Recipes Adapted From Home Prepared Dog And Cat Diets
The following recipes have been adapted from Home Prepared Dog and Cat Diets by Donald R. Strombeck, DVM, PhD. The book contains 200 recipes, but you have to search through it to find those for cats. It’s still an excellent book for your library if you are starting to feed your cat a home-prepared diet.
Essential Nutrients In A Cats Diet
Creating a well-balanced diet is important when cooking homemade cat food. There are various needs for a proper cat diet to provide an intact pH balance and make your feline as healthy as possible.
The two most essential nutrients are protein and water. Being carnivores, cats require protein to grow, develop, thrive and, of course, survive. Raw cat food, as well as home-cooked one, allows making your furry proper hydration during the day. Thats so important because the level of hydration influences the cats well-being, skin and coat condition.
When it comes to amino acids, you should realize that they are the next in the list of important nutrients for cats. Many acids are kept in protein sources. Taurine is the most basic one that is vital for a felines health.Such necessary amino acids as Omega-3, Omega-6, DHA, LA, AA, EPA, GLA and CLA should be also added to your cats diet. They ensure great health for your furry.
For normal physiological development, it is essential to include vitamins and minerals in your felines diet. Phosphorus, chloride and vitamins C, B6, K and D are crucial for your cats health development.
At A Glance: Best Cat Food To Buy In 2021
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In the comparison table below, weve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. Youll find more detailed information about each product later in the article
- Fresh food made with human-grade ingredients
- Real, high-quality animal protein
- Contains 92% fresh muscle meat, organs, and bone
- Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
- High-quality source of omega-3 fatty acids
- Rich in high-protein animal ingredients
- Receives positive customer reviews
- A protein-rich food primarily made from animal-sourced ingredients
- Extremely palatablecats love the taste and texture of this fresh food
- The subscription model gives you access to a team of nutrition experts
- Rich in nourishing animal protein
- Extraordinarily low in carbohydrates
- Food is made from responsibly-harvested fish
- Animal protein sources are the foods primary ingredients
- Contains herring oil and salmon oil as rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids
- Primarily made with animal-derived protein
- Free of vaguely-named ingredients
- Rich in nourishing animal protein
- High moisture content helps to flush the urinary tract
- Low ash shouldnt contribute to crystal formation
- Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
- Contains guaranteed levels of probiotics to support the immune system and digestive health
- Added prebiotic fiber helps to prevent the constipation that some raw-fed cats experience
- Ultra-soft pâté texture is easy for kittens to eat
- Rich in protein and calories
- Hydrating canned food
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Cat Health Issues Addressed In This Guide On How To Make Homemade Cat Food
- Learn how chronically ill cats improved after being fed healthy homemade cat food
- Discover how you can treat UTIs naturally…and eliminate them forever with healthy foods
- Find out how homemade cat food helps cats reach their ideal weight, smell better, and be happier and healthier
- Learn what foods you eat every day that can be fatal to your cat
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Homemade Cat Food Recipes That Are Best And Healthy For Your Kitty
Perhaps you’ve gotten frustrated in searching for the perfect cat food. You might feel betrayed to find that the pricey gourmet cat food that advertised itself as being good for health and all natural is little better than spicy wood pulp.
Not only do you have to find a cat food that’s nutritionally sound and in your budget, but it has to be something your furry but finicky friend will eat.
It could be you’re ready to throw up your hands and say Forget it! I’ll cook my cat’s food myself!I’ll go for homemade cat food! This is really not a bad idea, provided you know what you’re doing.
You love what you see? Purrfect! Rest assured that I put these products on the list specifically due to their genuine quality and not for other reasons. I would just like to be transparent with you and inform you that FelineLiving may obtain a share of sales or other monetary compensation from the links on this page. I hope your furry friends will love these reviewed products and that it will spark joy in each pair of feline eyes!
Mary Nielsen
Here at FelineLiving.Net we have a dedicated mission to provide cat owners like you with well-researched information so they can provide the best care and nutrition to their cat.
Our readers rely upon the cat food reviews, articles and recall alerts that we research and publish. We also routinely update and review our own reviews ensuring that any changes by manufacturers are brought to your attention.
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What Are Sphynx Cats Unique Dietary Needs
Like all cats, the Sphynx breed requires a species-appropriate food that nourishes them according to their natural biological needs.
Because Sphynx cats have so little hair on their bodies, a healthy, high-quality diet is critical to maintaining the health of their skin. The skin produces natural, moisturizing oils. If a Sphynx cat is not eating a high-quality diet, their skin will compensate by overproducing oils, leading to skin problems.
In addition to the need to maintain good skin health, there are a couple of things to bear in mind when choosing food for your Sphynx.
Is Raw Cat Food Better Than Cooked
Raw cat food is generally regarded as the most biologically appropriate diet for cats by animal nutritionists, but it isnt the right choice for every cat owner. Also, raw meats can contain bacteria, such as E. coli, that cause foodborne diseases. Do some research to compare the different options and decide which works best for your cat.
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Best For Weight Loss: Blue Buffalo Weight Control Natural Adult Dry Cat Food
Weight: 1 pound| Form: Dry | Flavor: Chicken & Brown Rice | Life Stage: Adult
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Bag isn’t resealable
If you’re looking for dry cat food to support weight loss, we suggest Blue Buffalo Weight Control. It’s developed with an optimal blend of animal protein and calories, which helps your pet achieve and maintain an ideal body mass. Real deboned meat is the first ingredient. After that, you’ll find brown rice, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids, vegetables, fruit, and vitamins. The round kibble contains a blend of specially-formed bites that are processed with less heat, which the manufacturer says helps preserve the nutritional value of the ingredients.
“The food is entirely free of corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, and preservatives. It also meets the nutritional standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials , meaning that itâs a well-balanced and complete meal.” âNick Ingalls, Product Tester
Weight: 11.9 pounds| Form: Dry | Flavor: Cat & Kitchen | Life Stage: All
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85 to 90 percent animal-derived ingredients
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Expensive
Top 5 Best Cat Foods For Sphynx Cats
Most Sphynx cats need nothing more or less than the same high-quality food you might give another cat breed.
If your Sphynx suffers from digestive issues, though, consult with your veterinarian to determine the cause and figure out a treatment plan. For example, treatment could include a dietary change to eliminate potential allergens and avoid high-waste ingredients like grains and other high-carbohydrate fillers.
You dont need to buy a breed-specific food for your Sphynx cat. Royal Canin sells a food made and marketed specifically for Sphynx cats, but this food is a dry kibble with brewers rice as the first ingredient.
Remember: Being hairless doesnt mean that the Sphynx doesnt require the same high-quality nutrition that every cat deserves.
In addition to performing our own qualitative analysis of the brands reviewed here, we submitted samples for analysis at an ISO 17025 certified food testing and analysis lab.
We bought the products at full retail price, and the entire testing process was funded by All About Cats without direct input or influence from the companies involved.
Analytical testing in a food chemistry lab gives us the exact macronutrient and micronutrient content of each recipe. The tests also look at microbial content, yeast, mold, and heavy metals, helping you ensure that youre only putting the best in your cats bowl.
To access the lab reports for each food reviewed here, click the view lab report link in the product review.
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The Best Ingredientsdo You Go Organic
A good dish is only as healthy as the ingredients you use to make it.
The main ingredient source youll need to consider will be protein. No recipe should have more than 10% carbs.
The decision to use organic ingredients is totally up to you and your lifestyle. If its important, absolutely go with organic, but if you dont, its not a huge issue!
Tuna And Catnip Treats
Every good kitty deserves a treat or two especially if it contains catnips! Cats absolutely love catnips, a herb from the mint family Labiatae. It contains an active ingredient known as nepetalactone, which may cause a high in your cat to help your furry friend relax! However, be sure to moderate your cats intake of this homemade cat recipe as too much catnip may cause nauseousness.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Recipe Instructions:
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Essential Nourishment For Your Carnivorous Feline
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Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
Felines, including house cats, are obligate carnivores, meaning they need to eat meat in order to survive. Your furry companion can nosh on some grains and veggies, which are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, but they can’t go without animal protein. With that said, it’s not always obvious if your meat-eater is getting enough muscle-building amino acids, digestive enzymes, and omega-3s for their skin, coat, and joints.
Most people have taken some type of vitamin or supplement too, either on an ongoing basis or to address a short-term ailment. Can cats benefit from them too? Similar to the human wellness industry, some dietary supplements for pets make boastful claims and may or may not be as effective as they say they are. We recommend checking with a vet before introducing anything new to your cat’s diet.
It’s smart to be skeptical of any supplement promising a miracle, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any effective products out there. Not sure how to find the right one for your pet? We researched the best cat supplements currently on the market. Take a look below.
How Much To Feed
- Choose one day a week when you will weigh your cat. Write it down in your planner .
- Print a picture of your cat. Put it in your planner as a before picture.
- Buy a digital scale to weigh your cat and food.
- To weigh your cat: put a box on the digital scale and TARE out. Put your cat in the box. Write down the weight.
- Check a body condition score card to see where your cat is at. Write down the body condition score and whether your cat is underweight, ideal, or overweight.
- Weigh out the amount of food that your cat currently eats in a day. Write it down.
- Check your cats current food label to see if youre feeding the correct amount based on your cats weight. NOTE: Kittens should eat the recommended amount of food for their adult projected weight.
- The general guide for raw feeding is to feed 2-4% of your cats weight. For kittens, feed 2-4% of their adult projected weight. Start with 3% and adjust as necessary.
- If your cat is overweight, do not adjust the amount that you feed yet. It is better to upgrade your cats food first. Then slowly decrease the amount of food fed. More below.
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The Benefits Of Homemade Cat Food
Youve heard the saying, If you want something done right, do it yourself. For many cat owners, thats the primary motivation behind switching to homemade cat food. If you really want to know what youre putting into your cats body, the best option might be making the food yourself.
Homemade cat food could be a good option for cats who:
- Suffer from food sensitivities or allergies to specific ingredients
- Have specific food and flavor preferences, aka picky eaters
- Have digestive problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease
- Could benefit from a higher level of moisture in their diet
- Experience skin problems related to diet or digestive issues
- Are sensitive to artificial additives and chemical ingredients
The truth is homemade cat food isnt perfect, but neither is commercial food. As a cat owner, its your duty to make a responsible decision regarding your cats diet. Whether you choose homemade cat food, a fresh cat food delivery service, or high-quality commercial food is up to you.
We simply want to help you understand the options so you can make an educated decision.
What Human Foods Can I Feed My Cats
The Clinical Nutrition Service states that many human foods are generally considered safe for cats, as long as it’s no more than 10% of a cat’s everyday consumption. For example, if a cat takes in 250 calories daily, no more than 25 should come from unbalanced food resources.
However, the Clinical Nutrition Service also warns that owners should consider individual needs. Some cats might consume a particular food without a problem, but the same product can make another cat vomit, have diarrhea, et cetera. With this in mind, it’s an excellent habit to speak with your vet before including any human food in your pet’s dietincluding ones that you might think to be risk-free.
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Safety Concerns & Tips
Homemade raw diets can potentially pose health and safety issues if not prepared correctly. Here are a few safety tips to keep top of mind:
- Pre-ground meat must be thoroughly cooked because its possible that surface bacteria can be ground into the meat.
- Always clean and disinfect all food preparation areas.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after handling ingredients.
- Deep clean all tools and equipment that were used to prepare the homemade cat food.
- Always be aware of the size of the bone pieces in the food. Large pieces can get stuck in your cats mouth or could cause them to choke.
- Before switching to a homemade diet, take your cat to the vet for a dental exam. Healthy teeth are essential for chewing the chunks of meat that are present in homemade diets.
- Make sure that the recipes you are preparing are complete and balanced. Feeding your cat unbalanced meals can cause health risks due to a lack of essential nutrients.
Fresh Food Diets Improve Digestion
Again, kibble is filled with ingredients cats arent designed to digest.
This causes many health issues.
Moving cats indoors does not change their biological makeup or their nutritional needs.
Feeding burnt brown balls to cats just doesnt make sense.
Cats arent designed to digest grain, corn, and soy because its not part of their natural diet.
Their natural diet is fresh, raw, whole mice and other small prey.
Raw diets have been shown to have significantly higher digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and gross energy when compared to heat-processed food.
Homemade raw cat food is easily digestible because it closely mimics the cats natural diet.
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Basic Cat Feeding Guide
The following information is general advice, but as each cat is an individual, seek veterinary advice, particularly if your cat has any special dietary needs or has a reaction to a standard diet.
The basis of your cats diet should be a high quality balanced premium commercial cat food that is appropriate for their life stage and health status. By reading the label, you can check that it complies with the Australian Standard for the Manufacturing and Marketing of Pet Food AS 5812:2017 . A balance of wet and dry food is preferable. Never feed puppy or dog food to your cat as it will be deficient in taurine, an essential protein that cats can only obtain through food.
Provide some moist foods such as wet canned food or pouches in the diet regularly as this helps to ensure adequate water intake and can help maintain a healthy urinary tract.
The amount of food required will depend on your cats size, age and level of activity, but you should take care not to overfeed or underfeed. Your vet will be able to weigh your cat, assess your cats body condition score and provide advice.
Some cats can be fussy eaters, which can develop when they are fed the same food over a long period. They can be tempted to eat by slightly warming their food, offering foods that are tasty or have a strong odour, and by offering variety, including new and different foods.