| Not all cat food is created equal. Cats respond in a | | | | predator. Of course, this may in part be due to the |
| much different manner than do other animals to | | | | survival of the fittest - the strong, healthy animals |
| certain chemicals. These can be in drugs, foods, | | | | survive and the weaker ones, suffering from disease, |
| plants, and other substances where the cat may | | | | are easily captured. Still, studies done in controlled |
| contact or ingest these chemicals. A cat's | | | | environments have shown a greater incidence of |
| physiological response is quite different than that of | | | | disease in animals fed commercial, processed diets. |
| other species of animals. This means your cat has to | | | | Additional studies have compared dry food to canned |
| be watched more closely than might other pets. | | | | food, finding canned superior. Dry food protein is too |
| Animal diseases are on the rise, and it is believed that | | | | concentrated in plant-based protein. Cats' digestive |
| this is due to the decrease in proper nutrition. One | | | | systems require animal-based protein for good health. |
| study watched young animals in a laboratory setting. | | | | Also, dry foods are low on that vital nutrient, water. |
| The animals fed cooked and processed foods | | | | The cat can compensate by drinking more water, but |
| appeared at first to do well, but began to have | | | | they seldom drink enough. In addition, dry food also |
| specific health problems as they aged. A control | | | | has high carbohydrate content. Cats do not need so |
| group of animals feed a completely raw, specially | | | | much carbohydrate. When they consume a diet high |
| constructed diet did not have the problems with | | | | in carbohydrate, they are at risk for obesity and the |
| aging as did the experimental group. They concluded | | | | resultant tragic, often fatal health problems. |
| that cats fed a raw meat diet, formulated to their | | | | The conscientious cat-owner will read the labels. Cat |
| specific needs, fared better and were healthier. | | | | foods should contain a minimum of preservatives, |
| However, other studies have shown that cats did | | | | cereal and grain fillers, and meat by-products. The |
| better on a commercially formulated diet that was | | | | main ingredients should be chicken, not chicken |
| balanced to their specific needs. This may be in part | | | | by-products, or turkey, not turkey by-products. The |
| due to the fact that the individually formulated diet | | | | food should contain mainly muscle meats, not meat |
| might not have been consistent with the balance a | | | | by-products. |
| cat needs. | | | | Feed your kitty wisely and you will enjoy a long, |
| Animals observed in the wild do not have the same | | | | healthy life with a fun, energetic playmate and |
| diseases that domesticated cats do. They thrive and | | | | companion. |
| live long and healthily unless they succumb to a | | | | |