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Cat Handout 2014

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Irene Montalvan
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16 views

Cat Handout 2014

Uploaded by

Irene Montalvan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Meridian Veterinary Care

Angie Stamm, DVM, CVA


www.meridianvetcare.com
(916) 342-1245

How should I feed my cat for optimal health?

1. Try to eliminate dry kibble.


2. Eliminate grains from the diet
3. Use more canned, freshly cooked or raw foods.
4. Use a variety of meat protein and brands.
5. Select appropriate protein sources and whole food
nutritional supplements for your cat’s unique needs.

Recommended Commercial Diets Food Energetics


Raw/Dehydrated Canned Cool
Nature’s Variety Instinct Merrick Turkey, Duck,
Stella and Chewy’s Addiction White Fish, Rabbit,
Small Batch Blue Wilderness Pheasant, Quail,
Primal Nature’s Logic Pork, Egg
Rad Cat Holistic Select
Darwin’s B.F.F. Neutral to Warm
Honest Kitchen Weruva Chicken, Beef,
Ziwi Peak Earthborn Bison, Buffalo,
Fussy Cat Salmon, Tripe
Dry Ziwi Peak
Nature’s Variety Instinct I and Love and You Warm to Hot
Wysong Epigen 90 Soulistic Venison, Lamb,
Orijen Kangaroo

Basic Supplements
Whole Food Vitamin/Mineral
Standard Process Feline Whole Body
Support Dental Health
Great Life Enzymes Plus Vetriscience Perio Plus
Rx Vitamins Nutrition Support ProDen PlaqueOff
Oratene Maintenance/Antiseptic Gel
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Joint Health
Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet
Standard Process Musculoskeletal Support
Carlson
Cosequin
Iceland Pure Oil
Cetyl-M
1. WHY DO YOU RECOMMEND LESS OR NO KIBBLE? Kibble creates more inflammation for several reasons:
• High temperature extrusion destroys many of the naturally occurring nutrients (enzymes, vitamins, minerals) in the
food.
• Lack of moisture makes digestion more difficult and stresses urinary tract and kidneys.
• High starch content due to need for “binders”- grains, potatoes, legumes, etc.
Since the “gut” is the major immune organ in the body, less inflammation here will lead to less disease in the body.

2. WHY DO YOU RECOMMEND ELIMINATING GRAINS? Cats are carnivores do not have the enzymes to properly
digest grains. Digestive stress leads to inflammation and, over time, may lead to a variety of health issues.

4. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CAT WILL ONLY EAT DRY FOOD? This is a common problem because many cats
develop a texture preference to dry food early in life. It is possible to convert stubborn cats from dry to wet food, but can take
as long as a year!! So, be patient. In the meantime use a high quality grain-free dry food. See www.catinfo.org for great tips on
transitioning kibble-addicted kitties!

5. WILL CANNED OR SOFT FOOD MAKE MORE TARTAR ON MY CATS’ TEETH AS COMPARED TO DRY
FOOD? NO. Increased tartar buildup caused by wet food is, in my experience, a common misconception. I cannot say that I
see a significant difference in teeth of animals on canned vs. dry foods.

6. DO YOU RECOMMEND RAW DIETS? YES, IN MOST CASES. Raw foods have higher levels of enzymes which
means that your cat will absorb more nutrients (vitamins, minerals) from the food. The benefits of raw diets include more
energy and vitality, fewer allergies, less tartar build-up, smaller and less “stinky” stools, easier weight management and
healthier skin and coats. I do NOT recommend raw diets for animals under one year of age, geriatric, or sick pets.

7. ARE RAW DIETS SAFE? As with any raw meat, there is a small risk of bacterial contamination, so safe food handling
techniques are recommended. Cats are better suited to handle higher bacterial loads than humans due to a higher stomach
acidity and shorter intestinal length. In my career to date I have not seen any adverse effects or illnesses related to feeding a
raw diet. Stella And Chewys and Instinct Raw Diets now use a “high pressure pasteurization” process to further reduce any risk
of bacterial contamination in the diets.

8. IS IT OK TO FEED MY CAT HUMAN FOOD? YES, IN MOST CASES . . . unless your cat has a sensitive stomach
and develops diarrhea easily with diet changes. Supplementing commercial diets with fresh, whole foods is an easy way to
increase the quality of your cats’ diet. Examples of acceptable human foods include meats, organ meats and fish, cooked or
pureed raw veggies and fruits (AVOID ONIONS, GRAPES, CITRUS and TOMATO). I do not recommend feeding grains
or starches to cats.

9. SHOULD I FEED THE SAME FOOD CONTINUALLY? NO. There is no perfect diet for cats and each animal has
unique nutritional needs. If you feed commercial food, I recommend rotating brands and proteins (unless otherwise discussed)
to give your cat a variety of amino acids as well as to prevent food intolerances.

10. DO YOU RECOMMEND THAT MY CAT TAKE A MULTI-VITAMIN/MINERAL? YES. Though commercial
diets are “complete and balanced”, a whole-food based vitamin and mineral can help to insure against any nutritional gaps that
may occur.

11. ARE THERE ANY OTHER SUPPLEMENTS MY CAT SHOULD TAKE? POSSIBLY. Depending on your cat’s age,
breed environment and current health status, there may be nutritional supplements that can prevent or improve current health
issues. We can address these on an individual basis.

12. WHY SHOULD I GIVE MY CAT EXTRA OMEGA-3 FATS? These “good” fats are naturally anti-inflammatory and
help with allergies, skin problems, kidney and heart disease, eye and joint health and boost immune function. They also have
potent anti-cancer properties. Use only high quality, purified forms of fish oil for dogs because oil from ocean fish is
contaminated with heavy metals and other toxins. Omega 3 fats from flax seed oil is not absorbed well in cat. Freshness is also
important as these oils become rancid quickly. Keep these refrigerated if in liquid form.

13. WHAT ARE SOME EARLY SIGNS OF HEALTH IMBALANCES IN CATS THAT COULD SIGNAL A NEED
FOR INCREASED NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION?
• SKIN/COAT CHANGES: attracts fleas a lot; dry, oily, or lack-luster coat; excessive shedding; poor grooming;
ear problems; eye discharge; brittle/dry nails
• DIGESTIVE: “Sensitive stomach”; bad breath despite recent dental cleaning; poor appetite; eating non-food
items (feces, dirt, plastic, rocks, etc); vomiting often; mucous on stools; obesity; anal gland problems; recurrent
worms
• JOINT/MUSCLE: Stiffness when getting up; decreased activity; difficulty going up or down steps; not
jumping up on furniture or counters  

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