RECOMMENDED RAW!

[Mimis mom]

So I have tried lots of raw brands, and the one that I am the most impressed with so far (the poops being how Dr. Lisa describes them on her catinfo.org page) is a company called Vital Essentials!

I called the company today and they said they use the highest level of organ meats so they don't need to add any additional carbohydrates (like some raw companies add squash, greens, cranberries, carrots, which Mimi had been on for a while and still got diabetes, and STILL went DKA. The company is Primal.)
She explained that having a lot of organ meat means that the small percentage of carbs we predict they get when they catch their prey in the wild, comes from that lingers in the liver, and other organs, instead of actually "adding" fruits and vegetables..
All I know is Mimi has been on a 95% meat diet for years canned or more recently raw and she still was slightly overweight and still got diabetes. It doesn't make any sense to me but for that reason I am terrified to give her any added carbs. Maybe she was predisposed, or has a more sensitive body than my other cat.

www.vitalessentialsraw.com

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

First, this statement does not make sense: "...the small percentage of carbs we predict they get when they catch their prey in the wild, comes from that lingers in the liver, and other organs..." Food goes from mouth to throat to stomach to small and then large intestine. Food doesn't linger in the liver. The carbs that a cat gets in the wild may be what is semi-digested in the intestines and stomach but not from what is considered organ meat.

Diet is not the only factor that causes a cat or human to develop diabetes. Genetics is also a factor.

I would also be remiss if I didn't point out that some cats do better if they have some carbs in their diet. That's not to say it needs to be extreme but for some cats a zero carb or low percent carb diet isn't ideal. The kitty may do better on a 7 or 8% carb food.

 

[Sylvie]

VE is good somewhat but, i found them to be too inconsistence as far as bone percentage go AND the size of the bones can be a safety issue IMO. tux use to eat VE duck patties for main meals before he went hypo once and oddly suddenly became allergic to anything duck. the duck was often full of sharp unbreakable bone pieces galore and the turkey had issues too at times and it also oddly varied in color. assuming you are using the patties, ALWAYS check for bones!

my personal now favorite ‘freeze-dried’ raw is stella & chewy’s rabbit, no worrying about bones pieces..i’d rather he ate the fresh raw meats like i feed my dog which include organs/etc in them too, but so far no luck.. if you ever decide to go that actual raw route, these folks are pretty affordable compared to almost all (the raw meats they have isn’t just for dogs, both species can eat them too) https://www.topqualitydogfood.com/product-category/pmr-grinds/

 

[Mimis mom]

First, this statement does not make sense: "...the small percentage of carbs we predict they get when they catch their prey in the wild, comes from that lingers in the liver, and other organs..." Food goes from mouth to throat to stomach to small and then large intestine. Food doesn't linger in the liver. The carbs that a cat gets in the wild may be what is semi-digested in the intestines and stomach but not from what is considered organ meat.

Diet is not the only factor that causes a cat or human to develop diabetes. Genetics is also a factor.

I would also be remiss if I didn't point out that some cats do better if they have some carbs in their diet. That's not to say it needs to be extreme but for some cats a zero carb or low percent carb diet isn't ideal. The kitty may do better on a 7 or 8% carb food.

well in their ingredients it says "whole turkey" so Im guessing it means intestines and stomach?

 

[Mimis mom]

VE is good somewhat but, i found them to be too inconsistence as far as bone percentage go AND the size of the bones can be a safety issue IMO. tux use to eat VE duck patties for main meals before he went hypo once and oddly suddenly became allergic to anything duck. the duck was often full of sharp unbreakable bone pieces galore and the turkey had issues too at times and it also oddly varied in color. assuming you are using the patties, ALWAYS check for bones!

my personal now favorite ‘freeze-dried’ raw is stella & chewy’s rabbit, no worrying about bones pieces..i’d rather he ate the fresh raw meats like i feed my dog which include organs/etc in them too, but so far no luck.. if you ever decide to go that actual raw route, these folks are pretty affordable compared to almost all (the raw meats they have isn’t just for dogs, both species can eat them too) https://www.topqualitydogfood.com/product-category/pmr-grinds/

I did notice there being bigger pieces of bone then Ive seen before but its not cooked, and from what I understand thats ok. I also feed raw chicken necks which means they crunch up bone as well. I hear them crunching the bone, but yes, it still makes me a little nervous..
All I know is I had Mimi on very low carb wet food for years and she was overweight and developed diabetes, so any carb content scares me now.

 

[Mimis mom]

well in their ingredients it says "whole turkey" so Im guessing it means intestines and stomach?

in the wild cats don't eat berries, and other vegetables right, so does it make sense to add them?

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Carbs are not what cause any organism to be overweight. Calories are the culprit. You were feeding Mimi too much food. Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes.