartar and plaque.

Many cats will quickly adapt to a change in diet. Providing you use animal proteins that capture the animal's sense of smell, you will find that the cat will happily make a switch from store bought foods to homemade foods. Not only will you save money by creating cat foods that suit your budget, but you also control exactly what foods are going into your cherished pet's system. Both you and your pet will be safe and satisfied.

Additional Resources:

Author Unknown, "Healthy Active: Vitamins and Minerals." Australian Government Department of Health and Aging. URL: http://www.healthyactive.gov.au/internet/healthyactive/publishing.nsf/Content/vitamins-minerals

Author Unknown, "Pet Food Recall." U.S. Food & Drug Administration. URL: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html

Donald Bietz et al., "Your Cat's Nutritional Needs." National Research Council of the National Academies. URL: http://dels.nas.edu/dels/rpt_briefs/cat_nutrition_final.pdf

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/207271/tainted_cat_food_not_if_you_make_it.html

How to Make Homemade Cat Food

With the recent recall of pet food, my partner and I became very concerned about the welfare of our cat. Squidward is a 2 year, 9 month old Maine Coon, who enjoys his perception of himself as king of our household. He occasionally enjoys the can of wet food, but finds that his heart desires nothing more than his daily dose of kitty crunchies. Dry food has always been Squid's favorite, so our decision to try the homemade food route is not going over well at all. Read on to learn the facts about making your own cat food.

As pet owner's, our first mistake was leaving food out for Squid at all times. We created a monster who likes to munch throughout the day, and with our recent foray into making our own cat food, this has caused a huge problem; because his new food can easily spoil, we can only leave it out for about thirty minutes at a time.

My first action on this journey was to thoroughly research what nutrients my cat would require for good health, and what types of food were acceptable for him to eat. After determining that a cat vitamin each day, along with powdered calcium would be more than enough to sustain our cat, I called the veterinarian, who confirmed that our plan was a safe and healthy one for Squidward, I stated planning the menu for the first day.

I decided to keep it simple, and following the advice of the veterinarian, I cooked one cup of rice, and thawed a piece of frozen fish. Placing it in the blender, I ground the mixture into small pieces, added the crushed cat vitamin, and another supplement. I then placed the food in the usual spot. my cat to eat. Knowing that he must be hungry, I left it out for the recommended thirty minutes. In this space of time the cat did only three things: First, he sniffed the dish of food, turning his nose up immediately. Next, he gave me a filthy look, accompanied by a tail flick. Lastly he took a nap. As you can see none of these things involved any eating.

The veterinarian had told me this would happen, so I wasn't really surprised that it had happened. As hard as it was, when the thirty minutes had passed, I placed Squiward's food into the refrigerator. Now it had been almost twelve hours since my poor boy had eaten, and my own mother was telling me that I was mean. However, this time the advice of my mother-in-law resonated the loudest with me: He would eat when he got hungry enough.

Three hours later, I placed the food out for Squidward again, and this time he seemed a little more interested, taking a bite or two, when I suddenly remembered an idea that I had read in a news article. It was time to lace the new food with the old stuff that Squidward. Placing about a handful of dry food on top of the homemade food, I mixed it throughly with a fork, and gave it back to the cat. He visited his plate several times in those next few minutes, eating his fill. Still accustomed to eating several times throughout the day, we had to feed him pretty much whenever he wanted for the first few days.

It didn't take long for Squidward to learn that whenever he was hungry, we would feed him, which was something that we didn't want to become a habit. Loving the cat as a family member is one thing, but waiting on him hand and foot is quite another. He was going to have to learn to eat just twice a day.

We soon learned that rice was filling him up quickly, but wasn't substantial enough to last him from one meal to the next, so the rice had to go. I now found myself going to lengths that I never imagined possible out of concern for my little buddy. I had to go back to the grocery store, prepared to stay until I found all of the things I needed to make Squidward's new diet work for all of us.

Finding the correct type of baby food was very important because many contain onion powder, and onions aren't healthy for felines. Next, I headed to the meat department in search of some ground turkey, which I found to be inexpensive. Finally, I found some fresh spinach leaves and a couple of organic carrots. The next two days proved interesting as I continued down this path toward madness...

At the next feeding time, I carefully sliced bits of spinach leaves and carrot into very tiny pieces, and set them aside. I then I boiled a pan of water. I took a half pound of ground turkey into the water for a couple of minutes to kill any bacteria, as well as moisten it, which gives the food a gravy-like appeal. Straining the excess water, I carefully mixed the vegetable throughout the meat, sprinkled on the vitamin and the supplement, and served it to the cat.

This was meant with far less disdain than the last time, but Squidward still wasn't terribly enthusiastic. However, he was starting to adjust to the new feed schedule, which was making our lives a bit more manageable again. I continued feeding Squidward this new concoction through the next day. You can keep the cat's leftovers for the same amount of time you would keep your own.

The next batch of food was Squidward's favorite: Boiled ground turkey, cooled exactly to room temperature, with one heaping tablespoon of vegetarian baby food stirred in. (And of course, his nutrients.)

There are those who think that I'm insane, and some days, I think that I'm insane. However, I also think that I learned a lesson from all of this: Animals have basic rights too, and if we keep them as pets, it seems reasonable that we should try and treat them as cherished family members. The quality of care that they receive should reflect the love of their owners.

If you decide to take your own journey through the maze of changing your pet's diet, I wish you much success, and advise you to consult your own veterinarian when planning the menu for your cat.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/218805/how_to_make_homemade_cat_food.html

Homemade Cat Food for Overweight Cats

Store-bought cat food is suppose to be wholesome and safe for the pets we dearly love, but unless you give your feline homemade meals prepared in your kitchen, you never really know what you're feeding your pet. Although the majority of store-bought pet food is safe, commercially manufactured food has caused serious and even fatal health problems for dogs and cats alike.

Homemade cat food is a great alternative to store-bought meals, and when searching online for homemade cat food recipes you'll find a variety of fantastic choices. Although homemade cat food recipes are readily available, homemade meals for overweight felines aren't easy to find. The following homemade recipe is a delicious alternative to store-bought cat food, and it's especially for overweight cats. Give your pleasantly plump kitty a sample of this homemade cat food, and watch him gobble it down. He'll never know this homemade chow is especially for overweight cats, and even the most finicky overweight pet will enjoy this easy-to-prepare homemade cuisine.

Ingredients and Supplies

To make approximately 4 ½ cups of homemade chow for your overweight cat you'll need a 2-quart baking dish and small freezer containers for single servings. You'll also need ½ cup finely shredded carrots, ¾ pound of lean ground chicken or turkey, one large egg, 3 slices of whole wheat bread, and 1 teaspoon of ground eggshell for calcium. In addition, you'll need ½ cup of oat bran, 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast, 1,000 I.U. of vitamin A, 100 I.U. of vitamin E, and a small amount of water to improve the consistency.

Preparation

Begin preparing this recipe for your overweight cat by drying the bread and grating it into fine crumbs. Beat the egg, and combine all of the remaining ingredients. If necessary, add a little water to improve the consistency of the mixture. Pat the mixture into a lightly greased baking dish, and bake it at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until done. Allow it to cool before serving or freezing in individual serving-size freezer containers.

Feeding Suggestions

Typically, a cat that should weigh10 pounds should be fed approximately 1 ¼ cup of food each day. This amount will vary according to your cat's size and nutritional requirements. Consult your veterinarian to determine the correct amount of homemade cat food to feed your overweight pet.

Cats appreciate warm food, so instead of giving your overweight kitty a bowl of cold homemade chow, warm it up in the microwave, and stir it well to alleviate any hot spots. Add a little extra garlic powder for added flavor if your overweight pet tends to be finicky. Your favorite overweight cat will surely love this tasty, nutritional homemade cat food.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/225163/homemade_cat_food_for_overweight_cats.html

Meow Mix Vs Alley Cat Feline Food

I would feed my cats a raw diet, but they won't eat anything but dry cat food. It's what they've been conditioned to eat since they were born, and it seems a bit too late to change it. My male cat is overweight, so for the longest time, I was feeding him weight control pet food. It didn't help. I then decided to try some cheaper brands, just to see if I noticed any changes--if I could get away with it. For the longest time I used Meow Mix, but then I discovered Alley Cat. In weeks I saw an improvement in my cats' health.

Meow Mix has a great jingle that everyone loves. Right now the song is playing in your head, isn't it? You're singing along. "Meow meow meow meow, meow meow meow meow..." Alley Cat doesn't have a catchy jingle. In fact, I rarely see any commercials for it. Maybe one of the reasons why they are able to sell their food for such a low price is that they don't spend money on advertising. They should. Everyone should know about Alley Cat. It is a great, affordable alternative to Meow Mix and has helped my cats with their unique health problems.

Meow Mix has several types of dry cat food. I have tried all of them except the kitten version. My cats have always had issues with hairballs, which leaves unsightly vomit stains on my once-beautiful carpet. The first type I tried was the Indoor Formula, which they ate for many months. The hairballs became more of a problem, so I tried Hairball Control. My cats ate this formula for a few months, but it only seemed to worsen the problem. I therefore just began buying whichever formula was cheapest, deciding they may as well have some variety in their diet.

One day at the commissary, I noticed that while Meow Mix was about $3.50, the Alley Cat was only $1.69 or so. I decided to give it a try. I figured it couldn't hurt. I was right. Not only did I save money, but my cats stopped coughing up hairballs. Every now and then, one of them will have a small one, but that happens very rarely. Not only that, my fat male cat appears to have lost weight on this new Alley Cat diet. Who would have thought that the cheapest brand would be the best brand for my cats' health?

I can't compare the tastes of the two, because I don't eat them. My cats love both Meow Mix and Alley Cat. The flavors of Meow Mix vary from formula to formula. Their Original Choice, Indoor Formula, and Hairball Control types contain chicken, turkey, salmon, and oceanfish. The Seafood Medley is a blend of tuna, shrimp, crab, and trout--which sounds appealing to me, being that I love the fruits of the sea. Alley Cat flavors include chicken and tuna and oceanfish and tuna, so there's not as much a variety as with the Meow Mix brand. I think they may favor the Meow Mix over the Alley Cat just a tad.

Their Indoor Formula is supposed to better meet the nutritional needs and wants of house cats. I think my fat cat actually gained a little weight on this, though he may have just been eating more because it tasted better. The Hairball Control food is supposed to help move hair though a cat's digestive tract. It didn't make a difference for my cats. In fact, it seemed to aggravate the problem. Alley Cat is not specially formulated for indoor cats or those with hairball problems, and yet I saw an improvement in those areas once my cats had been eating it a few weeks.

Ironically enough, Alley Cat is marketed by the same company. It doesn't blend as many flavors or have as many types of formula as Meow Mix. They also do not spend as much on advertising. This is probably why it is so much cheaper than Meow Mix. It is weird that there is such a difference between these two products, which are made by the same company. My cats have thrived on Alley Cat, while they merely survived on Meow Mix. Their ingredients may be only slightly different, but it has made a huge difference for my cats. Weeks of Alley Cat did what months of Meow Mix had failed to do.

If your main concern is flavor, you may want to go with Meow Mix. It may taste better, being that there's more of a variety of ingredients. It will meet your cat's needs. If, however, you have a cat who needs to watch his weight or who throws up hairballs, I really recommend Alley Cat. My cats seem to enjoy it just as much, and I have noticed a difference in their health. Best of all, I'm saving a lot of money, because Alley Cat is half the cost of Meow Mix. I don't know why Alley Cat helps with my cat's health issues, but for some reason, it does. We're all benefiting from it.

Meow Mix also makes wet pouches and cups and feline treats. Alley Cat does not. I would recommend these products. I have only tried the wet brands a few times, and the feline members of my family aren't really into them. However, cats that I have owned in the past have loved the wet pouches. All cats I've ever owned enjoy the treats they make. These treats and wet foods have even more flavors, so if you want variety for your cat, check these out. I have not evaluated their effects on weight or hairball control, though. Meow Mix is definitely a flavorful choice for your feline friend.

A raw diet is probably best, but if your cat can't or won't eat meat, then I would recommend either of these products. While Alley Cat better meets the needs of my cats--and my pocketbook--Meow Mix is a wonderful choice as well. Meow Mix cat food has a wide variety of flavors and types, so there is something for every cat to meet her individual needs. I chose Alley Cat to control big fat Neelix's weight and keep his and dainty princess Odette's hairballs in check. But, I do think they enjoy the flavor of Meow Mix. And every now and then, I treat them to it. If you're looking for flavor, Meow Mix is the brand for you. But if your cats have the issues that mine have, give Alley Cat a chance.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/237912/meow_mix_vs_alley_cat_feline_food.html

Friskies Feline Favorites Cat Food Versus Innova Senior Dry Cat Food

Like most pet owners, with the recent rash of pet food recalls I became concerned about the food I was giving to my cat. Because, I wanted to make sure Fluffy was getting a healthy diet, I began to research brands of organic dog food and compared them to the Friskies Feline Favorites I was feeding her.

Based on the advice of my veterinarian, I learned in comparing cat foods, one of the first things you should look at is the first three ingredients listed on the package. In an ideal food, at least two of these ingredients should come from a meat source. Cats are by nature carnivores and need protein before they need carbohydrates. Well, the first three ingredients in Friskies Feline Favorites were: ground yellow corn, Brewer's rice and chicken by-product meal. Hmmmm .... Not good. In comparison, the first three ingredients in Innova Senior Dry Cat Food: turkey, chicken and chicken meal. My vet agreed these ingredients were much closer to the type of food my cat would find in a 'raw' or 100% natural diet. In fact, further research showed me Innova Senior Dry Cat Food was almost 38% protein! Since my cat does not have a medical intolerance to protein, the vet said this would be very beneficial to her muscular and immune systems.

Next, I compared artificial colors and dyes. According to my vet, both of these can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive animals. My cat has a very sensitive stomach and as I read the long list of artificial colors, dyes and flavors on the bag of Friskies Feline Favorites, I began to wonder if they may be the reason for Fluffy's frequent bouts of vomiting. Innova Senior Dry Cat Food listed only natural flavors and no artificial dyes and/or colors. Innova Senior Dry Cat Food also had no artificial preservatives, while the list of preservatives I read on the in Friskies Feline Favorites bag seemed to be a mile long.

Innova Senior Dry Cat Food had a magnesium level of 0.11%, which made my vet happy. Magnesium is a concern when considering the urinary tract health of your feline. Friskies Feline Favorites is available in a low magnesium brand, but my cat would not eat it. I also found it interesting that Friskies Feline Favorites contained salt but Innova Senior Dry Cat Food did not. My vet was not clear if salt could have caused any medical problems in my cat, but he did say it was better for her not to have it as she was an older cat.

After gradually introducing into Innova Senior Dry Cat Food my cat's diet, I have had her solely eating it for about three weeks. At first I did not notice much of a change, but recently, my 10 year old feline friend has shown more energy and playfulness. She has had fewer stomach problems and my vet commented that her coat and skin have been looking much better! While Fluffy is still a bit pudgy she has lost a few pounds. Her blood levels have also improved and her heart rate sounds better.

As far as customer service, I cannot say enough great things about Innova. They have a great selection of products including both wet and dry foods for cats and kittens. You can visit their website to learn which retail outlets carries their products.

So, overall, I am very pleased I switched from Friskies Feline Favorites to Innova Senior Dry Cat Food. While it may cost a little more in the short term, I am happy knowing my cat is receiving a healthy diet. It is a great feeling seeing looking better and acting younger. If you have an interest in trying Innova Senior Dry Cat Food with your cat, I would suggest visiting their website. After reading their information, I would print it out and take it in to your veterinarian for their opinion as well.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/241062/friskies_feline_favorites_cat_food.html

Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium Dry Cat Formula VS. Hill's Prescription Diet C/D Feline Dry Cat Food

I have two cats. Arthur is 7 years old and Tanner is 2. Both are indoor cats. Since Arthur was beginning to gain too much weight, it was time to make a change in his diet so he could lose some of his unwanted bulge. Because Tanner is more active and younger than Arthur, he doesn't necessarily need weight management.

I wanted to find the proper diet that both of the cats could eat. I went to a pet store and talked with an associate about my feline dietary concerns. After careful consideration and deliberation, I chose Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium Dry Cat Formula.

When I think of a natural balance, I think of everything working together in harmony. This food did not leave my cats' digestive systems working harmoniously. It left their bowels working overtime. They were pooping like a Christmas goose and stinking to high heaven. Being awoken in the middle of the night due to this smell was not good for my night's sleep either. Cleaning the litter box several times a day to rid the house of the rancid waste coming from both cats became an unpleasant chore.

Arthur had never had a problem with bladder/urinary tract infections in his life. After eating Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium Dry Cat Formula for only a short time, Arthur not only now had what I would imagine a sore rear end from his increased bowel movements, he now had a bladder/urinary tract infection. For anyone who does not know this, a male cat can die in a short time due to this because of the crystals in the urine causing a blockage in the penis. This inability to urinate will cause an untimely death. I took Arthur to the vet and after three bottles of combiotics, he got well.

To avoid any further problems with the cat's health, I obviously discontinued feeding them the Natural Balance cat food. At the suggestion of the vet, I switched to Hill's Prescription Diet c/d Feline. Not only does this food help maintain a healthy weight in both of the cats, it does not give them nasty potty habits or infections. Much to my relief, it was not included in the recent pet food recall either.

Although Arthur gets perturbed with Tanner's antics and often growls and hisses at him, they are the best of buddies much of the time. Tanner helps keep Arthur young. After many months of consuming the Hill's Prescription Diet c/d Feline, both cats are happy and healthy.

The only down-side to this food is that the cats love it so much that they become obsessed with their next scheduled feeding time. They are fed at 7:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and again at 9:00 PM. About an hour before it's time to eat they are underfoot, pacing maniacs. They want to be fed NOW! They even fight when it's almost time to eat and they feel I'm ignoring them. The intelligence of animals is amazing to me at times. Perhaps Hill's Prescription Diet c/d Feline boosts their brain power as well? At least the hungry part.

I strongly advise you to use caution if you feed your cat Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium Dry Cat Formula. Pay attention to your feline's bathroom habits. Arthur's unfortunate illness caused him pain and suffering. My pain and suffering was in the form of having to shampoo my carpets twice because of his squatting and peeing in various locations throughout my house. He had given up on trying to get to the litter box at his every urge to urinate. Poor fella.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/240929/dick_van_pattens_natural_balance_ultra.html

Cat Food: Friskies VS. Iams

My girls are the proud owners of an orange cat named Pebbles. Pebbles is a healthy cat in general, but has acid reflux disease for cats. We tested many brands to find the right one for her. This article will review 2 of the brands and tell you which was perfect for our cat.

Price: We know cat food comes in dry and canned. This article will only be reviewing the dry food since it is what we buy the most often. First, I should tell you that they don't sell dry food in the same sizes. Friskies has 50.40-oz dry bags and 3.15-lb bags for $4.49 on sale for $3.15. Iams has 64-oz bag of dry food for $8.59 on sale for $7.49. The only way I can show you that Friskies is cheaper is to tell you that Friskies sells a 288-oz bag for $11.49 on sale for $8.99. The sale price is almost the same as Iams 64-oz regular price of $859. The thing is you get 224 oz more. That is a big difference.

Variety: Friskies has 4 major categories of dry food with numerous flavors within each group. The first group is called Friskies Seafood Sensations. It includes an ocean of flavors including ocean fish, albacore tuna, salmon, yellow fin tuna and crab, plus a touch of seaweed. The second group is called Friskies Indoor Delights. This helps control hairballs and maintain a healthy weight with delicious chicken, beef, turkey, cheese flavors and a touch garden greens. The third group is called Friskies Signature Blend. This blend is for cats that want it all, seven tantalizing flavors: chicken, beef, tuna, turkey, salmon, cheese and egg. The fourth and final group is called Friskies Feline Favorite. Variety-loving cats will love the chicken, seafood and liver flavors with Real Carnation Milk. Iams offers 9 different kinds of dry cat food for adult cats. They include the following: Weight Control, Original with Chicken, Original with Ocean Fish and Rice, Indoor Weight & Hairball Care, Original with Lamb & Rice, Hairball Care, Multi-Cat with Chicken, Multi-Cat with Chicken & Salmon, Original with Tuna.

Taste Test: Really what good is a variety of cat food flavors and a good sale price if your cat doesn't like the taste of the food. That is where my cat comes in. Pebbles got to do the taste testing (I know I wasn't going to do it). To be fair we gave Pebbles the Ocean flavors of each brand. Friskies Ocean flavor was an instant hit. My cat gobbled it up in one day. I gave my cat the same amount of Iams Ocean flavor. She took two days to eat it. That is twice as long as the Friskies. My cat is a picky eater and I am guessing it is because Iams used rice in their Ocean flavor.

Websites: I must admit that I am impressed with Iams website more than I am with Friskies. Both did include nutritional information, but I found Friskies harder to navigate. I kept getting sent back to this one page that didn't tell me anything except that their products weren't affected by the recall. I would have to do another search to get back to more information. Iams had articles I could read about cats as well as a newsletter, pet poll, and fit tips. The site was easy to use and navigate.

Despite Friskies annoying website, I have to go with them. My cat loved their food and it it cost me a whole lot less. I will, however, visit Iams website more often to learn more about how to better car for my cat.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/241399/cat_food_friskies_vs_iams.html