Cats' diets are jacked up and anti-cat, just as ours are jacked up and anti-man. Grains and sugars are killers for both man and cat.
We need to get our cats on a better diet. I have a lot to learn on this topic, but here is some reading I am going to start working on (I'm just mentioning it; I have not read it so cannot recommend it):
Cat Info.org
Cat Nutrition.org
Cat Nutrition.org Blog
Feline's Pride (cat food company)
Nature's Variety (cat food company)
Feline Future Cat Food Company
Raising Cats Naturally (book)
Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life (book)
Are any of the above irrational in some way (anti-industry, anti-capitalism, anti-man, etc.)? If you find out, let me know please!!
Any other ideas? What can we do to keep our cats healthy by the standard of cats and carnivores?
Update (7-31-09, 5:05 PM CST): Yup. CatInfo.org has some good information, and I recommend reading it -- but the writer, the vet Dr. Lisa Pierson, has an anti-man streak. She says: "Not all that long ago (1980s) cats were going blind and dying from heart problems due to Man's arrogance. It was discovered in the late 1980s that cats are exquisitely sensitive to taurine deficiency and our cats were paying dearly for Man straying so far from nature in order to increase the profit margin of the pet food manufacturers."
Then, um, she goes on to "arrogantly" say what man, what reason, has found out about cat health and nutrition; she goes on to "arrogantly" make recommendations for how we, "man," should take care of our cats.
This idea of "the arrogance of man" is an old one, going back to the beginnings of Christianity, if not earlier. Did not Christianity preach against the "arrogance of the eyes" when Galileo and others developed the telescope and microscope?
Fact is, it was error and ignorance that "led to" the deaths, not "arrogance of man." This "arrogance of man," Mrs. Pierson needs to learn, is self-correcting and life-sustaining.
I'd say "If this be arrogance, make the most of it!"
I agree that many cat owners aren’t aware of the controversy surrounding cat food. If wet cat food can help prevent many feline diseases and problems, cat owners should be made aware of this. Not all veterinarians are informing their clients.
ReplyDeletePet owners need to see the documentary Pet Food: A dog’s Breakfast. This exposé takes viewers inside the world of pet food manufacturing and is essential viewing for every pet owner. It features critics of the industry, foremost among them Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, a California vet, and insider who used to work in the pet food industry. She says the recall of food made by Menu Foods of Toronto is a sign of larger problems. "Unfortunately the pet food industry is cutting corners, is not doing the testing it says it's doing, is not using the quality of ingredients it wants pet owners to believe are in that bag and can, and is not forthcoming with pet owners about those facts. It is not a truthful industry." CBC.ca link http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/dogsbreakfast.html
Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins wrote the book (in your link) “Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life”.
Other links relating to this topic:
ReplyDeleteCatinfo.org has a link to Dr. Debra Zoran's article "The carnivore connection to nutrition in cats" published in the JAVMA. http://www.catinfo.org/zorans_article.pdf
The controversy over cat food was one topic addressed an international vet conference in Montreal. Reported Steve Dale. Dr. Zoran explained how canned diets are better for cats and why it’s important to start when they’re kittens. See article http://www.goodnewsforpets.com/Articles.asp?ID=1335
Dr. Zoran also was a panel member on the newest AAFP Feline Senior-Care Guidelines. See report in May 29, 2009 DVM NEWSMAGAZINE, article online with link to guidelines. http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Feline+Center/AAFP-releases-new-feline-senior-care-guidelines/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/600566 Senior care guidelines are online at www.catvets.com..
Feline Nutritional Notes.blogspot.com has helpful info with links to both sides of controversy. Includes links to the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Canine and Feline Recommended Daily Allowances, Pet Food Ingredient Concerns, Official Recall Information, Diabetic Cats Dietary Management, and more
http://felinenutritionalnotes.blogspot.com/
Pet owners should be made aware that dry pet food can carry diseases. The US CDC (Centre for Disease Control) has reports on illnesses caused dry pet food and treats. Search for pet food at www.cdc.gov. Also says to follow the Food and Drug Administration’s Safe Handling Tips for Pet Foods and Treats at http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/petfoodtips080307.html
The Truth About Pet Food, http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/
Tons of helpful links on Feline Outreach.org http://www.felineoutreach.org/Education/AllLinks.html
C_in_OntarioCanada! Wow! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot to read! I'm gonna be busy for quite some time...
I bought some Nature's Variety raw food and some Brandon Farms canned food yesterday. I report on my purchases here: http://mgtutoring.com/blog/2009/07/30/new-cat-food/
ReplyDelete