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