A healthy alternative to traditional cat food is homemade food. Stews and other foods can be created that will ensure optimal health in a cat. Some holistic veterinarians suggest an all-raw-foods diet, while others suggest a combination of raw and cooked foods. According to Dr. Tracy Lord D.V.M., a diet of one-part carbohydrates for every four parts of protein is ideal. By following simple guidelines, preparing these foods will become second nature.
Instructions
Feeding the Cat
1. Decide on the ingredients for the cat's main meal. Stews work well. Choose wholesome, organic foods whenever possible, such as chicken, carrots, celery and sweet potato. Stay away from tuna and other high-mercury fish. Use mackerel, clams or sardines once in a while. Vegetable broth adds an extra boost of important nutrients to the cat's diet.
2. Cut up the meat and other foods that will go into the stew. Place the food pieces into a pot and add vegetable broth or water. Bring to a boil and then simmer until all vegetables are soft, about 45 minutes to an hour. Stir the stew every 10 minutes or so.
3. When the stew is done, give it a quick swirl in the blender to mix it up just a bit, then allow to cool. Feed cats cooked foods that are at room temperature only.
4. Give cats treats every so often. Consuming a couple of tablespoons of yogurt with some blueberries is good for cats if it is not an all-the-time thing. Try giving the cats crushed pineapple with a sprinkling of cheese, or bananas crushed into their yogurt. Other options include eggs, cottage cheese or a few pieces of melon, tomato or apples.
5. Giving a cat raw livers, gizzards and hearts from poultry is very good for them, as is the neck of the bird. Throw away all bones, as they can harm the cats.
6. Use supplements to ensure that the cats are getting all of the nutrients that they need. Fish oil is important, as is taurine and bone meal. Adding these to a cat's diet will ensure great overall health.
Be sure to use doses for the weight of each individual cat. Try giving them small doses of other oils as well, such as olive oil, putting it in their stew.
7. Give cats water rather than milk. Consuming mother's milk is important for kittens until they are 6 to 8 weeks old. Purchasing real cats' milk is necessary if a kitten is taken away from its mother too soon.
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