Composition of Proteins (Bone, Skin, Fat)

[beesto]

 
The livers are probably best from Whole foods as they have a policy of no hormones, antibiotics, etc. for their meat. The chicken hearts are pretty small, so I usually give them as whole. Sometimes the livers are a little large, and I remove the membrane stringy stuff. The neck bones, I usually cut into about 3 or 4 sections, as the cats seem to like them a little smaller, and I normally just have the 1 neck, and 4 kitties! I remove the shin, it just seems too thick, and would probably come off when cutting. I usually have to use my cleaver ( inexpensive at the Asian stores) on the necks, and just whack away!  I have/had good intentions of doing the raw food thing, even bought the grinder! (which is still in the box) and then read an article called No More Grinders. I know that the cats need the calcium from the bones, but part of the raw feeding is for the cats to gnaw on the bones to help remove the tarter. So, needless to say, I give them raw goodies, canned food, and NO dry! 

Ah yes, Whole Foods- I have to check them out for all these new meats I'll be buying now.  They're opening up one soon in a town nearby.  Good to know about the cleaver and the neck bones.

 
If you feed canned food I don't understand why an article that I presume opposes feeding a ground raw diet would stop you from making your own ground raw food. The food in the cans you are feeding is ground. There are raw feeders who are, shall we say, passionate about promoting their method of raw feeding as being the best. Unfortunately, and I don't know if this is true about the article you read since I haven't read it, they can be rather obnoxious in how they portray other methods.  Don't be put off by what one person says. You can still feed bone-in parts for dental health along with a ground raw diet. 

mschauer- I have been thinking frankenprey since I thought it seemed easier and to avoid the cost of a grinder.  Do you think ground is better as long as you also include some bone-in parts?

 

[mschauer]

 
Oh it's not that! When I was all gung ho to do raw, my old cat was diagnosed with CFR, so the phosphorus thing got me all wound up, and I delayed starting the raw food making. So, now that he has passed {he was 20 years old!) I am now reconsidering trying to make raw for my remaining young cats. Problem #1- I don't know where my previous roommate put the darn grinder! So, I will most likely procrastinate a little while longer. I have been so frustrated with buying canned food, can never find one that doesn't have some unacceptable ingredient etc.        I have been a great admirer of Lisa P. and Anne Jablowski  (who really should get the credit)  I have watched every video of people making food etc.  I would really be interested in some of your recipes, MSCHAUER, as I have been quite impressed with your knowledge.  The No More Grinders article did not dissuade me, I just found it interesting - it comes up on line as titled, just like Rice Isn't Nice.  Oh, by the way I do buy the RAD CATS raw, but at $12.99 for 24 oz.- that gets too expensive per day for the 4 cats!  I know raw homemade is much cheaper!

Oh! Never mind. 

 

 

[mschauer]

 
If you feed canned food I don't understand why an article that I presume opposes feeding a ground raw diet would stop you from making your own ground raw food. The food in the cans you are feeding is ground. There are raw feeders who are, shall we say, passionate about promoting their method of raw feeding as being the best. Unfortunately, and I don't know if this is true about the article you read since I haven't read it, they can be rather obnoxious in how they portray other methods.  Don't be put off by what one person says. You can still feed bone-in parts for dental health along with a ground raw diet. 

mschauer- I have been thinking frankenprey since I thought it seemed easier and to avoid the cost of a grinder.  Do you think ground is better as long as you also include some bone-in parts?

I try to stay away from labeling one type of raw feeding as being "better" than another. That just starts pointless arguments. There are pros and cons to them all.

As a matter of preference, I prefer a diet of raw ground meat and organs properly supplemented to ensure it is nutritionally complete together with some large chunks of meat for dental health. 

 

[beesto]

 
I try to stay away from labeling one type of raw feeding as being "better" than another. That just starts pointless arguments. There are pros and cons to them all.

As a matter of preference, I prefer a diet of raw ground meat and organs properly supplemented to ensure it is nutritionally complete together with some large chunks of meat for dental health. 

And just to double check... you would say that 10% bone is too high? (the point about those percentages being for dogs and not pertinent to cats makes sense.)  Do you think 5% is good?  Just trying to work out my weekly ounces of it all now.

 

[mschauer]

 

 
I try to stay away from labeling one type of raw feeding as being "better" than another. That just starts pointless arguments. There are pros and cons to them all.

As a matter of preference, I prefer a diet of raw ground meat and organs properly supplemented to ensure it is nutritionally complete together with some large chunks of meat for dental health. 

And just to double check... you would say that 10% bone is too high? (the point about those percentages being for dogs and not pertinent to cats makes sense.)  Do you think 5% is good?  Just trying to work out my weekly ounces of it all now.

I don't follow the 80-10-5-5 guidelines myself but others have said that their cats get constipated on 10% or greater bone. Most seem to feed about 7%. I use freeze dried bone and use an amount that I calculated will provide the correct calcium/phosphorus ratio.

 

[beesto]

And t

 
I don't follow the 80-10-5-5 guidelines myself but others have said that their cats get constipated on 10% or greater bone. Most seem to feed about 7%. I use freeze dried bone and use an amount that I calculated will provide the correct calcium/phosphorus ratio.

Thank you so much.  I am interested in trying both in the future- grinding and chunks.  I'll save up for a grinder I think in a couple of months.  I'd like the assurance they're getting everything they need.  I really appreciate your support.

 

[beesto]

 
I don't follow the 80-10-5-5 guidelines myself but others have said that their cats get constipated on 10% or greater bone. Most seem to feed about 7%. I use freeze dried bone and use an amount that I calculated will provide the correct calcium/phosphorus ratio.

Hello mschauer.... Where do you buy freeze dried bone?  

 

[ldg]

I'm not mschauer, but NOW foods sells the freeze dried bone in capsules marketed as "calcium hydroxyapatite."

 

[ldg]

Amounts to use: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/263426/...hydroxyapatite-to-balance-meat-or-meat-organs