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Is your cat eating healthier than you are??

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5K views 41 replies 25 participants last post by  Zilla  
#1 ·
So... I have a dilemma and a few questions for you guys. This may be a provocative topic, but..

First, my kitty. There is commonly accepted healthy food, and then there is the food that he likes. Both are two different things. But he is eating well, drinking plenty, and leading a healthy lifestyle.

It got me thinking about human food and human health vs cat food and cat health.

As a human, I do not eat the healthiest food there is. I eat what I like, I cook most of my meals, I eat lots of bread, meat, some of my food is fried, and I hardly ever consume the recommended amount of veggies per day. I am physically active. And as a result, I am an extremely healthy person, barely ever get sick even with cold, and have no excess body weight.
There are people who eat all raw or vegetarian, or gluten free diets, and yet appear less healthy than me...

I know many people do their best to feed kitties grain free diets, raw diets, buy the healthiest brands of food... Talk about how horrible Purina and grocery store pet food is.

The question is... If you feed your pet the best food, do you yourself eat the healthiest food? (that is organic food, nothing deep fried, limited fat, salt and sugar, lots of fruits and veggies, 2 L of water per day, no alcohol, no smoking, etc.) Do you workout at least 45 minutes 3 times a week?

So... Is your kitty healthier than you are? And why (or why not?)
 
#2 ·
I don't buy my kitties the fancy brands many here use, but I do try to stick with the highest of quality in the affordable brands, and am choosy about what I bring home to them. I would have to say, they all definitely eat better than me. Right now I ate waaaay too much junk food that even if it was okay for kitties, I wouldn't give it to my kitties. If I had kids I wouldn't feed what I eat to them, so I know its not great.
 
#5 ·
I think I feed my cat similarly. He eats his canned food and some dry food, enjoys his water fountain. If or when I have kids I may need to think about changing 1 or 2 of my food habits, however I consider my diet reasonably healthy.
 
#3 ·
As a human, I do not eat the healthiest food there is. I eat what I like, I cook most of my meals, I eat lots of bread, meat, some of my food is fried, and I hardly ever consume the recommended amount of veggies per day. I am physically active. And as a result, I am an extremely healthy person, barely ever get sick even with cold, and have no excess body weight.
lots of people are like this.

There are people who eat all raw or vegetarian, or gluten free diets, and yet appear less healthy than me
this is also true.

The question is... If you feed your pet the best food, do you yourself eat the healthiest food? (that is organic food, nothing deep fried, limited fat, salt and sugar, lots of fruits and veggies, 2 L of water per day, no alcohol, no smoking, etc.) Do you workout at least 45 minutes 3 times a week?

So... Is your kitty healthier than you are? And why (or why not?)

i feed my cats the best food (that i can afford, but weruva, tiki cat, wellness and hound & gatos are up there) and i also eat
nothing deep fried, limited fat, salt and sugar, lots of fruits and veggies, 2 L of water per day, no alcohol, no smoking, etc.) Do you workout at least 45 minutes 3 times a week?
and yes i work out. the reason i don't eat all organic fruits and vegetables is because it's too expensive. but i eat very little processed food, have my own juicer, and don't drink coffee (i probably go six months on, six months off but i'm in the "off" period). i also try not to eat anything white (pasta, potatoes, vanilla ice cream, milk? lol) the only dairy i use is live culture plain nonfat yogurt because i have problems with heavy antibiotics sometimes, and mainly have two chronic health problems that have nothing to do with diet, exercise or recreational habits. i have also been known to eat cheetos, goldfish (crackers lol) pizza, nachos or ben & jerry's ice cream but not on a regular basis.

i have had one cold in the last twelve years and i haven't thrown up since 1980. the first year i taught public school i had every single thing you can think of except norovirus so it was mostly likely all airborne. my doctor thinks i have a cast-iron immune system because of that. whether this is true or whether i just wash my hands a lot, no one will ever know. so, no, i don't think my cats are healthier than i am. i think we're probably on the same level.

and yes, this will most likely be a very controversial topic. i have lived like this for the last 37 years or so (i did smoke for 16 years but i quit in 1989 and i used to drink socially but i quite doing that 10 years ago) but didn't really think about my cats' diet until recently.
 
#6 ·
and yes, this will most likely be a very controversial topic. i have lived like this for the last 37 years or so (i did smoke for 16 years but i quit in 1989 and i used to drink socially but i quite doing that 10 years ago) but didn't really think about my cats' diet until recently.
Thank you for your honest answer!

I noticed that many pet owners are very particular about brands and nutrition content of food they feed their cat. So I was wondering it this is a consistent approach to life, or it is just pets who get to eat healthy...
 
#4 ·
I find that I am a lot more food conscience about my animals' food because they can't make good decisions for themselves. They may like eating out of the garbage,but it's not really healthy.

I myself eat what I like,but try to moderate it. I have to say though that rich and savory foods are my weakness.
 
#7 ·
Yes my cats definitely eat healthier than I do, not because of the quality of the base food they get, but because of the junk I consume. Here's the thing...the lower quality foods are made with pet quality ingredients....human food rejects (moldy and bug infested grains, outdated supermarket meats, euthanized animals etc.), nasty by-products, and they contain additives that have been outlawed for human consumption (e.g. BHT). So the food my cats get is made from the same quality ingredients that make up the majority of my diet...human grade meats, veggies, fruits etc. The difference is that I do eat the junk food....the candy, french fries, fast food, that they don't get.

I wouldn't eat a food with pet quality ingredients and I'm not going to feed it to my pets. After that...yes, there are benefits to organic, grain free, higher protein etc. but I think you get the most benefit for the money when you choose a product made with human grade ingredients.
 
#10 ·
human food rejects (moldy and bug infested grains, outdated supermarket meats, euthanized animals etc.), nasty by-products, and they contain additives that have been outlawed for human consumption (e.g. BHT). So the food my cats get is made from the same quality ingredients that make up the majority of my diet...human grade meats, veggies, fruits etc. The difference is that I do eat the junk food....the candy, french fries, fast food, that they don't get.
I am not sure that this can be true. From what I know, meat by-products is a fancy name for animal organs: brains, lungs, digestive system minus fecal mater, hair, horns, etc. That does not include moldy, sick animals.. If there is reputable information on this matter I would love to know about it.
 
#8 ·
I think it's important to put your own dietary needs above your cats. In order to be able to continue properly caring for our beloved animals, that starts with properly caring for ourselves as best as we're able. That doesn't have to mean organic, no deep fried food, etc. but if buying the most expensive cat food is stopping you from buying fruits and vegetables every month, then there's a disconnect somewhere that should probably be looked into.

My cats eat lots of different brands, from Friskies to EVO. It's variety, and they're certainly not hurting because of it. I also have variety; usually lots of vegetables, fruit, whole wheat breads, oven cooked chicken, pork or beef. Salads in the summer. I don't eat deep fried food too often, hardly ever drink pop, mostly drink water or milk. I often eat dessert, but not a large amount. When I'm with friends, I do drink. I don't exercise, which means I have less muscle mass than is ideal, but then again, I'm borderline underweight, it's just the way I am. I must have a fast metabolism. If I found I couldn't eat the way I m accustomed to, in turn the cats would likely no longer be getting EVO.
 
#9 ·
Of course, my cat eats way better than I do.

I eat fast food, junk food and drink soda and definitely do not get enough water.

I joke about it all the time to people that they get fed better than I do. And honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. They have no idea that I am watching what they eat and trying to prolong their lives. They just know that I put food down twice a day and it makes them feel better after they eat it.

I love my Moosey more than anything :)
 
#12 ·
I've been reading about this stuff for years and have become convinced that there's truth to it. You're quoting the FDA/AAFCO definitions, but I believe the reality is much different. I don't have a lot of sources bookmarked, but one person on the forefront of uncovering a lot of the things that go on is Susan Thixton, she has a website called The Truth About Pet Food. I don't care for her style and tactics, she tends to blow things out of proportion and is alarmist. But I've dug through her articles for the facts, have followed links, done further research etc. and found enough stuff to convince me that the definitions on paper and reality are two different things. Go do some reading about rendering plants and what goes into the pit...what comes out is animal fat, meat meal, meat by product meal and a few others that I don't remember off the top of my head.
 
#13 ·
Well, I suppose I do feed my cat better than I do myself, because I am an admitted junk food junkie. I feed Desmond the same pet food he was being fed at the shelter (Purina Pro Plan) and which his veterinarian recommends. I have read articles by veterinarians that advocate feeding a raw diet, or preparing your cat's food yourself, but - no. I do not give Desmond any "people food". I lost my cat Smoky to kidney failure at age 10.5... I don't know how much his diet had to do with it but I did allow him to have things he shouldn't have, partially because in the beginning I didn't know any better (i.e. spaghetti sauce) and also b/c when I first got him, I didn't know a lot about pet foods and did buy the grocery store brands. Anyway, with Des, I am more careful about what I give him and what I allow him to have. Not being made of money, I can't feed him the most expensive stuff but I feel I'm feeding him the best I can afford. Recently, my g/f's cat got sick and when she took him to the vet (same vet I take Desmond to) she told her to put him on the Pro Plan. So I feel pretty good about what I'm doing.

Annie
 
#14 ·
I eat pretty healthy -- for a long time I had a huge problem with my weight and I finally was able to loose it and I've kept it off for 2 years. I am though, pretty terrible about my health though because I've been plagued with issues since I was a kid. With that being said, I know that I need to balance things (like how I just snacked on some potato chips).

I do try my very best to give my cats the best food and I consult their vets to make sure what we're doing is right. I expect them to eat as healthy, if not healthier than myself. I also take their vet care and insurance much more seriously than my own.
 
#17 ·
My cats eat healthier than I do. That said, I do exercise at least 3 times per week, eat lots of organic fruits and veggies, drink lots of water etc. I am a big believer in good nutrition for pets as well as for myself. My cats eat healthier because I don't have someone putting healthy meals in front of me and giving me no other options. I don't eat poorly, I just have access to a second glass of wine whereas my cats can't help themselves to treats!

It's interesting to see the correlation between what people feed themselves and their pets. I do spend more money on both my food and my cats food than necessary because I feel nutrition is important.
 
#18 ·
I eat reasonably healthy food and get quite a bit of exercise.

I do put more effort into my pets' nutrition than my own, though. (For example, the time when I was calculating protein ratios in cat food while eating Doritos. ;))

The thing is, I wouldn't be more healthy in my own diet if I didn't have pets. It's not like I'm sacrificing my nutrition for theirs. It's just that I think for humans, it's important to be balanced in life - trying to make healthy choices when possible but not stressing out about it.

My cats don't have the same ability to make choices and weigh the consequences, so I feel I have to be more vigilant about trying to do the right thing for them because I am responsible for them. I can decide to have the french fries and go to an extra exercise class to make up for it - Maisie can't decide if it's worth risking another UTI.

I'm not careless with my own health, but I'm even more careful with my cats' health because they're dependent on me to make choices on their behalf, and they can't weigh consequences for themselves.
 
#21 ·
My cats don't have the same ability to make choices and weigh the consequences, so I feel I have to be more vigilant about trying to do the right thing for them because I am responsible for them. I can decide to have the french fries and go to an extra exercise class to make up for it - Maisie can't decide if it's worth risking another UTI.

I'm not careless with my own health, but I'm even more careful with my cats' health because they're dependent on me to make choices on their behalf, and they can't weigh consequences for themselves.
Well put.
 
#20 ·
I pay attention to labels on both my pet's food and my own. I don't do a lot of shopping in the organic section, but I do try to avoid prepackaged meals and those with a lot of preservatives and artificial ingredients. I eat a lot of fruits and veggies, avoid fatty and fried foods, drink enough water, drink only in moderation, don't smoke, hardly ever drink soda, take the stairs instead of the elevator, etc. That said, I do also have my faults. I don't exercise enough (but I'm working on it), could stand to lose a few pounds (also working on it), can't go more than a day without caffeine and I have a terrible sweet tooth that is responsible for the occasional candy binge (seriously, candy and I can't be in the same room without me having to exert an enormous amount of self control.)

Good nutrition is important to me, and I feel it's also important to my pets. They don't eat the absolute best and most expensive food, but I do the best that I reasonably can for them. I try to do the best I can for myself as well, its just that temptation and laziness gets in the way sometimes.
 
#23 ·
i understand your skepticism. i know all about vanity publishing and shady companies like the one that published, "the bell curve." i think they may have also published, "i, rigoberta menchu," so i would sincerely question any book published by that house. if you aren't familiar with it, look it up. the nicest phrase i can use about it is, "shockingly ignorant." i taught public school for 16 years and i know that everything published has an agenda behind it. i didn't read either book in an academic setting though, so i didn't research all of her cited sources but they're there to do so if someone still doesn't believe.

i was half tempted to stop by the purina plant over on I-70, because i'm pretty sure they have a rendering plant onsite, which is unusual (but purina can afford it). i also doubt they would allow me to just wander around watching them prepare pet food. a lot of companies just buy prepared mush and never question where it came from. in addition to that, rendering plants have not always been honest about what they accept to go into that whatever it is you want to call it. i'd call it liquified garbage with vitamins added.

i always wondered what they could be doing to dog food to make it smell so bad. now i know.
 
#24 ·
Ever watch the episode of Dirty Jobs where Mike visits a rendering plant?
That's what goes into some pet foods.
Dead, diseased, decaying animals, complete with maggots, putrefied flesh, and all their feces to go along with it. It's called "meat and bone meal", and tallow.

And that's just what they're willing to show on TV. He even says at the beginning of the segment that this guy was the only one willing to let him come into his plant and do the show. I wonder what else goes on in these plants when there isn't a camera filming...

It's on Netflix- Season 5 Ep 1
 
#26 ·
Ever watch the episode of Dirty Jobs where Mike visits a rendering plant?
That's what goes into some pet foods.
Dead, diseased, decaying animals, complete with maggots, putrefied flesh, and all their feces to go along with it. It's called "meat and bone meal", and tallow.

And that's just what they're willing to show on TV. He even says at the beginning of the segment that this guy was the only one willing to let him come into his plant and do the show. I wonder what else goes on in these plants when there isn't a camera filming...
i've only seen one episode of that show. i'm totally surprised that a rendering plant let him on site because most of them won't let anyone in.
roadkill, dead zoo animals, and in colorado when there's a lot of snow and they can't get food to the cattle, the rendering plants do a big business with carcass removal. also (and none of this is denied by rendering plants, you can look them up online and see what they accept)--used restaurant grease and rotten food they can't serve, rotten meat from supermarkets (that's why there's styrofoam and plastic wrap). they don't take time to unwrap stuff and sort it, they just dump it in and cook it.

the biggest controversy is whether or not there are euthanized cats and dogs in pet food. it's not a secret that dead horses, cows and chickens were used to make farm animal food. supposedly a lot of rendering plants don't mix those animals in (so they say) but it only takes one because these places are huge and supply a lot of different pet food labels. sodium pentobarbital is used to euthanize pets and has been found in the rendered product. they cannot find dog or cat DNA, but most of the DNA has been corrupted by the rendering process. the rendering plants/pet food manufacturers say it's from euthanized cows and horses. horses maybe, but visit a feedlot. they don't euthanize cows. if they're too sick to walk to slaughter, they drag them, or they use a bolt gun and call the rendering plant.

at the very least--forget about the cats and dogs, the other stuff is a really good reason for me not to buy any food with by-products, meat/bone/chicken/ANIMAL meal, animal digest, or animal fat. after everything has been dumped in and cooked at a high temperature, they spin it in a centrifuge to separate the fat. some of these companies' reps like to say, "protein is protein." fine. they can eat it if it's so good for you.

Oh they definitely eat better than we do. Tonight we are having pizza and they are having Merrick Grammy's Pot Pie. They also get their exercise and sleep!
darn--i donated 18 cans from a case of grammy's pot pie to the cat care society because the only cat of mine who would eat it throws up if she eats grain. the other two weren't into it at all.
 
#25 ·
Oh they definitely eat better than we do. Tonight we are having pizza and they are having Merrick Grammy's Pot Pie. They also get their exercise and sleep!
 
#27 ·
There is no doubt in my mind. As I was putting out 1/3 cup of Science Diet dry and 1/4 can of Halo wet for each cat, there sat my bag of Taco Bell on the counter waiting for me.

My cats agree with the previous poster. I purchased a bunch of Merrick's and their noses were turned up the second the bowls hit the floor.
 
#29 · (Edited)
I don't think they eat all that much better than us. My whole extended family is in the same general area and total we have around 200 acres, we don't have fences separating our land. We grow/raise most of our food. Almost 3/4 of our land is used to grow hay for the animals as well as corn and wheat for them and us. We have lots of horses as well as many other animals. We raise rabbits, chickens, ducks, and turkeys for show and use extras/culls as meat. We also have fresh eggs from our chickens and milk and cheese from our goats and cows. We trade some rabbit and poultry to a neighbor about once a month for some fresh beef and pork and sometimes some lamb or mutton(goat). We also grow our own veggies. So, I think we eat about the same as our kitties, the only thing being they CAN'T over eat and we can:)
 
#30 ·
Oh my! I would die to have that... You definitely don't have an excuse for not eating healthy :p

My cats(and dog) definitely eat healthier than me. I use to be really health conscious but have gotten lazy about it and particularly bad over the past year (bf doesn't like anything healthy so it's hard to cook for us both). I try to eat healthy when I can but junk is more convenient to be honest. I definitely want to get into eating healthier though again.


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#33 ·
I'm too scared to read...but it's even more incentive for me to just stop feeding FF, even to my stray.

As for the original Q, most definitely what Blakeney Green said about doing for the kitties what they can't do for themselves.

I have zero interest in my own health: I'm a longtime smoker (I don't smoke inside), drink 6-7 cups of coffee a day and the concept of exercise makes me yawn. I do work out with a personal trainer every week, not for health reasons per se, but to be in reasonably good shape when it's time for the hip replacement. Being neurotic appears to keep me from gaining weight.

I am a pretty healthy eater, but that's not because I'm concerned about my health. I've been reading labels and looking at the lists of ingredients on processed foods since I was in college (so 25+ years), because food that's processed, fried, swimming in cream/butter/oil/sauce of any kind, or that contains corn syrup disagrees with me. So does alcohol, so I just don't drink at all anymore.

So most definitely, I'm more concerned about my girls' health, although because I can't get them completely off FF (YET), I'd say I eat more healthy food than they do.
 
#34 ·
Such a good topic!

Oh, heck yes our kitty eats better than us! She eats organic, grain-free wet food...even her treats are grain free. And while this sounds silly, I'm chiming in with those who said that they choose the best for their kitties because their kitties can't make their own choices...and also they can't tell us verbally if something makes their tummy hurt or leaves them lethargic. So we're just not willing to chance it!

Mostly our cat eats healthier than us because she's not a human with socail eating opportunities! We eat fairly healthy at home...almost always plant-based meals with a small amount of grains....the only meat product in our house is kitty food! We don't bring junk food home or eat out daily, and we're regular calorie-checkers in the aisle of the grocery store. But once or twice a week we usually go out and have an indulgent meal, or are invited over for dinner with others. We're definitely social eaters when given the chance! And that's why our kitten is probably healthier. No weekly BBQ's with hot dogs, potato salad + brownies. :)

When I'm in the US, I always opt for organic...because the prices seem reasonable. Here it's too much for me. $18 for a head of organic broccoli? No thanks. :)
 
#35 ·
Not really. I try to eat a balanced diet, with plenty of whole grains, veggies, fruits, and protein (plant/dairy based protein since I'm a vegetarian). If I get anything that's in a can, I look for things with the lowest sodium content and I measure out my portions. But, I do have days where I eat junk...sweets are my weakness. :3 I usually give myself one day out of the week where I eat anything I want but I try to be good most of the time. Doesn't always work out that easily though, lol. I was pretty bad over the holiday so I'm trying to get back into my regular routine. As far as exercise goes though...I only work out 20 minutes 3 times a week. I am on my feet a lot at work though, I spend at least four hours a day on my feet.
 
#36 ·
They probably are healthier than I am. I am pretty conscious about earring well, exercising and all that but by looking at the kitties with the beautiful soft fur and all that flexibility in their little bodies, I would say they are healthier. Plus with all that fur there are no wrinkles to be seen! But seriously, I do try buy the best food for them I can afford. No grains, wheat, etc. and they go to the vet once a year for a physical, which I don't do for myself.
 
#37 ·
I am a dietitian, so by my very nature, I have always been mindful of eating whole, good food. That being said, I was just telling DH last night that I easily spend money on my cat food, bird food for the outdoor birds, peanuts for the jays (yikes, that is expensive) and go through sugar for the humming bird feeder (man, I remember when a 5 pound bag of sugar was under $1.00!!) but when it comes to our food, I quibble about buying organic versus "regular" stuff.