growing obesity problem doesn't exclude pets.

[Sister Fracas 5]

Actually AtlantiCat, how do you replace some of the things cats DO need? I'd read somewhere that if you are going to give a cat a diet from scratch, that you need to give taurine supplements....

[AtlantiCat 0]

Actually AtlantiCat, how do you replace some of the things cats DO need? I'd read somewhere that if you are going to give a cat a diet from scratch, that you need to give taurine supplements....

Strangely enough, taurine is found in most fresh meat. The fact that it has to be added to most packaged diets should tell you something very significant.

Technically speaking, if you are feeding a creature (including yourself), as close to a varied natural diet as it would have in the wild, there's no need for any sort of supplements. However, as a hedge, I do use a small amount of a powdered supplement in every third meal (or so) just in case.

[almaty 19]

wow, i learn something here..thanks

[AtlantiCat 0]

Four of my cats are on a urinary tract diet and the other is on a special reduced protein diet, so I can't really make my own food. They are all the right weight though and seem happy enough.

I've read that the packaged diets could be a major cause of the urinary tract issues that plague many older cats. Apparently the issue is that they don't get enough water from a dry diet and they're not particularly inclined to drink much water on their own, so they're chronically dehydrated which leads to the urinary tract problems. Don't know if it's true, but considering how much our society seems to love to create temporary fixes to issues instead of true solutions (cures can be administered only once, treatments can be profitable for decades) I wouldn't honestly be particularly surprised.

[Mags 112]

Four of my cats are on a urinary tract diet and the other is on a special reduced protein diet, so I can't really make my own food. They are all the right weight though and seem happy enough.

I've read that the packaged diets could be a major cause of the urinary tract issues that plague many older cats. Apparently the issue is that they don't get enough water from a dry diet and they're not particularly inclined to drink much water on their own, so they're chronically dehydrated which leads to the urinary tract problems. Don't know if it's true, but considering how much our society seems to love to create temporary fixes to issues instead of true solutions (cures can be administered only once, treatments can be profitable for decades) I wouldn't honestly be particularly surprised.

The urinary tract dried food my cats eat actually encourages them to drink water. They drink a huge amount, well, for cats anyway! Two of our cats have had kidney problems so the vet actually specified that they go on this (or a similar) diet. Since that day they have improved wonderfully, health wise.

Before this particular diet one of my cats had a serious infection, he was on wet food at the time but didn't drink anything. This was why he had problems and he was only two at the time. Could have been nasty if we hadn't of treated him correctly but luckily he didn't have any crystals forming.

[MissStacey 1]

This is my little Hunky McChunky Oliver.

He needs to lose 3 pounds.

[Mags 112]

This is my little Hunky McChunky Oliver.

He needs to lose 3 pounds.

But, but...that's a whole leg!