The best cat food for bladder crystals? - Page 2

[womenswisdom]

Originally Posted by Lillitu

I will reiterate some things and relay some new things. Cats are true carnivores. They should NOT eat any grain, period. They also do not need vegetables or fruit.

Cats consuming wild prey actually do consume grains and vegetables while eating the stomach contents of their prey, which are generally herbivores. So it's likely that some amount of grain and/or vegetation is healthy for cats.

Also, I'm going to have to disagree with the idea that vets routinely use foods that do not work or mask symptoms. Having worked in the field for over 12 years, this has not been my experience. We consistently see very good results from prescription diets. I'd love to see any studies showing that feeding low-grain or raw diets improves rates of kidney disease, hypothyroidism, and cancer, though, since you've asserted that that is the case. Maybe I just haven't been made aware of the relevant science.

[2xy]

Originally Posted by womenswisdom

I'd love to see any studies showing that feeding low-grain or raw diets improves rates of kidney disease, hypothyroidism, and cancer, though, since you've asserted that that is the case. Maybe I just haven't been made aware of the relevant science.

Last I looked, I haven't seen any studies showing that organic fruits and veggies are better for you, but common sense tells me that ingesting traces of pesticides is probably not a good thing.

Common sense also tells me that a biologically appropriate diet is best for animals.

[greenmagick]

Originally Posted by womenswisdom

Cats consuming wild prey actually do consume grains and vegetables while eating the stomach contents of their prey, which are generally herbivores. So it's likely that some amount of grain and/or vegetation is healthy for cats.

.

Do they? Many of my raw feeding friends who feed their cats whole prey say the cats routinely leave the stomach and dont eat it. Dogs tend to eat it, but often shake it out first....but dogs are a bit more scavengery than cats.

Nope, no studies to "prove" it but many many many anecdotal stories and many vets who support it too. Then again there are no studies proving vaccines harmful, or GMOs, or a host of other things. One you see what a raw diet doe for you pet, it doenst matter if there are studies to prove it.

[Oubliette8]

If for some reason raw doesn't work out for you, Eagle Pack offers advice on diets for crystals. You can find it here- http://eaglepack.com/EP_PetHealth.html#crystals

The dry formula they recommend does contain corn, but it is much better ingredient wise than prescription diets. i also *think* they published this before they started the Holistic Selects line for cats, so there may be a corn-free formula that would work (I'm thinking the fish?) Their nutritionist is great and good about getting back to people who write to him so you could try emailing him and see if there is a Holistic Selects kibble he would recommend to go with the canned. You would want to direct your inquiry to John Marsman, who is the nutritionist there.

[yaM yaM]

Thanks for the link, Oubliette8. I am really appreciating all of this info and links, friends. It is overwhelming reading all of the different views on bladder crystals but at least I am getting informed. Today I fed our kitty some plain boiled chicken and he seemed to be into it. I think he's more open-minded and willing to try new things after nearly a week of eating watered-down Science Diet while he waits for me to figure out my next step.