When I first picked up this book I expected another reference type of cat care book through which I could browse, gleaning bits of information on various topics. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover both an informative and entertaining read from cover to cover.
Unlike many authors of books on cat health, Ms. Coscia does not work in the veterinary field. She is a nutritional consultant who combines her knowledge of holistic health with her passion for cats. She draws heavily on her years of experiences in operating a cat rescue organization with her husband, out of their home.
The author endorses complementary health practices for cats, which combines conventional veterinary medicine with alternative or holistic approaches. She demonstrates this approach throughout the book, with stories of cats that she has taken in and nursed back to health, many from the brink of death. Photographs of these cats, gives each story a personal touch.
Jennifer tackles a number of topics on feline care including diet, safety, and stress. She offers some good insights on the vaccination controversy, and examines the pros and cons of the indoor/outdoor cat issue. She also offers recipes for homemade cat food and supplements, and suggests treatments for common feline ailments. The reader is introduced to some of the kitties that have touched her life, whose stories are interwoven throughout each chapter.
In my opinion, the author’s unique approach to the topic of cat care works well. I found myself getting drawn into her experiences with individual cats, to the point of tears, at some of the losses she endured. I was continually amazed at her compassion, patience, determination and devotion to this work. Not only have I gained some valuable insight into feline health, but I now have a greater understanding of my own kitties. In addition, I have learned much about the cat rescue business, and the intense passion and mature dedication required to run a no-kill shelter. I was so impacted by Jennifer’s experiences that when I reached the final page of The Holistic Cat I knew that this was a book that I would not easily forget.
Have you ever watched how your kitties walk? Take Missy, for instance. She is dainty and petite, has always watched her weight, so that she has consistently tipped the scales at just over 7 pounds. One day, as I observed her strutting across the floor, it suddenly occurred to me why they call the platforms at fashion shows catwalks. The way she places her front paws one in front of the other as she walks, resembles a human fashion model strutting down a runway. So, who is the copycat here?
Dandelion, on the other hand, has been working on perfecting the tomcat swagger. When he walks he gets that action going in the shoulder muscles, which draws attention to his sleek, muscular body, and his cool attitude which says, I’m the king here. This is my domain.
Yup, life is not dull with My Feline Friends.
In order to make it easier to sort through the myriad of cat foods that are available on the market, they can be divided into three main categories.
- Generic – This type is usually sold in supermarkets and department stores, and is significantly lower in price than foods from the other two categories. The reason for the lower price is evident in the ingredients. The manufacturers of these foods depend on the cheapest ingredients that will pass government pet food standards, mainly plant and animal by-products. They also tend to use toxic preservatives, and additives, such as colouring and flavouring. There is often no real meat in these foods, only low quality meat products. The main ingredient is often processed grain, such as corn, wheat or soy. The preservatives are added in small amounts, but the cumulative effect of consuming them daily will eventually take a toll on your cat’s health. The food is often sprayed with animal fat to make it more appealing to kitties. The result is that they tend to eat a lot of it, but ultimately end up with nutritional deficits, due to the poor quality of ingredients.
- Premium- This is definitely a better choice than the generic brands for feline health. At least there should be an animal source of protein listed as the main ingredient. And a natural preservative such as Vitamin C and E would be used rather than the cheaper chemicals that are found in the generic brands. However, these foods usually contain processed grains, and also some sort of meat by-product. This is where the importance of label reading must be emphasized, otherwise you could be paying a premium price for only a small improvement on generic food.
- Natural or Holistic -These brands are formulated for optimum nutrition with a high percentage of good quality protein. They contain no artificial flavours or colours, and use natural preservatives, and human grade ingredients, from unrendered meats. Some brands contain no grains, substituting vegetables such as sweet potato, carrot and broccoli as carbohydrate and fiber sources. Whole grains are favoured in brands which contain grains. Barley, oats and rice are preferred, rather than the allergy producing wheat, soy, and corn. Probiotics are added to the ingredients to help promote digestive health. It seems that a lot of pet food companies are jumping onto the natural bandwagon, so it is still necessary to read the labels, to ensure that your kitties are getting the best possible nutrients.
When considering feline nutrition, it is important to understand that unlike dogs, cats are obligate carnivores. This means that being true meat eaters, that meat protein must comprise a large part of their diet. It is desirable for cats to eat greens, but as a secondary part of their diet. Greens supply some plant protein, as well as anti-oxidants, which help protect against various diseases.
Just as we humans are rarely able to obtain all our nutrients from diet alone, so it is that even the best holistic food may fall short in providing everything our kitties need for optimum health. Particularly for older cats, or those with specific health needs, supplements should be considered.
That covers the basics of choosing a cat food. There is also the raw food diet, which is another topic altogether. It is important that we become educated consumers, and no longer allow the pet food companies to dictate what we feed our beloved little friends. It is not acceptable that they maximize their profits at the expense of our pets’ health.
(For part 1 click here)
I want to wish a Happy 2010 to all my friends and cat lovers. And of course to all our wonderful feline friends who add so much joy to our lives.
The staff members of the Toronto Humane Society were allowed to return to work this week. Their doors will open to the public this coming Monday with about 100 cats and 20 dogs available for adoption. That’s good news. The four members who were arrested in November are scheduled to make their first court appearance this month.
On a personal level, another year is before us, 12 months, 365 days of blank pages to be filled. Since resolutions don’t work for me, I’m trying something different this year. I’d like to take time to reflect and be thankful for my blessings of the past year. Then set 3 or 4 goals that I would like to accomplish in 2010. I’ll be working on that today while I enjoy my New Year’s Day walk. Hope you all enjoy your day.
