Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/112551
The pancreas, which was never meant to work this hard producing excess insulin, can become fatigued and quit making insulin (a diabetic is created), or inflamed (resulting in a potentially life threatening pancreatitis). Cats, being originally from the desert, were designed to be good at water conservation. Studies have shown that cat���s process water more slowly than other animals. When cats are eating a higher carbohydrate diet, they metabolize the food too fast and are unable to process the water efficiently resulting in chronic dehydration. This may explain why kidney disease is the #1 killer of cats today! Feeding a diet with the proper protein/fat/carb balance results in the processing of water and animal protein at a rate that conserves energy and makes the cat extremely efficient at balancing water usage with nutrient intake and digestion. High carbohydrate diets lead to over eating and result in over consumption of minerals. Excess mineral consumption (like Phosphorus) has been cited as a predisposing cause of crystal formation and urinary tract disorders in cats. High-carb diets also tend to produce a more alkaline urine. A slightly acidic urine is desired to help maintain a healthy urinary tract. Raw vs processed? A ���live��� diet refers to the fact that the food retains the enzymes inherent in the food. Processing (the process of heating over 105 degrees and extruding) destroys the enzymes that were present resulting in a biologically ���dead food.��� A processed diet will result in undue stress on the pancreas. Long term feeding of processed foods may result in health challenges. If feeding a raw diet is not feasible, the addition of plant based digestive enzymes to a processed meat diet will improve the nutritive value of the diet. Feeding raw does not mean buying a piece of meat from the grocery store and feeding it. The meat should come from grass fed, freerange animals that are hormone and antibiotic free. The diet should contain a proper balance of organ meat as well as muscle meat, intestines, and bone. Companies that manufacture raw diets usually pasteurize the diet at 40 degrees to kill bacteria but retain the enzyme quality. There are commercially available diets that meet the above criteria and are 95% meat, 5 % fruits and vegetables. Consult a veterinarian who understands balanced raw diets if you choose to prepare your own pet���s food. supported with a high quality balanced raw diet. When you buy an expensive car, you use the fuel and oils the manufacturer recommends in order to maintain peak performance. Though that fancy car will run on a cheaper gas, it may not be as efficient and won���t last as long. Consider the cat an intricate machine. Feed them the diet they were best designed to operate on and they will have markedly fewer health issues. Dr. Marlene Siegel Integrated Veterinarian Cats have addictive behavior. Food manufactures have capitalized on this by adding fats and sugars to the ���dead kibble���, addicting Pasco Veterinary Medical Center cats to the taste and texture. Converting a cat to a healthy raw Promoting Health Care Not Broke Care www.pascovet.com diet may be challenging and must P| 813-973-2929 be done with the advice of your veterinarian to avoid complications from not eating. Dogs are carnivores too, though they have a higher tolerance for carbohydrates. They too are best Pasco Veterinary Medical Center Abby���s Magazine - March/April 2013 | Page 21