Cat Food

Dry Cat Food

2011-05-05T05:41:00.000-07:00

When choosing to feed your cat a dry cat food formula, there are many important things to consider. Not all dry cat food formulas are created equal! It's important to understand your cat's specific dietary requirements, to ensure that you're giving your cat the proper amount of nutrition. Many cat owners prefer dry cat food over canned cat foods , due to both convenience and price.

HOW IS DRY CAT FOOD MADE?

Basically, the formula for dry cat food contains meat/meat byproducts, feed grains, and soybean meal. The meat products are first rendered, which involves processing by high heat or chemical reactions to rupture the fat cells. This mixture is then dried, which allows it to be ground up to the appropriate texture for the formula. Dry cat food also requires the addition of ingredients such as bone meal and corn gluten feed. Cereal grains are also frequently added to dry cat food to help it to retain its shape as kibble, as well as reduce the cost of raw materials.

To prevent the fatty ingredients in dry cat food from becoming rancid, preservatives such as BHA or BHT are used. To prevent bacteria and mold, substances such as potassium sorbate, calcium sorbate, propylene glycol or sorbic acid can be used. Once the ingredients are mixed, they are cooked to retain a uniform consistency. Depending on the formula, additional ingredients such as vitamins and minerals may be added at this time. To shape the kibble, the formula is exposed to high-pressure plates with special orifices to produce the kibble shape. Once the product is dried, labeled and inspected, it is shipped out to retail stores for sale.

IS DRY CAT FOOD BEST FOR MY CAT?

There have been many arguments about if dry cat food provides an inferior source of nutrition in comparison to canned cat food. Many pet food experts have suggested that the high-starch content of dry food that is required for the kibble to maintain its shape can have negative effects on your cat's health. Cats have a small, efficient digestive system that is designed to digest food of high-nutrient density. Since dry cat food contains many filler ingredients, it requires more energy to be properly digested by your cat. In addition to this, many cats swallow their kibble bits whole, further impeding digestion.

ADVANTAGES OF DRY CAT FOOD

Dry cat food is popular largely because of its convenience. It's possible to leave an available supply of dry cat food out for your cat, while wet food usually dries out if not consumed immediately (and becomes unappetizing to your cat). Dry cat food is generally cheaper by volume than canned cat food, and is much less messy.

SHOULD I FEED MY CAT DRY CAT FOOD?

As with any decision regarding your pet, it is a matter of personal choice. However, it is important to understand both the advantages and disadvantages of feeding dry cat food to your cat. Your cat's health is your responsibility, and should not be taken lightly.

Canned Cat Food

2011-05-05T05:38:00.000-07:00

Recently, many studies have suggested that canned cat food has many nutritional benefits over drycat foods. Canned food has been subsequently increasing in popularity among cat owners, with more people deciding that choosing canned cat food is the best choice for their cat's nutrition. To decide if canned cat food is best for your cat, it's best to first understand the basic ingredients in canned cat food.

HOW IS CANNED CAT FOOD MADE?
The ingredients for making canned cat food are basically the same as in dry cat food: meat/meat byproducts, feed grains, and soybean meal. The meat products are rendered (which involves processing over high heat to rupture the fat cells), dried, and mixed with the other ingredients. The difference, however, is that canned cat food does not require the cereal grains that are added to dry cat food in order for it to retain its shape. Also, canned cat food has a much higher moisture content formula. Generally, canned cat food has between a 70-80% moisture content. The ingredients of canned cat food are usually “farm fresh” meat products, which adds to nutritional content of the food.

IS CANNED CAT FOOD BEST FOR MY CAT?
It's been suggested that a low-carbohydrate, high protein cat food is far superior to any dry food formula. Though this is still hotly debated among many pet food companies, it is important to note that canned cat food is able to provide a better source of protein than dry cat food, because less grains are needed in comparison to dry cat food. This is, of course, only a general statement, and some canned cat food formulas, such as a “chicken and rice” formula, contain a higher percentage of carbohydrates.

It's very important to be sure that the majority of the protein in a canned cat food formula comes from animal sources. Plant-based proteins are deficient in many of the important amino acids required by your cat, and are not an efficient way for your cat to receive their daily protein requirement.

ADVANTAGES OF CANNED CAT FOOD
A cat's body is designed so that your cat is able to gain much of their required liquid from the moisture content of their food. This is because in the wild, a feline's diet consists mainly of raw, high-moisture meat products. Canned cat food also requires less ingredients, since many of the additives in dry cat food are thickeners, fillers, and caking agents. Canned cat food does not require as many additives in order to reach a consumable form. Because of the higher nutrient density of canned cat food, it also requires your cat to eat less food to become satisfied. The nutritional requirements of your cat are unique, and many high-quality canned cat food brands are able to provide the nutrients that your cat needs. However, it's important to choose a canned cat food that has a proper moisture ratio. A moisture ratio over 80% should be avoided, since the nutritional content is no longer balanced with the amount of moisture. A proper moisture ratio for canned cat food should be between 70-80%

Diabetic Cat Food

2011-05-05T05:30:00.000-07:00

Choosing the right food for your diabetic cat can be a very involved process. There are many cat food brands that claim to be designed for cats with diabetic problems, but which one will be the most beneficial for your cat? Is it possible to choose a cat food that will help maintain a diabetic cat's health, while also providing the proper nutritional requirements?

Most veterinarians will recommend that a diabetic cat's diet contain foods that are low in carbohydrates, while high in digestible protein. However, this is a general guideline, as cats that have been diagnosed with diabetes often may have a corresponding contributing condition that also needs to be taken into consideration. If this is the case, you need to take both the diabetes and the contributing condition into account when choosing the right cat food for your diabetic cat.

KIDNEY PROBLEMS
If your diabetic cat is also experiencing problems involving the kidneys, it may be necessary to lower the protein content of their food. Even though protein is a basic requirement for all cats, a cat with kidney disease will respond favorably to a diet that is lower in protein.
OBESITY
Obesity is a common cause of diabetes in humans, and can cause feline diabetes as well. When managing the diet of an obese cat, it's recommended to limit your cat's intake of carbohydrates and sugars. When you have strict control over your cat's carbohydrate intake, it's much easier to manage their blood glucose levels as well.
PANCREATITIS
Pancreatitis is a condition in which the digestive enzymes of the pancreas are over-stimulated, usually by the excess consumption of fats. These digestive enzymes may begin to “digest” the pancreas and surrounding organs. If your cat has pancreatitis as well as diabetes, you will need to maintain a low-fat diet for your cat in order to control this condition.

CHOOSING A DIABETIC CAT FOOD

When caring for a diabetic cat, it becomes all the more important to read the ingredient label of your cat's food! Depending on if you are caring for a cat with one of the other health conditions listed above, you may have to be very selective when finding the best type of food for your cat.

Generally, it's recommended to feed a diabetic cat a high-protein, low-carb canned cat food. There are also a few companies that now manufacture low-carb dry cat food, which also has an extremely low carbohydrate content. Cats are obligatory carnivores, which means that they will do best when fed a diet high in meat-based proteins. In preliminary clinical trials, cats that are fed a low carbohydrate, high protein diet have improved blood glucose levels, as well as a reduced need for supplementary insulin.

Depending on your cat's specific condition, a diet that is only 5-10% carbohydrates is usually best for your diabetic cat. Try to avoid any cat foods that contain grain-based meals or flours in their top ingredients, as this means that the main ingredients of the food are carbohydrate-based.

Hypoallergenic Cat Food

2011-05-05T05:21:00.000-07:00

The best hypoallergenic diet includes proteins and carbohydrates that your cat has never had before, since most food allergies develop from exposure to certain ingredients. Hypoallergenic cat foods make use of uncommon sources of protein that are not usually incorporated into cat food. Many hypoallergenic cat foods contain rabbit, duck, lamb or venison, as a source of protein, since most cat food formulas contain chicken, beef, eggs or fish.

In many cases, it's very difficult to figure out the specific cause of your cat's food allergy. You may have to try several different formulas until you find one that works for your cat. In addition to this, many food allergies manifest as skin problems in your cat, not necessarily including gastrointestinal symptoms (such as diarrhea). This causes the mis-treatment of the condition, as this is also a symptom of sarcoptic mange, seasonal skin irritation, and other skin-related conditions. Many people will not immediately suspect food allergies to be the cause of their cat's skin problem.

When switching to a hypoallergenic cat food, it's important to choose carefully in the best type of food to incorporate into your cat's diet. A drastic change in food (especially if the new food has a higher carbohydrate content) may further upset your cat's digestive system.

The best way to test your cat's tolerance for a hypoallergenic cat food is to feed your cat the hypoallergenic food for approximately two weeks. After this two week period, switch back to your cat's original cat food. Be sure to keep an eye on your cat's condition! If they symptoms lessen with the hypoallergenic food, switch back to that type of food permanently. If not, try a different hypoallergenic cat food formula. You can also try testing to see if your cat is allergic to products such as dairy, soybeans, and certain food additives. This is a very involved process, and requires keeping constant surveillance over how your cat adapts to each new diet. Be sure to stick to the chosen diet (dairy-free, fish-free, egg-free, etc.) for the full two-week period, without any supplemental treats or additional food items. This is very important, since it will greatly help you in finding the right type of hypoallergenic cat food that is best for your cat.

In addition to a specific protein intolerance (chicken, beef, fish, etc) it's also possible for your cat to become allergic to certain types of carbohydrates. Remember, your cat is classified as an obligate carnivore, and requires a highly meat-based diet in order to be in optimal health. Try switching to a food that has between a 5-10% carbohydrate content, and see if your cat responds to this type of diet. If this doesn't work, you can also try eliminating specific carbohydrates, instead opting for uncommon carbohydrates such as potatoes, peas, and sweet potatoes.

When choosing a hypoallergenic cat food, reading the ingredients of the cat food formula becomes all the more important! Some possible allergens can have many different forms, so it's best to thoroughly research the type of hypoallergenic food to feed your cat

The Importance of Choosing the Right Cat Food

2011-05-05T05:15:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the single most important part of caring for your cat is ensuring that you are providing them with adequate nutrition. Cats with a consistent supply of balanced, digestible nutrients will enjoy better overall health, and potentially require less veterinary care. However, there are hundreds of different choices of cat food formulas on the market today. How can you be certain that you are providing your cat with the best possible nutrition?

The first step in choosing the right cat food for your cat is to check the first five ingredients.

These ingredients represent a large portion of the cat food formula. It is important to be wary of formulas that list corn, wheat or soy in the first five ingredients. These are high-carbohydrate ingredients, and have been potentially suggested to cause allergic reactions or food intolerance in some cats. Many people are opting to switch to low-carbohydrate cat food formulas, since these diets more closely resemble the nutritional needs of felines in the wild. In addition to this, it is ideal for the first ingredient of a cat food formula to be from the primary protein source listed on the front label. Remember, the ingredients in a cat food formula are listed by weight, and the first five ingredients represent a large part of the “bulk” of the formula.

For most cat food formulas, the phrase “You Get what you Pay For” is extremely accurate.

Many cat owners are under the misconception that purchasing cheaper cat food formulas is an economical choice when feeding their cats. In reality, this is not true. Many cats need to consume a higher volume of an inexpensive cat food brand in order to satisfy their nutritional cravings. As many cheap cat food formulas are filled with high-carbohydrate products, this can eventually result in obesity. The chance of a cat experiencing a medical problem that requires veterinary attention is much higher when a cat is fed a cheap, high-carbohydrate cat food formula. In the long run, “Budget” cat food could potentially end up being more expensive than purchasing a premium brand.

Cat Food of the Week as recommended by Cat Food Reviews

Wellness Cat Food is manufactured by the “Old Mother Hubbard” pet supply company, which was first founded in 1926. All of the Wellness cat food formulas are produced without artificial colors, artificial flavors, or preservatives. In addition to this, there are no corn, wheat, soy, or meat by-products included in Wellness brand Cat Food. Wellness Cat Food is available in several different dry and canned formulas, which are also available for cats in specific life-stages. Wellness is also available in a grain-free, low-carbohydrate formula, which is named Wellness CORE. This formula contains a Guaranteed Analysis of 50% protein (four of the first five ingredients are protein-based), while all of the other Wellness cat food formulas contain 30% protein or more. All of the Wellness Cat Food formulas are produced from protein that does not contain any hormones, steroids, or artificial growth products.

Healthy Eating for Cats

2011-04-25T22:32:00.000-07:00

Keep cats healthy with the right food.

You are what you eat, and the same goes for cats, too. A diet lacking in proper nutrition and packed with fillers can satiate a cat, but it might do little else, much like fast food for humans. You want to make sure your cat food maintains health and not degrades it. The healthier choice might cost a little more but keep in mind the expensive vet bills it could stave off, so always read the label before buying.

Complete and Balanced
- Check the label for "complete and balanced." This is not just a throwaway statement -- cat food is regulated by government agencies, so companies can't just put completely made-up statements on their cat food. It's a good indicator that food is nutritionally balanced, but don't just be satisfied with these words.
AAFCO Approval
- Cat food cans without an AAFCO statement should be disregarded.
  Look for a statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officers on the label. The AAFCO rigorously tests cat foods, so a statement from this organization approving the food is very important. Though, consider it a minimum standard and continue to examine the label.
Animal Protein
- Animal protein, such as fish, should be the first ingredient on the label.
  Check the first ingredient. It should be chicken, liver, beef, fish or some other animal protein. If anything comes before that, set the can or pouch down and keep on searching. Cats need a protein-rich diet and anything listed before animal protein means that there's likely more filler than protein. If animal protein is listed as the first ingredient, go ahead and check the protein levels on the label. It should be at 26 percent or more.
Life Stages
- Kittens need food specifically designed for kittens in mind.
  Select a food that's right for your cat's life stage and condition. Kittens need more protein and cats with a history of urinary tract infection might need special food to help guard against a reoccurrence. Senior cat foods will have less calories and more fiber to help older cats maintain a healthy weight. The life stage should be listed on the cat food as "kitten," "adult" or "senior." Cat food for specific conditions will be labeled as "hairball control," "feline lower urinary tract disease approved," "oral care," "sensitive stomach" or "sensitive skin."

The Best Supermarket Canned Cat Foods

2011-04-25T22:30:00.000-07:00

Not all cat food is created equal.

Canned cat food is a healthy and quick dietary option for your cat's complete or supplemental diet. Canned cat food comes in a variety of flavors appealing to cats, including chicken and fish. Unlike dry cat food that comes in bags, canned cat food is usually wet and thus easier to eat for younger kittens or cats with dental issues. Wet cat food also contains more water than dry cat food, thus ensuring your cat will stay hydrated.

Wellness Cat Food Formula
- Wellness Cat Food Formula is high in protein. Many flavors are safely preserved with natural ingredients such as Vitamin E rather than unnatural additives. Even when Wellness had to recall several cans of cat food in March 2011 due to a vitamin deficiency in the formula, experts still raved on how well the company handled the recall. Wellness Cat Food Formula is expensive, about $1.50 for a 5.5-oz. can of cat food as of publication.
Natural Balance Indoor Formula
- Natural Balance Indoor Formula is ideal for indoor cats. It comes in only one flavor, with real chicken broth, liver and salmon, all protein-rich ingredients. The formula is free of wheat, corn and soy found in cheaper cat foods. No artificial colors or unnatural preservatives are added to this formula. A 6-oz. can of Natural Balance Indoor Formula is approximately $1.10 as of publication.
Trader Joe's Canned Cat Food
- Store-brand cat food is often chock-full of unhealthy ingredients, according to Consumer Search. While there are grains present in the Trader Joe's brand, the primary ingredients include chicken broth, turkey and ocean fish rather than meat by-products and additives that you would find in cat foods at this same price. For a 5.5-oz. can of Trader Joe's cat food, you will pay around 60 cents as of publication.
Newman's Organic Cat Food
- Of all organic cat foods, Newman's is the best. Cat owners looking to limit their cat's exposure to chemicals and additives will find Newman's Organics packed with chickens fed all-vegetable and antibiotic-free diets. Newman's guarantees that its products are at least 95 percent organic. While the cat food contains rice, it is free of wheat and corn. Newman's Organic Cat Food is available for approximately $1.40 for a 5.5-oz. can as of publication.

Difference Between Canned Cat Food and Dog Food

2011-04-25T22:26:00.000-07:00

and

Cats and dogs have different nutritional demands and need separate foods.

Cats and dogs have different dietary needs, and canned foods for each animal are formulated accordingly. Cats are strictly meat eaters, or carnivores, while omnivorous dogs can have a more varied diet that includes vegetable and plant matter. Cats are also choosier than dogs about the food they eat. Most importantly, each animal's food contains a specific vitamin and nutrient profile designed for each species. Cat and dog foods are not interchangeable.

Amino and Fatty Acids
- To understand pet food differences, start with arginine, an amino acid that helps eliminate protein waste in the bloodstream and taurine, an amino acid important to healthy function of the heart and eyes. Cats' bodies cannot manufacture arginine or taurine, while dogs' bodies can generate both amino acids in the necessary amounts. Cats also need a sulfur amino acid called cysteine - a nutritional requirement that dogs don't share. Cats cannot make their own arachidonic acid, an essential fatty acid that boosts energy production and fat utilization. For dogs arachidonic acid is not essential. All cat foods come enhanced with arginine, taurine, cysteine and arachidonic acid, while dog foods lack these additives.
Vitamins
- Cats lack enzymes to break down carotenoids the vitamin A-based plant nutrients that improve immune function, prevent cell damage and may lower cancer risk. Dogs on the other hand, have carotenoid-metabolizing enzymes in their intestines. So cat food, unlike dog food, must contain vitamin A supplementation. It's a similar story with vitamin B or niacin, which cats, but not dogs, need added to their food in specific formulations. Niacin is key to helping a cat's enzymes function properly.
Protein
- Cats need substantially more protein than dogs. As carnivores cats subsist only on meat and obtain vegetable nutrients from the flesh of the animal products they eat. Dogs do well on a diet consisting of a meat and plant blend. Cats fed a 100 percent protein diet will use 20 percent of that protein for growth metabolism and 12 percent for maintenance, while dogs on a 100 percent protein diet will need just 12 percent of the protein for growth metabolism and 4 percent for maintenance. Cat foods have significantly higher concentrations of protein than dog foods contain - roughly 30 percent, compared with 20 percent in dog foods.
Taste and Texture
- Cats are more attuned to the texture of their food than are dogs. Cats also prefer savory, salty meat flavors rather than sweeter tastes. Cat food is formulated to accommodate felines' finicky preference for saltier, denser protein tastes, while makers of dog food can pay less attention food texture and flavor and still create a food that most dogs will enjoy.
Mixing Pets and Their Foods
- Because cats have specific nutritional needs, it's imperative to avoid feeding them dog food. Cats without enough taurine can develop critical heart trouble, while niacin deprivation can cause poor appetite, diarrhea and mouth ulcers. A shortage of vital amino and fatty acids can give rise to a host of metabolic problems. Also, cats may find many dog foods unappetizing and may refuse to eat them. A cat who refuses to eat can quickly develop fatal liver problems. It's less dangerous to feed your dog cat food in the short term, but prolonged exposure to the higher protein levels in cat food could spell kidney trouble for your dog over time.

How to Slow Down a Cat Who's Eating Too Fast

2011-04-25T22:21:00.000-07:00

If a cat eats too fast, it may be harmful to the animal's health

When a cat eats too quickly, it can develop health issues such as gas and vomiting. If your cat gobbles down its food and you want to slow it down, there are some steps to reducing the problem and helping your cat eat at a more normal pace.

Difficulty:: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Cat food
Cookie sheet or tray
Slow-eating bowl
Ball
Extra bowls

Suggest Edits

- 1
  Fill a cookie sheet with the amount of food you normally give your cat but spread it around the sheet. When your cat comes to eat, it will take more time to eat the same amount of food since it is spread out rather than piled in a bowl. This prevents the cat from taking large mouthfuls of food.
- 2
  Buy a bowl designed to slow down eating. These bowls have raised pillars inside that the cat must eat around, causing it to slow its eating pace. You can mimic this idea by placing a ball (such as a tennis ball or baseball) in your cat's regular bowl.
- 3
  Feed your cat several small meals a day instead of one or two large ones. This means more work on your part, but if other methods are not successful, this tactic may be your best bet.
- 4
  If you own more than one cat, there may be competition among your pets if they eat from the same bowl. Offer each cat its own smaller bowl of food to prevent rapid eating.

How to Buy Cat Food

2011-04-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

Cats

Cats are clean, require little grooming, and are fun to play with. They are different than dogs in the sense that, while they are very social pets, they are more independent and tend to nap in a remote part of the home and make and appearance for some playtime and attention every now and then. Making sure your cat has proper nutrition is key to a healthy, happy pet. Here's how.

Difficulty:: Easy

Instructions

Cat
Cat food
Food dish

- 1
  Cat Food Pricing - Does Price Mean Better Quality? There are three grades of cat food. The first is the expensive brands that are supposed to be formulated better than all the rest. These are great if you have the money to fork over every few weeks and want the best for kitty, or if he or she is on a special diet. The second grade of cat food is the mid-grade brands which are priced affordably yet provide proper nutrients for the cat. The third grade of cat food is the cheap off-brands which often contain more fillers and fewer nutrients. Most people elect to purchase mid-grade (thus mid-priced) brands.
- 2
  Choose the Right Type of Cat Food. Is your cat a little on the heavy side? You may want to consider an indoor formula. If kitty coughs up hairballs frequently, he or she may benefit from a hairball formula. Cats with a history of urinary tract infections may need to be placed on a special diet from the veterinarian to stabilize pH levels.
- 3
  Wet (Canned) vs. Dry Cat Food. Determine whether you want wet (canned) or dry cat food. Dry food is the most recommended as kitty can nibble throughout the day. Plus, it's easier to deal with.
- 4
  Choose the Feeder. You can choose any dish to feed your cat. Some people prefer to feed the cat only in the morning and evening. However, by nature felines like to nibble throughout the day. In this case, a self-feeder works well (for dry food). If you want to restrict kitty's diet, you can purchase an automatic feeder that provides a small portion for each meal.

How to Make Home Made Cat Food

2011-04-16T14:41:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons for wanting to make home made cat food. If you would like to make a very economical cat food that you cat will love and you want to know exactly what your cat is eating, this recipe is for you.

Difficulty:: Moderately Easy

Instructions

bag of lentils 3 eggs container of oatmeal 2 cans of mackerel or salmon vitamin a brewers yeast kelp

- 1
  Fill a large pot almost to the top with water. Add the bag of lentils and the three eggs.
- 2
  Add vitamin a, brewers yeast, and kelp at this point as well.. Cats require a lot of vitamin a, so supplementing just a bit of that is good, though probably not necessary since the fish is high in vitamin a. Cats cannot process beta caratine into vitamin a. The brewers yeast supplies b vitamins and helps to repel fleas. The kelp supplies many nutrients, such as iodine.
- 3
  Put the burner on a medium temperature and leave the pot uncovered. Stir regularly to keep lentils from burning and sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- 4
  Once lentils are almost done, add the oatmeal. Let cook, stirring almost constantly, for about five minutes.
- 5
  Turn stove off and let cat food sit while oatmeal softens and expands. Oatmeal is included in some commercial cat foods, as it is good for a sensitive stomach and very nutritious.
- 6
  Once food is cooled down, add the two cans of fish.
- 7
  Crack the eggs open and leave in mixture. Do not remove shells or bones from food as they supply calcium.
- 8
  Mix cat food with handheld mixture until no lentils are visible, and everything looks like a paste.
- 9
  Store in refrigerator. You can will love it.

How to Make Organic Cat Food

2011-04-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

Make Organic Cat Food

Many cat owners are turning away from commercial pet foods and are feeding their cats homemade organic pet food. It's easy to make once you know how and it's healthier than store bought pet foods. Here's how to feed your cat safely with your own organic ingredients.

Difficulty:: Moderately Easy

Instructions

A large metal spoon for stirring
An electric meat grinder
Small glass mason jars for storing your natural cat food
3 glass bowls
All the ingredients listed above

Shopping for Supplies
- 1
  Know the "why" behind the "how" when it comes to making healthy homemade organic pet food for your cat.
- 2
  Buy meat. Your meat should always be fresh, and organic. This means it is antibiotic and hormone free. A good place to purchase organic, safe meat is a nationwide store called Whole Foods Market. See the resource box for contact and location information. Types of meats to buy are whole chicken, whole rabbit, whole guinea fowl, and turkey thighs (bones included)
- 3
  Buy organ meat. Organ meat is very rich in vitamins and nutrients. Be aware though that organ meat for your homemade cat food must be organic from non-medicated animals as any toxins in the animal's body will have stored up in the liver and other organs.
- 4
  Buy psyllium. This can be purchased from just about any grocery or health food store. Buy loose psyllium husk powder for easier handling and measuring.
- 5
  Buy kelp and dulse. Kelp and dulse are an excellent source of trace minerals to add to your organic pet food. Both are easily found online. Again, buy in the powdered form for easier use.
- 6
  Buy salmon oil. Salmon oil is an excellent source of essential fatty acids. Whenever possible you should try to use wild salmon oil as opposed to farmed salmon oil as wild salmon has higher levels of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Capsules that can be used one at a time are best as salmon oil degrades quickly once exposed to air.
- 7
  Buy a glandular supplement. These supplements are made from real animal glands such as spleen, brain and heart and are a great source of nutrients. Buy the capsules as they are easier than crushing the pills.
- 8
  Buy vitamin E and B complex. These add to the balanced vitamins and nutrients of a good homemade organic pet food. These can be found at any health store or pharmacy.
- 9
  Buy an electric grinder. This will make grinding the meat and bones for your homemade cat food so much quicker and easier.
Make the Organic Cat Food
- 1
  Get out your grinder. You will use this to grind the bones and attached meat for your cat's food.
- 2
  Assemble all your supplements. Have all the ingredients you need ready and at hand before you begin.
- 3
  Cut up the animal carcass that you are using for the food into large pieces (as you would when you de-bone a chicken).
- 4
  Cut most of the meat from the bones (leaving a little attached) and set the bones aside in a large bowl.
- 5
  Cut the meat into bite-sized chunks. This will allow your cat to chew on something and keep her teeth and gums healthy.
- 6
  Weigh your organ meat. You will need 400 g (14 oz.) of raw heart meat and 200 g (7 oz.) of raw liver.
- 7
  Put the organ meats into the same bowl as the meat bones. Put the meat chunks into a separate bowl and store both bowls in the fridge.
- 8
  You are now ready to make the supplemental part of this organic pet food recipe. Into a large bowl pour 2 cups of water.
- 9
  Crack 4 raw eggs and separate the yolks. Add the yolks to the bowl.
- 10
  Add your dry ingredients. You will need 4 capsules of glandular supplement, 4000g of salmon oil, 200 mg of vitamin B, 800 IU of vitamin E, a ¼ teaspoon each of kelp and dulse, and 4 teaspoons of psyllium. Be sure to add the psyllium last. Stir the mixture thoroughly and set aside.
- 11
  Take the meaty bones and organ meat out of the fridge and grind them together in your electric grinder.
- 12
  Take the meat chunks out of the fridge and add them to the ground bones and organs. Stir these together.
- 13
  Add the supplemental mixture to the meat and stir thoroughly.
- 14
  Spoon the organic cat food into small containers suitable for freezing. Small glass canning jars work perfectly for this. Do not overfill your jars. Leave about a ½-inch gap from the top of the jar.
- 15
  Label each jar with the type of meat you used and the date it was prepared.
- 16
  Freeze your jars to keep the ingredients fresh. Take each jar out and thaw as needed to feed your beloved cat

Cat Food

Dry Cat Food

Canned Cat Food

Diabetic Cat Food

Hypoallergenic Cat Food

The Importance of Choosing the Right Cat Food

Healthy Eating for Cats

Complete and Balanced

AAFCO Approval

Animal Protein

Life Stages

The Best Supermarket Canned Cat Foods

Wellness Cat Food Formula

Natural Balance Indoor Formula

Trader Joe's Canned Cat Food

Newman's Organic Cat Food

Difference Between Canned Cat Food and Dog Food

Amino and Fatty Acids

Vitamins

Protein

Taste and Texture

Mixing Pets and Their Foods

How to Slow Down a Cat Who's Eating Too Fast

Instructions

things you'll need:

How to Buy Cat Food

Instructions

things you'll need:

How to Make Home Made Cat Food

Instructions

things you'll need:

How to Make Organic Cat Food

Instructions

things you'll need:

Shopping for Supplies

Make the Organic Cat Food