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