Cats, Our Obligate Carnivore Companions.
Cats, they are by definition obligate carnivores. This means they biologically should be consuming a diet of meat, raw meat. This is the diet nature intended them to eat.
A typical dry cat food is entirely out of proportion for what the cats body needs. A cat needs a high moisture diet, a high quality protein diet, a diet with very little to no carbohydrates.
The Fussy Cat Transition
Guide
Cats are what we call imprint eaters. This means they have a natural tendency to not want to try new foods readily. This can make for a tough transition. Its very important to maintain consistency with cats during these stubborn streaks. I do believe that all cats can & will be able to get past it with consistency.
Step one: Stop all free feeding & get 2 -3 set meal times per day. This is a very important step and will need to be established before moving on.
Step two: If your cat has been on a dry food you need to make a gradual switch to a wet cat food. Wet foods come in different textures and flavors that can help in introducing fresh food to the cat. Aim to use as best a quality wet food as your budget allows. Do not move on until the cat is eating wet food at set times consistently.
Step three: Now its time to try adding meat. You should try a room temperature small piece of a bland white meat (chicken, turkey, rabbit). Offer it mixed in the wet food. If cat eats it then next meal try offering it on top of the wet food. You are going to gradually increase the meat portion up to 20% of the overall diet with the wet food. Go through this step with multiple proteins until you have a good variety of proteins the cat will eat.
Once the cat will eat enough variety to feed an all raw balanced diet you can start building your meals and feeding an all fresh food diet!
Having an easy way of making balanced meals can be challenging for some. I recommend to make things easy from the start to consider trying a product such as Alnutrin:
www.knowwhatyoufeed.com/alnutrin_supplements.html
Step one: Stop all free feeding & get 2 -3 set meal times per day. This is a very important step and will need to be established before moving on.
Step two: If your cat has been on a dry food you need to make a gradual switch to a wet cat food. Wet foods come in different textures and flavors that can help in introducing fresh food to the cat. Aim to use as best a quality wet food as your budget allows. Do not move on until the cat is eating wet food at set times consistently.
Step three: Now its time to try adding meat. You should try a room temperature small piece of a bland white meat (chicken, turkey, rabbit). Offer it mixed in the wet food. If cat eats it then next meal try offering it on top of the wet food. You are going to gradually increase the meat portion up to 20% of the overall diet with the wet food. Go through this step with multiple proteins until you have a good variety of proteins the cat will eat.
Once the cat will eat enough variety to feed an all raw balanced diet you can start building your meals and feeding an all fresh food diet!
Having an easy way of making balanced meals can be challenging for some. I recommend to make things easy from the start to consider trying a product such as Alnutrin:
www.knowwhatyoufeed.com/alnutrin_supplements.html
Cats NRC Iodine Requirement Debate
The NRC has set guidelines on nutrient requirements for cats. However a study has been conducted that has determined the NRC has set the iodine intake for cats at too high for daily consumption. You can read the study here. I do recommend this be followed as hypothyroidism is prevalent in cats and excess iodine can contribute to the problem.