We feed a primarily wet diet, but supplement with high quality kibble, in part because the kitties enjoy getting it out of the puzzle feeders we leave out when we're away! Point: Dry food in puzzle feeders can provide mental stimulation and fun.
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What's the best choice of food?
- Thread starter darcya
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:nod: And for those that don't want to use kibble, freeze dried meat treats can be used.
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- #23
The kitten I believe I'm getting will be about 3 1/2 months when I get him. So more meals a day are recommended?
I have looked into it, it seems like the prices aren't actually too bad. However, I do live with my parents and they are very anti-raw because my mom is afraid of the bacteria issue. Even when I try to explain the benefits.
Anyway, thanks everyone for the information. It has been so helpful!
Very true! Maybe one day for us when we're all out of this stuff.:nod: And for those that don't want to use kibble, freeze dried meat treats can be used.
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- #25
As far as I know he will be almost four months when I get him, at the end of this month. So would 3-4 meals still be recommended, and until what age? (What age could I start feeding two meals because I will need do that because of my schedule.)?
And Raw costs aren't the problem, it's getting my parents on board.
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I've heard that when they're growing, you should feed kittens when they're hungry, as much as they want. My cat (almost 9 months old) eats 4-5 meals per day. I've been using the smallest cans (2.7-2.8 oz.) and she gets half a can each meal. Also, because variety is good, I give her a different can each time I open a new one. I have three small cans left, and then I'll be switching to the main size (5.5 oz.). I'm also going to be starting teaching next week again, so she'll only be getting three meals. I'll split the same can in thirds instead of fourths.
Edit: Are you living with your parents? I've had big discussions/arguments with my mom about raw food, and she's still not on board, but from what I understand, the commercial raw food looks like canned food, so unless you're living with your parents, it might be an option, since they wouldn't know it was raw. Of course, I could be wrong about that.
Edit: Are you living with your parents? I've had big discussions/arguments with my mom about raw food, and she's still not on board, but from what I understand, the commercial raw food looks like canned food, so unless you're living with your parents, it might be an option, since they wouldn't know it was raw. Of course, I could be wrong about that.
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Well, four months old is typically when a transition from 4 (or more) meals a day to three meals a day takes place. Their tummies are a little larger, so can handle larger meals then.
Just as an FYI, I feed my adult cats 3 meals a day: before work, after work, and before bed. One thing you definitely want to do is NOT feed him as soon as you wake up! You'll never be able to sleep in again if you set that precedent!
Just as an FYI, I feed my adult cats 3 meals a day: before work, after work, and before bed. One thing you definitely want to do is NOT feed him as soon as you wake up! You'll never be able to sleep in again if you set that precedent!
And Raw costs aren't the problem, it's getting my parents on board.
Well, as raw food needs to be kept frozen and has to be dethawed, there's really no way to hide that it's raw.
Of course, if you can afford it, there are freeze dried raw foods. All you have to do with those is add water to rehydrate them, and they do not look or feel like raw food. But freeze dried raw is an expensive option for full time feeding. :nod:
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- #29
I was always under the impression that you were only supposed to feed a set amount of meals each day and I thought the max was four... also about how many calories does that end up being?
Yes. My mom is very pro-raw and good nutrition for our two dogs, but the cat is going to be my responsibility and my animal basically. I've been telling her that they are not meant to eat all these other things, but she says it's a bad idea to go with raw because she thinks the bacteria constitutes a risk.
Cost isn't a major concern, except the ones likes the cans i've seen are outrageously expensive. Maybe I just don't know of the right type or brand.
That's so odd that she thinks bacteria is a risk for cats but not dogs? Cats have even shorter digestive tracts than dogs do (less time for bacteria to be a problem), and cats, unlike dogs, are obligate carnivores; they're opportunistic feeders, which also means they're scavengers.
Maybe she means the risk for the daughter, who will be feeding, and not for the cat....
Or maybe she thinks the dogs have adults feeding..... The cats will be the daughter's responsibility - there is safe handling and it needs to be done properly.
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- #32
She is concerned about the whole me touching it and it not being cooked, and the bacteria for the cat.
And yes, she thinks because I would be doing the food, that it wouldn't be ok. But it is ok for her to make the food, which she wont do because it's going to be my job.
That's what I thought - if you don't mind me asking, how old are you?
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- #34
I'm 16 going on 17.
Oh ok.... So you are not super young.... When I was your age I was already cooking full on dinners and had been handling raw meat for a long time.... Never got sick :dk:
Would your mom go for a commercial raw? There is not much to it - it is much like canned.... You find it from little nuggets to patties to tubs/chubs, and depending on what you get, all you need to do is defrosting in a little ziplock baggie and serving it.
The cost is also comparable to canned.....
Do you think this would be a compromise for her?
Would your mom go for a commercial raw? There is not much to it - it is much like canned.... You find it from little nuggets to patties to tubs/chubs, and depending on what you get, all you need to do is defrosting in a little ziplock baggie and serving it.
The cost is also comparable to canned.....
Do you think this would be a compromise for her?
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- #36
I think she would be much more likely to go for that than making all from home.
I'm not going to start feeding on raw though because it will take her some time to come around to the idea.
But it is my plan to be feeding raw soon.
I'm not going to start feeding on raw though because it will take her some time to come around to the idea.
But it is my plan to be feeding raw soon.
Simple rule to avoid bacteria.... Wash your hands and don't eat the poop.
Seriously, cleanliness should be the first rule in any kitchen, whether you are chopping up chicken for kitty's plate or for the barbeque.
I hope you can convince your parents that you are responsible enough to manage a raw diet. Commercial raw is pretty easy. Frankenprey takes a little more effort and education, but once you get on a roll, it's like second nature. I laid out the frankenprey cost for my 5 animals (4 cats, 1 dog) a few years ago: it came out to about .51 per cat daily, and 1.04 for the dog. Darned cheap when compared to premium canned food.
Seriously, cleanliness should be the first rule in any kitchen, whether you are chopping up chicken for kitty's plate or for the barbeque.
I hope you can convince your parents that you are responsible enough to manage a raw diet. Commercial raw is pretty easy. Frankenprey takes a little more effort and education, but once you get on a roll, it's like second nature. I laid out the frankenprey cost for my 5 animals (4 cats, 1 dog) a few years ago: it came out to about .51 per cat daily, and 1.04 for the dog. Darned cheap when compared to premium canned food.
There are some very good raw food options for people who are concerned. I am, personally, due to the dramatic differences in how humans handle meat vs. how a cat handles their own kill.
But I think raw food is the best option, and personally, I use commercial raw food treated with HPP to kill bacteria (pressure, basically), and where they test every batch for certain kinds of bacteria before release. I use Nature's Variety and Primal frozen raw, but Stella and Chewy's freeze dried also does this.
Also, guess what?
Feeding raw is actually cheaper than feeding high-quality canned food.
Feeding Pia a 100% raw diet costs me about the same as feeding her 100% canned Fancy Feast. It's really not that bad. And she's worth the investment.
It's not weird. Cats eat meat.
Having seen a few post here by younger folks trying to convince their parents to feed their cats raw, it occurred to me that it might help in those cases if the kids got a food handler's permit. Its been so long since I've gotten one, but counties, cities, etc... usually require them for...food handlers and other people that prepare food for others.
It would require (IIRC, your area may be different) studying the required materials, maybe sitting through class, then taking a test. You would learn all there is to know about safe food handling, and passing the test and getting the permit would show your parents you are serious about educating yourself and doing it right.
While a lot of the focus in on safe preparation of cooked food, I do recall a lot of meat handling info.
There might be age restrictions - the applicant probably has to be of legal working age.
Just an idea. I have been thinking of doing it myself just to reinforce my own habits.
It would require (IIRC, your area may be different) studying the required materials, maybe sitting through class, then taking a test. You would learn all there is to know about safe food handling, and passing the test and getting the permit would show your parents you are serious about educating yourself and doing it right.
While a lot of the focus in on safe preparation of cooked food, I do recall a lot of meat handling info.
There might be age restrictions - the applicant probably has to be of legal working age.
Just an idea. I have been thinking of doing it myself just to reinforce my own habits.
I am sorry, but that sounds SO odd to me! Where is the parenting anymore? Where is mom to teach these things? Now you need big daddy inside your kitchen to supervise you are teaching you kid how to wash their hands after cutting off a chicken or a steak?
Gosh.... IMHO that is way, way too much, and I sure hope there is no such a thing.
Nothing personal, I swear, but I just believe that some things should be left to the parents.....
Cutting meat is not shutting a gun - it is just.... Well.... cutting meat. Permit for cooking dinner? :dk:
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