\Holistic Cat Food
Some would say, and rightly so, that cats seem to own their humans instead of vise-versa. In attending to their whims, we "masters" often find cats are finicky eaters prone to turn a disdainful nose up at even "gourmet" foods.
They only like certain types of dry or wet food, and somehow the amount of affection they show seems to be proportionate to how successfully we execute our feline's menus.
This is where making your own holistic cat food can be a handy tool. You can take the fundamentals of what makes for a good diet and contour your recipe to suit your cat's moods as well as any special physical needs. Holistic cat food can bring you and your cat closer together while also providing better health benefits to your beloved pet.
Note, however, before changing any feeding protocol it's highly recommended you check with your vet to make sure you're giving your kitty the best possible blend. Tell your vet what you plan to make, and ask if your cat requires any special changes to that foundation.
Also, some cats go through digestive changes when a new diet's introduced. These digestive transitions can be a bit unpleasant until they adjust to the new food. So introduce your blend slowly into your cat's daily feedings.
Feline Food Fundamentals
A healthy diet for your cat requires one to two parts carbohydrates to about four parts protein. Here are some blends to try based on one part carbohydrates:
Recipe 1
- 2 oz. minced lightly cooked meat or fish
- 1 cup steamed, minced vegetables
- 1 tsp. fish oil.
Recipe 2
- 1 cooked medium egg diced
- 1/4 cup of beans cooked and mashed
- 1 tsp. brewer's yeast (to deter fleas)\
Recipe 3
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt or cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh berries, banana or carrot (finely shredded)
- 1/2 tsp. bone meal
Serve your cat about 1/2 cup of any mix with normal dry food daily.
When possible try to use only organic ingredients. If you wish, it never hurts to sprinkle a multi-vitamin powder into the blend (you can get suggestions for a suitable supplement at your vet's office).
Helps and Hints
There are foods you should never include in your cat's diet. These include pork products, chocolate, onion, and raw eggs. Additionally cats should not consume dog food (cats need far more protein, and dog food will leave them under nourished). Dairy products in small amounts are acceptable (too much will give kitty diarrhea).
Whole-Holistic Diet
If you decide to make holistic cat food the keynote for your cat's diet, slowly phase out any other commercial food over about 10 days. Monitor the cat to make sure they're handling the change well (watch for any warning signs like weight loss, listlessness, or simply not eating). A typical cat will need about 1 cup of food daily (spread out in small portions throughout the day. If your cat does not take well to the food, you may need to return to the previous menu so they don't become malnourished.Generally, both you and your cat will likely enjoy the holistic approach to feeding. You will always know what's in your pet's food, and have the opportunity to adjust the food to accommodate allergies and even fight off fleas and ticks.
Considering the scares that have occurred in commercial pet food processing in recent years, making your own holistic cat food is one way to preserve your pet's health for many years to come.
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