Before I begin, please read the disclaimer at the bottom of the page

Dogs and cats are the most popular spoiled rescues in US households, but they should be cared for differently. This includes what they eat. To keep our spoiled rescues happy and healthy, we should pay special attention to their nutrition. There are several options available to us when it comes to diets. The three main diet types are raw food, commercially made kibble and canned food, and the newest option, freshly cooked whole food. What we feed our spoiled rescues will greatly impact their health. Dogs and cats have different nutritional needs, not only because they are different species, but because one is an omnivore and the other is an obligate carnivore.

Dogs are omnivores which means they can eat meat as well as fruits and vegetables. Domesticated dogs have an enzyme called Pancreatic Amylase which helps them digest and use the energy from the starches (aka carbohydrates) in their diet. Cats are different.

Cats do not have the ability to synthesize amino acids such as arginine and taurine (like humans do) and they require a higher amount of these amino acids to survive.  Cats can only get these amino acids from animal protein (meat).  Without these amino acids, cats can go blind or die.  As an obligate carnivore, cats gain their energy requirements from protein and fat, not carbohydrates.  The physiology of a cat requires many of the nutrients that are found in organ meats.  As an example, cats derive Vitamin A and Vitamin D from organ meats like the heart and liver.

If you are a vegan who can not stand to have your pets eat meat-based foods, then please do not have a cat.  Dogs can survive on a vegetarian-based diet because they can derive their energy requirements from the carbohydrates in vegetables and grains. Cats can not survive on a vegetarian diet.

This may sound like an argument for raw diets for cats, but the health risks mentioned in my last blog post, The Truth About Feeding Raw Food, still outweighs the benefits.  Your pet can still contract and pass along pathogens to you and your family; the raw diets may still be improperly balanced and result in bladder and gall bladder stones.  Like with dogs, I still recommend feeding cats a balanced whole-food diet that is made from cooked human-grade ingredients. The key difference between dog food and cat food is cat food will be higher in protein and fat and contain little if any starches. I personally feed my cats a home cooked, balanced, whole-food diet formulated by JustFoodForDogs. JustFoodForDogs currently has one recipe ready-made for cats, but you do have an option to customize a diet for your cat.  Their custom diet formulation team created a balanced diet I prepare at home and my cats are thriving on it.

To reiterate the same conclusion from my last post: I do not advocate feeding raw diets.  There are too many risks that outweigh any short term benefits.  The best diet for your spoiled rescue is a balanced, human-grade, cooked, whole-food diet.  It is the same food you eat, cooked so all the pathogens are killed, and balanced for your spoiled rescue’s nutritional needs.  I do not recommend giving your spoiled rescue food from your plate.  We add too many spices and fats to make it palatable to our tastes and if we feed it to our spoiled rescues, they could get sick. It’s best to consult your veterinarian or a nutritionist to ensure your spoiled rescue is eating a balanced diet if you are cooking it at home for them.

Cooking for your pets at home may be more time consuming and cost slightly more, but your pet’s long term health and increased lifespan are worth it.

Before I sign off, it’s disclaimer time. Disclaimer: I need to inform your that I use affiliate links on my website and blog to promote businesses that support rescuing animals and improving your rescue’s quality of life.  I may receive a commission on any purchases you make after clicking the affiliate links.