require info on diet alternatives to commercial foods for cats (kidney, safe)

[onthebeach]

We would appreciate info on what kinds of foods make up an alternative diet for cats...what should be included in this kind
of a diet? I have read about people feeding their cats a variety of foods but I am not sure how to set up this kind of a diet.

[solarity]

I did a raw diet for a long time. I found it to be difficult to keep up though. It takes a lot of research and a vet that is somewhat on board or will to guide you (holistic vets). I found it cost less than a whole wet food diet though. I would buy the meat preground with bone in 1lb packages (NuDimension but many other brands).

We decided not to keep it up though. We now do a high protein dry food Pinnacle or Innova Evo.

[onthebeach]

Thanks for the reply on alternatives to commercial diets. Our cat has been on Innova for a while...vet just advised switch to Canin urinarySO after diagnosing Ginger with a bladder infection. (antibiotics also). We also found that our cat was suffering from constipation (x-rays showed this)which, after reading on this website, I have concluded is likely due to hairballs. Poor cat also had roundworms!! (took de-worm meds along with antibiotics) I wonder if This cat is at the vet regularly for checkups and has had no previous problems.
This is the first time the subject of worms has come up though. I happened to find 'evidence' of the worms and reported ti the vets with the 'evidence' ...

Is it safe for a cat to ingest ordinary vaseline? Petromalt causes our cat to go beserk...he runs and hides when I put a dab on him. Takes off like a shot. However, he likes vaseline...

[onthebeach]

Somehow a sentence was cut out of my last post. My fault for sure.

It should read...I wonder if the worms had something to do with the constipation problem.

next sentence is...This cat etc.

I wasn't wondering if he had been to the vet regularly because he is a regular visitor. I am beginning to wonder about the thoroughness of this vet.

[GreenMachine]

I've posted this website several times, but here it is again: www.catinfo.org

I try and feed my cat the raw food recipe on that site. When I'm lazy, I feed him Wellness canned food. When I feed canned, I always mix it with water, so he gets that extra water cleaning out his kidneys. I also try and add raw chicken meat and some liver, chopped up. He loves it.

greenie

[solarity]

If I recall correctly, vaseline and pumpkin (not the pie filling, just canned pumpkin without the sugar) are good for getting things moving. Worms could definitely wreak havoc with the bowel function.

Also to encourage drinking water, a cat water fountain could help a lot. Many cats prefer running water and this could remind them to drink what they need. Though wet and raw diets are always great if you can stick to them.

[onthebeach]

Thanks very much for all of the good info. The website catinfo.org is great!