The Feline Nutrition Foundation (FNF), established in 2008, dedicated itself to educating pet parents about the profound benefits of raw meat diets for felines. This non-profit organization, recognized as a 501(c)3, aimed to revolutionize how cats are fed, moving away from overly processed foods towards a diet aligned with their evolutionary needs. The FNF’s extensive archive, now hosted by Hare Today, serves as a testament to their commitment to providing science-backed information and empowering cat guardians to make informed decisions about their feline family members’ health and well-being.
Understanding the Feline Nutrition Foundation’s Mission
Founded with a vision to change the perception of cat food, the Feline Nutrition Foundation focused on the species-appropriate diet for cats, emphasizing uncooked meats, edible bones, and organs. Their approach was broad, acknowledging that multiple paths can lead to optimal feline nutrition. Over the years, the Foundation has gathered insights from veterinarians, researchers, raw diet specialists, and countless pet parents, all contributing to a rich repository of knowledge. This archive represents years of effort in sharing detailed, credible information, aiming to correct misconceptions about what cats truly need to thrive. Hare Today, a long-standing supporter of sharing verifiable information, is honored to preserve and provide access to this invaluable resource.
The Feline Nutrition Foundation’s mission seamlessly aligns with Hare Today’s commitment to promoting the practice of feeding domestic dogs, cats, and other carnivores a species-appropriate diet. As supporters of credible information with verifiable foundations, Hare Today believes in sharing experiences related to the health and well-being of animals, particularly concerning raw feeding journeys. It is important to note that the information provided on Hare Today, including the FNF archive, is intended for informational purposes only and should not substitute professional veterinary advice. Always consult with a veterinarian for any questions regarding your pet’s medical condition.
A Founder’s Reflection: Margaret Gates on the Journey
Margaret Gates, the founder of Feline Nutrition, reflects on her journey, beginning in 2008 when she recognized a significant gap in information regarding species-appropriate diets for cats, especially for beginners. Alongside dedicated individuals, she built an organization focused on guiding people towards feeding their cats diets best suited for their health. Since Feline Nutrition’s inception, the acceptance and availability of raw meat diets have grown substantially. Gates expresses hope that the Foundation played a role in this positive shift. Hare Today, one of her earliest contacts in 2008, has been a trusted source for raw foods for many years. Gates is thrilled that Hare Today is now hosting the archived articles, offering a wealth of science-backed information for both beginners and experienced raw feeders.
Embracing a Species-Appropriate Diet for Optimal Cat Health
Keeping a cat healthy and happy involves various factors, including genetics and environment. However, diet plays a pivotal role. Cats are predators that evolved to consume a raw meat diet. The shift over the past 70 years to feeding cats diets unsuitable for strict carnivores, such as those high in grains, vegetables, and highly processed meats, has contributed to numerous diet-related diseases. By embracing a species-appropriate diet, these issues can be addressed.
Beginning Your Cat’s Raw Food Journey
Embarking on the journey to feed your cat a healthier diet, particularly raw cat food, can be a significant step. Recognizing that an obligate carnivore thrives on a diet closer to what it evolved to eat represents a fundamental shift in thinking about cat nutrition. Taking control of your cat’s food provides empowerment and peace of mind, eliminating the worry of mystery ingredients and “by-products.” This change allows you to bypass certain aisles in the grocery store, focusing instead on providing the best nutrition for your feline companion.
The Dangers of Dry Cat Food
A crucial step in improving your cat’s health and cat nutrition is removing dry food from their diet. Regardless of whether it’s premium, prescription, or “natural,” dry food can be detrimental to a cat’s health. Its composition is primarily starch and carbohydrates, which are necessary for its manufacturing process. The fundamental issue lies in its high carbohydrate content, which displaces the vital meat-derived protein and fats essential for an obligate carnivore. These factors collectively make dry foods a poor choice for cats.
Understanding the Obligate Carnivore
Cats are often referred to as obligate carnivores to emphasize their distinct dietary needs compared to other meat-eating predators. This classification highlights their physiological adaptation to a diet primarily consisting of meat.
Simplifying Homemade Raw Cat Food
Preparing homemade raw cat food is a straightforward process that anyone can master. Understanding how ground raw meals are made, similar to the large-scale production of commercial frozen foods, demystifies the process. Removing the uncertainty about your cat’s food not only benefits their nutrition but also provides significant peace of mind for the owner.
The Impossibility of a Vegan Cat
While vegetarianism and veganism are admirable choices for humans, extending these principles to cats, who are obligate carnivores, can lead to health issues. Attempting to convert a feline companion into a “vegan carnivore” can be considered passive cruelty, as it goes against their natural biological needs.
Dry Food’s Impact on Dental Health
Despite veterinary recommendations for commercial dry diets, cats can still develop dental problems such as tartar buildup and inflamed gums. This occurs because living indoors under human care does not alter a cat’s fundamental biology as obligate carnivores.
Nutritional Needs of Senior Cats
As cats age, their protein requirements increase to prevent the loss of lean body mass and muscle wasting. The conventional approach of feeding reduced-energy “senior” diets to all older cats should be re-evaluated based on the growing understanding of the increased energy and nutritional needs of geriatric cats.
Feline Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a common cause of chronic vomiting and diarrhea in cats. It is a group of poorly understood gut pathologies characterized by uncontrolled intestinal inflammation, potentially influenced by diet, environment, gut microflora, and immune system dysregulation in susceptible cats.
The Feline Nutrition Foundation archive offers a comprehensive resource for cat owners seeking to understand and implement optimal nutrition for their feline companions. By delving into the science-backed information and practical advice within the archive, guardians can make informed choices that promote long-term health and vitality for their cats.
