Disclaimer, etc.

I suppose that I should post a disclaimer should anyone happen to find my journaling and make the mistaken assumption that I am writing from any position of authority on cat health (not likely). I am just a traveler seeking to be kind to myself and my wards in this crazy world of chemicals, GMO's, and various other adversaries to good health (natural and man-made) that we live in. If you should make a decision to treat your animals in a certain way because of anything I have written here or linked to or.... then that is entirely your choice. I am not making any recommendations to anyone.

That said, I thought I would post the ingredients of 'Wellness Kitten Health--Holistic Nutrition for your Growing Cat'. This is the best processed food that I have found according to what I have learned. Better would be to make my kitties' food from scratch using ingredients of the same standard that I use for myself. As I read up, I will be making what I hope are even better choices, but for now this is the brand.
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Wellness Kitten Health

Deboned chicken, chicken meal, rice, ground barley, ground rice, chicken fat, (preserved with mixed tocopherols (a natural source of vitamin E), natural chicken flavor, salmon meal (source of DHA, Docosahexaenoic acid), chicken liver, cranberries, tomato pomace, olive oil, chicory root extract, cranberry extract powder, cranberry fiber, flaxseed, potassium chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), thiamine mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, beta-carotene, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D-3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B-12 supplement), choline chloride, minerals (zinc proteinate, zinc sulfate, iron proteinate, ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, manganese sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite, yucca schidigera extract, dried kelp, chondroiten sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, lactobaccillus plantarium, enterococcus faecium, lactobacillus casei, lactobacillus acidophilus, taurine, rosemary extract.

*Wellness uses ethoxyquin-free protein sources.

Wellness and Wellness logo are registered trademarks of Old Mother Hubbard, Inc.
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I think there is still too much grain, although rice and barley are better than CORN! The big problem with almost all other brands is that corn is used as a filler. Cats do not need corn and from what I have discovered as I am learning to take care of my own health, is that waaaay back when, the Mayo Clinic released a paper stating that corn is found to be universally contaminated with Fusarium ? fungus, a known carcinogin, and others including Aflatoxin. (I will insert links when I find them again). It is my understanding that these toxins cannot be killed with heat. Corn alone is not good for cats-- throw in fungal toxins and you are just setting your kitties up for disease by feeding them this garbage!

Another huge problem is that many cat and dog food brands include yeast in the ingredients. This is supposedly good for the B vitamins and in some places you will find yeast recommened in the diet to repel fleas. Yet yeast is also a fungus and is known to cause all kinds of problems in people-- and by my reasoning also in animals.

I will pick apart the ingredients in Wellness as I learn more. I may find that even my 'best pick' will give me reasons to go to an entirely homemade diet.

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Natural Health for Minnie Mao

It occured to me as I have been studying ways to raise my rescued kitty,Teeny Tiny Minnie Mao, for a lifetime of good natural health, that it would be beneficial to keep a journal of my findings.

We were not looking for another cat at this time...my last beloved babies lived to sixteen and eighteen years. We have been without cats for about 4 years now (other than the feral cats who make friends with us). I did the best I could for my Sabrina and Angela with the knowledge that I had. I really felt proud of the fact that they lived almost their entire lives on Science Diet and Iams kibble with occasional canned food of those brands for a treat. I also took them to a traditional veterinarian and tried to keep up with all the usual vaccines. BOY, DID I HAVE A LOT TO LEARN!

I am now in search of a homeopathic veterinarian. I think that will be pretty much an impossible find in my area, but I have not given up hope.

There are books that I need to add to my shelves...one is Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats

We have things that need to be taken care of right now. Since my rescued kitty is from a feral cat litter, she and all of her litter mates need to be treated for intestinal parasites (worms). Also the Mama Kitty, the daddy Rocky and Tommy Tiger--the one young tom who has also been hanging around.

I have been giving all of them Wellness brand of cat and kitten food which is the best I have found according to what I have learned so far. This has been kibble mostly for the kittens and adult cats still outside. One thing I have changed is to add water to the kibble so that they are well hydrated (or more hydrated) and because several of them have been suffering with diarrea, I have added a bit of psyllium husks to the blend.

Dr. Pitcairn is supposed to have a natural herbal remedy for the parasitic worms in his book. I do not yet have the book, but from what I have read this involves pilling the cats with a blend of certain herbs after a fast, which is an unlikely option for the outdoor feral cats. I have read some about the success that others have had with feeding the cats garlic and I think I will give this a try.

More to come as I find more info...