home cooked or raw diets (nutritionally balanced) -- are these worthwhile efforts to try to prevent

my snickel has CKD (and is being treated under the supervision of our vet) and her litter mate brother (mickey) had diabetes. the CKD and diabetes developed when snick and mickey were 11 years old. both cats also developed IBD at just before they turned 9 years old.

i understand that there is no proof that commercial canned and dry cat foods could possibly be negatively effecting cats health/contributing to their developing CKD or IBD or diabetes, but there are also no studies on this (that i'm aware of) that prove otherwise. my understanding is also that decades ago these diseases/conditions were really quite rare in cats, but these days they've become pretty common. i also bear in mind that some cats heredity could be a factor in them developing these diseases.

because my two cats have developed these diseases, and because it's heart-breaking to watch them slowly decline, i have decided that i'll do something different with my future cats. i feel i owe it to mickey and snick, and their memories.

i've read quite a bit about how cats diets moving further and further away from the diet they were designed to eat could be a contributing factor in the increase in cases of CKD, diabetes, and IBD.

i'm planning on transitioning my future cats/kittens over to a home cooked diet, with no kibble. i plan on using a nutritionally balanced recipe. i may throw in some commercial raw food for variety, occasionally. of course, this is given that these future cats/kittens are without any medical issues at the time i adopt them.

my question to you is:  while i understand there really is no answer (based on proof) at this time, would you consider nutritionally balanced home cooked or raw diets as worthwhile efforts to try to prevent CKD?

Hi Snickel and Mickey’s mom!

BTW i love everyone’s avatar photos of their cats!

I pretty much agree with everything you said.

Because it is true for people as well. I am in no way shape or form radical when it comes to my opinions with food, but I believe that the farther we move away from real foods (while becoming susceptible to marketing messages from the agrifood industry) the worse our health becomes at a time where access to modern medicine is accessible (at least in countries where we are privileged to have that).  

I feed my own cat a variety of wet, dry and fresh foods. Wet is his primary food. Dry for the days where it just happens to catch his fancy. It's always out just incase. He is opinionated with his food. At his stage in life, at 19 years old, the main objective is that he eats. Lot’s of calories. Highly digestible protein is best and is what I encourage him to eat, but if he decided that he only wanted cupcakes and beer tomorrow, cupcakes and beer is what it is. I would scowl as I fed it to him.

I use food companies that feel accountable to me. As in i can call them on the phone, and directly talk to the nutritionists or vets on staff involved in making the diets. I actually did this yesterday - had a good in person chat with a representative for the wet diet I am feeding him. In part to see if we were on the same page with cats, food, and kidneys. 

In our clinic, I have a book of home cooked recipes that I frequently refer to, designed by Hilary Watson. It’s not the only good one out there, but It’s what I use locally.

And here is the main thing. I find that people who put the time and effort into thinking about what they are feeding their cats just tend to have cats that do better. Because you are actively working through what their individual requirements are. And that HAS to be a good thing! You are on the right track.

k

thank you, dr. kris!