Recently, one of my cats developed an allergy and no one was quite sure what it was (and still isn’t). I know that sounds almost funny, as you hear of people being allergic to cats but not usually the other way around. We are sure, however, that it is not people that our Maine coon cat, Jasmine, is allergic to!
To change all of the cat food and replace it with specialty brands was too expensive an alternative as there are five animals in our household. (Or put another way, that’s a total of twenty legs!) After some thought, I cam up with a plan that I hope will make all creatures, large and small, two legged and four, happy.
I researched homemade pet food on the Internet and read several accounts by reputable people, vets, etc. I came up with a solution and even though my cats like some of the meals better than others, I am determined to win this battle of wills.
I still have not replaced the canned food entirely as I was told that they need some things that are in it. I do, however, make a mixture that is half store-bought food and half-homemade. I mix their canned food with good things like rice, grated carrot, ground meat, sunflower oil, Metamucil and chicken hearts. The hearts are very good for cats as they contain taurine an important nutrient. I also occasionally grind soft chicken bones and add that to the mixture.
It is a bit of work and these children of mine will never grow up and leave me for college or a spouse. But I think it’s worth it and I feel I am doing something that is healthy for them.
Jasmine still scratches but not as much as she did. It may be something else besides the food she is allergic to, but in the grand scheme of things, I feel that my cats are healthier even if they don’t always like or eat what I make.
But if you are thinking of doing this, just consider what cats eat in the wild. Birds and mice are favorite fare and that’s protein and bones (Ugh!)
Anyway good luck and if your cats are not too happy with your decision at least your conscience might be!