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- Nov 17, 2005
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I'd like to discuss grain free dry cat foods and it's effect on our kitties health.
I've compiled a list of the grain frees I can think of (I looked at the grain free dry thread, but didn't have time to create a complete list from that yet):
Go! Natural
*Chicken, Turkey, & Duck
*Freshwater Trout
Natural Balance
*Green Pea & Duck
Natureâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s Variety
*Instinct Rabbit
*Instinct Chicken
Orijen
Innova EVO
Taste of the Wild
Wellness
*CORE
Solid Gold
*Indigo Moon (I myself was shocked at this, even though I was told they had a grain free
)
Serengeti
All right....now my basic knowledge is that NO grain free is UTI friendly. Then I come across think link:
http://www.acreaturecomfort.com/cathealth.htm
Anyone else wondered what impact grain frees has on our kitties....good & bad? Grain free feeders, what good/bad things have you noticed in your kitties....if anything?
Ophelia has had a few UTIs, stress caused....so I've avoided grain frees. Damita had urine pH off the charts, no UTI though.... So I generally stay away from the grain frees for that reason.
I generally see only pros to grain frees....but the whole UTI thing irks me. I want to feed grain frees, but won't risk urinary issues if it can cause them.
I've compiled a list of the grain frees I can think of (I looked at the grain free dry thread, but didn't have time to create a complete list from that yet):
Go! Natural
*Chicken, Turkey, & Duck
*Freshwater Trout
Natural Balance
*Green Pea & Duck
Natureâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s Variety
*Instinct Rabbit
*Instinct Chicken
Orijen
Innova EVO
Taste of the Wild
Wellness
*CORE
Solid Gold
*Indigo Moon (I myself was shocked at this, even though I was told they had a grain free
Serengeti
All right....now my basic knowledge is that NO grain free is UTI friendly. Then I come across think link:
http://www.acreaturecomfort.com/cathealth.htm
(Obviously, I can't trust everything I read, but it does make one wonder)What is ash? Should I be concerned about the ash content in pet food?
First of all, ash is the inorganic mineral portion of any substance. When referring to dog and cat food, "ash content" is the mineral matter, including magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and copper. The ash analysis does not reveal the percentage of each mineral, therefore it does not tell much about the food.It also does not tell much about the food's contribution to urinary tract infections, such as Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS). The latest findings show that urinary tract trouble occurs when the urine becomes too alkaline. So, some commercial foods now add extra acid or reduce magnesium. There are side effects from use of these acid formulations or from insufficient magnesium, and all they do is cover up the problem instead of curing it.
If ash isn't the problem, then what is? How do I prevent urinary tract problems?
There is much proof that feeding an obligate carnivore primarily a grain-based dry diet can contribute more to a urinary stone problem than any other single factor. The long-term dehydration that occurs causes concentrated urine and places considerable strain on the kidneys. Feeding poor-quality food to pets (including those containing corn as a protein instead of meat) results in toxicity and an excessive elimination load on the lining of the urinary system.
By contrast, a diet of meat, bones, and organs contains a mineral content - or ash content - that is not synthetic or artificial. When a whole food substance is ingested, the animal has a very slim chance of developing a mineral imbalance. Taking in nutrients as they occur in their natural state or as a whole food source will prevent the animal from concentrating minerals or vitamins, thus causing health issues.
Anyone else wondered what impact grain frees has on our kitties....good & bad? Grain free feeders, what good/bad things have you noticed in your kitties....if anything?
Ophelia has had a few UTIs, stress caused....so I've avoided grain frees. Damita had urine pH off the charts, no UTI though.... So I generally stay away from the grain frees for that reason.
I generally see only pros to grain frees....but the whole UTI thing irks me. I want to feed grain frees, but won't risk urinary issues if it can cause them.