Feeding advise

[BaileyUK]

Numerous times I read articles that warn against feeding too much fish to our cats.Bailey likes Appalaws sardine and tuna,this is a premium brand in the UK ,how many times a week do you think is advisable to include fish in his diet?

 

[Deb & Wink]

I'll give mine fishy flavors once or maybe twice a week.

Here is one take on why cats should not eat much fish. http://www.littlebigcat.com/nutrition/why-fish-is-dangerous-for-cats/

Vet Dr. Lisa Pierson talks a bit about fish on her website here: http://www.catinfo.org/

You will notice that many of the higher protein diets are fish-based but it is not a good idea to feed fish to cats. Or, at least not as their main diet. Fish can be high in mercury, high in PBDEs (fire retardant chemicals linked to hyperthyroidism), high in phosphorus (not good for older cats' kidneys) and can be very addicting. It is best to feed poultry-based diets to cats

 

[BaileyUK]

Thanks for the links Deb,it certainly getting hard to find good cat food in the UK,last week Baileys favourite food (Lilys Kitchen organic expensive food) was taken off his menu as it contains Carrageenan,which they say causes inflammation of the intestines,also is said to be carcinogenic,beggars belief what they will put food next!!!

 

[Deb & Wink]

I feed Friskies pate style foods to my cats. All the flavors have a bit of fish in them. But, it's what I can afford to feed right now in low-carb canned food, and I want to keep the low carb for everyone because of Wink.

There will always be compromises in the choices we make about feeding our cats.

Sometimes, those choices are more difficult because of health issues our cats had. I used to have a cat with severe IBD. The only thing I could find for her to eat that did not cause constant explosive diarrhea was a dry cat food with no grains or rice in it. Rice was a big trigger food for her, causing lots of digestive upset. Raw would have been better for her, but she wanted nothing to do with it and wouldn't ever eat enough canned.

:YMSIGH:

 

[Diana&Tom]

I think a little fish is fine if the cat likes it and is not suffering from any pre-condition that specifically precludes it. I admit, I feed my Sapphire a poultry-only diet, but then I might sneak in the odd and very tiny biscuity treat that she isn't supposed to have (usually as a bribe when I'm calling her home for the night if she's in the garden in the summer).

I know it's a big responsibility to get the feline diet right but I look on it a little like I do my own diet. I eat healthily most of the time, but as i do like chocolate/cake/biscuits/wine etc, I have a little of those things as treats when I want to... Life is for living and all that.

Diana

 

[BaileyUK]

Thankyou Deb & Diana,
Wise words everything in moderation,I like the tiny biscuity treat,Bailey gets that too!!!
Diana living in the UK what food do you feed your babies,I'm now down to Natures Menu & Granatapet,and B does get fed up with the same diet each day.
Hope you both have a peaceful weekend,thanks once again. X

 

[Diana&Tom]

Hi Diane, to answer your question what do I feed - it's plain and simple Whiskas in jelly. I am trying to get my head round the alternatives available online, which I know are probably better quality, but it seems such a gamble knowing what to get that my Sapphire will eat. I also have it in mind to include some raw food in her diet to help with the clean teeth dilemma. So thanks for reminding me, I really should get on the case,
Diana

 

[Dr Schrodinger]

Everything in moderation is the key, I think.

Fish at the top of the food chain may be high in heavy metals & other pollutants (i.e. tuna, swordfish etc) as they eat other fish & therefore the chemicals accumulate in their system. White fish don't tend to accumulate pollutants as they don't tend to eat other fish. A bit of pollack, haddock, hake etc should be fine.

BaileyUK - have you had a gander at my food list? - you can access from my signature. There are a variety of brands & flavours suitable for diabetic kitties.

In the cupboard at the moment I have:

Kattovit
Animonda's Integra
(both of the above are low phosphorus & low carb)
Classic cat
Catzfinefood
Lily's Kitchen (in cans, rather than the trays)
Smilla
Natures Menu
Sheba Classics in terrine (bunny flavour)

I have to cycle through flavours & varieties, cos they both get bored. There are plenty you can buy on the High St & even more online. Have you been to Zooplus & HappyKittyCompany?

Juliet

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[Diana&Tom]

Good grief, Juliet, your cat food cupboard contents are bigger than my human food cupboard!!

Thanks for the info.

Diana

 

[Dr Schrodinger]

Ha! Same here, Diana! One half of the kitchen is full of lentils & veggie noms, the other is full of tinned dead beasties. :sad:

If they 'go off' a variety, I simply keep it & rotate it in a few months time. It helps having a set of steps down to the cellar which I can clutter with trip hazards use as a kitteh larder. When I run out of space, I simply make a food donation to Cat's Protection and/or give it away to newly DX'd diabetic kitties around town!

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[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Ha! Same here, Diana! One half of the kitchen is full of lentils & veggie noms, the other is full of tinned dead beasties. :sad:

If they 'go off' a variety, I simply keep it & rotate it in a few months time. It helps having a set of steps down to the cellar which I can clutter with trip hazards use as a kitteh larder. When I run out of space, I simply make a food donation to Cat's Protection and/or give it away to newly DX'd diabetic kitties around town!

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:lol: :lol: :lol:
Juliet, you really make me laugh. I know you're a busy gal but I honestly wish you'd post more often, cos you really brighten my day!