Pet Food - What I Didn't Know & Really Wish I Had

[wyckedgood]

Processed commercial pet food from sources like the grocery store or major pet stores like Petco or Petsmart are generally horrible for your animal, and feeding my cat the brand the Vet recommended almost killed her.

"What most consumers don't know is that the pet food industry is an extension of the human food and agriculture industries. Pet food

Comments

[clevermanka]

I am certain that years of eating carb-laden Science Diet is what caused Fetish's diabetes, thus cutting her life short by probably two or three years, and making her last year very difficult. After her diabetes diagnosis, I switched her over to no-grain food, but the damage was already done.

I'm happy that you were able to figure this out for Squeaker earlier rather than later. Here's to many happy and healthy years for Squeaker, eating the way kitties should eat!

Thank You

[wyckedgood]

It makes me angry that I didn't figure this out earlier, but I am certainly glad I caugt it before it took her life.

Now I want to deliver a billboard to every pet owner I know with this information.

[femfataleatron]

Should is an interesting word. I wonder if we actually know? I wonder what a sparrow tastes like... I had a cat that would eat three or so a week. The whole thing. Feathers too, mostly. And whole frogs. He tried to eat a crayfish once. I also saw him eat an olive and canned corn!(not at the same time) He would also lick Doritos. My brother claims to have caught him eating broccoli off the actual dinner table. I think he was just licking the butter, but it formed a fine excuse for avoidance.

Cats will eat...

[wyckedgood]

Cats will eat what sucks for them, particularly cheese. Cats are lactose intolerant but if I get out the sharp cheddar Squeaker would eat the whole block and seriously Regret it for the next 24 hours.

I think you are right about the butter off the broccli. Squeaker will lick the butter or cheese or salt off of just about anything given the opportunity.

[funky_peacenik]

You know, when I went to the nutritionist to talk about prego blood sugar they recommended I eat processed food over fresh in many cases. So this doesn't suprise me. And one of the reasons we started looking into it.

This is something I have been researching more and more since getting our puppies. It is shocking... SHOCKING... what that the food is made up of.

We have been doing Iams, (Which our vet says it is ok)but after even more research we are going to switch. I saw the natures instinct at our local Pet store and I am researching that. If it comes down to it, I will get the pups their own CSA share at parker farms and just start cooking for them. :)

Shocking

[wyckedgood]

It really is shocking.

Iams, Sience Diet, Pro plan are all pretty awful.

If you go to a raw diet there isn't much cooking involved actually. :)

some thoughts..

[femfataleatron]

The wisegeek article is pretty good...
http://www.homevet.com/petcare/feedingyourcat.html
is pretty objective, is certainly very informative.

Re: some thoughts..

[wyckedgood]

Thank you, for the link, that article echoed some of the other ones I read.

[sithrose]

The same could be said of much of what's sold as human food in the grocery stores.

Everyone should read their ingredients of anything that's going into or on to a loved one. Furfoot or two-leg, doesn't matter. (Then again, I'm a horrible person who still feeds my poor kitties commercial food because I can't *afford* the good stuff...And unlike human food, I have far fewer options. I have time to cook for kids...not cats.)

Agreed

[wyckedgood]

We should read the ingredients on everything and I totally understand not being able to afford what is better for us.

Hugs

[hurricanedeck]

That is EXACTLY why I feed my animals a raw diet. Their little systems are made to process raw meat and little else. I see shiny coats, healthy weights, and perfect bloodwork. Plus, I know EXACTLY what I am feeding them!

If you want to know more about raw, shoot me an email!