Best diet for cats?

Vampirstein

I've been trying to figure out what the ideal food for optimal cat health would be. So far, I'm considering trying Raw meat with Alnutrin supplements. Does anyone have anymore information on this?

 I am quite concerned about e coli, listeria, and other such germs for both my cats' health and my family's ( I am also immunocompromised) and I am curious what the risk factors really are?

My boys currently eat one giant bag of Science Diet Indoor Complete each month, and I frequently give them little treats of dried anchovy, cooked chicken, and cooked livers. 

What would happen if I gave them lightly cooked meats with the supplements? 

Is there something else you have found that works to give your kitties a happy, healthy, prolonged life? 

OfficiallyHollyC

I would replace the SD with a better quality food. SD is the same price as most good quality food. I prefer feeding Wellness but I know a lot of people here like TOTW. I try to stick with grain free food for Penelope. She gets bored so I switch between the varieties of Wellness though.

mainerocks

I really like the catinfo.org site and they have some info on raw. Even if you do n't follow her advice, she has interesting information.

 http://catinfo.org/?link=makingcatfood 

Kaiene

I am not sure how raw could impact your health, but I think as long as you follow safe handling procedures, you would be ok. I am not a doctor, though. Anyway, we feed raw and found a reputable supplier through a therapy pet group we used to be involved in. We do not do any supplements, but that doesn't mean that you can't. If you are unsure of how raw might impact you, ditto Holly and feed a better quality dry food. Personally, I would add in some wet to make sure they Re getting enough water. There are links in the FAQs for food, including raw, I think. I also found the website rawfedcats.org to be helpful in learning about raw.

Kaiene

Kaiene:

I am not sure how raw could impact your health, but I think as long as you follow safe handling procedures, you would be ok. I am not a doctor, though. Anyway, we feed raw and found a reputable supplier through a therapy pet group we used to be involved in. We do not do any supplements, but that doesn't mean that you can't. If you are unsure of how raw might impact you, ditto Holly and feed a better quality dry food. Personally, I would add in some wet to make sure they Re getting enough water. There are links in the FAQs for food, including raw, I think. I also found the website rawfedcats.org to be helpful in learning about raw.

I realized that first part comes off kind of snarky. That is not how I meant it!

RedheadBaker

Kaiene:

Kaiene:

I am not sure how raw could impact your health, but I think as long as you follow safe handling procedures, you would be ok. I am not a doctor, though. Anyway, we feed raw and found a reputable supplier through a therapy pet group we used to be involved in. We do not do any supplements, but that doesn't mean that you can't. If you are unsure of how raw might impact you, ditto Holly and feed a better quality dry food. Personally, I would add in some wet to make sure they Re getting enough water. There are links in the FAQs for food, including raw, I think. I also found the website rawfedcats.org to be helpful in learning about raw.

I realized that first part comes off kind of snarky. That is not how I meant it!

One regular poster (who doesn't come around much anymore), TheCRPSGirl, is immuno-compromised, and feeds all of her dogs and cats a raw diet.

Your cats' digestive systems are designed to handle raw meat -- they have acids that humans don't to kill off bacteria, and they are also shorter than a human's digestive system, so bad bacteria doesn't sit around in the stomach or intestines.  

But, I agree with PP's that if you're that concerned about it, feed a grain-free kibble.  

Kaiene

RedheadBaker:

Kaiene:

Kaiene:

I am not sure how raw could impact your health, but I think as long as you follow safe handling procedures, you would be ok. I am not a doctor, though. Anyway, we feed raw and found a reputable supplier through a therapy pet group we used to be involved in. We do not do any supplements, but that doesn't mean that you can't. If you are unsure of how raw might impact you, ditto Holly and feed a better quality dry food. Personally, I would add in some wet to make sure they Re getting enough water. There are links in the FAQs for food, including raw, I think. I also found the website rawfedcats.org to be helpful in learning about raw.

I realized that first part comes off kind of snarky. That is not how I meant it!

One regular poster (who doesn't come around much anymore), TheCRPSGirl, is immuno-compromised, and feeds all of her dogs and cats a raw diet.

Your cats' digestive systems are designed to handle raw meat -- they have acids that humans don't to kill off bacteria, and they are also shorter than a human's digestive system, so bad bacteria doesn't sit around in the stomach or intestines.  

But, I agree with PP's that if you're that concerned about it, feed a grain-free kibble.  

I remember her! Does anyone keep in touch with her? How is she doing?