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Homemade Diets For Dogs & Cats Home Cooked Pet Diets And Nutrition  Ron Hines DVM PhD 4/29/06Specialty diets are a viable alternative for pets with heart, kidney, urinary tract, diabetes and obesity problems; as well as for intestinal problems and allergic skin disease in dogs cats and other pets. For obvious reasons, most pet owners prefer buying these products prepared through commercial suppliers such as VetCentric (www.pethealthcenter.org). However, should you desire, similar diets can be prepared at home.A diet suitable for cats and dogs with certain lower urinary tract problems that produce bladder stones or crystals in an acid urine (struvite) consists of: 1.5 lb of cooked ground chuck beef, with the fat retained, 1/4 lb of cooked calf’s liver, one cup cooked rice or mashed potatoes , 1 teaspoon canola oil, 1 teaspoon of phosphorus-free calcium carbonate (crushed calcium lactate or calcium gluconate) or 8 "regular Tums" tablets, one quarter Centrum tablet, 100iu of vitamin E. Fifty-six-84 ml (2-3 ounces) of water can be added during cooking if the cat or dog prefers a moister food. The addition of a taurine tablet and the vitamin E from drug store is advisable in cats of all kinds. Taurine deficiencies can lead to heart problems. Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate is known to slow the aging process by scavenging free-radicals). Taurine deficiencies can lead to heart problems. Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate) is known to slow the aging process). Feed approximately 1/4-1/2 lb per ten pounds each day or the amount that maintains optimal body weight. This formula is designed to keep magnesium and phosphorus levels in the food to a minimum. In dogs, bladder stones can sometimes be dissolved using a diet low in protein (not under 15%) which has added salt or potassium chloride to increase water consumption. Most of these dogs need antibiotics as well. In cats with oxalate bladder crystals, the addition of potassium citrate (300-500mg/day) will sometimes prevent relapse. When used in dogs to encourage oxalate crystals to dissolve, the dose is 300mg/10 pounds body weight to a maximum of 1,800mg/day mixed in the food or given as a flavored treat.Oxalate stones form in an acid urine. They tend to reoccur and often have to be removed surgically. Although I have no experience formulating diets to prevent oxalate stone formation, farmer's cheeze, yogurt and other dairy products seem to be quite low in oxalates as are rice and green peas and mung beans. Coconut oil is a good source of low-oxalate fat and ground beef, chick and turkey all are low in oxalates. Liver, kidney and other organ meats are high in oxalates as are many vegetables, fruit berries and nuts. Cheeze is a good source of calcium. To this diet one might add potassium citrate at the previously doses give. This added potassium citrate would work its way into the urine where it would bind with the calium present forming soluable calcium citrate instead of insoluable calcium oxalate. Potassium citrate also helps create a basic or alkaline urine (pH over 7.0) in which calcium oxalate stones have difficulty forming. Multivitamins must also be provided. Protein content of the diet should be lower than normal. The more dilute the urine the better. Urine should be almost clear and odorless if sufficient water is consumed. Diets prepared to minimize oxalate stone formation in humans suggest an added calcium intake of 800 - 1200 mg of calcium per day to decrease oxalate absorption from food. I would be cautious in doing this since it might increase the calcium content of the urine. Unfortunately, much of the oxalate that contributes to stone formation is produced by metabolic processes in your pet itself.Commercial diets that have been recommended to prevent oxalate stones include Hills x/d diet designed especially to prevent oxalate crystals s/d, k/d, u/d, CNM's NF, and Waltham's SO or their Low Protein Diet. Sodium-potassium citrate supplementation of food shows potential in preventing oxalate reoccurence. Success is measured by an increased urine pH and the lack of microscopic calcium oxalate crystals in the urine. When all else fails to prevent formation of microscopic calcium oxalate crystals in your pet's urine, a thiazied diuretic can be give to reduce the calcium content of the urine. These medications are typically given twice a day. Blood calcium level can be measured through a blood test taken after two weeks of treatment. A diet suitable for dogs and cats with failing kidneys can be prepared at home by adding one-half cup of cooked ground chicken breast or two crushed large hard-boiled eggs (no shells) to four cups of mashed potatoes or four cups of boiled brown rice. 30ml (Two tablespoons) of Canola oil, one-quarter Centrum tablet, 100iu of vitamin E, and 500mg of absorbable Calcium from any human calcium supplement, which is free of phosphorus on the label. As with all home-prepared diets, the addition of a taurine tablet and the vitamin E from a drug store is advisable in cats of all kinds. Taurine deficiencies can lead to heart problems. Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate is known to slow the aging process by scavenging free-radicals). Garlic or onion powder can be used in moderation if the diet is fed to dogs. It must never be fed to cats. The amount prepared should feed a ten pound cat for two to three days, or a 25 pound dog for a day or two, depending on its activity level and metabolic rate.*** A second recipe, originally published by Hill’s Pet Foods, for renal failure in dogs but somewhat modified by me, consisted of ¼ pound ground regular beef (not chuck or round), 1 large hard-boiled egg, two cups of cooked white rice, three slices of white bread, and a teaspoon full of calcium carbonate. I would add a multivitamin with vitamin E to this recipe. A second recipe, originally published by Hill’s Pet Foods, for renal failure in cats but somewhat modified by me, consists of one quarter pound of lightly cooked liver (retaining the fat or adding two tablespoons full, if none is present) two large hard-boiled eggs, one teaspoon-full of calcium carbonate, one tablespoon full of canola oil, and one quarter teaspoon full of Morton’s Nu-Salt (salt substitute). I would add a multivitamin with vitamin E to this recipe. In any of the renal diets, the addition of fermentable fiber may be helpful in controlling uremia. The theory is that the bacteria that ferment this fiber in the intestines utilize some of the excess urea in the pet’s blood stream. Diets for Plump dogs and cats or those with constipation problems: Once the possibility that the pet has a thyroid problem (T4 greater than 0.8-1.0) or an adrenal gland problem, (Cortisol over 4.3) has been minimalized a weigh reduction diet can be considered. If you have the drill-sergeant mentality and toughness, plump pets will loose weight gradually if feed only two-thirds of their current food consumption. The food should be fed three times a day and that remaining after one hour removed. A good pet vitamin purchased on-line from WalMart or another supplier is advisable during this procedure. Depending on the pet's weight, you can also crush one eighth to one quarter of a generic Centrum tablet in the diet. Alternatively, the pet’s diet can be bulked with vegetable fiber from cabbage; chopped cooked carrots, kale or broccoli can constitute the other third of the diet. If you decide to prepare the entire diet at home, you may use either of the two recipes list above, with the addition of two to three cups of boiled miller’s bran and exclude the vegetables. It is best to increase the amount of bran slowly, starting below the suggested level so the pet accepts the diet. Also expect bulkier stools. It is advisable to have a scale at home, weighing yourself and the pet. Increased exercise will speed weight loss, but in older obese animals it may overtax the heart and joints. Be prepared for increased gas production in pets feed bulky fibrous diets. This effect is not medically important. Weight loss should be gradual, never exceeding 5-8% per month. ***Diets for dogs and cats with heart failure: Again, excellent commercially prepared diets for heart disease exist and can be purchased through our hyperlinks. But sometimes, a finicky pet or just an old one, will refuse new commercially made diets. No sodium restriction is necessary unless the condition has progressed to retention of fluid in the lungs (night cough) or in the abdomen (tummy). In this case, a diet prepared similarly to that for kidney disease is applicable. When preparing this diet, the object is to keep salt (Sodium Chloride) to a minimum. No added salt should be used and ingredients high in salt must be avoided. Potassium chloride, rather than sodium chloride is the ingredient of choice if the diet is too bland. Fresh beef cuts are low in sodium. Fish, shrimp and shellfish are quite high in sodium and so should be avoided as well. Most supermarket dog and cat foods are quite high in sodium. Milk products, salted snack foods, mixed seasonings and canned vegetables are also high in salt – unless the package states that they are salt-free. One diet, published in a 1995 issue of Veterinary Forum, I have modified it somewhat. The diet is composed of ¼ pound ground round or other lean beef, 2 cups of cooked white rice, one tablespoon of vegetable oil, 300mg of Calcium lactate and one pet vitamin. For cats, the addition of taurine, an essential amino acid necessary for feline heart function, is highly advisable. Many pets with heart disease loose weight. In those animals a product like Nutrical or Energel and a high-protein treat can help maintain their weight. Diets for older cats and dogs are best when reduced in fat since the animals are less active, increased in antioxidants including alpha-tocopherol, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, and increased in fiber. There is evidence from Harvard Medical School Studies that these agents – as well as the lucopene in tomato past (not fresh tomatoes) slow the incidence of cancer in humans.Ferrets do best on commercial ferret diets or kitten chow (without artificial coloring agents) and 30-38% protein and 25% fat. All we know about ferret nutrition is taken from data accumulated for their cousins, the mink. I prefer dry crunchy diets for my ferrets because it slows the progress of dental and periodontal disease. However, some ferrets with periodic intestinal inflammatory disease respond well to home-cooked diets. If you should wish to prepare a balance ferret diet you can prepare it by adding four cups of cooked ground chuck beef to one cup of fortified baby cereal, three tablespoons full of chicken fat, one small, balanced cat vitamin, and one crushed 300 mg Calcium gluconate tablet and enough distilled water to provide a hamburger consistency. Feed an amount sufficient to maintain normal body weight, ie 550-850 grams for a female ferret and 900-1200 grams for a male.*** ***With all home cooked diets, one needs to remember that cats and ferrets need approximately twice the amount of quality protein in their diet as dogs do (about 20% of their dry diets) and cats need considerably more fat in their diet than dogs. I have prepared these formulas for adult animals only. Do not give these diets to growing pets and discontinue the diet if any unusual events occur. Temporary diarrhea often accompanies any diet change but as with people, no one diet will suit all individuals. Diabetic pets: The best diets for diabetic cats and dogs are produced by the CNM division of Nestles Company and Waltham Diets, both available through http://www.2ndchance.info or second.chance2@verizon.net . These diets rely on higher protein and lower carbohydrate to help stabilize blood glucose since protein is converted to glucose slower than sugars. levels. If, for some reason, they cannot be fed; the next best diet for cats with diabetes is probably high-quality kitten chow, supplemented with fiber, omega-3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Omega 6 fatty acids are found in the oils of cold-water fish, such as salmon. Both are available thru VetCentric. Such a diet must be feed in controlled amounts to keep the pet at optimal body weight. To slow the progression of the disease, supplementation with 50-200 iu of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate) is also a good idea. Special diets are not a substitution for insulin injections. They are an additional way to help control this disease. In people, dietary changes alone often make insulin therapy unnecessary. This is seldom the case in diabetic dogs or cats – but reduction to optimum body weight will slow the progression of diabetes. Many diabetic animals have concurrent problems with other endocrine (hormone-producing) glands in their body. One should be prepared for these sort of future problems – particularly in diabetic cats.Hypoallergenic diets: Allergens are proteins that enter the body through the skin, lungs or by injection. Signs of pets with food allergies include chewing at the webs of their paws, generalized itchiness of the skin which results in rash, redness and hair loss, chronic ear disease (otitis) and chronic diarrhea. Inhaled allergens and infectious skin problems such as mange, ringworm and primary staphylococcal infections need to be ruled out before assuming the problem might be controlled with diet. Within the last few years there has been an important breakthrough in the preparation of foods for allergic pets. All allergens are proteins or protein-like compounds. It appears that when dietary proteins are hydrolyzed (predigested) to molecules that are smaller than 10,000 - 12,000 Daltons (a unit of size) that the pet’s body can not recognize as allergens. This diet works exceptionally well for dogs. However, cats don’t seem to like the taste of these modified proteins. I do not know the procedure by which these non-allergenic proteins are prepared. If you call (800) 222-8387 you can keep up on the progress being made on developing a hypoallergenic diet for cats. Other commercial diets which incorporate novel (unusual) meat sources such as rabbit, kangaroo meat, etc. may help for a while - but pets that are genetically predisposed to developing allergies tend to improve only temporarily when feed these diets. Many veterinarians and commercial diet manufacturers incorporate high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which seem to help reduce skin inflammation even if the pet is inhaling the allergens.t Parrots and other hook-bills are best feed a commercially prepared pellet made by a reputable distributor. All parrots, macaws and their cousins tend to be finicky eaters. They tend to get hooked on one particular item in the diet to the exclusion of a balanced meal. Much like setting a nutritious table for your kids only to have them fill up on the jar of snickers bars sitting in the middle of the table. This will lead to deficiencies and subsequent illnesses in you bird An excellent, economical parrot pellet that I have used for years is Mazuri’s 56A8 maintenance and 56A9 breeder diets http:www.mazuri.com/main.html. Any Purina distributorship can order it for you. Be sure it is kept in a metal container to protect it from contamination. Supplement this and other diets with fresh, diced fruit and a crock container of water or sipper tube at all times. Remember, red and mixed color pelleted diets will cause reddish stools – nothing to be concerned about. Mazuri leaves its pellets natural in color. Other good diets include Roudybush: http://www.roudybush.com/ , , LaFebers http://www.finefeatheredfriends.net/lafeber.htm , Katee Exact, Zupreem and Harrisons pelleted diet. When these are fed, no other supplement is necessary or desirable.Terms Of UseConsult With Dr. HinesMore ArticlesHome Page Links Please email if you find errors, broken links , have suggestions, or additional information But you can not ask your personal pet questions through this link. Ask the Veterinarian, Veterinary question, Ask the Vet, Veterinary Advice, Dr. Ron Hines. |
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