Newbie at raw

hersheys mom · Nov 17, 2012

My cat Hershey Rose was feral for about 9 months before she was trapped by the Humane Society. She was fostered for 2 months and fed Wellness. When I adopted her, I continued to feed her Wellness. She has had diarrhea since I got her, Sept 15th. The folks on the health forum are helping me with that, and most are suggesting I start feeding her raw food. Their suggestion was that I post a new thread here, and maybe some of you can tell me what raw feeding is, and how do I make the transition from canned and kibble to raw?

tobytyler · Nov 17, 2012

Hersheys Mom said:
My cat Hershey Rose was feral for about 9 months before she was trapped by the Humane Society. She was fostered for 2 months and fed Wellness. When I adopted her, I continued to feed her Wellness. She has had diarrhea since I got her, Sept 15th. The folks on the health forum are helping me with that, and most are suggesting I start feeding her raw food. Their suggestion was that I post a new thread here, and maybe some of you can tell me what raw feeding is, and how do I make the transition from canned and kibble to raw?

Hi Lei Ann,

Welcome to the Raw Feeding Forum

Congratulations on taking the first step and posting your thread. I have only recently begun feeding raw and have definitely reaped the rewards!

I am going to bow out and let the experts answer your specific questions. But you are doing the right thing!

ldg · Nov 18, 2012

Am I remembering correctly that you're located in El Cajon? If so, you might want to consider visiting the Healthy Pet Pantry, 681 Jamacha Rd. The phone number of the store is (619) 440-4292. It gets generally very good reviews on yelp - the only negative ones are people that didn't want lectures about the problem with feeding dry food to their pets. Apparently they carry healthy wet foods and a variety of commercial raw foods, and the owner is apparently very knowledgeable in pet nutrition.

It's usually easiest to start with a commercial raw. No thought is required - just dethaw some raw, and to transition, mix a little bit of raw food into wet food, and slowly increase the proportion of raw to canned.

Oakshimmer's thread may be instructive for you: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/249931/new-to-raw-feeding-and-have-questions

Her kitty battled diarrhea for months. The switch to raw fixed that.

There are many, many examples of a species-appropriate diet helping. Since your Hershey Rose is already on timed feedings of wet food (and no dry, right?) the transition shouldn't be overly difficult if you're able to use a commercial raw product to make the transition. You can turn to making your own homemade food to save money down the road - but the cost of feeding raw commercial food will likely save you many, many vet bills, and is an investment in the long term health of your baby.

If you want further reading as to why, I just posted a number of links in this thread: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/251224/trying-again#post_3275505

Please feel free to as ANY questions!

Also, when you have time for reading, the Raw Resources thread has many links to informative sites: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/240809/raw-feeding-resource-thread

orientalslave · Nov 19, 2012

Did she have problems in her previous home on Wellness?

hersheys mom · Nov 20, 2012

OrientalSlave said:
Did she have problems in her previous home on Wellness?

No, however, her foster mom of two months told me she started having diarrhea the day before I got her. Trish had picked her up from the Humane Society the day after she was trapped. So maybe it took that long for her to react to the food?

hersheys mom · Nov 20, 2012

LDG said:
Am I remembering correctly that you're located in El Cajon? If so, you might want to consider visiting the Healthy Pet Pantry, 681 Jamacha Rd. The phone number of the store is (619) 440-4292. It gets generally very good reviews on yelp - the only negative ones are people that didn't want lectures about the problem with feeding dry food to their pets. Apparently they carry healthy wet foods and a variety of commercial raw foods, and the owner is apparently very knowledgeable in pet nutrition.
It's usually easiest to start with a commercial raw. No thought is required - just dethaw some raw, and to transition, mix a little bit of raw food into wet food, and slowly increase the proportion of raw to canned.

Oakshimmer's thread may be instructive for you: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/249931/new-to-raw-feeding-and-have-questions

Yes, I live in El Cajon, right by Jamacha Rd. Going to get another stool sample to vet as soon as she poops, looking for TF and any other cause. Baring that, will stop at store you recommend and start the transition. Funny you can live in a town and never know these stores exist. A creature of habit, I never thought to look for a small, individually owned store. Called them, got the lecture, but going down there to get some good food.

tobytyler · Nov 20, 2012

Hersheys Mom said:
Yes, I live in El Cajon, right by Jamacha Rd. Going to get another stool sample to vet as soon as she poops, looking for TF and any other cause. Baring that, will stop at store you recommend and start the transition. Funny you can live in a town and never know these stores exist. A creature of habit, I never thought to look for a small, individually owned store. Called them, got the lecture, but going down there to get some good food.

Oh, you will have fun shopping today, just ask them to show you their raw selection, sometimes it's in a different part of the store. They should be able to explain each one they carry. You can get Stella and Chewy's in small pkgs too. A little expensive, but good for trying different ones. Personally, I don't use any of the seafood ones, though. Keep us posted.

hersheys mom · Nov 20, 2012

LDG said:
Am I remembering correctly that you're located in El Cajon? If so, you might want to consider visiting the Healthy Pet Pantry, 681 Jamacha Rd. The phone number of the store is (619) 440-4292. It gets generally very good reviews on yelp - the only negative ones are people that didn't want lectures about the problem with feeding dry food to their pets. Apparently they carry healthy wet foods and a variety of commercial raw foods, and the owner is apparently very knowledgeable in pet nutrition.

Just gave Hershey Rose her first can of "real" food. After eating hardly anything but kibble since I added the awful antibiotics to her food, she plunged into the new stuff. Dumped the kibble. She has been drinking way too much water, and although I cannot touch her to confirm this, she must be horribly dehydrated. Got some raw samples, bunches of good canned food, cod liver oil, essesnce and loads and loads of information. She will not be eating any PetSmart or Petco stuff again! As for Healthy Pet Pantry, they are very close to me, and the people their really seem to know their stuff. I talked with Diane for 20 minutes and learned an awful lot. If you live in San Diego or East County, this place is great. All those foods people mentioned I never heard of are in this store. I am so excited Hershey Rose didn't even hesitate to eat. Looks like she has a bright future ahead of her nutrition wise. Will start adding the raw tomorrow morning. Will keep you advised on how her diarreah problem is effected by this new diet.

Lei Ann

stealthkitty · Nov 20, 2012

Yay! Progress!

Keep us posted!

tobytyler · Nov 20, 2012

Hersheys Mom said:
Just gave Hershey Rose her first can of "real" food. After eating hardly anything but kibble since I added the awful antibiotics to her food, she plunged into the new stuff. Dumped the kibble. She has been drinking way too much water, and although I cannot touch her to confirm this, she must be horribly dehydrated. Got some raw samples, bunches of good canned food, cod liver oil, essesnce and loads and loads of information. She will not be eating any PetSmart or Petco stuff again! As for Healthy Pet Pantry, they are very close to me, and the people their really seem to know their stuff. I talked with Diane for 20 minutes and learned an awful lot. If you live in San Diego or East County, this place is great. All those foods people mentioned I never heard of are in this store. I am so excited Hershey Rose didn't even hesitate to eat. Looks like she has a bright future ahead of her nutrition wise. Will start adding the raw tomorrow morning. Will keep you advised on how her diarreah problem is effected by this new diet.

Lei Ann, Start slow, just a bit at a time. Maybe only about 1/2 tsp. mixed in with her usual food, they gradually keep adding more until it's all raw. Now is she all kibble free? If so you have already won most of the battle.

I was lucky two of mine took to the raw immediately. The older one took more gradual coaxing. Did you get the little Stella and Chewy's pkg. to try?. Someone also pointed out in my thread to not use too hot of water, just warm to rehydrate so you don't cook it and destroy the nutrients. Let us know how the first taste goes.

Maybe you could mix some water in her canned food for the hydration. Another thing you could coax her to drink is the water from a can of tuna, or low sodium chicken broth. Make sure there is no onion or garlic in the broth, though. One thing I am noticing on raw is they hardly drink any water like before. They are getting enough in their food.

ldg · Nov 20, 2012

Oh I'm SO glad that turned out to be a helpful resource - and accessible! :bigthumb:

Honestly, I'm not so sure you need to worry about taking it slow - just go at her pace. If she likes it, let her eat it. :nod: It can only help her given how long this diarrhea's gone on.... :heart2: :rub:

:vibes:

tobytyler · Nov 20, 2012

LDG said:
Oh I'm SO glad that turned out to be a helpful resource - and accessible!

Honestly, I'm not so sure you need to worry about taking it slow - just go at her pace. If she likes it, let her eat it.

It can only help her given how long this diarrhea's gone on....

Well, I was thinking the same thing, considering two of mine went 100% immediately. I was just wondering with the diarrhea, and also if she didn't like it? Chances are she will take to it first bite, especially being young.

hersheys mom · Nov 21, 2012

TobyTyler said:
Oh, you will have fun shopping today, just ask them to show you their raw selection, sometimes it's in a different part of the store. They should be able to explain each one they carry. You can get Stella and Chewy's in small pkgs too. A little expensive, but good for trying different ones. Personally, I don't use any of the seafood ones, though. Keep us posted.

Gave Hershey Rose her first can of Petite Cuisine yesterday for lunch. Gave her Weruva for dinner. Stuff looks good enough for me to eat! Nothing but shred of chicken. I have never seen a cat get excited about eating. Just showed her the bowl, she jumped out of her cube and straight to her dinner mat. This morning I gave her the rest of the chicken with some RAW (me? really?) in it, as advised by the Health Pet Pantry. She just went to the bathroom. Lightning must have come down and struck the house - no diarreah! Good Godess, first time in 3 months since I got her, a regular movement! No more drugs, no more foul tasting antibiotics, no pain meds. Just a bunch of great people on this forum giving great advice. LDG, I can't thank you enough. We just switched her right over, no transition, as she hadn't eaten in 2 1/2 days thining mom stuck that awful stuff in her food again. Looks like I can save myself the $250 stool test for TF. I am keeping my fingers crossed her diarreah doesn't come back, but to see such a change in 24 hours is incredible. I also got some calming essence from them which I am adding to her water. Need to get some more Comfort Zone (they were out), and I should have a much happier kitty in a week or two. Will keep you posted as she also gave me some things that I forget what they were. One is a gel pill, she said pierce it and give her one drop (I believe it is cod liver oil) and some green powder that contains herbs (including slippery elm bark). She also gets probiotics. Her kibble was donated to our "free table" in the club house. As soon as Minja's food is finished, I will start her on this new diet also. She looks like a beach ball, probably because of her love for Purina Weight Maintenance kibble. If it maintains weight, why is she so fat? The other shocking thing I learned is that there is no meat in Friskies. I called mom and let her know because she feeds her cat Friskies wet food and Meow Mix. But then again, Smokey eats hot wings, chilli, and all kinds of stuff he shouldn't be eating. But he has been fed table scraps all his life, and he is nine and doing fine. Trying to get mom to stop letting him "share" her dinner. Hot wings are not good for kitties.

Blessed be, will keep you updated,

Lei-Ann

hersheys mom · Nov 21, 2012

TobyTyler said:
Lei Ann, Start slow, just a bit at a time. Maybe only about 1/2 tsp. mixed in with her usual food, they gradually keep adding more until it's all raw. Now is she all kibble free? If so you have already won most of the battle.

I was lucky two of mine took to the raw immediately. The older one took more gradual coaxing. Did you get the little Stella and Chewy's pkg. to try?. Someone also pointed out in my thread to not use too hot of water, just warm to rehydrate so you don't cook it and destroy the nutrients. Let us know how the first taste goes.

Maybe you could mix some water in her canned food for the hydration. Another thing you could coax her to drink is the water from a can of tuna, or low sodium chicken broth. Make sure there is no onion or garlic in the broth, though. One thing I am noticing on raw is they hardly drink any water like before. They are getting enough in their food.

After talking with the Health Pet Pantry, we decided to switch her immediately because she was passing blood. No worries there, I mean about her eating the new food, she dove right in. We gave her excellent canned food for lunch and dinner, and then this morning started adding raw. She was drinking about 3/4 cup water a day, so she was very dehydrated. As for warming the food, I always warm my kitty food in the nuker for a few seconds. I never feed my babies food from the fridge, mainly because I sure wouldn't want to eat cold stew. It smells more appetizing when it's warm also. Hershey Rose is now excited about eating, something I have not seen in her before. Minja is always excited about eating - but then Minja is a food monger. I have to be careful when I eat because she will run up and steal something off my plate, even if she just had dinner. She is not really hungry, it is just a psycological thing. She used to be a maniac, jumping all over the kitchen counters and the stove, even when there were pots of water boiling on it, but some one-on-one training put an end to that. Now she sits for her dinner. No more screaming at the top of her lungs. I think putting her on a raw diet will put an end to that problem also. We shall see!

Lei Ann

tobytyler · Nov 21, 2012

Hersheys Mom said:
Gave Hershey Rose her first can of Petite Cuisine yesterday for lunch. Gave her Weruva for dinner. Stuff looks good enough for me to eat! Nothing but shred of chicken. I have never seen a cat get excited about eating. Just showed her the bowl, she jumped out of her cube and straight to her dinner mat. This morning I gave her the rest of the chicken with some RAW (me? really?) in it, as advised by the Health Pet Pantry. She just went to the bathroom. Lightning must have come down and struck the house - no diarreah! Good Godess, first time in 3 months since I got her, a regular movement! No more drugs, no more foul tasting antibiotics, no pain meds. Just a bunch of great people on this forum giving great advice. LDG, I can't thank you enough. We just switched her right over, no transition, as she hadn't eaten in 2 1/2 days thining mom stuck that awful stuff in her food again. Looks like I can save myself the $250 stool test for TF. I am keeping my fingers crossed her diarreah doesn't come back, but to see such a change in 24 hours is incredible. I also got some calming essence from them which I am adding to her water. Need to get some more Comfort Zone (they were out), and I should have a much happier kitty in a week or two. Will keep you posted as she also gave me some things that I forget what they were. One is a gel pill, she said pierce it and give her one drop (I believe it is cod liver oil) and some green powder that contains herbs (including slippery elm bark). She also gets probiotics. Her kibble was donated to our "free table" in the club house. As soon as Minja's food is finished, I will start her on this new diet also. She looks like a beach ball, probably because of her love for Purina Weight Maintenance kibble. If it maintains weight, why is she so fat? The other shocking thing I learned is that there is no meat in Friskies. I called mom and let her know because she feeds her cat Friskies wet food and Meow Mix. But then again, Smokey eats hot wings, chilli, and all kinds of stuff he shouldn't be eating. But he has been fed table scraps all his life, and he is nine and doing fine. Trying to get mom to stop letting him "share" her dinner. Hot wings are not good for kitties.

Blessed be, will keep you updated,

Lei-Ann

It's exciting when you start seeing things right away! I noticed differences the first day as well. The fact that she is excited about the food says volumes about how I believe she is going to come around. You will notice a whole different relationship with her over time. It somehow creates a whole different bond, don't ask me why.

Yes, no meat in a diet for an obligate carnivore, makes you wonder. But there are lots of such foods out there.

Keep us posted what you observe today (my first raw day I had about 20 questions or more) and let us know if the diarrhea stays at bay

otto · Nov 21, 2012

Raw food benefits are noticed very quickly most of the time, especially in cats who need it most. Congratulations!

Don't put raw food in the microwave, it will kill the nutrients. Raw food must be fed raw.

My cats, who have always eaten canned food warmed up, eat their raw food cold without trouble, in fact sometimes it is even still a bit icy. If the raw is too frozen to feed, place the raw food (in a dish or baggie or container, of course) in a cold water bath. Never heat raw food.

So glad to hear of Rose's improvement.

tobytyler · Nov 21, 2012

Hersheys Mom said:
After talking with the Health Pet Pantry, we decided to switch her immediately because she was passing blood. No worries there, I mean about her eating the new food, she dove right in. We gave her excellent canned food for lunch and dinner, and then this morning started adding raw. She was drinking about 3/4 cup water a day, so she was very dehydrated. As for warming the food, I always warm my kitty food in the nuker for a few seconds. I never feed my babies food from the fridge, mainly because I sure wouldn't want to eat cold stew. It smells more appetizing when it's warm also. Hershey Rose is now excited about eating, something I have not seen in her before. Minja is always excited about eating - but then Minja is a food monger. I have to be careful when I eat because she will run up and steal something off my plate, even if she just had dinner. She is not really hungry, it is just a psycological thing. She used to be a maniac, jumping all over the kitchen counters and the stove, even when there were pots of water boiling on it, but some one-on-one training put an end to that. Now she sits for her dinner. No more screaming at the top of her lungs. I think putting her on a raw diet will put an end to that problem also. We shall see!

Lei Ann

Oppps, I think we are posting at the same time. Just don't warm the food in the microwave, it would destroy any nutrients IMO. Mine now eat their raw cold, straight from the fridge. For Stellas I use just tepid water to rehydrate.

As you are noticing in just a short time, this is the best thing you can do. You are beginning a rewarding journey that you are going to see some incredible results in health and behavior. There will be ups and downs, but in the end you will be rewarded richly. And the Pet Pantry as you are finding out will help you in the transitions as well. Aren't you glad you found them and dumped Petsmart?

tobytyler · Nov 21, 2012

otto said:
Raw food benefits are noticed very quickly most of the time, especially in cats who need it most. Congratulations!
Don't put raw food in the microwave, it will kill the nutrients. Raw food must be fed raw.
My cats, who have always eaten canned food warmed up, eat their raw food cold without trouble, in fact sometimes it is even still a bit icy. If the raw is too frozen to feed, place the raw food (in a dish or baggie or container, of course) in a cold water bath. Never heat raw food.
So glad to hear of Rose's improvement.

The statement "in cats that need it most" explains everything and the changes you will see immediately. Cats are just happier when they are fed for their species. Even mine, who were well socialized, are getting along and playing with my older cat who they previously terrorized.

Otto is right about the nuke. I purposely don't even own one and donated mine to goodwill.

ldg · Nov 21, 2012

Hersheys Mom said:
Gave Hershey Rose her first can of Petite Cuisine yesterday for lunch. Gave her Weruva for dinner. Stuff looks good enough for me to eat! Nothing but shred of chicken. I have never seen a cat get excited about eating. Just showed her the bowl, she jumped out of her cube and straight to her dinner mat. This morning I gave her the rest of the chicken with some RAW (me? really?) in it, as advised by the Health Pet Pantry. She just went to the bathroom. Lightning must have come down and struck the house - no diarreah! Good Godess, first time in 3 months since I got her, a regular movement! No more drugs, no more foul tasting antibiotics, no pain meds. Just a bunch of great people on this forum giving great advice.

Oh Lei-Ann I am SO excited for you and Hershey Rose (and Minja!). :clap:

I am SURE things will begin to change - and rapidly. A kitty that feels well is going to behave quite differently. :rub:

I'm really glad I looked up that store for you! :hugs:

(And yeah, weight management foods usually don't work. They use fiber - which has no role in a cat's natural diet. Yes, it's lower calorie - but losing weight, especially in a cat, is so much more than just calories. As you're seeing - cats need protein, and cats need to eat moist food. I'm sure your Minja will do well on a species-appropriate wet/raw diet! Of course - too many calories is still too many calories.

That you'll have to figure out as you go, how much food she should be eating daily. :nod: ).

hersheys mom · Nov 21, 2012

otto said:
Raw food benefits are noticed very quickly most of the time, especially in cats who need it most. Congratulations!
Don't put raw food in the microwave, it will kill the nutrients. Raw food must be fed raw.
My cats, who have always eaten canned food warmed up, eat their raw food cold without trouble, in fact sometimes it is even still a bit icy. If the raw is too frozen to feed, place the raw food (in a dish or baggie or container, of course) in a cold water bath. Never heat raw food.
So glad to hear of Rose's improvement.

Thanks for the advice. I didn't think about that. The microwave would cook the food, even if just put in for a few seconds. Will leave it out until it thaws and then add it. The only thing that bother me is I fed her at her normal time, 7:30 a.m. this morning, one can Petite Cuisine. I got home from Phys Therapy at 10:30 and went into her room. She came right up to me and started yelling (that's a first), then bit me (that's definitely not a first). She wanted more food. Her normal lunch is at 12:30, so she was 2 hours early. This never happened when she was eating junk food. So I gave her some Weruva, and nearly got bit again when I put the bowl down. Then she finished and yelled for more. So I gave her the rest of the can. I called the store and they said she was probably suffering from carb withdrawal, and to either give her small bits of kibble or feed her more canned food until she adjusts. Anyone else have this problem when transitioning?

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