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