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PURRING FOR PROTEIN Why Canned Food is Best for Cat Health by Dr. Lisa Pierson
Just as with humans, diet comprises the bricks and mortar of health for our pets. Unfortunately, as we have strayed from a healthy diet, so have the feline friends that are dependent upon us for their food.
O
ften ignored principles of proper feline nutrition explain why cats have a better chance at optimal health if they are fed canned food instead of dry nuggets or kibble. Putting a little thought into what we feed our cats can pay big dividends over their lifetime and likely help them avoid experiencing serious, painful and costly illnesses. To begin, it is vital to understand that cats are obligate (strict) carnivores, and are very different from dogs in their nutritional requirements. Cats are designed to have their nutritional needs met by the consumption of a large amount of animal proteins (meat/ 44
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organs), instead of those found in plants (grains/vegetables). Plant proteins are less complete than meat proteins. A wild cat’s diet typically consists of rodents, birds, rabbits, lizards and insects. Such natural feline prey are high in animal protein, high in water content (about 70 percent) and low in carbohydrates (less than 5 percent). Most canned foods are of similar proportions. Now, consider three key negative issues associated with dry cat food: 1) as a protein source, it’s too high in plant (grain or vegetable) protein and too low in animal protein; 2) the water content is far too low, at just 5 to 10 percent; and 3) its carbohydrate
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load is too high, as much as 50 percent. This is not what is needed to support a healthy animal.
Protein Puzzle Humans and dogs can take the amino acids provided in plant proteins and, from those, produce any missing amino acids normally provided by animal proteins. Cats cannot do this, and so cannot live on a vegetarian diet. That is why the protein in dry cat food, which is often heavily grainbased, is not equal in quality to the protein in canned cat food, which is meat-based. The protein in dry food, therefore, earns a lower score in terms of biological value. Many pet food companies use grain proteins, such as corn, wheat, soy and rice, which are cheaper ingredients than meat proteins, because this practice contributes to a higher profit margin.
Water for Life Water, too, is vital to life and it also plays a critical role in the health of a cat’s urinary tract. Cats, by nature, have an extraordinarily low thirst drive and are designed to obtain water as part of their food. People who feed their cat dry food think that the animal is consuming enough water, because they see it drinking from a water bowl, but cats do not make up their water deficit this way. We can think of wet food, packaged in cans or pouches, which is a minimum of 75 percent water (approximating that of a cat’s normal prey), as working to flush out the cat’s internal plumbing several times each
day, because such a water-rich diet produces much more urine than a water-depleted dry diet. The fact that urinary tract problems are common in cats, and often life-threatening, underscores the importance of keeping water flowing through the kidneys and bladder, which is critical to the health of this organ system.
Carb Load The high carbohydrate load of dry cat
food wreaks havoc on the blood sugar balance of many cats because they lack the necessary enzyme systems to efficiently process carbohydrates. This comes as no surprise, given a cat’s strict carnivore status. While some cats are able to handle elevations in blood sugar levels, many are not, and this can contribute to the development of diabetes. In the 20th century, dry kitten and cat food attracted a huge following due to its convenience and affordability, but informed and caring owners now realize that wet cat food is a far more healthy choice. Veterinarians and enlightened consumers understand that a core principle of nutrition is: pay more for good food now or pay the doctor later. This principle applies to our pets, as well as to us. Finally, no discussion of dry versus canned food would be complete without addressing the myth that dry food
is good for a cat’s teeth. In fact, this old tale has no basis in reality. Lisa Pierson is a doctor of veterinary medicine based in Lomita, CA. For more information on how to make the switch to a healthier diet, see the “Transitioning Dry Food Addicts to Canned Food” at CatInfo.org. Exclusive CAT BOARDING & Grooming
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February 2011
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NATURAL COMPLEMENTS TO CONVENTIONAL CAT CARE A clear and simple guide to which alternative remedies and lifestyle changes are appropriate for common feline medical conditions. (part I of two; part II in March) by Shawn Messonnier
CONDITION
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT
DEFINITION
NATURAL REMEDY
DIET CHANGE
LIFESTYLE CHANGE
Fish oil, antioxidants, herbs, homeopathics
Natural canned diet; avoid grains, processing and byproducts
Frequent bathing if possible
A hypersensitive skin reaction to foreign proteins (allergens) in genetically predisposed cats
Steroids (oral preferred), antihistamines; secondary infection is rare; cyclosporine (use extreme caution)
ARTHRITIS
Joint inflammation, usually caused by chronic wear and tear; more common in older cats
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), use extreme caution; analgesics
BAD BREATH
Severe inflammation and infection of teeth and gums or any mucous lining in the mouth
Regular dental cleanings, steroids/ antibiotics, extractions
Coenzyme Q-10, fatty acids, antioxidants, herbs, homeopathics
Adding a small amount of plain yogurt to the diet might help
Brush teeth at home; provide dental treats
Abnormal growth of cells of any tissue in the body; cancer cells lose the ability to die and continue to reproduce; any lumps that persist following vaccination should be removed and biopsied immediately
Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery
Herbs, homeopathics, antioxidants, fatty acids
Improved diet; lowered carbohydrates and increased proteins and fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids
No vaccines
Increased blood sugar due to variety of factors, including decreased insulin production and insulin insensitivity; approximately 50 percent of cats have Type 2 diabetes, which does not require insulin and can be controlled through canned diet, exercise and natural remedies
Insulin; rarely, oral medications that lower a cat’s blood sugar
Herbs, supplements made of extracts from glands; homeopathics
Increased protein/fat, reduced carbohydrates
Increased exercise; small, frequent meals
DRY SKIN, COAT
Can be benign or a sign of a more serious condition
Depends on cause; often none
Fatty acids, antioxidants
Natural canned diet, increased omega-3s
Baths with an organic hydrating shampoo formulated for frequent bathing; bathing as needed if possible; humectant/ moisturizing sprays
EAR INFECTIONS
Infections of the outer ear canal, caused by mites, bacteria or yeasts
Medicated drops, oral medications like antibiotics and steroids
Herbal ear drops, antibacterial and antifungal herbs, olive leaf extract
Natural canned diet
Clean ears regularly
ALLERGIES
CANCER
DIABETES
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Natural canned diet; Chondroitin and avoid grains, processing glucosamine and byproducts supplements, hyaluronic acid, acupuncture, fish oil, enzymes, cold laser
Exercise if possible; prevent obesity