Type of Gelatin for a Raw recipe

[geely]

I am trying to find a good gelatin to add to a boneless raw recipe that i am following on http://www.catnutrition.org/recipes.html. I came across a brand called Great lakes that does not thicken like regular gelatin. I was wondering if anyone ever used this or what your thoughts might be on this brand or if you use a regular gelatin what brand is good and does it thicken it alot?


thanks

 

[catwoman707]

I used U-Stew for home cooked, this is also used for raw.

It made a nice thick brown gravy.

 

[geely]

 
I used U-Stew for home cooked, this is also used for raw.

It made a nice thick brown gravy.

ok thanks catwoman707.

 

[LTS3]

 
I used U-Stew for home cooked, this is also used for raw.

It made a nice thick brown gravy.

Actually U Stew is only for cooked meats. There is another product from the same company for raw meat called Better In the Raw.

The Catnutrition.org recipie uses this geletain: http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Beef-Gelatin-Unflavored-Powder-1-lb-454-g/400?at=0

Check these TCS threads  too:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/264154/raw-feeding-resources

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/263955/helpful-resources-raw-home-cooked-cat-food-forum

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/264153/home-cooked-cat-food-resources

 

[mschauer]

Also, the gelatin in the catnutrition recipe isn't for thickening. It is called for in their boneless recipe and is included to replace some of what would otherwise come from bone. Gelatin is produced from bone.

 

[lcat4]

The gelatin or collagen hydrolysate (different products) from Great Lakes is prepared with bovine hides, not bone.  I believe the amino acid profile for the two products are the same, they are processed differently.  The hydrolysate is broken down to smaller molecules and dissolves without gelling.  Another option is Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides.  It's basically similar to the GL collagen hydrolysate and is what I use personally (me, not the cats).  It dissolves completely in my hot tea and basically has no taste (it makes the tea a bit cloudy).  I chose it over GL because their website is a bit more emphatic that the animals are pasture raised.  

If you are deciding between the two, gelatin vs collagen, something to consider is the gel factor.  There are studies that say the gel could help soothe the digestive tract, probably similar in effect to Slippery Elm.  The collagen is supposed to be a bit more bioavailable.  

Great Lakes also sells a dog/cat version of the gelatin in conjunction with a company named ArmWorks.  I have no idea how it differs from the regular GL product.  

And to clarify for the U Stew/ Better in the Raw.  Either product can be used for raw or cooked meat.  The only difference between the two is the addition of digestive enzymes to the U Stew since the cooked meat's enzymes are destroyed.  If you add your own enzymes to the cooked meat at meal time (as I do) then you should use Better in the Raw for the supplement. They also include gelatin in their recipes, like your CatNutrition recipe, their calcium source is not bone and they want the amino acids the gelatin provides.  They don't provide their source for the gelatin.  

 

[geely]

thanks for all the great answers. I decided to go with the Now brand. I didn't realize the GL brand was not from bone. I was considering it because it sounded like it was more easily absorbed and I didn't really want a thickener.  I also had looked at the dog/cat version made by Armworks but its kind of expensive and it doesn't tell you much about it. I question why too its not for human consumption.