Home  Philosophy  Cats & Kittens  Diet  Health  Breed  History Adopt Shows Contact  Links 


Feeding and Diet

Cats are obligate carnivores.  Their digestive systems are short and acidic - perfect for getting all they need from raw meat and bones. 

 My kittens are given raw chicken wings - cut into thirds - and chicken necks with their morning and evening meals to chew on from 3 weeks of age and they love them.  It's a healthy and effective way to keep their teeth clean.  I use Prota-cat mince (with added calcium) and mix raw diced veal, steak or chicken in with their food too. 

 Premium cans and pouches – such as Hills Science or Iams are great.  Supermarket brand canned foods are okay, but are similar to us eating McDonalds all day every day. I buy bulk trays of chicken wings and necks from the supermarket/butcher and make up ready-chopped freezer bags each containing a day's ration.  Then each night I simply take out a bag and thaw it in the fridge, ready for the next day.  It takes very little extra effort to make up the raw food component of their diet.  We are always available to help you out if you are a little unsure of adding raw food to your cats diet.   DO NOT ever feed cooked chicken bones. Raw bones are rubbery, but cooked ones break into sharp splinters and can choke your cat.

 Are you a little unsure of adding raw food to your cats diet ?  Here are some books and links that will provide valuable information :

 "Raw Meaty Bones"  - Author :  Dr Tom Londsdale.  ( a vet with his own web-site - www.rawmeatybones.com.au)

"Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats" - Author Kymythy Schultz ( Animal nutritionist, available at www.amazon.com)

http://www.lowcarbluxury.com/atkins-cats.html  - The Raw Food Diet for Cats Page.

 It may seem a little unusual at first but believe me, cats thrive on this diet.  Check the meat standards in your area - some are higher than others.   I never feed pet-grade meats, because it can contain beaks, feet, faeces and other nasty materials. If it’s not fit for me to eat, it’s not fit for my cat.

 Food tips :

 ·         Establish regular feeding times and stick to them.  Our kittens are used to receiving breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner of raw chicken wings, chicken necks, veal, mince and with premium biscuits available for all day grazing.  As they grow, this can be cut down to breakfast and dinner, with biscuits freely available if you choose.

 ·         Separate the feeding area from the litter tray area.  Cats do not want to eat on top of their toilet.  Would you ?

 ·         Have a dedicated feeding area. Show your kitten, and they will soon know that this is where they are fed.  If they try to beg food from you at the kitchen table, always carry them to their own feeding area before giving them anything.  This way they know where it is allowable to eat, and you won’t find food scraps around the place.  If you need to change the food area, follow the same steps as outlined for shifting the litter tray and do so gradually.

 ·         Give each cat their own dish.  This removes competition and stops your cat from wolfing down it’s food too quickly, and avoids upset tummies.  Cats like shallow dishes, ones where they can reach the bottom without pushing their whiskers back against their face.  Don't use plastic, as bacteria can hide in the scratches and harbour illness.  We use stainless steel and ceramic dishes.

 ·         If you decide to change your kitten’s food from what they are used to, start by mixing the two together and gradually increasing the amount of “new” until the “old” is phased out.  This way, your kitten will not suffer an upset stomach over sudden changes in diet.  We serve a mix of different biscuits just for variety, and so if one is ever unavailable we have an alternative.

 ·         Always have fresh water available.  Cats drink a lot of water, particularly if they eat a lot of biscuits.  Water dishes need to be cleaned and rinsed daily.  On hot days, place four or five iceblocks in the water dish before you go out – this will keep the water cool all day.

 ·         Don’t give your cat ordinary people milk. Most cats are lactose intolerant, which leads to vomiting and smelly stools.  Instead, use lactose-free milk (available in long-life cartons from Coles) or specially marketed cat milk. 

 ·         Vary the flavours.  Cats get bored if they have the same food all day every day.  If your cat is being fussy, try sprinkling a little grated cheese on the meal.  This usually makes it interesting enough to eat, or heat in the microwave for 15 seconds, releasing the smell and tempting Puss.

 ·         Cats love to chew on plants.  Many household plants, however, are poisonous to cats (such as poinsettias).  There are three herbs available – catmint, cat grass and cat nip – which are easily grown in pots and give kitty something to chomp on that’s safe.  Some plants that are poisonous to cats are listed here, but please do not take this list as exhaustive.  If it doubt, check with your vet !

 

Alfalfa

Chrysanthemum

Geranium 

Locoweed

Pokeweed

Almond (Pits of)

Cineria

German Ivy

Lupine

Red Emerald

Aloe Vera

Clematis

Giant Dumb Cane

Madagascar Dragon Tree

Red Princess

Alocasia

Cordatum

Glacier IvyGolden Chain

Marble Queen

Red-Margined Dracaena

Amaryllis

Coriaria

Gold Dieffenbachia

Marigold

Rhododendron

Apple (seeds)

Cornflower

Gold Dust Dracaena

Marijuana

Rhubarb

Apple Leaf Croton

Corn Plant

Golden Glow

Mescal Bean

Ribbon Plant

Apricot (Pits of)

Cornstalk Plant

Golden Pothos

Mexican Breadfruit

Rosemary Pea

Arrowgrass

Corydalis

Gopher Purge

Miniature Croton

Rubber Plant

Asparagus Fern

Crocus, Autumn

Hahn Self-Branching Ivy

Mistletoe

Saddle Leaf Philodendron 

Autumn Crocus

Crown of Thorns

Heartland

Mock Orange

Sago Palm

Avocado (fruit/pit)

Cuban Laurel

Philodendron

Monkshood

Satin Pothos

Azalea

Cutleaf Philodendron

Hellebore

Moonseed

Schefflera

Baby's Breath

Cycads

Hemlock, Poison

Morning Glory

Scotch Broom

Baneberry

Cyclamen

Hemlock, Water

Mother-in Law's Tongue

Silver Pothos

Bayonet

Croton

Henbane

Morning Glory

Skunk Cabbage

Beargrass

Daffodil

Holly

Mountain Laurel

Snowdrops   

Beech

Daphne

Honeysuckle

Mushrooms

Snow on the Mountain

Belladonna

Datura

Horsebeans

Narcissus

Spotted Dumb Cane

Bird of Paradise

Deadly Nightshade

Horsebrush

Needlepoint Ivy

Staggerweed

Bittersweet

Death Camas

Horse Chestnuts

Nephytis

Star of Bethlehem

Black-eyed Susan

Devil's Ivy

Hurricane Plant

 

String of Pearls

Black Locust

Delphinium

Hyacinth

Nightshade

Striped Dracaena

Bleeding Heart

Decentrea

Hydrangea

Oleander

Sweetheart Ivy

Bloodroot

Dieffenbachia

Indian Rubber Plant 

Onion

Sweetpea

Bluebonnet

Dracaena Palm

Indian Tobacco

Oriental Lily *

Swiss Cheese plant

Box/ Boxwood

Dragon Tree

Iris

Peace Lily

Tansy Mustard 
 

Branching Ivy

Dumb Cane

Iris Ivy

Peach (pits/ leaves)

Taro Vine

Buckeyes

Easter Lily

Jack in the Pulpit 

Pencil Cactus

Tiger Lily

Buddist Pine

Eggplant

Janet Craig Dracaena

Peony

Tobacco

Burning Bush

Elaine

Japanese Show Lily

Periwinkle

Tomato Plant (green fruit, stem and leaves)

Buttercup

Elderberry

Java Beans

Philodendron

Tree Philodendron

Cactus, Candelabra

Elephant Ear

Jessamine

Pimpernel

Tropic Snow Dieffenbachia

Caladium

Emerald Feather

Jerusalem Cherry

Plumosa Fern

Tulip

Calla Lily

English Ivy

Jimson Weed 

Poinciana

Tung Tree

Castor Bean

Eucalyptus

Jonquil

Poinsettia (low toxicity)

Virginia Creeper

Ceriman

Euonymus

Jungle Trumpets

Poison Hemlock

Water Hemlock

Charming Dieffenbachia

Evergreen

Kalanchoe

Poison Ivy

Weeping Fig

Cherry (pits/seeds/leaf)

Ferns

Lacy Tree Philodendron 

Poison Oak 

Wild Call

Cherry, wild varieties

Fiddle-leaf fig

Lantana

Poppy

Wisteria

Cherry, ground 

Florida Beauty

Larkspur

Potato

American Yew

Cherry, Laurel

Flax

Laurel

Pothos

English Yew

Chinaberry

Four O'Clock

Lily

Precatory Bean

Japanese Yew

Chinese Evergreen

Foxglove

Lily Spider

Primrose

Western Yew

Christmas Rose

Fruit Salad Plant

Lily of the Valley

Privet, Common

 


 List compiled by Jeffrey D. Rakes
Reprinted from PET Magazine's Cat Care Guide, Summer 1987
Updated with the assistance of Dr. Jill Richardson,  ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center, December 1997