I am no stranger to raw feeding having done it for almost 3 years now. However, until just 10 days ago, I wasn't 100% raw for all three of my cats.
Felix has been 100% for about 1.5 years, Brillo and Ziggy had been eating TOTW kibbles in the morning and raw for dinner.
Then the bladder issues started. Brillo was first, peeing on the counter, urinalysis indicated crystals. Thus followed a thread of controversy about raw food vs S/D here on TCS. I got a second opinion, and some advice to go 100% raw, add extra water and some cranberry extract a few times a week to soothe and cleanse the bladder. Voila! Her problems are solved.
Well, then I catch Ziggy on the stove, attempting to go pee pee. The next day he DID use the stove. Urine smells "off" and he is not happy. Again, a vet consult, crystals diagnosed, followed by changing to 100% raw and acidifiers in the soupy mixture.
Well, Ziggy started using the box again almost immediately. The "off" smell disappeared in 3 days. In 5 days, he started acting like a kitten! He has become more social, and asks for playtime every night (find the fur mouse and chase the lazer). He even has slept on the big bed with Brillo the last 2 nights.
Now the "whoda thunk it" part! Ziggy has ALWAYS had runny, stained eyes. I always do a lot of "blemish removal" when posting photos of him. We have been using allergy drops and washing his face daily for most of his life, with only marginal success. Well, 2 days ago, I noticed his tears weren't running in the evening. Last night I mentioned it to my dh, who washes/medicates him in the mornings and he agreed, there has been less to clean! This morning he is positively bright eyed (and bushy tailed!) All this from raw?
The way I figure it, since Brillo and Ziggy are both purebreds and siblings, they must have a genetic propensity for the bladder issue. Their bodies must NEED raw. Clearly Ziggy's immune system needs it more than Brillo's if his eyes are clearing as well. Now I wonder if Ziggy will keep a full coat in the spring, as he usually sheds away the majority of it, and looks very moth-eaten during most of the summer.
Time will tell.
I'm going to mix my first 10 pound batch of raw food this weekend. That will last us about 22 days. We're not looking back!!!
Thanks for reading.
Cally
Felix has been 100% for about 1.5 years, Brillo and Ziggy had been eating TOTW kibbles in the morning and raw for dinner.
Then the bladder issues started. Brillo was first, peeing on the counter, urinalysis indicated crystals. Thus followed a thread of controversy about raw food vs S/D here on TCS. I got a second opinion, and some advice to go 100% raw, add extra water and some cranberry extract a few times a week to soothe and cleanse the bladder. Voila! Her problems are solved.
Well, then I catch Ziggy on the stove, attempting to go pee pee. The next day he DID use the stove. Urine smells "off" and he is not happy. Again, a vet consult, crystals diagnosed, followed by changing to 100% raw and acidifiers in the soupy mixture.
Well, Ziggy started using the box again almost immediately. The "off" smell disappeared in 3 days. In 5 days, he started acting like a kitten! He has become more social, and asks for playtime every night (find the fur mouse and chase the lazer). He even has slept on the big bed with Brillo the last 2 nights.
Now the "whoda thunk it" part! Ziggy has ALWAYS had runny, stained eyes. I always do a lot of "blemish removal" when posting photos of him. We have been using allergy drops and washing his face daily for most of his life, with only marginal success. Well, 2 days ago, I noticed his tears weren't running in the evening. Last night I mentioned it to my dh, who washes/medicates him in the mornings and he agreed, there has been less to clean! This morning he is positively bright eyed (and bushy tailed!) All this from raw?
The way I figure it, since Brillo and Ziggy are both purebreds and siblings, they must have a genetic propensity for the bladder issue. Their bodies must NEED raw. Clearly Ziggy's immune system needs it more than Brillo's if his eyes are clearing as well. Now I wonder if Ziggy will keep a full coat in the spring, as he usually sheds away the majority of it, and looks very moth-eaten during most of the summer.
Time will tell.
I'm going to mix my first 10 pound batch of raw food this weekend. That will last us about 22 days. We're not looking back!!!
Thanks for reading.
Cally
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I'm so glad he's feeling SO well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
