This is a video on YouTube by a human doctor talking about the domestic cat diet, specifically, dry cat food and a raw meat diet. He comments about these aspects of the feline diet and decides that dry cat food is “unintentional cat abuse”. He also decides that allowing raw chopped beef to thaw out at room temperature and then be immediately eaten by a cat is a good way to feed your cat.
Although his thoughts are in essence correct they lack nuance. His ideas are too basic. I don’t want to criticise the man because I like his plain talking and the fact that he does latch onto the fact that dry cat food is potentially unhealthy and often is.
He does focus on the fact that the domestic cat is an animal that demands a natural diet and dry food is decidedly unnaturnal despite its convenience but there are practicalities and additional health issues which he fails to address and which I think should have been addressed. I cover those issues below the video which needs to be watched before you carry on. Thank you.
The video above is titled ‘Is Carnivore Safe for Cats?’ I presume that ‘Carnivore’ is the name of a raw meat cat food because if it is not, this is very poor grammar. 😃
Dr Ken Berry MD says two things that the vast majority of veterinarians would disagree with or they’d say that what Dr Berry is saying is too imprecise and crude. Berry MD has 3.12 million subscribers on YouTube which might mean that he makes more money from YouTube advertising than he does from his medical work 😉
This is what I mean:
Dry cat food is a form of ‘unintentional cat abuse’
Strong words. Most vets sell dry cat food so they can’t say this sort of stuff. In some ways that makes Dr Berry’s video all the more meaningful and accurate. Although to describe it as abuse is probably too strong for most. Dry cat food is certainly potentially unhealthy especially when it is the only food provided.
But high-quality dry provided for grazing at night only is acceptable, I would say. The point is that my statement is more nuanced. For that reason, I think it is better.
Perhaps more than half of cat owners feed their cats dry kibble most or all of the time. They have no idea that they are abusing their cat. They love their cat. Dry cat food is enormously popular for its convenience. He is saying that millions of cat owners are unintentionally abusing their cats. If they knew they’d be mortified (if they believe him which they won’t).
But I believe that Dr Berry has a point because dry food can in some instances cause chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and obesity about which the vets keep quiet about as they are on a commission for selling large bags of the stuff from the manufacturers.
And if one was cynical, you’d say that vets don’t mind if dry cat food causes illnesses because it means more business for them. It is a virtuous cycle from their perspective. And I suspect from the perspective of the insurance companies. They want cats to develop chronic illnesses.
Yes, I know I sound like some crazy nutcase but it is true. Cats and dogs are big business and vets are businesses. And they believe that they deserve good wages; an excellent income on a par with doctors which is often not the case. This irks them.
RELATED: A note: an example of how a raw diet can improve cat health
Recently thawed frozen raw beef
A diet consisting solely of raw beef would be deficient in several essential nutrients for cats. You’ll need supplements which you can readily buy. These supplements are designed to be added to raw meats.
While raw beef is a good source of protein and some essential amino acids, it lacks some important elements necessary for feline health:
- Calcium: Essential for bone health.
- Vitamins: A, D, E, and B-complex vitamins are vital for various bodily functions.
- Minerals: Other essential minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc are missing.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Crucial for skin and coat health.
- Phosphorus: While raw meat provides phosphorus, the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio may not be optimal for cats.
- Raw meat can provide sufficient taurine for cats: However, the specific taurine content varies significantly based on the type of meat
Additionally, a beef-only diet can lead to an imbalance of nutrients, such as an excess of iron.
RELATED: Feline IBD and a Raw Diet
Wild cats eat more than prey muscle
Cats are obligate carnivores with specific nutritional needs that cannot be met by a single protein source. A balanced diet for cats should include a variety of raw meats, organs, and bones, or a commercially prepared raw food specifically formulated for cats. In the wild raw flesh (meat) is supplemented by the prey’s stomach contents, the bones, the fur, feathers etc. And wild cats eat some vegetation and of course insects. This is a balanced diet. Raw meat is like a wild cat just eating the muscle of a prey animal. It does not happen.
The default advice is to always consult with a veterinarian experienced in feline nutrition before making any significant changes to your cat’s diet. They can provide guidance on creating a balanced raw diet or recommending appropriate commercial options. Or do your careful research beforehand.
Source for the above: VCA Hospitals and Raw Essentials. And me.
RELATED: Try ground rabbit with supplement to cure feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Taurine – an issue ignored by Dr Berry
Taurine-rich meats: Organs like heart, liver, and kidney are excellent sources of taurine.
Lean meats: While they contain taurine, lean cuts like chicken breast or rabbit have lower amounts.
Variety: Offering a diverse diet including various meat types helps ensure adequate taurine intake.
Individual needs: The exact taurine requirements can vary based on factors like age, weight, and overall health.
Commercial cat food both wet and dry has added taurine as it is am important nutrient for cats who can’t synthesize taurine.
Contamination – also ignored by Dr Berry
Although raw meat is an excellent source of many nutrients, it is not recommended as a food or a treat for cats, because it is a potential vehicle for toxoplasmosis and other infectious diseases. Some cats that have consumed canned fish products meant for humans have developed potentially serious neurological disorders. – direct quote from Cornell, a respected source.
Bacterial contamination – also ignored by Berry MD
There is also the issue of potential bacterial contamination when a cat eats recently thawed raw beef. This is a potential hazard and one that vets often talk about. And storage of raw meat is important in terms of temperature and cross-contamination. These are nuances that the doctor failed to address.
Summary
In summary, although essentially correct that domestic cats being obligate carnivores should eat raw meat, it is not nuanced enough. There are other issues to discuss as mentioned. To provide your cat with a well-balanced raw meat diet requires skill and knowledge. You can’t just chuck a lump of chopped frozen beef on the kitchen floor to let it thaw out and then be eaten by your cat. There’s more to it than that which is why the good doctor has omitted in his video.
