The post where I get on my soap box and rant.. again

Rene over at ATC contacted me regarding an article she saw in the May 2014 issue of Reader's Digest. She wrote a post about it, asking people to write to RD and tell them what we felt about the last two "secrets" they shared..   Yes, I was a little bitter when I wrote to them.  Rene encouraged me to share my words here since I told her I sent her an email

So in the May issue of your magazine you have an article "50 Secrets Your Pet Won't Tell You".    I take extreme exception to this article.. as none of them are really secretes, and worst of all you started dabbling in something you had no business dabbling in, pet nutrition.
"Secret" 49 regarding 'hype' about grain free food.  Who told you it was hype?  Pet food makers?  Maybe you went to an actual vet who told you this, but were they ever trained in nutrition?  Did this vet tell you that dogs and cats have COMPLETELY different nutritional needs (and the same goes for every other pet species, rabbits, birds, etc so making such a blanket statement regarding pet food is not only lazy reporting it is incompetence) Cats are "obligate carnivores" and if you do not know why that means cats shouldn't have grains in their diets, let me hand you a dictionary..
http://dictionary.reference.com/
How about you talk to a veterinarian nutritionist, one who has actually studied feline nutrition like Lisa Pierson DVM over at http://catinfo.org or Elizabeth Hodgkins DVM who wrote the book "Your Cat"  and then go consult one who studies canine nutrition.  I don't know any off the top of my head as I am an a feline advocate, but I'm sure you can find one rather easily.  http://lmgtfy.com/?q=canine+nutritionist
Lest you think I'm ragging on vets, please note that if YOU have a question of nutrition beyond 'eat more fruits and vegetables' your own doctor will refer you to a RD or an RDN (which if you aren't careful will land you in the pocket of big food - http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/10/10/how-ada-are-manipulated-by-food-industry.aspx )


As for #50, yes, raw diets MAY cause cracked teeth or bacterial infections, but you do know that more 'cooked' and 'processed' foods have been recalled for bacterial issues then raw right? How about all of those foods that have been tainted http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/2007-04-19-pet-food-usat_N.htm
I personally had a problem with a commercial treat product I purchased. Getting the company to accept any responsibility for the issue is impossible, and most companies dismiss individual claims using the excuse that anything could have caused it..  Just as GM did with their cars for 14 years..

Do you know why the ASPCA, the CDC and the great and awesome "Prevention" discourages raw diets? The ASPCA follows the JAVMA, which follows the money.  The major pet food companies donate a lot of money and do a lot of 'research' that supports their food products as being the best alternative (why wouldn't they, they have a financial stake in the outcome.  It would be like if PepsiCO studied the healthfulness of Pepsi and then spent millions of dollars to convince the RDs of the world that their product is fine in moderation - oh wait.. they did http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/10/10/how-ada-are-manipulated-by-food-industry.aspx )  The CDC is against it because of their absolute fear of salmonella and ecoli.  While it is appropriate that we are aware of these and other bacterial contamination, using basic sanitary practices and being aware of where you source your food - something we should be doing anyway because I don't know about you but I am not all that interested in eating killed ecoli or salmonella.
Pet food companies believe they can provide food that is 'complete and balanced' for your pet.  I find this claim fascinating in the fact that we still don't even know everything there is to know about nutrition in general.  The more the 'experts' dabble in our own health the unhealthier we are getting as a society.  Back before we had "health experts", most of the human population was thin and relatively healthy.  Moves to reclaim our health harken that we need to return to traditional foods turning away from processed foods and food like substances that were invented in the last 100 years..

it is not nearly as difficult recreating a pet's natural diet as you might thing.  Some meat, some bone, some organ.  Try to keep the bone size down to something akin to what the animal might actually take down in the wild.  A cat would never take down a cow, so giving a cat a cow bone is silly.  Yes a cat would eat dead cow if it came across it in it's travels since a cat is not above being a carrion, but on the whole if you stick to smaller prey, the cat's teeth and digestive system were designed (either by design or evolution) to rip flesh from bones, crack bones and consume them.  You will not find a wild cat who breaks into grain stores or hunts down wild corn.  Although you will find them frequently hanging out in those areas to catch the mice and the birds that feed off those grains - which is how cats became domesticated in the first place.
I have a feeling you don't really care if these 'secrets' are accurate or not, but I in good conscious could not let this go with out saying something..

Connie
Webmaster of kittyblog.net
foster home for kittens since 2002
owner of 7 raw fed cats - several of which are alive simply because they are on a raw diet.

The post where I get on my soap box and rant..

So I was surfing twitter and ran across this..

Thanks Ontario Vet College for hosting the Hill's Nutrition Symposium last Sunday! I had a great time at my alma... http://t.co/kWt2HSZvVU
— Susan Little, DVM (@catvetsusan) April 8, 2014

and wouldn't you know it, Hill's is still putting on nutritional symposiums for vets... and vet colleges are still hosting them and giving their sponsored pitches weight and gravitas they simply do not deserve.

Those of us who take up the cause - that commercial cat foods might not be all you are told that it is - learn that vets do not actually study "feline nutrition" so turning to your vet to find out what foods you should feed your cat is kinda like going to the guy who paints your car telling you what gas to buy.  People who go into the veterinarian field do take a nutrition class, but from everything I have been told it is an animal nutrition class and focuses a lot on large animals: cows, horses, etc while minimally touching on pets. Yes, they can continue on to focus more on different aspects of nutrition, but it is not required.

Remember your own MD doctor did not study nutrition, and refers you to a registered dietitian when you have questions of nutrition.. only more often than not the vet doesn't do that. Vets often rely on the nutritional information they are given by major pet food companies in the form of hand outs, pamphlets, fliers, and yes, continuing education courses such as that mentioned above. I do not want to believe that a majority of the vets do this maliciously, but because colleges continue to allow pet food companies to 'teach' nutrition, they simply rely on them because it is easy. The pet food companies also take on the legal issues if there is a problem with the food, which also covers a number of other issues for a vet. So, they are told by their collage these companies are right, they get gobs of information from the company saying they are right, they get the legal coverage, and they make money when they sell the product.  Who can turn that down??

I do hope you take a minute and go to the website for this "continuing education" "class" mentioned in Dr. Susan's tweet.. does it look like it was hosted by Hill's??  It doesn't to me, but yet Dr. Susan says that it was hosted by them, and they are prominently featured in the only photo there. (There is some more information and more pictures on this Facebook page)

Gee.  I wonder what foods this symposium is going to say is the appropriate food to be feeding. And for the love of all things scientific, why oh why is there a topic in this symposium for feeding OBLIGATE CARNIVORES that lists 'carbs' before proteins???

Topics included: “Feline Feeding Management: It’s Not Just the Food,” and “Cats, Carbs and Protein: From Research to Cinical Practice.”

(and yes, that is exactly how it is written on their website.. typo and all)

*sigh*

So when you hear someone talking about the importance of nutrition in your cat, and they tell you the vet is in the pocket of "big pet food" - this is why.  This has been going on forever, and it apparently has no intention of stopping.

I know it is an over generalization to say "your vet knows nothing about feline nutrition" and it does a disservice to those vets that do take the time when we say things like that.. and maybe you are one of the lucky ones who has a vet who actually learned what an obligate carnivore is and figured out feeding a diet high in corn, or wheat, or potatoes, or peas, or cranberries, or squash, or spinach....oh lets just go with plant based ingredients or I could be here all day... is not a good idea and decided to do a little more reading on the subject. If so, you have one of the good ones. Bring your vet some flowers or brownies next time you go in and say thank you.

If you aren't one of those people.  If your vet's lobby is covered in Hill's or Royal Canin, or bags of dry food, with lots of sponsorship looking logos all over the place, take what ever advice on food they give you with a grain of salt. There are a lot of great resources out there to help you understand what your options are for what ever your vet is suggesting and you really should look into them even if you end up following your vet's advice.  Remember, your vet works for you.. if you ever feel that you are in a situation where that is not the case, feel free to find a new vet.

2013 - a year in review..

I like to do photo books at the end of each year. Usually I get a code for a free photo book in September, but this year I didn't get one until recently.

They give you a limited amount of time to do it.  After I got it, I spent the weekend culling through my photos and uploaded them to Shutterfly.  Monday came and I forgot all about it.. Tuesday I was a little stressed out with Jack not feeling well.. come Wednesday it was use it or lose it.

I was chatting with the awesome and amazing Rene, and I thought it would be so cool to see what she would do with it, and so I said I wished she would do it for me, and wasn't I ever so tickled that she took me up on it!

I made a couple of changes from her original choices, added in a few more pages to make sure I got all of the highlights of 2013.  The actual book arrived this week, and my husband LOVED looking through it.. I thought you might too..

 

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly allows you to customize your photo book just the way you want.

Interview with a Fosterer - Amelia Hughes of Cat & Birdie

Today's Interview comes from Amelia Hughes of Cat & Birdie. I adore her blog, but really I just wanted an excuse to 'borrow' her header and share it all with you..  I mean seriously, look at it!!

Amelia graciously agreed to participate, and I'm sure you'll all end up adoring her and her blog as much as I do.  Thank you Amelia!!

Introduce yourself and where do you hail from?
My name is Amelia and I was born and raised in Michigan.  After college, I spent ten years living in California and have spent the last fourteen years in Boston.

What rescue group, shelter or sanctuary do you foster for?
I currently foster for the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

What kinds of animals do you normally foster?
I foster special needs cats, kittens, and occasionally puppies.

How did your adventure being a fosterer begin?
I volunteered at a lot of fix-a feral clinics and worked on animal hoarding cases, so I started fostering the semi-feral kittens from the clinics and the very sick kittens from hoarding situations.

Amelia and foster - courtesy of Amelia Hughes

How do your keep yourself from becoming too attached to the fosters you help?
We have a multi-cat house now and so our family is complete.  With all of my experience working in animal welfare, I know our limitations (financially, emotionally, physically) to properly parent many fur kids and at some point it also clicked with me that although these fosters “need” me for a while, they don’t need me for life.  I learned to have faith that most of the time they are going to find really great homes.

What is most frustrating for you as a foster?
The lack of progressive foster care programs for special needs cats and kittens….thankfully, this seems to be changing as we work to become a no-kill nation and examples/resources like Best Friends and Maddie’s Institute are on the frontline.

What is most rewarding?
Seeing the progress these kittens and cats make…the baby steps if you will.  Whether it’s learning to trust people, or using the litter box for the first time, or seeing an older cat that has never seen a toy before start playing with it, these milestones are everything.

Nine little kittens - courtsey of Amelia Hughes

Do you have pets of your own?  How do they respond to the foster animals?
We have many adult cats and one dog.  Only our youngest cat (who turns two in July) has anything to do with the fosters and that is only if they are kittens.  She is a really good role model when we foster those single orphan kittens that are 5 - 8 weeks old.

What kind of advice can you give to someone who might be wanting to become a foster?
Do it!!!!  And talk to other foster parents who love fostering…they are a great resource.  Also, it honestly will be one of the most rewarding, and at times, the most heartbreaking thing you will do….but it is worth every minute of it.

When you are not saving animals what do you like to do?
Sleep, flip through fashion and home magazines, and relax with family and friends over a nice bottle of wine.

Philbert - courtesy of Amelia Hughes

And now the questions from Inside the Actors Studio:

What is your favorite word?
Kittens…but you have to say it loud and pronounce it “KIH - TENS”
What is your least favorite word?
Juicy.  Especially when it’s written on the backside of sweatpants.
What turns you on?
Genuine kindness.
What turns you off?
People who won’t collaborate with others for the greater good.
What sound or noise do you love?
The sound my ginger cat Fennie makes when you pick her up.  She literally says, “no, no, no.”
What sound or noise do you hate?
Traffic.
What is your favorite curse word?
The f-bomb.  It’s a classic.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Fashion designer.
What profession would you not like to do?
Anything that would require me to wear a suit.
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
“Welcome, the neonatal kitten nursery is to your left.”

Chester - courtesy of Amelia Hughes

A trip to the shelter

The shelter was having Reiki today for staff and volunteers.  A local practitioner is a supporter of the shelter and they've done this before.  Considering how much stress I've been under I gave them a call yesterday to see if they had any additional openings, and they did.  So I signed myself up for one and went down.

Now I "know" what Reiki is, but I've never had a session.  I also haven't done anything like this at the shelter so I wasn't quite sure what to expect.  They had me lay on the table while three of them laid their hands on me.  It was really rather interesting, as I seemed to be able to feel what they were trying to do and I seemed to feel that I had some serious road blocks that weren't quite ready to be let go of yet.. All in all a very interesting experience and I say if you get the chance, you should try it.

but.. being that this is a cat blog.. you didn't come here to read about me being blocked..

Hello, my name is Reiko!  I'm a handsome 6 year old  mandcat
and I'm FIV+

Reiko is a stunner!  He's got beautiful blue eyes (his ears were a little dirty but he didn't want me looking at that) and man this guy had so much attitude it nearly slayed me..

PAT ME!!

Next to Reiko was Krista, a three year old little girl that apparently needs to gain some serious weight. There is a card on her cage asking for her to be over fed.

She has a nice red blaze on the top of her head too.. it was hard to get a picture of her because she wouldn't sit still, and I didn't try to hard because right next door was...

I hung out with Charlotte for a few minutes while I waited for my appointment time.  She was a little hesitant about coming to the front of the cage, but I did my best to entice her and make it worth her while.  She finally climbed down from the karanda bed and I was able to give her some scritches and kisses.  But then it was my time, so I shut the cage door, promising to come back.

On the way to where they were having the sessions, I saw Gigi..

I can not believe she is still there.  Now if you remember, she was given the name "Little Cat" and the shelter won't change it.  I keep telling them, change her name to Gigi and she'll go home in an instant.  Change it to Lady Gigi and you'll probably have someone give you a $100 donation.   Gigi is a character, she'll let you hold her but she makes it obvious it isn't her first choice.  She'll let you snuggle her and kiss her, but she's just an 'old skinny black and white cat" with a silly name.. so no one really gives her a chance.

After my session I went back to see Charlotte.

I did my best to entice her to reach through the bars.  If you talk to people who adopt from shelters, they often tell you their cat reached out and grabbed them... so, anything to help our little girl get attention (Yes, I have tried teaching Gigi that, she says it is beneath her to preform.. she wants someone who appreciates her as is) It took Charlotte a few minutes to figure out what I wanted, but I say she succeeded very well - wouldn't you?

Apparently Reiko wasn't all that impressed with my teaching :)  I took Charlotte out of the cage and let her snuggle with me, rubbing her face all over mine. Oddly enough it almost seems if her fur finally decided to grow back.. *rolls eyes* why am I not surprised.

This is Harley.. he's a seven and a half yr old mancat.. just LOOK at those thumbs in that first photo.. sadly someone felt those feet needed to have their claws removed..  *shrug* Hopefully his new people show up soon..

Down at the far end from Charlotte is Chandler.  This boy is breaking my heart.  I have shared him with you before (the kitty with the cast on his leg) and because he is diabetic he is still there.  His cast is off but apparently he's a little depressed.

I patted him and GOBS of loose fur came off him. I am not in a position to take him right now, but he is still weighing on me pretty heavily.  I have a feeling he'll be in the kitten room come the weekend..  His back leg is still pretty wobbly, and it looked a little thin to me in the half second or two he let me see it.

*sigh*

Wouldn't it be great if we could save them all, that there were homes that were willing to take a plain ol black and white cat, or a diabetic kitty,  or a big hunk o love FIV kitty.. with out them having to sit at the shelter for months or years waiting..

Yeah, it really would..