What to avoid: GRAINS/CARBOHYDRATES -Wheat and soy: known allergens for cats -Wheat fiber: a known irritant for cats. -Corn: proven to have more bioavailable protein than other grains, but still less appropriate than meat sources. NOTE: Corn and soy also have a very good chance of being contaminated with genetic modification (GM). Some estimate up to 80% of non-organic corn crops have been genetically modified. None of these GM crops have even been studied in the long run for their affect on humans, much less on cats. Unless you want yourself and your pets to be unpaid research subjects for corporate agriculture, you might want to avoid these products. -Potatoes and sweet potatoes: there is presently no published research on the effects on cats of newer carbohydrate additives such as potatoes or sweet potatoes. -Until the manufacturers can show proof these ingredients are safe, it’s probably best to avoid them. -Gluten: many formulas have gluten as a source of carbohydrates as well as protein. Gluten was proven to be a risky ingredient imported from China in the form of melamine during the 2007 pet food recalls that killed millions of companion animals. FIBER in the following forms: -Cellulose: the least fermentable fiber for felines. This may push the food through too quickly for proper nutrients to be absorbed. -Oat fiber, peanut hulls, psyllium gum, soy hulls, citrus pulp and lactulose are also not fermentable by cats, according to research, acting like cellulose in the gut. -Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), guar gum, locust bean gum and citrus pectin are actually too high in fermentability and can cause gas, diarrhea and loss of nutrients. -Peas and pea fiber: another inexpensive filler and highly insoluble. Note there is zero research available on its effect on cats. VEGETABLES & FRUITS -Cranberries: a growth industry from overproduction of cranberries, with no research to guarantee either safety or health improvement, especially in cats. In fact, the benzoic acid of cranberries has been proven toxic to cats. -Blueberries, apples, acai berries, tomatoes or any other fruit: no research to support their safety. -Carrots, spinach, turnip greens, zucchini, green beans or any other vegetable but pumpkin: no research to support their safety. -Avocados: all parts are toxic to animals and research says, “Feeding avocados to any non-human animal should be completely avoided.” -Onions and garlic are also toxic to cats. HERBS & HERBAL ADDITIVES -Yucca Schidigera Extract: purported to decrease the odor in feces, Yucca is on many lists of plants toxic to both dogs and cats. -Rosemary Extract: cheap preservative known to cause seizures in cats and small dogs and not proven safe, either in the US or in Europe. -Alfalfa, green tea, parsley, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold, fennel, peppermint, chamomile, dandelion, savory, or any other herbs: no research to support their safety. PRESERVATIVES -Ethoxyquin: actually a pesticide which may compromise your cat’s health over time. -BHA & BHT: cheap chemical additives not proven to be safe. THICKENERS -Carrageenan: a known cancer-causing substance for humans, it is also known to produce intestinal lesions, ulcerations and tumors in experimental animals. Can be avoided in some canned cat food. -Guar Gum: shown to decrease the digestibility of protein in cat food. Very sticky substance that may cause canned food to stick more to cats’ teeth. Hard to avoid in canned food. Any FOOD COLORING happycatshaven.org/what-to-feed-what-to-avoid/
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 02:47:31 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015