Anybody make their own cat food?

[supernova]

My babies like their kitten chow, and the occasional bite of whatever protein I'm eating. But I think I need to expand their repretoire, especially the older ones.

I've looked for recipes on line, but most of them add rice, which I'm thinking isn't good for the cat, as would be any grain.

And what about cooked vs. raw? Opinions on that I've seen all over the place too.

I'm asking because I want to be more economical about it and healthy for the kitties too. :-)

[tonekat]

1. I'd leave out any carbs in food for your cats`

A couple of years ago, one of my kitties developed diabetes, and the vet pointed me to new information about how cats can easily become "carb addicts", and contract diabetes. This guy was definitely a carb addict, and wanted to eat 24/7 if we gave it to him.

I had to give him insulin injections, and at the same time, we started him on EVO kibble, which has carb percentage in the single digits. After two weeks of this, he had an insulin overdose, which he survived, but it turned out the reason for the overdose was that the diet had controlled the diabetes, and the insulin shots were no longer needed (thank goodness).

This site has some good comprehensive info on feline diets, including the effect of carbs: http://www.catinfo.org/

[supernova]

3. That's what I mean

I'm not interested in feeding them something they wouldn't eat in the wild anyway. And rice ain't on that list.

Thanks for the link, lots of good info there. I'd have to invest in a grinder or food processor, since I have neither at the moment.

[Richardo]

2. Do you mean food *for* cats or food *made from* cats?

Neither for me. :)

[supernova]

4. *for*

Food *for* cats.

:P :D

[Sanity Claws]

5. Cats are fussy eaters

When some foods were contaminated a year or two ago, I cooked chicken liver for my cats. They wouldn't eat it. I tried chicken breasts; they wouldn't eat it. I gave up.
The two of them prefer dry cat food to chicken liver or chicken breast.
Lesson: You may come up with what you think is the best possible diet for them, they will make up their own minds regarding its taste.

[supernova]

6. Well, my plan is to make small batches

to see what they like, don't like and hopefully come up with maybe a couple of things they like that I can rotate.

FYI - They usually like anything I'm eating... :crazy: