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Advice on cat dieting please
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Daily Mail is taking an interest in what we feed our pets, particularly cats.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1244595/Is-food-youre-feeding-pet-killing--making-vet-rich.html0 -
Daily Mail is taking an interest in what we feed our pets, particularly cats.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1244595/Is-food-youre-feeding-pet-killing--making-vet-rich.html
Thanks Mutter. Interesting article. I thought Nicky Paull, the former president of the British Veterinary Association for 2008/9, responses were interesting:
"There is no evidence at all that processed food is bad for our pets."
They said that in the 50 and 60s about cigarettes. The phrase "there is no evidence" doesn't mean the studies have been done on the health and longevity of animals fed processed food. It could mean that the studies haven't been done at all. I came across this phrase all the time when I was a lab scientist. People use it to try and win arguments.
"Many vets feed their pets commercial foods."
I'm sure they do, but that isn't a reason for others to do it. You have to do your own research and evaluate information on its merits, and not just because someone else does it. And regardless of how many times the vet world insists it's independent, any vet practice that sells pet food is a) likely to be getting benefits from the pet food manufacturer in some way and b) giving the implicit recommendation for that food to the owners of its patients.
I would like to see vets as truly independent, not to mention doctor's surgeries too. I don't like seeing carefully arranged promotional displays of one type of product because it says to me that a sales rep has been in there and set it up.
"I have three dogs aged five months, seven and 12 years, all of whom are fed solely on dried food, and am very happy with it."
Ahhhh...the crux of the matter. She feeds her animals on it so it must be good for them and there can't be any hint that it might not because after all, she's a vet!
What I find interesting is all the experts are screaming that raw food alone is bad for them because they don't get a balance of nutrients and I agree...but who is talking about that? We seem to have this "completely raw" vs "completely processed" argument which I don't subscribe to. Where's the in between option?
Can it really be so bad for an animal to change its diet to a balanced food with higher meat content, less grain and then adding an element of raw to their diet?
EDITED TO ADD: I forgot to mention about six months ago I took Normal cat to see my vet and ended up speaking to a very young new vet at the surgery as my regular one was on holiday. He mentioned that normal cat has some dental plaque and recommended I stop wet food in the evening and serve exclusively munchies to clean their teeth. Didn't mention any other methods of teeth cleaning at all. And there was no advice about making sure the animals had more fresh water.
A couple of months later I was speaking to my usual (older) vet and he expressed surprised and said that tooth condition is partly genetic, the same as humans. The fact that my other two cats have healthy teeth and gums and are fed on the same diet and the fact that normal cat catches and eats his kills, which would clean his teeth, suggests that the condition of Normal cat's teeth is part of his genetics.
"carpe that diem"0 -
Oh and (having another rant) I'm sick and tired of all the the new things pet owners are being guilt-tripped into doing.
Over the last two years, I've experienced and had friends experience vets who suggested: regular dental cleaning, pet grooming and claw care, regular urine tests every three months for older skinny cat (there is nothing wrong with her), buying pet food from them, and injections for everything from extra vitamins to flea products.
When did our pets suddenly become such a source of profit?
I can't believe it's all preventative or necessary..."carpe that diem"0 -
"The Pet Health Council, an independent website advising on pet welfare, is sponsored by the Petfood Manufacturers Association. The Pet Health website claims that processed food is best, warning: 'It would not be possible to feed your pet an adequate home-prepared diet.'
There are many professional breeders who would disagree. :rolleyes:
Then consider the fact that while cat and dog food sales have soared by 85 per cent over the past decade, research by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association shows that one in three household pets is now overweight - and chronic conditions in our pets, such as diabeties, kidney and liver disease, heart disease and dental problems (all related to diet) are on the increase.
Hopefully not the start of the same epidemic as we are seeing in Western (human) society ... :eek:
She says: 'Many vets feed their pets commercial foods. I have three dogs aged five months, seven and 12 years, all of whom are fed solely on dried food, and am very happy with it.'
Not the most scientific argument ... neither is mine: in China up to 50% of male doctors smoke.The Pet Food Manufacturers Association says: 'There are concerns that feeding raw meat to pets can present a human/animal risk, such as salmonella contamination. In the case where only raw meat and bones are fed, there is an additional concern among vets and animal nutritionists that this exclusive diet may not meet the pet's needs.'
No raw feeding book or website I have read recommends feeding meat and bones alone. That would be exactly like exclusively feeding your pet commercial complementary foods, or turning vegan and not bothering with a source of B12. :rotfl:
Declutterbug-in-progress.⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️0 -
Oh and (having another rant) I'm sick and tired of all the the new things pet owners are being guilt-tripped into doing.
Over the last two years, I've experienced and had friends experience vets who suggested: regular dental cleaning, pet grooming and claw care, regular urine tests every three months for older skinny cat (there is nothing wrong with her), buying pet food from them, and injections for everything from extra vitamins to flea products.
When did our pets suddenly become such a source of profit?
I can't believe it's all preventative or necessary...
I can't comment on this from a veterinary POV, but I can from my experience in human healthcare (pharmacy, labs, physical activity). Preventative heathcare IS a good idea, but addressing lifestyle issues is woefully inadequate at present. Working with professionals on healthy eating and exercise can virtually eliminate the signs and symptoms of conditions as diverse as type 2 diabetes and moderate depression in many clients. Yet the NHS continues to medicate these clients, with all the associated costs and side effects.Declutterbug-in-progress.⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️0 -
I can't comment on this from a veterinary POV, but I can from my experience in human healthcare (pharmacy, labs, physical activity). Preventative heathcare IS a good idea, but addressing lifestyle issues is woefully inadequate at present. Working with professionals on healthy eating and exercise can virtually eliminate the signs and symptoms of conditions as diverse as type 2 diabetes and moderate depression in many clients. Yet the NHS continues to medicate these clients, with all the associated costs and side effects.
I agree. But some of the preventative suggestions I'm sure were money spinners. I groom my own cats, including their nails, and its a source of pleasure for me and the cat. Plus I get to interact with them a lot more and assess their condition. Extra vitamin injections? Were the animals deficient or is it a new trend to give them supplements just like we do humans?
From the veterinary POV, the reason the vet wanted skinny cat to have urine tests every three months was because she was - at the time - 11 and an 'old' cat. And old cats can get urinary infections and kidney problems.
I didn't think it was the strongest argument for it.
And again, the vet didn't enquire about her eating habits or water drinking or check to make sure she did get enough fluid through wet food and water.
That to me screams a lack of thinking. I felt there was a big gap in what I was being told."carpe that diem"0 -
Little update on the kitties' progress.
They did eventually have their last small meal of the day yesterday at 10pm. I felt it was important for fatty to have her full share as I don't want her to drop weight too quickly. And I didn't want to be woken up at an ungodly hour as they hadn't eaten since 4pm
Skinny is knocking back the wet food at a rate of knots and looks quite alert and active today.
Normal is...well...being his usual self.
Fatty is currently staging a sit in by the place where her food bowl goes down. She started her sit in 30 minutes after she ate her bowl of food this morning."carpe that diem"0 -
*Puts hands up*
My name is Bird and I have a fat cat.... sigh! Well one fat cat and one normal sized who is very fussy. Fat nicks all the food put down for fussy who will currently only eat dried or Felix. Fatty will eat ANYTHING including the food off your plate! :rotfl:
I am hoping that once winter is over they will go out more (they are both very good hunters) and drop the winter weight. Trouble is Fatty catches his own (rabbits, squirrels, birds, rats, mice, you name it), so it is quite difficult to limit that!0 -
*Puts hands up*
My name is Bird and I have a fat cat.... sigh! Well one fat cat and one normal sized who is very fussy. Fat nicks all the food put down for fussy who will currently only eat dried or Felix. Fatty will eat ANYTHING including the food off your plate! :rotfl:
I am hoping that once winter is over they will go out more (they are both very good hunters) and drop the winter weight. Trouble is Fatty catches his own (rabbits, squirrels, birds, rats, mice, you name it), so it is quite difficult to limit that!
If they are good hunters but not getting much exercise at present, try Da Bird (Purrsinourhearts shop), any of the attachments (my Noah LOVES the sparkler), Original Dragonfly (eBay) or Bergan Turbo Track (Purrs again). :jDeclutterbug-in-progress.⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️0 -
hopefully there should be a picture here!
Excuse the giant pic, havent managed to resize it.
Ciphey and Rampage the kitten above, 3 ickle kittens below!With Sparkles! :happylove And Shiny Things!0
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