***********************************************
FEEDING SUGGESTIONS TO HELP OUTDOOR CATS SURVIVE
Jackie Page -
animalnetwork@pobox.com
[Please Note: Use these suggestions if you like. But recognize that
I am not a Vet. I do not guarantee the validity/safety of any of the
text/suggestions below. These suggestions are based on my own
readings and on my own personal experience with my cats. I welcome
any feedback from your experiences with these suggestions. [If you
want to print/send this to others - you must include this disclaimer]
1. BUTTER: CALORIES COUNT: The more Fat a cat has on its bones - the
more calories it can draw on for heat on those cold winter days and
nights - And, the more likely it will survive. One of the best ways
to provide extra calories - is to add Butter to their food.
(Although saturated Fats are not great for people - They are VERY
GOOD for cats. They tolerate these fats well without developing high
cholesterol) - and they NEED a substantial amount of Saturated Fats
in their diet. (I've read that UN-Saturated fats can actually be
harmful to cats)
TYPE OF BUTTER: I prefer to use unsalted. (If the cats have easy
and regular access to (clean) water - then a salted may not be so
bad. If not - a salted butter may contribute to dehydration.)
AMOUNT OF BUTTER: Don't give too much at one time - a LOT of Fat
could cause diarrhea. I give several of my indoor cats about
1 teaspoon of butter a day. (2 Teaspoons can push some of mine
over) You'll have to use your judgement on how MUCH your outdoor
cats can tolerate. (Unflavored Gelatin or Rice/Rice Water added to
food SHOULD counteract any diarrhea)
HOW TO GIVE: When the weather is not below freezing - or - if you
know the cats will eat quickly (Before food freezes) - the
easiest way to give butter is with wet foods. Just melt the butter
first - and mix it in - or pour it over the food on the ground.
When there is a chance the food may freeze - you can just soak/pour
the butter over dry food. It will solidify - but cats will eat it
anyway (And, it won't freeze as readily as water). Cats LIKE the
taste of butter - they may even eat more.
2. TAURINE: This is one of the most important nutrients you can
give to a cat. A real WINNER. This is an Amino Acid which is a VERY
strong Immune-Booster - which also acts to protect the Heart, Eyes,
Kidneys, Thyroid and MORE. It helps protect cats in many ways. It
is ESPECIALLY needed by cats that might be pregnant - and young
kittens. Kittens that do not receive enough Taurine In Utero
(because Mom didn't get enough) - may not even survive kittenhood (or
pregnancy!) From Internet readings - I think a Taurine Deficiency
may be the cause of the mysterious Fading Kitten Syndrome. Taurine
also helps protect the eyes against blindness (via infections and
damage to Rods & Cones) that commonly afflicts outdoor kittens
(and older cats).
[Re: Blindness - This is a quote from one of the Internet Sites I've
researched on: "Cats which are fed a taurine deficient diet may
become blind. This blindness, usually in kittens, is due to
degeneration of the light-sensitive cells in the eye. It can be
reversed if it is caught early enough and the animal's diet is
supplemented with taurine."]
It appears to me that Outdoor Cats, in general, probably have a
strong tendency toward Taurine deficiency - since most do not
get enough meat in their diet (which is the only good source of
Taurine). Many more outdoor cats could be much healthier if
they received Taurine Supplementation in their food.
Even if you are feeding a Catfood with Taurine added - the amount of
Taurine in Catfoods is not enough to protect a cat that has been
deficient for a long time. And - outdoor cats come into contact
with many germs - and are subject to extreme stress, and tend to be
undernourished. Extra Taurine could be a big help to their survival]
If you could get 50-100 mg (or more) into each cat every day - it
would be great. Even if you could do this only a couple of times a
week - it would help. It would be hard to Overdose outdoor cats. A
10-lb Cat can safely consume up to 500 mg a day. (Sickly cats should
really be given 250-500mg/Day per 10-lbs of weight)
I also STRONGLY RECOMMEND giving Taurine to ANY CATS THAT HAVE BEEN
RECENTLY RESCUED FROM OUTDOORS - Especially KITTENS or CATS that were
RECENTLY PREGNANT or CATS WITH EYE PROBLEMS - for all of the above
reasons. The amount of Taurine in Catfood is not enough to protect
a cat that has been deficient for a long time. They need therapeutic
levels for a while (250-500 mg/Day for a 10 lb cat. (And - There is
a possibility of REVERSAL of eye damage/blindness with higher doses)
Buy Taurine Powder in CAPSULES (from a Health Food Store). It's not
expensive. Just mix it with wet food. OR - dissolve the powder in
water - and soak/pour over Dry Food. (Cats don't seem to mind the
taste. I've tasted it - I detect no flavor whatsoever).
3. RAW, GROUND MEATS: If you can afford to go this way - this is
always a preferable diet to make a healthy cat. This is a cat's
natural diet. (Even if you feed this only once or twice a week - it
should help). Raw Meat has all the Protein & Mineral & enzyme
Requirements that cats need - and most of the vitamins. Meats are
also generally high in FAT - which is GOOD. This is not necessarily
a very expensive way to go - Some meats are cheaper than others (eg.
Ground Chicken, Lamb) - and - you can look for "buy one-get one free"
promotions. [DO NOT feed Raw Pork - Risk of contamination by
parasites is high].
Another cost-reducer on meats is this - I find
that I generally need to add water to Chopped Meats I buy for my cats
at the Supermarket as they tend to be a bit dry. (Especially Lamb).
These meats will generally absorb lots of water - sometimes DOUBLING
their volume - and HALVING the cost. This has the additional
benefit of providing water to outdoor cats (Water is not always
easily available to outdoor cats). [eg. At my supermarket (which is
very expensive) - I buy Chopped Lamb at /Lb. Once I add water -
The cost becomes /Lb - or - .00 for 8 Ounces (Or - you can add
plain chicken broth for added nutrition). You can also EXTEND ground
meats with catfood - so all cats will get some.
THANK YOU for feeding all those little guys - and Good Luck,
Jackie Page
animalnetwork@pobox.com
Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Jan. 25, 2005