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There is an overwhelming amount of information out there on all topics of animals care. So when it comes to your pets nutrition where do you start?
We believe that the best nutrition you can provide for your dog or cat should replicate that of their ancestors natural diet.
With this in mind we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions.
FEEDING YOUR CAT
What kinds of food are best for my cat?By Dr Douglas Wilson
BVM&S PhD VetMFHom MACVSc
What kinds of food are best for my cat?Natural foods are best.
What is a cat’s natural diet?A cat’s natural diet consists of mainly meat, bones and offal (liver, kidney, etc) together with the stomach contents of animals which they hunt. This usually contains ground up grasses, grains and fruit, etc.
What is wrong with tinned and dry cat food?Both tinned and dry cat foods are made from cheap animal and cereal bi-products which are heated and processed to prevent them from going off. This allows them to be stored longer but it also breaks down most of the nutritional value. Consequently vitamins and other nutrients have to be added. Some additives cause skin problems, allergies and other health related conditions.
There is also a high incidence of tooth decay in cats fed mostly commercial processed food. Lower urinary tract conditions can also occur, especially with the cheaper brands.
If you do choose to feed processed food, then choose a high quality premium brand where all ingredients are listed and a named meat is the first ingredient.
What should I feed my cat?Most of the diet should consist of RAW MEATY BONES. These can either be chicken (e.g. chicken necks or wings), turkey, fish (or fish heads), lamb, kangaroo, pork, rabbit etc but it is best to trim off excess fat. Most cats enjoy the bones raw but some fussy cats refuse to eat them unless they are very fresh.
Cats usually prefer their food at room temperature, so remember to warm any food which has been stored in the fridge. Alternatively, most cats will eat bones after they have been either, dipped in boiling water or else lightly grilled, steamed or baked.
You can train your cat at an early stage to eat the bones on a piece of carpet square or else feed the bones outside.
Will bones harm my cat?Cooked bones tend to splinter and may become stuck in the cat’s throat or intestine. This is rarely a problem with raw bones so always feed them raw or only lightly cooked on the outside. Modern chickens grow so fast that they are now killed younger when their bones are still soft, so it should be safe to feed them providing they are not cooked through.
All bones should be free from parasites if they are bought from a butcher or passed for human consumption.
What else should I feed my cat?You should offer some cereal grains to your cat 1-2 days each week. Suitable grains include rolled oats and wheat (like the type found in muesli). Either cook the grains first or else soak a little in plain yoghurt for a few hours. (Note that some cats develop sensitivity to milk, so it is better to use yoghurt or cottage cheese instead.) You could also give some cooked rice. Remember that cats normally eat the stomach contents of the animals which they hunt. This consists of mostly grasses, grains, fruit, etc. You should provide this to your cat by offering a small amount of finely chopped or grated grass – especially if you see your cat trying to eat grass. Mix the chopped grass into the yoghurt cereal mixture or else add some finely grated bean sprouts, lettuce, apple, etc.
You could also buy a pot of ‘Cat Grass’ from your local garden nursery. Cats often love to chew this.
Can I vary my cat’s diet?Yes. This is very important since some cats become very fussy if they are not given a varied diet from an early age. Vary the type of bone which you give your cat. Also offer some raw or lightly cooked liver, kidney or occasional raw egg.
It is healthy and natural for your cat to have a partial fast once or twice a week. Give only a little food on these days – e.g. some cottage cheese mixed with a little finely grated grass or green–sprouts, etc.
How much should I feed my cat?Most people tend to over feed their cat. You should only need to be giving the equivalent of one or two chicken necks per day, or a couple of tablespoons of soaked /cooked grains with a little finely grated grass or green-sprouts. The exact amount will depend on the type of cat, age, activity, health and metabolic rate.
Don’t leave food out all day for your cat to browse on. It is much more natural and healthy to feed either once or twice a day. Any food that remains uneaten after 15 minutes is surplus to the cat’s requirements. Remove it and feed less the next time.
Feel free to make an appointment with one of the vets at Vitality Vetcare so that Dr Douglas Wilson or Dr Megan Kearney can determine the amount your cat needs in order to keep fit and healthy.
Suggested Reading:
The Barf Diet by Dr Ian Billinghurst
Give Your Dog a Bone by Dr Ian Billinghurst
Grow Your Pup with Bones by Dr Ian Billinghurst
Real Food for Dogs & Cats by Dr Clare Middle (available at the clinic for $19.95)FEEDING YOUR DOG
By Dr Douglas Wilson
BVM&S PhD VetMFHom MACVSc
What kinds of food are best for my dog?Natural foods are best.
What is a dog’s natural diet?
Wild dogs eat mostly meat, bones and offal (liver, kidneys, etc) together with the stomach contents of animals which they hunt. This usually contains ground up grasses, grains and fruit etc.
Can my dog eat the same types of foods as wild dogs?
Yes. Domestic breeds of dog may look very different from wild dogs but their digestive system is basically the same.
What is wrong with tinned and dry dog food?
Both tinned and dry dog foods are made from cheap animal or cereal bi-products, which are heated and processed to prevent the going off. This allows them to be stored and transported without deterioration. Unfortunately, processing also breaks down most of the nutritional value, so vitamins and other nutrients have to be added. Some additives cause skin problems, allergies and other health related conditions. There is also a higher incidence of tooth decay in dogs fed only commercial processed food.
If you do choose to feed processed food, then choose a high quality premium brand where all ingredients are listed and a named meat is the first ingredient.What should I feed my dog?
Most of the diet should consist of RAW MEATY BONES
These can be chicken, turkey, lamb, kangaroo, beef, pork or rabbit. Lamb off-cuts or chicken carcasses (chicken frames), or chicken necks are often suitable. Large bones can be sawn in half to expose the marrow, but remove any excess fat. Small dogs usually love chicken wings. You can also feed whole or filleted fish.Will bones harm my dog?
Cooked bones tend to splinter and may become lodged in the dog’s throat or intestine. This is rarely a problem with raw bones, so always feed them raw. Chickens are now killed when their bones are still soft, so it should be safe to feed them providing they are not cooked. Feed free-range chicken frames if possible.
All bones should be free from parasites if they are bought from a butcher.
What else should I feed my dog?Dogs normally eat the stomach contents of animals, which they hunt. Consequently, part of your dog’s diet should consist of RAW VEGETABLES
– especially green leafy ones (although carrots are also good). Remember that dogs cannot chew, so the veggies must be finely grated or crushed in a food processor before feeding. You can also give some cooked grains – like porridge oats or rice.Should I vary my dog’s diet?
Yes. Try giving different types of bones. You should also give crushed ripe FRUIT as well as the veggies. Try mixing some liver, kidney, table scraps, cottage cheese, yogurt, bean sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, or a raw egg with the finely grated raw veggies. You could also add a crushed clove of garlic or fresh/dried herbs to increase the flavour of your vegetable mix.
It isn’t necessary to feed both the bones and veggies on the same day. You can give only bones for one or two days then give a meal of veggies & fruit the next day.
Also, try feeding your dog at a different time each day. Many dogs benefit from fasting one day a week.Is there anything extra I should add to the food?
Not really, but you could supplement occasionally with Brewer’s Yeast (for B vitamins) or a Kelp tablet (for Iodine, which is deficient in many parts of Australia) or The Missing Link.
What should I do if my dog keeps burying his bones?
This usually means that he is getting too much to eat – so he tries to hide the bones for later. He may also be overweight. You should feed nothing for 24 – 48 hours then try him with less food.
Some dogs prefer their bones to be slightly “off” and dig them up later.How much should I feed my dog?
This depends on the type of dog, age, activity, health and metabolic rate. Feel free to make an appointment with one of the vets at Vitality Vetcare so that Dr Douglas Wilson or Dr Megan Kearney can examine your dog and determine the amount he or she needs in order to keep fit and healthy.
Suggested Reading
The Barf Diet by Dr Ian Billinghurst
Give Your Dog a Bone by Dr Ian Billinghurst
Grow Your Pup with Bones by Dr Ian Billinghurst
Real Food for Dogs & Cats by Dr Clare Middle (available at the clinic for $19.95)