Feeding a cat?

Question

I have an 8 year old cat that I have always fed wet and dry food to. I only feed her organic cat food with no by products in it. Because of the recent pet food recalls I stopped feeding her wet food as the options seemed so limited of which food was safe and am now only feeding her organic dry food. She seems content with only the dry but I am wondering if she was getting more nutrients by eating both or if it is OK to just keep her on the diet of only dry?

Thanks for your advice.

Answer 1

Wow - lots of misinformation here!

Dry food does not "remove tartar from teeth". Cats tend to swallow their food whole - so it doesn't come enough in contact with their teeth to do anything. And no - a diet of only dry food is not good for a cat. In fact, dry foods aren't good for cats period - especially an older cat. Dry food contains far too little moisture - cats need moisture for their kidneys. Dry food contains far too many carboydrates - which leads to obesity. Dry food is popular because it's cheap and it's easy. But is "cheap and easy" worth it when your cat will end up with health issues? I can guarantee those vet bills will be FAR more expensive than buying it canned food! There's LOTS of great foods out there that weren't involved in these recalls. But you're not going to find them in a grocery store. Try the higher end stores and brands like Nutro, AvoMed and Merrick's.

You can also supplement your cat's diet with homemade foods. Not only is it great for them but it's SO inexpensive! I cook up chicken hearts (I just paid $1.07 for a large package of frozen hearts) and chicken livers ($1.25) in some water, pour off some of the water and then chop it up in the blender to make a chunky soup. I freeze the soup in ice cube trays so it'll keep longer - popping out a cube or two and microwaving it till it's melted and just slightly warm. Not only do my cats LOVE this but it's so good for them since it's pure protein, loaded with taurine and obviously isn't going to contain anything other than what I've put in.

Here's a couple of articles about what cats should be fed and why dry foods are so bad:

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=whycatsneedcannedfood

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=whatcatsshouldeatexcerpt

Answer 2

If you are only feeding her dry food then make sure she is getting water as well. Cats get moisture from wet food as some cats won't drink water. I keep all three down for mine and they are very content. Was the organic wet you feeding her on the list of recalled foods? If not give it to her!

Answer 3

Generally, wet food is preferred (closer to a raw diet and it helps them get their daily water intake), although cats can live just fine on dry only. I feed mine both. But the pet food recall really only affected a small portion of the products on the market, and primarily the ones with "cuts" or "chunks". Most regular canned is fine, so most likely you can just go back to doing what you were doing in the first place. I'm sure your pet store isn't carrying any recalled food at this point, and if you have any doubts about the brand, ask the clerk.

Answer 4

You could feed your cat some cooked chicken, fish, or beef mixed with rice for a meal or two. Milk gives cats diarrhea & can cause lactose intolerance, so give none or only small quantities. However, if its milk or starvation, I guess you give milk. I don't know if you just forgot to pick up food at the store & this is a one time thing, or if you have no means of providing for the cat. If you have no money & need food, sometimes the Humane Society or other groups can assist for a short perior of time. Please make your kitty a priority & be sure you are meeting it's "Needs" before meeting your "Wants".

Answer 5

You can feed her just dry. We rarely do wet at our house. But if you can find a canned food that wasn't on the list, it'd be good for her. There are imp. nutrients in the cans plus more water. Which is very good for cats.

Answer 6

Dry food is good for reduction of tartar build up on the teeth.. If you feel like your cat is lacking in the nutrients it needs... They make a vitamin gravy you can add to the dry food...(Which I am most certain is safe)
They sell it at pet stores... I would say if your cat is fine with it though, you should have nothing to worry about...

Answer 7

Dry food is fine for your cat. having wet food was probably more liked to the cat, but if it is organic, then it has all the things she needs in it. Also, if it is organic, then it probably is not the brand that has had a recall.

Good Luck

Answer 8

You do have options. And I think they're healthier than tinned foods filled with preservatives.
Get a chicken breast, deboned. Boil it until cooked, or like so manhy of us you can feed it raw (chances of salmonella are negligible). Get a little bit of chicken livers and cook as well. Feed that to the cat.
Wet food can mostly prevent UTI, so it's important.

Answer 9

I HAVE ALWAYS FED MY CATS DRY FOOD. THE LITTLE BABIES I FEED THE DRY KITTEN FOOD. I BUY "SPECIAL KITTY" FOR THE ADULTS AND THE SAME BRAND, FOR THE KITTENS. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CHEAPER FOODS. MY OLDEST CAT NOW IS 11 1/2 YEARS OLD. MY OLD CAT DIED 2 YEARS AGO AT THE AGE OF 18 1/2.

Answer 10

You do have options. And I think they're healthier than tinned foods filled with preservatives.
Get a chicken breast, deboned. Boil it until cooked, or like so manhy of us you can feed it raw (chances of salmonella are negligible). Get a little bit of chicken livers and cook as well. Feed that to the cat.
Wet food can mostly prevent UTI, so it's important.