High Blood Pressure Article by Feline Nutrition

  I am just sharing this information - original article can be found  at http://feline-nutrition.org/health/high-blood-pressure-yes-your-cat-can-get-it-too

All credit to its authors and publication

Updated: Sunday, October 22, 2017 02:08 PM

Published: Sunday, October 22, 2017 12:51 PM

Written by Mark E. Peterson, DVM, Dip. ACVIM
© 2017 Feline Nutrition Foundation
Read more at http://feline-nutrition.org/health/high-blood-pressure-yes-your-cat-can-get-it-too
All content on this website is © Feline Nutrition Foundation 2008 – present. Individual authors may have additional copyright. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the Feline Nutrition Foundation is strictly prohibited.
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The Feline Nutrition Foundation One Page Guides may be freely distributed as long as they have not been altered in any way. You may also post them on your website or blog as long as you give credit to the Feline Nutrition Foundation as the original source and provide the following link: http://felinenutritionfoundation.org/one-page-guides
You must contact us at media@feliennutritionfoundation.org in advance for permission to reproduce materials in whole or in part for the following: broadcast, commercial uses, mirroring or print publication.

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure, which is a common problem in older cats. In cats, hypertension is commonly found as a complication of other underlying medical conditions, so-called secondary hypertension. However, primary or essential hypertension, i.e., hypertension that develops without any underlying medical disorder, may also be seen in cats.¹

 

In contrast to people, where essential hypertension is most common, secondary hypertension is more common in cats. The most common cause of secondary hypertension in cats is chronic kidney disease, called CKD. After CKD, the next most common causes for hypertension in cats are all hormonal problems.¹ These include the following:

 

• Hyperthyroidism, caused by a tumor of the thyroid gland that over secretes thyroid hormone.
• Hyperaldosteronism or Conn's syndrome, usually caused by a tumor of the adrenal gland that secretes too much of the hormone aldosterone.
• Diabetes mellitus, caused by lack of sufficient insulin secretion by the pancreas, or resistance to the action of the body's insulin.
• Obesity. Yes, fat tissue is the body's largest endocrine gland, so obesity is a common endocrine disease.

 

Damaging Effects of Hypertension

 

Hypertension is damaging to the body. In general, hypertension becomes an issue when the blood pressure becomes too high for the vessels carrying the blood.

 

Imagine attaching a garden hose to a fire hydrant. The high pressure from the hydrant would cause the garden hose to explode. Hypertension is similar. When a blood vessel is too small for the pressure on it, it can "explode," causing internal bleeding. Since the affected vessels are small, the bleeding may not be noticeable, but a lot of little bleeds and a lot of blood vessel destruction can create big problems long-term.

 

The effects are most serious in certain vulnerable organs, including the eyes, brain, and kidneys.
© 2017 Feline Nutrition Foundation
Read more at http://feline-nutrition.org/health/high-blood-pressure-yes-your-cat-can-get-it-too
All content on this website is © Feline Nutrition Foundation 2008 – present. Individual authors may have additional copyright. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the Feline Nutrition Foundation is strictly prohibited.
The materials on this website are available for your non-commercial personal use. You may reproduce (i.e., print, make photocopies and download) materials from this website without prior permission for non-commercial personal purposes.
You may reference or quote up to 100 words of any of the original text content from Feline Nutrition in your own blog articles, presentations or documents, as long as you provide the title, author and the specific link to the URL of the article you are referencing. It is never acceptable to selectively quote from articles in a manner that changes their meaning, to take quotes out of context or to combine quotes to create a sentence. Contact us at media@feliennutritionfoundation.org in advance for permission to use more than 100 word excerpts.
The Feline Nutrition Foundation One Page Guides may be freely distributed as long as they have not been altered in any way. You may also post them on your website or blog as long as you give credit to the Feline Nutrition Foundation as the original source and provide the following link: http://felinenutritionfoundation.org/one-page-guides
You must contact us at media@feliennutritionfoundation.org in advance for permission to reproduce materials in whole or in part for the following: broadcast, commercial uses, mirroring or print publication.

 Eyes: The retina in the back of the eye is especially at risk in cats with hypertension - sudden or gradual blindness is often the first sign of latent hypertension. Bleeding into the eye and retinal changes such as swelling and detachment can occur. This may result in damage to the cat's vision which is often permanent. In some cats, bleeding into the front of the eye can be seen without the use of special ophthalmology equipment.

Brain and central nervous system: If a blood vessel ruptures in the brain, the cat may develop neurological signs such as changes in behavior, a wobbly or drunken gait, seizures, dementia, and even coma. In addition to hemorrhage, high blood pressure also increases the risk of embolism, tiny blood clots that form when blood flow is abnormal. These clots can lodge in dangerous locations, such as the brain.

Kidneys: The kidney can also be affected, as it relies on tiny vessels to filter toxins from the bloodstream. Not only is kidney disease the most important cause of hypertension in cats, but CKD also progresses much more rapidly in the presence of high blood pressure. Even in cats that have hypertension from another cause, high blood pressure damages the kidneys and may increase the risk of kidney failure developing.

Clinical Findings in Feline Hypertension

In many cats, no specific clinical signs of hypertension will be seen until the condition advances to the point when blindness develops from spontaneous bleeding into the eye or retina.

As hypertension is often secondary to another disease, most cats with hypertension will be showing signs attributable to their underlying problem. For example, hyperthyroid cats will generally have weight loss in spite of an increased appetite and hyperactivity as the major clinical signs. Cats with CKD or diabetes will generally show an increase in thirst and urination.

Diagnosis of Hypertension in Cats

Early recognition of hypertension is important to minimize the damaging effects of persistently high blood pressure on the eyes and other organs.¹ ² Without obvious signs of hypertension, such as blindness, we can diagnose hypertension through screening, as in humans.

If your cat has one of the disorders commonly associated with secondary hypertension, such as renal disease or hyperthyroidism, your veterinarian should check its blood pressure. I recommend that even healthy cats have their blood pressure checked annually, especially if they are over ten years old. Measuring blood pressure only takes a few minutes, is completely pain-free and is extremely well tolerated by most cats.

A complete eye examination is also essential since ocular disease is common in hypertensive cats. In mildly affected cats, subtle changes to the appearance of the blood vessels at the back of the eye and to the retina itself may be seen. In more severely affected cats, the changes can be dramatic and include retinal detachment and bleeding into the eye.

Treatment of Feline Hypertension

For any cat diagnosed as having hypertension, our goal of treatment is three-fold:

• To reduce the blood pressure using anti-hypertensive drugs.
• To search for an underlying disease, such as kidney disease, which has caused the hypertension. In some cases, for example hyperthyroidism, treatment of the underlying disease may also resolve the high blood pressure.
• To assess what complications of hypertension are present, such as ocular disease.
  © 2017 Feline Nutrition Foundation
  Read more at http://feline-nutrition.org/health/high-blood-pressure-yes-your-cat-can-get-it-too
  All content on this website is © Feline Nutrition Foundation 2008 – present. Individual authors may have additional copyright. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the Feline Nutrition Foundation is strictly prohibited.
  The materials on this website are available for your non-commercial personal use. You may reproduce (i.e., print, make photocopies and download) materials from this website without prior permission for non-commercial personal purposes.
  You may reference or quote up to 100 words of any of the original text content from Feline Nutrition in your own blog articles, presentations or documents, as long as you provide the title, author and the specific link to the URL of the article you are referencing. It is never acceptable to selectively quote from articles in a manner that changes their meaning, to take quotes out of context or to combine quotes to create a sentence. Contact us at media@feliennutritionfoundation.org in advance for permission to use more than 100 word excerpts.
  The Feline Nutrition Foundation One Page Guides may be freely distributed as long as they have not been altered in any way. You may also post them on your website or blog as long as you give credit to the Feline Nutrition Foundation as the original source and provide the following link: http://felinenutritionfoundation.org/one-page-guides
  You must contact us at media@feliennutritionfoundation.org in advance for permission to reproduce materials in whole or in part for the following: broadcast, commercial uses, mirroring or print publication.

Cats vary in their response to anti-hypertensive drugs and some will require dose adjustments to normalize their blood pressure. Once stabilized, hypertensive cats should have their blood pressure monitored every two to four months to ensure that the pressure remains normal.

Dr Mark E. Peterson has been deeply involved in clinical research for over 35 years, and remains at the forefront of the science that advances the study and knowledge of endocrine diseases of cats. He was the first veterinarian to document hyperthyroidism in cats (1979) and the first to treat hyperthyroid cats with radioiodine (in 1980). In addition to hyperthyroidism, Dr. Peterson was the first to document a number of "new" diseases in cats, including acromegaly, hypoparathyroidism, insulinoma, and Addison's disease. Dr. Peterson is director of the Animal Endocrine Clinic in New York City, a specialty referral hospital devoted exclusively to the care of cats and dogs with endocrine disease.

  1. RE Jepson, "Feline Systemic Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis," Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 13, 2011, 25-34.

  1. RL Stepien, "Feline Systemic Hypertension: Diagnosis and Management," Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 35, 2011, 35-43.
© 2017 Feline Nutrition Foundation
Read more at http://feline-nutrition.org/health/high-blood-pressure-yes-your-cat-can-get-it-too
All content on this website is © Feline Nutrition Foundation 2008 – present. Individual authors may have additional copyright. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the Feline Nutrition Foundation is strictly prohibited.
The materials on this website are available for your non-commercial personal use. You may reproduce (i.e., print, make photocopies and download) materials from this website without prior permission for non-commercial personal purposes.
You may reference or quote up to 100 words of any of the original text content from Feline Nutrition in your own blog articles, presentations or documents, as long as you provide the title, author and the specific link to the URL of the article you are referencing. It is never acceptable to selectively quote from articles in a manner that changes their meaning, to take quotes out of context or to combine quotes to create a sentence. Contact us at media@feliennutritionfoundation.org in advance for permission to use more than 100 word excerpts.
The Feline Nutrition Foundation One Page Guides may be freely distributed as long as they have not been altered in any way. You may also post them on your website or blog as long as you give credit to the Feline Nutrition Foundation as the original source and provide the following link: http://felinenutritionfoundation.org/one-page-guides
You must contact us at media@feliennutritionfoundation.org in advance for permission to reproduce materials in whole or in part for the following: broadcast, commercial uses, mirroring or print publication.

Baby Days

Baby days

Kender Siberians Continue to scan HCM clear

We are pleased to share - that again , our kitties are HCM clear. 
Today 3 Kender bred Siberians scanned normal/negative for HCM at the Irvine clinic. 

Ch. Kender's Complicit Force -"Ivanka" this was her first scan , we look forward to her offspring planning for next year. She is a youngster just 11 months of age. 

next was Ch Kender's Brother Bear -"Koda" also his first scanning at just 10 months of age. We look forward to a successful show and breeding career for him.

and lastly was Kender's Trecorum Satis Dee -"Didi" who is turning 6 this coming year, and continues to scan clear/negative from a long line of HCM clear pedigree.

Dedication - Health - Type - Temperament

Home Made Cat Food - RAW

all credit given to writers/sites - we are just sharing.  Homemade Cat Food

How To Make The Best Homemade Cat Food (Including Raw Diet Recipes!)

Let’s face it. There’s just something special about home-cooked meals that no restaurant – even the fanciest – can replicate. Nothing compares to the delicious taste of a personal feast.
Why should kitty be left out? After all, she’s part of the family too! Giving her leftovers from your plate isn’t the same as making a healthy dish of her very own – created with her unique nutritional needs in mind.
It’s a lot easier than you might think. You can make excellent cat food from simple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen. It’s fast, affordable, and extremely satisfying.
In this article we’ll explain everything you need to know to become the ultimate feline chef – from ingredients and tools, to recipes and useful tips.

Why Should You Make Your Own Cat Food?

Besides the obvious pride you’ll feel in creating tasty treats, there are numerous real benefits to homemade cat food.

• It’s more natural. Cats are highly-evolved predators. A diet made entirely of commercial foods can satisfy their nutritional needs, but will not satisfy their carnivorous instincts as well as the best home recipes.
• It’s healthier. Kitties have sharp, pointy teeth that were meant to slice and tear through raw meat. Processed foods don’t provide the same oral health benefits. There are countless health benefits to natural foods.
• It’s easier to digest. As your little predator chomps and chews her way through your delicious meal, signals are sent to her stomach to prepare important gastric acids to aid in digestion.
• It’s more fun. Kitty will have a lot more fun eating the recipes we’ve prepared on this list – and you’ll have a lot more fun watching her eat!
• It’s easier to control. The fact is, by sourcing your ingredients and owning the process, you will have complete control over your cat’s diet. This is an important responsibility for the true cat guardian.

These are just a few reasons to make your own cat food, but you’ll find many more as you dig deeper into the world of feline cuisine.
However, there is one very important question to answer before you get started!

Should You Use Raw Food or Cooked?

This is a more complicated question than it seems.
Many feline experts advocate one or the other. Dedicated cat guardians often draw a line in the sand and defend their position religiously.
The truth is that both types of homemade cat food – raw and cooked – can offer benefits to your little furball.
Making sure kitty gets a well-balanced diet that fills her nutritional needs is the most critical factor in protecting her health.
The prospect of giving your beloved critter raw food can be daunting. Cooking food removes many natural proteins and nutrients found in the wild. However, it also removes bacteria and other microorganisms that can pose a risk to kitty’s health. Since childhood we’ve been told about the dangers posed by eating raw foods. It’s easy to think about negative consequences.
Your cat’s biology is entirely built around the consumption of small animals caught in the wild. What seems dangerous to you is perfectly natural to her. The truth is that you can prepare a raw diet that is completely safe for your cats. You just need to be selective about your ingredients and pay careful attention to food safety.
As long as the meat comes from a healthy animal, it’s almost certainly free from any pathogens. The bacteria exist only on the surface – which can be thoroughly and safely cleaned. Internal muscle tissue in healthy animals is free from dangerous microbes. They have the same strong immune systems that you do.
This is why raw pre-ground meat is never recommended fot kitty. The grinding process introduces surface bacteria into the muscle tissue which is impossible to clean away. Keep in mind that grinding at home is excellent, because there’s no time for the bacteria to form.
You don’t have to choose one or the other. A controlled baking process aimed at providing just enough heat to eliminate surface bacteria without breaking down nutrients is a possible compromise to the raw/cooked controversy.
The bottom line is that raw is completely fine if you get quality ingredients, keep everything very clean, and do not let meat sit out. If you’re very diligent about this kind of stuff, then you can certainly feel free to go for it! If you prefer to be extra sure or aren’t 100% confident in the kitchen, maybe cooking is right for you.
Remember: Your feline friend depends completely on you for all her needs. Make sure you consider her quirky personality before you make any rash decisions!

How To Transition To Homemade Food

Pets are often like children, and they all come equipped with their own unique personalities.
Some are whimsical and capricious – they flit from one thing to the next and prefer a life of excitement and rapid change. These adventurous predators might take to a new diet as if they’ve been waiting their entire lives.
Others prefer a set, ordered routine – and they’ll learn quickly how to interpret your daily life in a way that best suits their purposes. They’ll require more structure and patience.
A gradual change into the new diet plan is best for both you and the cat. Instead of going whole-hog right away and dropping kitty into the deep end, why not try the occasional homemade feast on certain select days?
You could begin offering kitty your newest recipe once or twice a week, and gauge her reactions.

Another idea is to mix in the new food with her old, gradually replacing it in greater proportions as she becomes accustomed to the new diet.
Don’t be discouraged if she’s less than enthusiastic about your new culinary masterpiece! She knows for certain what she likes, and many cats are more stubborn than toddlers. Getting her to try something different could take some time.
Also consider your cat’s age. If it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks, imagine how difficult it is to get a mature kitty to change her habits!
Again, to properly care for your beloved pet requires patience and authority. Show her the way forward with calm assurance, and she will eventually come around. Even the most stubborn kitties can be persuaded.
Structure is important. No more free-range access to dry kibble in the feeder and other commercial treats. You’ll need to take an active role in your kitty’s diet.
Don’t worry. You’ll have a wide variety of exciting dishes to choose from. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular recipes, tested and proven on cats of all ages and tastes.

Popular Recipe

So, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. What exactly are you going to feed little kitty?
Remember: The benefit of homemade meals is that you can create dishes that more closely mimic the healthy, natural diet that allowed kitties to evolve over thousands of years into the perfectly pristine little predators they are today.
This means the meals you create will be made primarily of three primary ingredients: Meat, bones, and organs.

Meat

Meats are the foundation of every cat diet. All cats of any age and breed want healthy, natural meat. A kitty’s diet needs to be from 60-80% meat so she gets enough animal proteins and amino acids. Taurine, lysine, arginine, and cysteine are the most important.

Bones

Bones are an equally important source of important minerals for your cat. While health animal meat provides a good source of phosphorous, the bones are rich in calcium and other minerals.

Organs

Organs provide amino acids and nutrients not found in lean muscle or bone. ‘To recreate’ your kitty’s natural prey (such as mice) you should be including healthy fats found in organs. Organs are also an importance source of water, which is important for kitty (cats tend to be lazy drinkers!)
We’ve looked all over for recipes, and although many websites and cat owners give a wide variety of information regarding what foods you can actually use, very few have unique recipes that are sufficient for your cat’s nutrient needs.
Rather than give you a list of sub-par recipes, we’ve chosen two – just two – to recommend. These are both high in protein, low (or no) carbs, and trusted by many raw-fed experts. In fact, the raw chicken recipe is found on almost any homemade cat food page that’s even decently reputable.
I didn’t reinvent the wheel. I typically use the chicken recipe listed below, but I know many people love to experiment with rabbit or a cooked meal as well, which is why I included the stew recipe, too.

Rabbit Stew – Cooked

With credit to Natural Cat Care by Christopher Day.
Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb rabbit meat – cut into small pieces
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• A dash of parsley, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram
• Unsalted vegetable stock
• Several grams of sweet potato, carrot, celery, and peas

1. Sautee rabbit in the olive oil
2. Sprinkle with herbs and add vegetable stock, bringing to a boil.
3. Reduce heat and cook through.
4. Add chopped veggies and return to the oven for another 45 mins.
5. Let cool to room temperature and serve.
6. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge, or freeze

Raw Chicken Cat Food Recipe – Raw * (The Gold Standard)

With credit to Feline-Nutrition.org!
Ingredients:

• 4.5 lbs chicken thighs (including bone and skin!)
• 14 oz chicken hearts (or extra meat/bone source with 4000mg taurine supplement)
• 7 oz chicken livers
• 2 cups water
• 4 egg yolks or whole eggs (optional)
• 200 mg Vitamin B supplement
• 800 IU Vitamin E
• 1.5 teaspoons of light iodized salt (be sparing! Too much salt can be dangerous for kitty.)
• 2000 mg taurine

1. Roughly half of the skin and 20% of the bone should be removed and discarded.
2. Slice and dice most of the thighs into small bite-sized portions.
3. Grind the rest of the thigh meat, bones, liver, and hearts at home (avoid buying pre-ground meat products if possible!) Stir very well.
4. In a large bowl, combine all vitamin supplements, salt, and eggs, and add the 2 cups of water. Whisk the eggs well.
5. You should now have three main mixtures – the sliced/sheared meat, the ground meat/bone, and the supplement bowl. All of these should now be combined and mixed thoroughly.
6. Store in an airtight container that allows room for expansion as the food freezes. Leave a day or two’s worth of meal in the fridge and freeze the rest.

This recipe will make about 100 ounces of food, and the average cat eats around 4-5 ounces of food per day.
To reheat frozen food, thaw with warm water to room temperatures.
Never use the microwave to thaw kitty’s food! The microwave cooks ingredients in an uneven fashion and will break down many important proteins your cat needs.
As you can see, preparing your kitty’s food isn’t much different from preparing your own. There are recipes that call for cooking, and recipes that rely on healthy raw ingredients.
Whichever recipes you decide to utilize, there are important tools you will likely find necessary to enjoy the full benefits of homemade cat cuisine.

Tools Necessary To Do The Job

As you may have noticed, there is more preparation and care that goes into the meat products than you might have experienced cooking for yourself.
This is because unlike cats, which are obligate carnivores, we can live on an omnivorous diet and have a wide range of choices when it comes to satisfying our nutritional requirements.
If you’re serious about kitty culinary excellence, these are some additions to your kitchen you must have.

 You will also be grinding up bones, so don’t skimp on quality .

Heavy-Duty Meat Cleaver

Yes, you’ll be taking on the role of kitchen butcher as well. A sharp, sturdy cleaver will be an essential tool in your arsenal as you slice and dice raw meat into dainty, bite-size morsels for your cat.

Poultry shears

Some bones (such as turkey) will have to be cut down to smaller pieces before you put them into your grinder.

Mortar and pestle   (mind you for this section we use and recommend Nu Vet vitamins exsclusively !
http://www.nuvet.com/25168

You will likely to have to grind up supplements in pill form and sprinkle them into the meals so kitty can get the full range of vitamins and minerals.

Air-tight storage containers

Whether you use Ziploc bags, glass containers, or Tupperware, you will certainly need to freeze food for long-term storage.

Of course, you will also need to use normal kitchen implements like bowls, whisks, etc.

The Best Ingredients (And What To Avoid)

A good dish is only as healthy as the ingredients you use to make it.
The main ingredient source you’ll need to consider will be protein. No recipe should have more than 10% carbs.

The Best

Poultry (especially chicken) is the staple of most homemade cat diets. Whole chicken (with skin!) will be the go-to source of protein for your kitty; just make sure you get a fowl source of meat that isn’t foul. Turkey, quail, cornish hens, and other small game birds are ideal because they have small delicate bones and low fat content.
Small game like rabbits suit a cat’s unique digestive system perfectly. You’ll likely have to find a source of healthy rabbits from an online provider – unless you’re lucky enough to live on a farm, in which case you can raise them yourself! There are also sites that sell whole, frozen small game animals, ready to eat if you want your cat to have the real experience.

Not Ideal

Beef is less common in kitty diets. Ground beef for human consumption is not recommended, and bovine muscle has much more fat in general. Your feline pet is not a fan of too much fat; her natural diet has very little. Also, most beef you find today is loaded with antibiotics and growth hormones. Who wants to drug their delicate pet with nasty human chemicals?
Fish is not recommended as a general rule, mainly because safe sources of raw fish are not easy to find. Some species have concentrations of mercury that are unsafe for cats, plus cats often get super addicted to fish because it has such a strong scent and taste. In other words, they won’t want to eat anything else. Oops. Fish contains an enzyme called thiaminase which can lead to vitamin B deficiencies if too much is consumed.
Pork should be avoided. Raw pork has a rare but serious parasite called trichinosis which can cause serious problems in your pets (and people). What makes this particular organism more dangerous than most is that it actually exists within muscle tissue, meaning that it’s impossible to control with food safety procedures. Besides, pork is very high in fat – no thanks!
The general idea with meat for your kitty is that it should be from animals that she would likely hunt in the wild.
Your kitty also needs carbs, but sparingly – around 10% of her diet should be carbohydrates.

Supplements

In the perfect world, kitty would get all vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids from natural sources in her diet.
However, in the real world, it is often impractical and difficult to ensure she gets the full spectrum from your food ingredients.
This is why you will likely need to purchase supplements to fill in the gaps.
Calcium is a crucial addition to her diet only if you’ve decided not to include bones in your recipes. Otherwise, it isn’t necessary to add any calcium to her dishes. Iodized lite salt is a necessary supplement if your cat isn’t getting any thyroid organs in her meals. Kitty is very sensitive to salt, so a source with less sodium than normal is recommended. Taurine is the most critical protein supplement your kitty needs. Buy some to sprinkle over dishes to ensure she gets as much of this critical ingredient as she needs. Fish oil provides a source of omega acids that are normally found in the eyes and brains of her wild prey. Vitamin E and Vitamin B complex should be in pill form so you can grind them up. These are essential vitamins and must be a part of any homemade feline diet. When you add supplements, be careful not to go overboard – err on the side of caution. You can add capsules directly to the grinding process, but I prefer to remove the cap of capsule supplements like fish oil and pour them in directly.
Usually it’s recommended to mix the supplements when you’re mixing all other ingredients together in the mixing bowl.

Storing The Food

Yes, food always tastes better when it’s fresh.
It’s healthier, and is richer in healthy enzymes and proteins that begin to degrade over time.
However, the modern lifestyle will probably make it difficult for you to find the time to make meals from scratch every day.
The homemade kitty diet is best when it’s done consistently and over a long period of time. The more trouble and inconvenience it is to prepare, the less likely you’ll stick to a healthy diet for your little furball.
That’s why storage is crucial! This is where your airtight containers come in handy.
Food can be stored in a fridge for no more than 3 days, and I personally throw food out after 2. The cold environment in your fridge does not kill or stop most organism growth; it simply slows it down.
You don’t want freezer burn, so when you store the extra food after preparation, do it as quickly as possible and with the tightest possible seal.

How Much Do Your Cats Need To Eat?

So how much food do your cats need to eat?
Notice I said need, not want!
This depends on the weight of your cat, its lifestyle and activity level, and its age.
As a general rule, most cats need a minimum of 30 grams of nutritious food daily. Larger cats will need anywhere from 40-60 grams, and the really big ones can go as high as 90!
In caloric terms, it’s recommended to get roughly 30 calories per pound of feline body weight.
Feed no more than twice a day and be sure to only put as much food down as she will eat. Throw away anything uneaten and do not be tempted to store it – this is a very bad idea from a food safety standpoint.
We definitely recommend chatting with your vet about your cat’s exact food needs.
But remember, you can always adjust! If you find your cat is meowing all through the night and is obviously hungry, try increasing the amount. If you increase the amount but notice your cat is gaining weight, she’s eating too much, so tone it back a bit.

FAQs / Things To Consider

So now you’ve gotten all the ingredients and supplements you need, the tools, freezer space – everything to begin an exciting journey into the world of homemade cat food.
I was super stoked when I first began. It’s natural to be enthusiastic – after all, this is healthier, more natural, and it certainly tastes better for my kitties.
So I guess it should be no surprise that I ran into problems almost immediately. My cats were both older and stubborn; they were used to a commercial cat food diet and weren’t impressed by my culinary competence.
Mixing a little of the new recipe with the older food was the key to my success, gradually weaning them off their older diet.
Another idea is to start it as a once or twice a week treat, and increase the frequency over time.
Be more patient than your cats, and be firm. They count on you to make the right choices – they’re pets, not owners! (I have to keep reminding myself of that.)
Sourcing raw ingredients is extremely important. Meats that are prepared for human consumption are not given the same strict antibacterial treatment as raw meats that are raised for pet consumption. Meat for you is meant to be cooked – so the standards are more lax.
Many providers exist that offer organic, healthy sources of meat like rabbits, ducks, chicken, etc. for your kitty. This will make it safe to feed raw ingredients.

Should you add any vegetables to their food?

The short answer is no, and the longer answer is no, not really, but you can if you’d like – in very small quantities. Your homemade cat food should be made from less than 10% carbohydrates.
Kitty’s digestive system is not equipped to deal with plant matter. A few sprinkles of parsley, a little corn or squash, etc, is fine to round out the meal, but it isn’t required.

Do different breeds need different recipes and ingredients?

No, the recipes and ingredients discussed here are appropriate for all breeds of pet kitties. However, like everything, if you have particular concerns about your cat, please consult your vet!

What about kittens?

These recipes are just as good for your baby cat as they are for an adult. Kittens are growing, so they’ll need more calories and vitamins per pound of body weight than your adult cat; but the ingredient needs are identical for cats of all ages, once they’re eating solid foods.

Why is my cat drinking less water?

Finally, you may notice that after you switch to a raw/homemade diet, your cat is drinking less water. This is normal, and it’s a good thing!
Homemade cat food contains a lot more water than commercially prepared pet food. Most mammals get the majority of their liquid requirements met in their food.
Remember: The foremost concern you must have when preparing food for your cat is safety! Raw ingredients are perfectly safe only if you maintain strict standards! Don’t worry, it isn’t as much work as you think – and it will pay huge dividends in the long run.
The pride you feel when your cat comes running, excited and eager to eat the fresh meal you just prepared from scratch is awesome! So what are you waiting for? Get started today and soon you’ll be more connected to your little furballs than ever before!

Holiday Spirit

I think some are already getting into the kitty Christmas spirit.  taken from her facebook page -  Gus' owner is def getting into the mood .


Ohhh Gus...
so, my wreath died..like, it needs to be re-welded and is now an oval died and after over a decade of service, it’s time for retirement.
Went to Costco, wasn’t super excited about what they had so bought the plain one and I am going to create my own(wish me luck, going with gold so it’s going to be nice and gaudy❣️ lol)....but I digress...
When it comes to bringing out the holiday decorations, Gus is always there...to help and inspect and make sure he approves.
He approved...as he nestled down into both of them....oh Gus!

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Total Cat Mojo by Jackson Galaxy - New Book

 New book just came out over Halloween - for those interested in their feline companion and their relationship. 

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Total Cat Mojo by Jackson Galaxy

About Total Cat Mojo

This comprehensive cat care guide from the star of the hit Animal Planet show “My Cat from Hell,” Jackson Galaxy, shows us how to eliminate feline behavioral problems by understanding cats’ instinctive behavior.

Cat Mojo is the confidence that cats exhibit when they are at ease in their environment and in touch with their natural instincts—to hunt, catch, kill, eat, groom, and sleep. Problems such as litter box avoidance and aggression arise when cats lack this confidence. Jackson Galaxy’s number one piece of advice to his clients is to help their cats harness their mojo.
    This book is his most comprehensive guide yet to cat behavior and basic cat care, rooted in understanding cats better. From getting kittens off to the right start socially, to taking care of cats in their senior years, and everything in between, this book addresses the head-to-toe physical and emotional needs of cats—whether related to grooming, nutrition, play, or stress-free trips to the vet.

Also by Jackson Galaxy

See all books by Jackson Galaxy

About Jackson Galaxy

Jackson Galaxy is a cat behaviorist and the host of Animal Planet’s hit show My Cat from Hell. He is the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Catification: Designing a Happy and Stylish Home for Your Cat (and You!)…. More about Jackson Galaxy