Reply #113: I may get burnt to a crisp for this but:

[TalkingDog]

Both dogs and cats can eat people food with a few important exceptions and qualifications:


First: Cats need Taurine or they will go blind or die of heart disease. The highest concentration of taurine is in uncooked meat: clams and octopus, followed by shrimp and fish. Beef, pork and lamb chicken leg and last, chicken breast. Reading suggests mousies have the highest taurine content. Go figure. But cooked meat loses half it’s taurine and definitely needs supplementation. Amounts vary , but 50 to 100mg per cat, per day, added after any food is cooked.


Their protein to carb ratio is different from ours. Dogs need ten amino acids from protein, while humans only require eight from ours. So more protein and fewer carbs and definitely fewer grains. http://home.att.net/~wdcusick/protein.html


Wild game has a high protein to fat ratio. Good for people and critters. And bonus, the more protein, wild or domestic they eat, the less food they require. They are like high-octane cars. Higher-grade fuel makes them more fuel efficient, not less. You can feed them a smaller volume of food with a higher protein content.


Add some fish oil for Essential Fatty Acids. For hyper-specific recipes go here: http://home.att.net/~wdcusick/free.html and http://www.goodpet.com/library/recipes.html and http://www.rawmeatybones.com/diet/exp-diet-guide.pdf


But in general: 50 to 70% should be leanish meat/protein. No bones please, unless they are big raw marrow bones for doggies. The remainder should be cooked veggies (like carrots, peas, green-beans spinach, beans, cabbage, kale, collards, sweet potatoes, etc), some cooked carbs (like potatoes or rice or oatmeal) and some fat.


Miniscule amounts of salt (not table, sea salt or scrapings from a salt lick will provide minerals) and some people think adding ½ a crushed adult vitamin to the dog food is helpful. Opinions vary.


ABSOLUTELY NO PRE-PROCESSED HUMAN FOOD! It’s not even good for people.


As with people, various animals like various things. And have aversions or allergies to others. Too much of anything is asking for problems now or down the road, so moderation and variety are good. Some vets say no garlic or grapes. Some say small amounts are okay. Do avoid onions, chocolate, coffee and any sweeteners. Some dogs are lactose intolerant, but a bit of yogurt with acidophilus is okay. Above all, common sense is a must here! http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html


I cook for my 15-year-old cat, as he has developed allergies. I make it in bulk, refrigerate a weeks worth and freeze the rest in small plastic Tofutti cream containers. And, often, while the very delicious aroma wafts around the house, the Spousal Unit will ask me if I’m sure that’s for the cat. In a pinch it would make a good meatloaf. I always knew we’d end up eating cat food when we got old.


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