85%  Raw Meat (as in the wild):   mutton, roo (Australia), chicken, turkey (alternate if desired)

In Australia, human grade organic gourmet Roo meat is now available at your local supermarkets.  Liver is also good, except for elderly cats due to the high protein content.

Feline love and prefer to each FRESH warm MEAT.

If meat is over two days old, or too cold from the fridge, they may not eat – even though they are very hungry.  If this happens, try fresher or warmer meat.

Foods that need to be OMITTED from daily diet:  Beef, ham, tuna and all types of artificial food.

Occasional fish is fine, but cats can become “fish junkies”.  Tuna depletes the body of vitamin B1, so limit it.  Some cats LOVE raw chicken necks as a meal (chopped in smaller pieces and/or mashed with a wooden mallet).  Avoid minced meats, unless it is an older cat with teeth missing, as the processing of meat destroys B-vitamins)  

BUY GOOD QUALITY MEAT suitable for human consumption, or if possible, organic meat is preferable.

5-10%  Vegetables    Cooked:  ¼ to ½ a teaspoon of mashed broccoli or pumpkin   (just a little to start with)               

AVOID ANY TYPE OF GRAINS:  Rice or soaked grains can often cause chronic health issues.  

15%  Natural Calcium:  
Some natural cottage cheese, natural yoghurt, goat’s milk, cooked egg    OR     If feeding, use raw egg   (yolks only)

AVOID:     Commercial cat formula milk and human soya milk, as it has very little nutritional value for cats/kittens, so is not recommended.   

Though many cats initially refuse to eat meals with supplements added, it is worth persisting.  These recommended products are readily available through health food stores. 

Also add several drops of the “Pet Omega EFA’s oils”  or similar EFA’s - never whole capsules.

CHANGING FROM AN ARTIFICAL TO a NATURAL DIET for your Feline.

When changing over from tin food/ biscuits, your cat maybe appear to be a fussy eater, and it may take many months to fully change over.  Cats become addicted to the chemical additive tastes in the foods.  To help them change over and accept a good diet, we recommend mixing together both tinned food (which they are used to) with a little raw meat.   

Gradually over the months, add less of the tinned food - or even lightly fry chicken, gradually cooking less over time.

The good news is that you will notice a much shiner, softer coat, brighter eyes, with older cats becoming playful again, and no further plaque build-up on teeth.  It is well worth persisting to get your cat onto a natural diet.

Tips: Feline & Canine

Experienced Holistic USA Veterinarians suggests that all pets over 6-8 yrs and older could be tested for thyroid imbalances, (request this from the Vet) especially if a pet has been fed solely on commercial food all their life. 

Dr Jean Dodd DVM has seen many cases of negative animal behavior and skin issues, as well as other problems due to thyroid imbalances, i.e.  cats may need homeopathic Iodum 30C for symptoms such as always being hungry and not putting on weight.  If diagnosed with a disease or problem, we can gently help them with homeopathy, assisted by a good diet.  Switching from drugs to natural products for issues such as worming, immunizations, fleas, cystitis, arthritis, diabetes, AIDS, etc., will benefit the cat’s overall health.

Tips for:  Registered breeders

Feeding Your Pregnant or Nursing Cat

Pregnancy and lactation place tremendous metabolic stress on your cat.  During this time, your cat will need much more food and higher proportions of protein, oils and minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus.  Feed as much as your cat will eat in ½ an hour.

Gradually increase the Ester C Powder to one half again the normal amount by the seventh week of pregnancy.

Another support for delivery is to reduce infections homeopathically using Caulophyllum 200C as often as needed to get a response if there is any difficulty.

Pregnancy lasts approximately 9 weeks, or 3 trimesters of 3 weeks each.  The feeding regimen should be:

First trimester (0 to 3 weeks):  feed once daily, and fast a full day once a week (the same as usual).

Second Trimester (4 to 6 weeks):  feed twice daily, and fast ½ day, twice weekly.

Third Trimester (7 to 9 weeks):  feed three times daily, and do not fast.

Feeding Your Kitten

Begin the weaning process at 4 weeks of age, giving 6 to 8 small meals daily.  Give high quality protein such as egg yolks, goat's milk and small amounts of meat and liver.

Complete weaning by 8 weeks of age when the kittens should be getting 3 to 4 meals a day.  At 4 months, give 2 meals daily and fast ½ day weekly.

At 8 months, reduce to one meal daily and fast a full day weekly.

Feeding Your Older Cat

Some cats, as they reach their elder years, need three to four smaller meals daily instead of one larger meal.  These seniors also may have kidney issues, so make sure they have fresh filtered water every third or four day to drink.
Add the "Reno-Aid" (homeopathic kidney tonic) to their filtered water as well as "Drawing Out" formula (homeopathic that expel all toxins from body) Kidneys struggle to do this as they age.  Feed less red meat and more white meat (fresh warm chicken breast)

Ask your local Petpathics stockist for these products.

Beyond optimum nutrition

I am confident that you will see for yourself the benefits to your pet of feeding a natural diet.  Yet diet is only one of many factors that influence your pet’s health.  Grooming plus plenty of love and attention are also quite important.

There are many types of health problems that are not completely responsive to nutritional measures.  There are subtle disorders, susceptibilities, and constitutional weaknesses that many puppies and kittens inherit from their parents, or acquire as a result of vaccination, drug treatment, and/or exposure to toxic chemicals, such as flea control products. These types of chronic constitutional problems tend to progress with time, eventually leading to the development of overt symptoms.

For these deeper problems that cannot be cured through improved nutrition alone, I recommend homeopathic treatment.  This is, in my experience, the most deeply acting and profoundly curative medical treatment available.  It is the foundation of my Holistic practice.

In younger cats without obvious signs of illness, problems can be recognised in their early stages, and, with appropriate homeopathic treatment, can be corrected before they develop into overt symptoms.  This, in my opinion, is the highest level of preventative medicine.

When signs of illness are more overt, homeopathic treatment can be extremely effective in addressing the underlying causes of illness on the deepest level, stimulating a gentle and profound healing response.

In summary, there is much you can do for your cat's health beyond improved nutrition.  Still, preparing high quality food for your pet is a first major step toward taking responsibility for your pet's health, toward practicing preventive medicine, and toward a healthier and happier pet.

References

Richard and Susan Pitcairn, “Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats”, Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA, 1995. This book is the best available on the subject. It is comprehensive, reliable and readable.
Anitra Frazier and Norma Eckroate, “The New Natural Cat:  A Complete Guide for Finicky Owners”, Penguin Books USA, New York, 1990. This is a wonderful book covering a wide range of topics. It focuses on daily care, husbandry and health care.
Joan Harper, “The Healthy Cat and Dog Cookbook”, E. P. Dutton, New York, 1979.
Joan Harper, “Feed the Kitty Naturally”, Petpress, 1983
George Vithoulkas, “The Science of Homeopathy”, Grove Press, Inc., New York, 1980

Highly Recommended Books:  “Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats” and  “The Natural Remedy Book”   by Diane Stein.

These Books and many more are available at the Internet book store:  www.amazon.com