Our feline friends are plagued with numerous health issues such as cancer, arthritis, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, hyperthyroid, diabetes, allergies, kidney failure, respiratory, and autoimmune problems.  Most of these health issues can be resolved through diet.  Commercial cat foods were not available to consumers until the 1960’s.  Prior to this time cats were fed raw or cooked meats or left to catch their own meals.  A 10-year feeding study of cats, conducted over 70 years ago by Francis M. Pottenger, Jr., M.D., showed that cats thrived when fed raw food [1].

As obligate carnivores, cats require certain nutrients that can only be found in animal tissues.  Their digestive system is not designed to process grains or vegetables since they have very short intestinal tracts and lack the presence of salivary amylase.  Salivary amylase initiates the digestion of plant material.  It is probable that commercial food causes the intestinal tract to lengthen resulting in loss of tone and elasticity resulting in chronic diarrhea and constipation. Processed foods, high in sugars and salt, aggravate and trigger such conditions as arthritis, diabetes, cancer, and ultimately result in obesity.  Cats, originally desert type animals, receive most of their fluids from the foods they eat.  Dry foods produce a chronic state of dehydration, which can lead to kidney failure.  A fresh meat diet does not contain added salt or sugar and provides adequate hydration. 

Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid involved with immune function, bile salt formation, nervous system and cardiac function.  Cats have a limited ability to synthesize taurine from the foods they eat.  Taurine is present in raw meat and eggs.  Heart is high in taurine, niacin, and potassium. 

Tricks to Transition

Cats become easily addicted to the texture and shape of the foods they eat.  This would help explain why commercial foods are available in various different shapes and sizes.  Some felines easily make the transition to a fresh meat diet while others provide a bit of a challenge. 

Techniques to help entice the most finicky eaters include:

Some cats might miss a few meals before they accept this new feeding concept and others will dive in. Anorexia is a possibility so limit hunger strikes to a few days.   Vomiting is often a result of gorging or adjusting to new foods.  Feeding smaller portions can resolve vomiting issues. Health benefits of a fresh meat diet include increased vitality, resolution of chronic health issues, decreased stool volume and disappearance of litter box order. Animals with chronic health issues such as diabetes can be a challenge to transition but ultimately derive the greatest benefit from a fresh meat diet. Close monitoring is critical as these pets are transitioned to this new diet. 

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