Feeding a FIV postive raw and home cooked - need help please

[ralphscats]

I have eight cats, one of whom has FIV. I have checked with both my regular vet and a holistic vet about feeding raw. I have been feeding all of them a mixture of grain free canned, some grain free kibble as a treat, and raw.  As of two and a half weeks ago, we have completely eliminated the kibble. The raw that I feed has been treated with HPP. I don't feel comfortable feeding my FIV girl raw that hasn't been treated that way. I now would like to start making my own homemade to replace the canned. I would also like to make my own raw as feeding eight cats commercial premade raw is quite expensive and I need to cut down in my budget. 

I would like to use Bravo chubs because I know those are treated with HPP. Do you know of any other brands that treat their chubs that way?

I have tried in the past to grind my own, but it was a disaster. I am looking for a premix supplement. I am getting a bit confused on what I need. It seems like some have everything and some require the addition of fish oil. My cats do not like food when I add salmon or any fish oil. I do have one guy who will eat just plain salmon oil, but he's the exception.

My cats range in age from one and a half to twelve years old. I have some that would eat strictly raw, and some who aren't so sure about it. Hence why I've been feeding a mixture. What premixed supplements do most cats prefer?

I've also been looking at U-Stew. Any words of wisdom regarding that?

I really want to mix up the proteins. I have three cats that love beef and venison, so I am open to trying all different kinds of proteins.

Finally, for those of you who feed raw and homemade, what do you use for treats??

Thanks for any help. I really appreciate it.

 

[lisamarie12]

Primal uses HPP as does Instinct and both, I believe, offer chubs or blends that you can add supplements or premixes yourself.

Not sure which premixes for raw / organ and bone are the most liked by cats - Alnutrin seems to have some popularity.

I use freeze dried meat treats - Bravo, Whole Life (which are cooked actually), Pure Bites occasionally.  Fresh is Best makes excellent freeze dried treats, I haven't tried them yet but have heard they are excellent. 

I only used UStew for cooked meats, it went over so-so with my two cats.

 

[ralphscats]

Thank you. I will have to look for some of those brands that I haven't heard before. I wasn't sure about feeding the freeze dried treats. I will try them out though.
Thanks again for your help!

 

[zylaai]

Hi Ralphscats,

I currently use U-Stew for my FIV+ cat. I do not feed raw to him because of the risk of bacteria, which his immune system would not be able to handle. I do feed raw to my other cat, though. Venison and beef would be a great protein to use, especially since you can use any protein with U-Stew. Feel free to mix up proteins, variety is best, especially with cats (it lessens the chance of them becoming picky or finicky with food.)

I don't make my own treats right now but I am currently looking into buying a dehydrator and dehydrating meat, into chewy jerky for them. But commercial brands like PureBites and Instinct Raw Boost packets are pretty good.

 

[maureen brad]

Primal has chubs that are HPP, I do believe though that you should consider using Lisa Pierson 's recipe. My Remy had FIV I fed him HPP treated raw and also used Piersons recipe , she cooks chicken and turkey thighs at 350 for just a little while before grinding. That kills surface bacteria which is the threat to an FIV+ cat. At first I used boneless and mixed it up in my food processor. Now I have a grinder and love it. I use Alnutrin when I mix boneless, my cats like it and when I grind bone in I mix my own supplement. I cannot remember Pierson's' url but, if you google Lisa Pierson DVM 'making cat food' you will find her.--You might consider feeding your FIV+ kitty freeze dried, that is very safe