| Myths about proper diets for our cats | | | | and teeth, provided a proper balance is |
| seem always to be with us. Some of these | | | | maintained. This balance is usually not |
| myths may have a grain of truth, but | | | | present in meat. If large quantities of |
| this truth is often greatly exaggerated | | | | raw meat are fed over time, skeletal |
| or misapplied. Other myths are nurtured | | | | problems may develop. |
| by misinformation and mistrust. | | | | We tend to think of liver as being a |
| A current myth that could be threatening | | | | "healthy" meat. Served with other foods, |
| to our cats' health involves raw meat | | | | it is a beneficial part of many human |
| diets for dogs and cats. The proponents | | | | diets. Liver has a high level of vitamin |
| of this belief question the | | | | A, a fat-soluble vitamin that is stored |
| wholesomeness and nutritional value of | | | | by the body. When liver is fed to cats |
| commercial cat foods. But, in fact, | | | | in large quantities over a period of |
| there is no scientific substantiation | | | | time, vitamin A toxicity can result. |
| for raw meat diets. | | | | This can lead to improper bone |
| The truth is that good quality cat foods | | | | development, lameness and bone |
| are backed by years of feline and canine | | | | decalcification. |
| nutrition studies. They are the result | | | | Raw meat carries the threat of bacteria |
| of scientific studies by researchers in | | | | and parasites. Salmonella is a bacterial |
| veterinary colleges and animal | | | | organism that can cause a variety of |
| nutritionists at reputable cat food | | | | disease in humans and animals. The risk |
| manufacturers. Ralston Purina Company, | | | | of salmonellosis is always present when |
| for example, began its cat nutrition | | | | cats are fed raw meat diets. Certain |
| studies over 70 years ago. This work | | | | species of tapeworm can be found in raw |
| continues as researchers launch new | | | | meat and passed on to a cat who ingests |
| studies to learn even more about the | | | | the meat. High quality commercial cat |
| relationship of diet to our cats' | | | | foods are carefully processed to protect |
| health. | | | | against salmonella or internal parasite |
| In our own diets, meat is combined with | | | | infection. |
| vegetables, fruits, breads and other | | | | It's true that cats and dogs consume a |
| foods to give us the balanced nutrition | | | | certain amount of muscle meat when they |
| we need. If we were to eat one | | | | eat wild animals for survival. However, |
| particular food consistently, chances | | | | they also consume the bones, intestinal |
| are we would become malnourished or | | | | contents and internal organs which come |
| develop health problems. No single food | | | | closer to providing a complete and |
| or food group can provide all the | | | | balanced diet. |
| nutrients we need in proper proportions. | | | | Attempting to supplement a raw meat diet |
| Manufacturers of good quality cat foods | | | | with vitamins and minerals is risky for |
| have incorporated all the nutrients a | | | | your cat's health. Certain vitamins and |
| dog or cat needs during a particular | | | | minerals react with one another. Unless |
| life stage into nutritionally complete | | | | they are present in the proper amounts a |
| and balanced diets. | | | | cat may suffer malnutrition. |
| Although meat is a source of protein, it | | | | When a myth involving cat nutrition is |
| has very low levels of calcium, a | | | | suddenly exploited, we should ask |
| mineral our cats require for proper bone | | | | ourselves: "What scientific research |
| and tooth development. Calcium also | | | | supports this statement?" "Have |
| plays an important role in blood | | | | veterinary colleges done research to |
| clotting, muscle contraction and | | | | validate it?" "Do respected researchers |
| transmission of nerve impulses. | | | | in the fields of canine and feline |
| It's important to remember that | | | | nutrition support it?" "They said" or "I |
| nutrients do not work alone, and calcium | | | | heard that" do not provide the |
| is no exception. Mineral nutrients are | | | | substantiation we need when confronted |
| interrelated. Calcium and phosphorus | | | | with myths involving the nutrition and |
| have a scientifically established | | | | well-being of our special companions. |
| relationship in the formation of bones | | | | |