Cat Ladies (Obsessive Cat Owners Documentary) - Real Stories

The Benefits of Raw Food for Cats

The Benefits of Raw Food for Cats

Cats are predators. They evolved eating a prey-based diet, and more importantly, eating that food raw. Cooking degrades nutrients in meat, causing the loss of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.¹Meat used in highly-processed pet food is cooked at high temperatures. The nutrients lost must be added back. This supplementation is not exact. There are nutrient losses that aren't always replaced. Cats in the wild often eat the entire prey animal if it is small, and will eat nearly everything except the intestines of a larger prey animal. This includes the bones of prey, as raw bone is highly digestible and is their primary source of calcium. Cooking bone reduces the nutrients available, making it brittle and dangerous to ingest.²

 

Providing your cats with a diet that is modeled on what they would eat in the wild has many benefits, both for you and your cat:

 

• Improved digestion
• Greatly reduced stool odor and volume
• Healthy coat, less shedding, fewer hairballs
• Increased energy
• Weight loss, if overweight
• Better dental health
• Better urinary health

 

Improved Digestion

 

Cats are obligate carnivores, they must eat meat. There are no vegan cats. Their digestive systems are adapted specifically for a meat-based diet. A cat's digestive tract is short and acidic, and processes species-appropriate raw food highly efficiently in about 12 hours. This gives very little time for bacteria to proliferate, so cats are naturally resistant to food poisoning.³

 

Cats have no requirement for carbohydrates and limited ability to digest them. A raw cat food diet is more digestible than a diet of plant-based foods.⁴ Because they evolved eating a diet with almost no carbohydrates, they have only one enzyme system capable of handling them. This is quite different from humans and dogs, both having multiple enzyme systems that digest carbohydrates.⁵

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Can Cats Have a Raw Food Diet?

CAT PET CARE

By Aly Semigran

A cat’s natural instinct—even a friendly, loveable housecat—is to hunt for food. And if left to their own devices out in the wild, cats would find their food in a raw, natural state.

That’s why, with the proper preparation, knowledge, and veterinary guidance, a pet parent can provide their cat with a raw food diet that not only taps into their feline instincts but keeps them healthy and strong too.

SHOULD CATS HAVE A RAW FOOD DIET?

Cats, like dogs, can be fed a raw food diet, and some holistic veterinarians even recommend that pet parent should have this as part of their cat’s lifestyle. In fact, as Jodie Gruenstern, DVM, points out, a raw food diet may be even more important for cats than it is for dogs “because they are stricter carnivores than dogs.”

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A RAW FOOD DIET FOR CATS?

Gruenstern says there are four main components that need to be included in a raw food diet for cats. A balanced raw diet should include flesh, organs, a bone or ground bone and a small amount of vegetation.

In addition, Jill Elliot, DVM, explains that pet parents can also add calcium to a raw-food diet for cats. This can be administered through supplements and small amounts of cat-safe dairy products."

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Strange Cat Behaviors Finally Explained

The Paw Project

ABOUT THE PAW PROJECT

The Paw Project’s mission is to educate the public about the painful and crippling effects of feline declawing, to promote animal welfare through the abolition of the practice of declaw surgery, and to rehabilitate cats that have been declawed.

The Paw Project educates the public about why declawing is inhumane. Many people, including animal lovers, do not realize that declawing is a surgical procedure in which the animal’s toes are amputated at the last joint. A portion of the bone, not just the nail, is removed. Declawing may result in permanent lameness, arthritis, and other long-term complications. The practice, although common in the United States, is actually illegal in many countries. Great Britain’s Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons goes so far as to declare declawing “unnecessary mutilation.”

In a misguided attempt to keep big cats such as lions and tigers, as pets, their owners have the animals declawed as cubs, believing that they will be protected against injury. Later, when the cats prove to be poor pets, weighing hundreds of pounds and eating 20 pounds of meat a day, they are often neglected, confiscated by animal regulatory officials, or abandoned. They often end up in animal compounds or sanctuaries.

The Paw Project actively advocates campaigns to legally ban declawing at the community and state level. Some of our legislative milestones:

• In 2002, Dr. Conrad approached West Hollywood (California) City Council members and convinced them that declawing of all animals should be banned. The council adopted an anti-declawing ordinance soon after (April, 2003) and became the first city in all of North America to ban declawing.
• In 2003, Dr. Conrad and the Paw Project team provided data about the debilitating effects of declawing to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), which then changed its position on declawing of wild and exotic cats to no longer condone it. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association quickly followed suit.
• In 2005, The Paw Project team led the successful campaign to legally ban declawing of wild or exotic cats throughout the entire state of California.
• In 2006, The Paw Project team was able to convince the USDA, the governing body over animals that are exhibited, bred or sold, to stipulate a regulation in the Federal Animal Welfare Act, prohibiting licensees from declawing or defanging their animals.
• In 2009, The Paw Project team led the successful campaigns to legally ban declawing of domestic cats in seven more California cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Burbank, Santa Monica, Berkeley, Beverly Hills and Culver City.
• In 2012, California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 1229 into law, the first ever state law in the US prohibiting landlords from requiring tenants to declaw or devocalize their animals. Senator Fran Pavley authored the bill, which the Paw Project co-sponsored with HSVMA.
• In 2014, Rhode Island enacted a new law, similar to the 2012 California law, that prohibits landlords from requiring tenants to declaw or devocalize their animals.

TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN (TNR) RESOURCES

Interested in learning more about Trap-Neuter-Return?

Click here to download our Guide to TNR Tips, Tricks and Advice!
​This page is designed to help you learn about and prepare to do TNR and to help you tackle common issues that you might see while implementing a TNR program for your community cats.  Whether you’re looking for a step-by-step guide to TNR or you could use some of our field-tested tips and tricks, you should be able to find it all he

CAT BEHAVIOR RESOURCES

Jackson is not able to answer specific behavior questions about your pet because he hasn’t met him/her. But you can find all sorts of great information about common behavior issues here.

CAT MOJO
What the heck is cat mojo and what makes a cat tick?

YOUR CAT’S DIET AND THE IMPACT OF FOOD ON HEALTH
(Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your cat's diet.)
Jackson talks about your cat’s diet
Here’s what Jackson thinks about free-feeding
One-Page Guides from Feline Nutrition Foundation

I need help with managing my cat’s diabetes:
Check out Diabetic Cats In Need (DCIN) 

TRAINING YOUR CAT
Best and worst ways to train your cat (Hint: NO squirt gun)  
My cat won’t let me sleep at night! What should I do? 
Get the details on JGP’s Cat Pawsitive initiative

SPAY/NEUTER
Importance of spay/neuter

ADOPTION:
First time adoption
Before you get a kitten
Cat-to-dog introductions
Cat-to-cat introductions
 
DECLAWING and DESTRUCTIVE SCRATCHING
Jackson does not support declawing. Jackson supports all of the humane ways you can allow a cat to be a cat without sacrificing his claws.
Learn more about declawing at The Paw Project
Help! My cat is ruining my furniture with his scratching!
Why do I need to trim my cat’s claws?
How do I trim my cat’s claws?

CAT AGGRESSION/BULLYING:
Aggression in cats
Why is my cat randomly attacking me? (Petting-induced aggression)

PLAYING WITH YOUR CAT 
The importance of playtime for cats
How to properly play with your cat

LITTER BOX ISSUES:
Are my cats sending messages when they pee outside of the box?
Benefits of natural litter
Picking the right litter
Cat Attract Litter (useful for kittens just learning to use a litter box and for helping adult cats re-learn to use it)

COMPASSION FATIGUE
Information about compassion fatigue
Compassion fatigue in animal shelters
Help for compassion fatigue

CATIOS:
What is a catio?
Building a catio
 
ALL SORTS OF JACKSON GALAXY VIDEOS ABOUT CAT BEHAVIOR
I want to watch tons of Jackson videos about cat behavior!
Check out the Cat Mojo Channel

The Jackson Galaxy Project

The Jackson Galaxy Project

THE JGP

The Jackson Galaxy Project, founded in 2014, is a Signature Program of GreaterGood.org, a public 501c3 nonprofit organization. The Project is the realization of Jackson’s long-standing dream of improving the lives of animals at risk and helping the people who care for them.

Jackson Galaxy found his way into animal welfare the way that most people do: part chance, part fate, part destiny. During his journey from entry-level shelter worker to America’s Cat Daddy, Jackson questioned, observed and learned. He saw what worked, what wasn't working and created new solutions. He developed a vision to help animals through innovation and collaboration. Today, that vision is becoming a reality through The Jackson Galaxy Project.

The Project:

• focuses on programs that drive innovation
• promotes improved shelter design and construction
• provides “Elevation through Education”: increased knowledge that inspires and empowers staff, rescuers, and adopters to continually raise the bar for  animals at risk

Jackson helps guide the Projects' vision as a member of the GreaterGood.org Board.

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How to Feed Your Adult Cat

A while back you brought home an adorable, fluffy kitten that required special food and special treatment to make sure they grew up happy and healthy. Now, you have an adult cat with special nutritional needs for maintenance. Make sure you’re fulfilling your adult cat’s nutritional needs to keep them feeling and looking their best now and for years to come.

Check out these adult cat nutrition facts to learn the best way to nourish your feline friend.

What Should I Feed My Adult Cat?

So your cat is growing out of kittenhood: Their fur is getting sleeker, their balance is getting better and their body is getting bigger. You’re starting to think that it’s time to switch them from kitten food to adult food, but you’re not sure where to start. Talk with your veterinarian about when is the right time to change cat food formulas. Typically, your cat’s doctor will recommend switching your young cat to adult food after they’ve been neutered or once they’re a year old, whichever comes first.

There are an overwhelming number of cat food formulas available, but not all adult cat foods are created equal. When looking at your options, choose a formula that is designed specifically for adult cats. This is because adult cat food formulas contain the proper amount of nutrients and calories your feline friend needs for maintenance. Kitten food, on the other hand, is specifically formulated for growth and play, and is too calorie dense for indoor adult cats.

Look for Protein

Pay close attention to the amount of protein in your cat’s food. Cats are carnivores by nature, and they are capable of subsisting on meat alone. The best cat foods will contain more protein and fewer grains. Often, wet cat foods have a higher concentration of proteins in the formula.

It’s also important to ensure that your cat is getting the correct types of protein. For example, taurine – which is critical for normal vision, normal digestion, normal muscle function, healthy immune system and more – is exclusively found in animal-based proteins, such as chicken and fish.

Consider Dental Health

Dry cat food has a place in your cat’s diet as well. It can help keep your cat’s teeth healthy, as crunchy kitty kibble helps naturally clean their pearly whites as they chew. Cats that eat exclusively raw or wet diets can suffer from dental problems. A balance between the two is the best, either mixed or alternated.

Nourish Their Skin and Coat

Just like humans, what our cats eat affects their skin and coat health. If your cat is battling dry skin or has patchy fur, it could mean they are not getting the right types of fatty acids. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for maintaining healthy skin and a soft, shiny coat in cats.

Certain cat food ingredients contain higher levels of these omega fatty acids, including salmon and other types of fish. These types of good fats can also be found in both animal-based and plant-based ingredients, although it is recommended to feed your cat as close to 100% animal protein as possible.

Note: A cat’s coat is made up almost entirely of protein. If your cat’s diet doesn’t contain an adequate amount of quality protein, the hair can become weak, dry and brittle and even begin to fall out.

How Much Should I Feed My Cat?

The amount of food that your cat needs depends on their age, size and level of activity. On average, most adult cats require about 2/3 cup of food each day, including wet food and dry food if you mix the two. If you feed your cat twice a day, break the amount into two equal portions.

Some pet owners choose to open-feed their cats, meaning they put out a portion of food and allow their cat to eat whenever they’re hungry. If this is the case, keep in mind the freshness of the food. It is recommended that you not leave out more than three days of food in advance. Keep in mind that you can only open-feed with dry food, as wet food will spoil quickly and should only be left out for around 20 minutes.

Cats are creatures of habit. Establish a feeding routine that fits both of your schedules to ensure optimal happiness and health for your feline friend.

Tip: When cats are sick, often their appetites diminish. It will be easier to observe your cat’s eating habits if you feed them at intervals instead of open-feeding.

Don’t Forget to Hydrate

Cats have a tendency to avoid drinking as much water as they should, as thirst is significantly diminished in cats, meaning they don’t feel thirsty like humans do. To make sure your adult cat is getting enough water, place multiple water bowls around the house. This gives your cat options, and allows them to choose their preferred watering hole. You can also try using a fountain, since some cats might prefer drinking from a moving water source. To find out if your cat prefers to drink moving water, monitor their behavior when you turn on the faucet.

Tip: If your cat’s drinking water has particles and debris, or if the dish has an odor, it might dissuade your cat from drinking. Keep their water dish clean and full at all times to keep them interested.

Preventing Hairballs With a Nutritional, Healthy Diet

All cat owners have experienced their cat coughing up a hairball. The sound of gagging, retching, and hacking is unpleasant at best, but the infrequent hairball is usually not a cause for concern. However, if your cat has more than one or two hairballs each month, consult your veterinarian. He or she might recommend changing your cat’s food to help reduce hairballs.

Here are some facts on hairballs and tips for preventing them.

Why Do Cats Get Hairballs?

Hairballs are a result of your cat’s grooming habit. As they lick their hair, the small, hook-like projections on their tongue pull hair out of their coat, which they subsequently swallow. Most times, the hair is digested and passes easily through the gastrointestinal system. Occasionally, hair gets caught in their digestive tract and forms a ball or tubular-like structure. If the fur ball irritates your cat’s stomach, your cat will vomit to remove it from its system.

While kittens are unlikely to develop hairballs, adult and senior felines with long hair or cats that groom themselves more frequently are more prone to hairballs. It’s important to pay attention to your cat’s habits, as over-grooming can be a sign of irritation from fleas, ticks, mites, anxiety or a skin infection.

When to Be Concerned About Hairballs

Hairballs are one of the top concerns for cat owners. A cat that produces fur balls more than a couple times a month might have an underlying issue with their digestive system. If your cat coughs or attempts to vomit, but doesn’t produce a hairball, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian. Additionally, if you notice that your cat is not eating normally after repeated hairball episodes, it could signal an obstruction or a potentially serious condition.

For healthy cats, brushing can help reduce the amount of hair that is ingested. A special diet can also help decrease the likelihood of hairball formation.

What to Look for in a Nutritional Hairball Cat Food

A specialized cat food with a high-fiber content can help ingested hair pass more easily through the digestive tract. You will want to look for a cat food formula with a fiber system to help promote good digestive health.

Your cat’s diet should also include high-quality, proteins and fats to help boost skin and coat health. This can help reduce excessive shedding and hair ingestion from grooming.

In addition to their diet, cat owners can also give their feline companions flavored oral laxatives or add fiber supplements to their current food to encourage hair to move through the digestive system. Always consult your veterinarian before changing your cat’s formula or adding supplements to their diet.

Benefits of Adding Wet Food to Your Cat’s Diet

Benefits of Adding Wet Food to Your Cat’s Diet

Some cat owners prefer to exclusively feed their cat wet food, while others are dedicated to dry cat food. According to The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, both types of food offer great benefits. In fact, mixing wet and dry food together could be the most beneficial for your cat’s diet, particularly if you have an indoor cat.

Because indoor cats generally expend less energy, they need more protein and fewer calories. Indoor cats also need to have a healthy water intake to stay hydrated. Beyond providing fresh, clean water for your feline friend, mixing wet cat food with their kibble can help your indoor cat stay hydrated and get the proper nutrients for maintenance.

Wet Cat Food Hydrates to Promote Urinary Tract Health

If your cat doesn’t get enough water each day, they will not urinate frequently. Infrequent urination can lead to the formation of mineral crystals or urinary stones, causing your cat a great deal of pain and potentially blocking their urethra. Urethra obstruction is a serious medical issue that requires immediate medical attention in order to prevent serious issues for your cat. Signs of urinary blockage include straining to pee, producing little to no urine and/or expressing pain while trying to urinate. If you notice your cat exhibiting any of these behaviors, contact your veterinarian immediately.

To help supplement their water intake, wet food also has a great deal of water in the formula. Having one meal of wet food a day, or combining canned cat food in with your cat’s dry food, will help them urinate more frequently, preventing the buildup of minerals and urinary stones.

Adding Wet Cat Food Can Help You Manage Their Weight

Dry cat food typically has a higher concentration of carbohydrate, and, of course, less moisture which makes it more calorie-dense. Adding wet food into your cat’s diet will give them more protein to balance out the carbohydrates. Studies from The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition have also shown that when cats are fed a moisture-high diet, they tend to eat less food, which can help them lose weight and encourage them to become more active. This is especially important for indoor cats, who are often less active than their outdoor cats.

Because wet cat food provides more protein and, fat than carbs, it can better satisfy a cat’s instinctive feeding behavior and can help them maintain a healthy metabolism. Mixing canned and dry food in your cat’s diet will give them all of the nutrients they need to live a happy, healthy life.

Wet Cat Food Adds Extra Enjoyment

Typically, when given a choice, most cats will prefer to eat a mixture of wet and dry food as opposed to dry food alone. Wet cat food can add extra enjoyment to mealtime because it adds flavor and a variety of protein sources and textures. Especially if your cat is a picky or finicky eater, mixing wet cat food and dry cat food can give them the variety they desire.

Why Does My Cat Meow, and What Does It Mean?

Why Does My Cat Meow, and What Does It Mean?

Do you ever wish you could have communication with your cat, or at least understand what they’re trying to tell you when they meow? If you’ve spent any amount of time around cats, you’ve probably noticed that not all meows sound the same. From the long, drawn-out meeeeow to short little chirps, cats have a range of vocal signals.

Check out this list of common reasons why cats and kittens meow and what they might mean.

Why Kittens Meow
Just like human babies cry to tell their parents what they need, kittens meow to communicate with their mothers. When kittens meow, they might be hungry, cold or scared. Newly adopted kittens might also meow or cry upon moving into a new home. This change can be distressing to a kitten, so take steps to comfort them, such as holding or petting. The crying will usually subside as your new kitten becomes used to their new environment.

Cats Don’t Meow at Each Other
Did you know that once a kitten grows up and is weaned from its mother, it no longer meows at other cats? Grown cats use different vocal expressions besides meowing to communicate with each other, including scent, body language, facial expressions, and touch. Cats may growl, hiss or yowl at each other to communicate, but meowing is a signal reserved only for humans.

Do Certain Cats Meow More Than Others?
The amount a cat meows can depend on its breed, age, and environment. Siamese cats, in particular, are known for being “talkative.” Older cats may meow more than they did in their younger years, and cats in multi-pet households may meow to get attention.

What Does My Cat’s Meow Mean?
Your cat’s meow can mean a variety of things, from a simple greeting to letting you know they don’t feel well. With a little patient observation, you can learn to identify what your cat is trying to tell you when it meows.

• Saying Hello – Often cats will greet their owners when they come home or even when they come across each other in the house. A normal “all-purpose” meow when your cat encounters you can simply be its way of saying hi.
• Asking for Attention – If your cat is feeling lonely or left out, you may notice it meowing more than usual. Your cat might also become clingy, following you around and not leaving you alone. If your cat is acting this way, try spending more time with them. Contrary to popular belief, cats are social creatures and do not enjoy being left alone for long periods of time. Playing, grooming and petting are all ways you can show your cat the attention it needs.
• Contentment – Cats often make small, soft meows when they’re being petted or held. This is usually a sign they’re content. Additionally, if your cat pushes their body up into your hand during petting, this is a sign they’re enjoying the contact with you and inviting more.
• They’re Hungry – Cats meow at their owners when they’re hungry or when their humans enter the kitchen. While your cat may indeed be asking for food, feeding a meal or treats in response to the meowing might encourage your cat to make this behavior a habit. Try feeding your cat after it quiets down or from an automatic feeder that dispenses food at certain times. When your cat chirps at you instead of meowing, it may be trying to lead you to its food bowl.
• Watching Other Animals – Have you ever noticed your cat making a mix of chirping, chattering growls and meows when it looks outside? Chances are they’re watching a bird, squirrel or other animals. The noises are a signal that your cat is excited or interested in the “prey” outside.
• Anxiety/Stress – If a major change has occurred in the household (e.g., a new baby in the home, you’ve moved to a new house, another pet or family member has passed away, etc.), your cat might make longer, sad meows. This is an indication your cat senses a change and is experiencing anxiety or stress. Spending more time with your cat, comforting and playing with them, even treating them occasionally can help put your cat at ease and relieve this type of meowing.
• Looking for a Mate – If your cat has not been spayed or neutered, you will likely find them exerting long, low yowls during mating season. Female cats yowl when in heat, and male cats do the same when they smell a female in heat. This type of behavior can be very disruptive, so it’s best to have your cats spayed or neutered to avoid the issue.
• On the Prowl – If you have an outdoor cat, you may hear it growling or letting out long, low meows. This sound may mean your cat is hunting or has captured prey. If your cat is coming up to you with chirping noises, it may be trying to lead you to its catch.
• Aging – As cats get older, they may suffer from cognitive dysfunction, which can cause them anxiety and stress, resulting in increased meowing. If you feel like your cat is suffering from disorientation or an underlying medical issue, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
• Illness – Similar to aging cats, sick cats can meow to let their owners know they’re not feeling well. If you notice your cat exhibiting unusual meowing and behavior, schedule an appointment with your local veterinarian. Conditions such as overactive thyroid or kidney disease, usually found in older cats, can cause increased meowing.

Paying attention to your cat to learn their different forms of meows and vocal signals can be a rewarding experience for a pet parent. In doing so, you might get to know your cat better and experience a deeper level of connection and bonding to your feline friend. You’ll also be more attuned to how your cat is feeling and can get help sooner if you notice any unusual behavior or sounds.Cats meow to communicate with humans, and just like we use different words to share thoughts and feelings, cats create different sounds to communicate different things. Keep reading to learn what different types of cat meows mean and how best to respond to them.