MeOW-llo Welcome to our furst Service Cats and Everything Feline Friday of 2019. As promised, we’ll be pickin’ up where we left off, talking about pet feeds/food and propurr nutrition for the little Obligate Carnivore in your house. Ifin you missed any of the posts in this mini series, you can check them out here and here. You can see all the posts in our Service Cats series by checking out the links on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page. Ifin you have any questions or topics you’d like to see posted, purrlease ask in the comments section below or send us a message via the contact form on our Contact page.
,
The following post will be written in human English for reader and translator ease. Our Service Cat posts aren’t intended to be an all inclusive Training Manual but rather Tips, Tricks and Techniques used/developed by mommy A thru her many years of animal training, cats in purr-ticular. And to offer insight into your questions about Everything Feline. Always remember, successful Training is all about Repetition and Rewards.
We would like to remind everyone to consult your VET or Pet Nutritionist when making food choices for any kitty whose health is compromised. That being said, remember, their opinions can be biased based on kickbacks and/or other benefits provided by Big Pet Food companies. The truth is that most “Prescription Diets” are formulated based on one study performed by one company on Canine Nutrition and not actually the needs of Felines. As for the AAFCO whose job is to regulate and enforce pet food regulations, they are not looking out for your pet’s best interest. So it’s up to each pet owner to educate themselves and decide what is best for your little furries.
Minimum/Maximum Meat Proteins in Pet Feed/Food:
We did discuss Proteins in part 1, but we received an email asking about the amount of meat proteins pet foods contain. Since a lot of pet food companies now list meat, meat meals, etc. in the first 3 ingredients on the packaging a lot of pet owners are led to believe a particular food contains mostly whatever protein is listed. However, ingredients are required to be listed in order by weight. Obviously, meat weighs far more than rice, corm or most other ingredients. Most meats contain a lot of water (almost 75%) which makes them heavier.
So, what do the pet feed regulations say? Any feed that contains the word “with” in it’s name, such as with chicken or with beef, is required to contain only 3% to 9% (chicken/beef) of said meat to the total weight of feed. No more and no less, no exception. So the photo on the package of a pile of chicken breasts or steaks is misleading. The total amount of chicken in a 12 pound bag of kibble could be no more than 6 to 18 ounces. And trust us, it’s definitely not the choice cuts of that meat. For pet feeds that contain the words “Recipe”, “Formula” or “Dinner”, they must contain a minimum amount of 10% and may include a maximum amount of 70%. These numbers are based on raw weight. Once cooked, not only does the meat lose all of it’s nutrients, it also shrinks. Thus the need for all those added ingredients.
So, if you buy a 12 pound bag of kibble, kitty/woofy is only getting a maximum of 1 pound of meat protein and often less for the duration of the bag (1 pound of meat a month). If you feed wet food, the maximum amount of meat for a 3 oz can would be 1/4 ounce but could be as low as 0.08 ounces. And we wonder why our little carnivores are plagued by health issues. The truth is that commercially prepared pet feed kibble and canned contains many inedible ingredients such as sawdust, styrofoam, plastics, animal feces, and more. It really isn’t balanced or healthy for kitties or woofies.
Added Supplements/Nutrients:
Due to the loss of nutrients during manufacturing, these companies are required to put them back in through supplements. Listed below are some of those supplements and what they’re for. Proteinates are more expensive than sulfates and easier for the animal’s body to break down and use. However, one might see an ingredient listed in both forms. It’s a way for the company to produce the feed cheaper, not what’s best for your pet.
Zinc Proteinate (trace minerals): Protects against cell damage and stimulates the immune system. However, it indicates a lack of well rounded supplementation.
Mixed Tocopherols: A source of Vitamin E
Iron proteinate: Needed for red blood cell production It’s cheaper form is iron sulfate or ferrous sulfate. The best choice is: Iron Amino Acid Chelate
Manganese proteinate: Needed to develop strong bones, and enzyme activators. Enhances the immune system May see cheaper form Manganese sulfate
Mangonous proteinate: Nourishes nerve and brain function. May see cheaper form Mangonous sulfate
Flax Seed: Best source of omega – 3 fatty acids and nutritive fiber
Fish oil: Source of fatty acids
Alpha-lipoic Acid: Added for healthy skin and coat
Copper Amino Acid Chelate: Best form of copper, needed for iron absorption and blood clotting. May see in cheaper forms, copper proteinate or sulfate. The latter may be dangerous.
Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate: Needed for B12 synthesis. May see cheaper forms listed as proteinate or sulfate.
Citric Acid: Source of Vitamin C and may be harsh on the digestive tract
Chicken Fat: Source of energy for cats, dogs do better with oils
Beta Carotene: Source of Vitamin A
Potassium Amino Acid Complex/Potassium Citrate: Source of potassium, Not to be confused with Potassium Sorbate which is a preservative and mold inhibitor.
Gelatin: No nutritious value. Only used as a binder for ingredients
Potassium Chloride: Source of potassium
Pantothenate: Vitamin B-complex
DL-Methionine: Found naturally in meats before processing. Needed for skin, nails, and immune system
Maganese Oxide: Aids in fat and sugar metabolism
All “Gums”: No nutrition, used as fillers and binders
Lactobacillus Acidophilos (including all other pre and pro biotics): Generally not enough added to be beneficial
A & D3 Supplements: Needed for immune function, eye sight, and calcium absorption
Niacin: Aids in digestion
Inositol: Non vit. B complex metabolizes blood fats
Mineral Supplements: aka: Zinc Sulfate, sub par source of minerals
Thiamine Mononitrate/Thiamine: Source of B-1
Taurine: found naturally in muscle meats, Required for nervous system function, thyroid, cardiovascular, and eye sight health
Calcium Pantothenate: Source of B-complex and Vit. B-5 Supports adrenal activity
Glucosamine Hydrochloride: Not enough to be effective. Cooking may also alter it’s efficacy
Calcium Iodate: Promotes Strong Bones, teeth, skeletal strength and cardiovascular health
Tricalcium Phosphate: Anti caking agent, also supplies phosphate for the body
Biotin: Promotes healthy skin and coat
Riboflavin: Source of Vitamin B-2
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride: Source of Vitamin B-6
Vitamin K: Found mostly in foods made up predominantly of fish. Can be very dangerous causing blood clotting issues in cats
Well, there’s a list of the most commonly used supplements. Most of which can be found naturally in meat proteins, the foods us kitties were meant to eat naturally. We’re gonna wrap it up fur today, as this is a lot of infurmation to digest. “Member, you can see any of the posts in our Service Cat series or this mini series on our Training tips and Everything Feline page from our menu above. And we’d luv to hear from you. What questions do you have about your kitty or kitties in general? What topics would you like to see us cover? Just let us know in the comments below or by sendin’ us a purrivate message via our Contact page, also in the menu above.
We’re also linkin’ up with Comedy Plus fur Feline Furiday sissy. You didn’t think I’s was gonna let you have the posty all to yourself, did you?
One can dream Raena, one can dream.
Till the next time…………………………………………………Be Blest!!!
Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses
Service Cats U.S. 