What a good idea

**Antonia** · 18th July 2011, 12:12 PM

This subforum is a great initiative!

I often read on Dutch and Belgian cat forums. They have many threads on raw feeding and there’s hardly any controversy. Although few Dutch and Belgian cat owners feed exclusively raw like I do, most are perfectly OK with throwing in the occasional chicken gizzard, neck or day-old chick. It is considered a healthy addition to kibble and cans. Also, feeding commercial frozen raw mix – like the ‘Carnibest’ Conny mentioned – is becoming more and more popular. Some very good brands are available in Holland and Belgium

On the continent feeding raw pork is considered too risky. The Aujeszki virus is still around over here, not in the Dutch pig stock but in imported pork from some other EU countries. From what I understand this isn’t an issue in the UK and USA.

In another thread I have already posted extensively on my own experiences with raw feeding so I will not bore anyone by repeating them.

Until now, I have only seen positive effects on the health of our Coonies. Before feeding raw we were in and out of the vets’ office, mostly for digestive issues for which the vets could never find a clear cause. Nowadays we hardly ever see them, and if we do they comment on how healthy the Coonies are.

We have experienced just one drawback: sourcing your meats, carcasses and organs when you don’t have an industrial-sized freezer. Ordering online involves pretty big quantities, so we have to make frequent trips to the butcher and poulterer. But one day I am going to get that huuuuge freezer!

**Conny** · 18th July 2011, 12:55 PM

I agree with Antonia.

I'm a huge fan from raw meat.
Its good for their teeth to.
They clean their teeth when they eat it.
With dry food their bin crumbs between their teeth...see it like we eat a cookie, al crumbs between our teeth.
And cats don't brush

But I'm sure that everyone do the right thing for there cats

**IrishKitty** · 18th July 2011, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by Antonia

This subforum is a great initiative!

N.B: Hopefully this subforum will be used as a support/advise/educational forum for those who advocate/are interested in the subject of "raw food" .

I am well aware that many well intentioned connie owners do not agree with the "raw food diet" and certainly people should be made aware of the potential risks, of feeding their cats "raw food" before making any decisions about raw food.

However as dave has mentioned previously, this sub-forum is NOT to be used as a platform for anti raw food material, and I hope this will be respected!
There are threads elsewhere for discussing the downside of feeding raw food.

This is solely to facilitate/allow the discussion of different aspects of "the raw food diet", amongst like minded people.

**catslave** · 18th July 2011, 03:21 PM

Agree this is a great idea. I actually joined another Forum to discuss raw feeding without being shot down in flames. Personally I believe it is a natural way to feed. Buddy is not the first pet I have raw fed, my Sams were fed raw after two nearly died due to dry food but I'm not going to get into that.Buddy is a happier, healthier, more contented cat now so to me that is all that's important. If my cats didn't like it, they wouldn't eat it.

**dave** · 18th July 2011, 03:32 PM

Hank used to love mince, but went off it sadly and his food of choice at the moment is the Iams pouches, in gravy, not jelly.. he's too fussy..
I would like to get him back on to raw food again, as I also do believe its the best thing for them along with a constant available supply of good quality kibble but for conveniant frozen raw food, the only one I get near me is prize choice and he's gone off that too. I may try him again as its been a while.

The first brand we used to buy was 'food 4 cats', sadly the supplier (internet) stopped trading, however there maybe another supplier took its place but I'll have to check but he really did like their rabbit. I didn't really enjoy serving it as it had everything in there, bits of fur and god knows what else but IMO nature intended cats to eat fur, eyeballs, innards and all the gorey bits so if I could get that stuff again I would.

**dave** · 18th July 2011, 03:50 PM

Just discovered this company - woldsway : Rabbit Pet Meat

They have chopped/minced rabbit inc' bones etc

**Antonia** · 18th July 2011, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by dave

The first brand we used to buy was 'food 4 cats', sadly the supplier (internet) stopped trading, however there maybe another supplier took its place but I'll have to check but he really did like their rabbit. I didn't really enjoy serving it as it had everything in there, bits of fur and god knows what else but IMO nature intended cats to eat fur, eyeballs, innards and all the gorey bits so if I could get that stuff again I would.

Rabbit is a favorite with our crew as well. I buy carcasses (ribcages with a lot of meat still on them) and use pruning scissors to cut off the ribs. I don’t feed the vertebrae because I noticed the Coonies have difficulty crunching them. (Which is a bit strange really because I’ve heard of cats who happily munch on the vertebrae and even the heads.)

Fur and feathers are supposed to be good for roughage, but sadly our Coonies won’t eat anything that still ‘has its clothes on’ – except for little Minnie who likes day-old chicks. There’s talk that one of the Dutch frozen ground brands will shortly be introducing a new variety that contains fur and feathers, so I am anxiously awaiting that.

**Howlinbob** · 18th July 2011, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by dave

Just discovered this company - woldsway : Rabbit Pet Meat

They have chopped/minced rabbit inc' bones etc

This is the only online company I order from and their quality is really excellent. Good customer service as well.
They also do other meats for pets, such as beef trimmings, turkey mince, and tongue.
They are looking into sourcing chicken hearts so fingers crossed they will be available soon, my crew absolutely loves them.

**catslave** · 18th July 2011, 11:14 PM

I will reply tomoz when a bit more able to accept both sides, in the meantime my coonies are paramount and going to enjoy the cuddles xx

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