The Issue of Feline Nutrition

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Often people will ask me, “Is this a good brand of cat food?” My answer is always the same, “Don’t tell me the brand, just show me the list of ingredients.” Understanding what corn gluten meal, beef tallow, taurine, beet pulp, etc. are, and what purpose they serve (positive or negative) in cat food, combined with knowing how marketing tricks are used, will empower anyone to make good nutritional choices for their cat(s).

Who among us would raise our children on a constant diet of pizza and French fries, even though that probably could be done? Why not? Because we all know the potential long-term health consequences of such food. "But my son says he doesn't like broccoli; isn't that reason enough to just let him eat pizza?" (Riiight...) Yet if a cat "says" something similar, we say "...well, I guess I just have to let him eat junk food."

In this session of Feline-Human Relations 101 we will examine the nutritional needs of cats and discuss the ingredients found in common brands of cat food on the market today. Our purpose is not to promote or denigrate one brand name over another; rather, it is to educate our members enabling them to make informed choices. We will also address this challenge of just who is in charge of selecting the menu! Participants are encouraged to bring their bag of dry and/or a can of wet food to this session to evaluate in real time what they currently are feeding.

During the second hour in accordance with our meeting format, time will be available to address any questions or situations related to cats that individuals are experiencing and have brought to this group for advice and, where possible, resolution.

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PLEASE NOTE: Much of the information presented in Feline-Human Relations 101 is widely accepted and practiced throughout the feline rescue community. Other recommendations are derived from the experience and knowledge of the instructor. However, in neither case are guarantees stated or implied that these methods will work 100% of the time.

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