Rate of Growth

[admin]

They've both really hated the canned food this whole time. Last night I mixed in fresh chicken that I cut off the bone and mixed it in with the raw from Feline's Pride. I was under the impression that I still needed to add taurine supplements as some of the benefits of the included taurine is lost to the freezing process. I added about 1/3 or 1/2 of the recommended dose that's labeled on the side of the container. Either way they ate up almost everything in the bowls in 15 minutes so I think they like it for now. From what I read on here, Feline's Pride is pretty much one of the best raw feline food providers so I went with them, I'll give them a call for the next shipment and see what they can do with shipping costs. I got a sampler of 4 meats and I will see what they like the most and I'll keep their 2 or 3 favorites on hand.

Yep, that is fine...mine will not eat Feline's Pride, which is why I sue Hare Today for chicken hearts/livers when I grind chicken or I also order rabbit from them...my kittens grew up on Blue Ridge Beef and canned and still eat it as well as their rabbit...mine need a variety...

But depending on how much canned you feed, you do not have to supplement, although extra Taurine can never hurt...

Feline's Pride has a package of supplements to add to the raw, if you do not want to buy them all...

 

[Sunny]

I would not be at all surprised by Senna doubling in weight over the next 8-10 weeks. That sounds right to me and in line with a normal sized cat at first. It's tough to measure when they are so young, month to month side by side with another cat you get a real treat visually how big they are actually getting.

 

[admin]

I would not be at all surprised by Senna doubling in weight over the next 8-10 weeks. That sounds right to me and in line with a normal sized cat at first. It's tough to measure when they are so young, month to month side by side with another cat you get a real treat visually how big they are actually getting.

I agree with Sunny, although Senna is a bit small right now...we usually go by 1 lb a month, but I bet with your diligence and attention to diet, he will begin to catch up...he is still very young...

My F5 male kittens were about 5 pounds at 3 months, but their father is a big boy! They are now 10 pounds at 7 months...

 

[admin]

Also, I would continue to give him some kind of kitten food with the raw...

 

[Sourek]

Also, I would continue to give him some kind of kitten food with the raw...

What would you recommend? Senna and Nero both aren't interested in anything canned or dried that I've given them. I tried different percentages of 9lives and the zupreme, the completely disregard it. I'm really happy they went for the Rabbit I gave them yesterday and today.

 

[admin]

Just eliminate the Zupreem - Zuri would not eat it either....try Royal Canin kitten food...Senna needs more calories IMO...I bet he will grow like a weed once he has more calories and is eating better....you need to put down some kibble...get some RC Babycat or kitten dry food, so they will have it all the time and can munch...kittens need to be fed as much as they will eat...

Also, Proplan kitten chicken or turkey w/giblets works...or...Proplan chicken and Beef...right now you just need to worry about Senna eating and gaining weight...

 

[John Popp]

I was under the impression that I still needed to add taurine supplements as some of the benefits of the included taurine is lost to the freezing process.

The loss of taurine potency is very nominal when freezing up to 90 days. I believe it was 5% ±3%. Just the same it won't hurt to add a little more as it's water soluble and you couldn't get enough into your cat to reach toxicity levels.

 

[Sunny]

Taurine is also lost in the cutting or grinding process, primarily through the juices that are able to leech from the meat. Not completely, but different from consuming a whole meal. And naturally, why cooking destroys most taurine in food.

 

[John Popp]

Yep, cooking is the worst as it will destroy 50% or more of the Taurine in meat.

 

[Cathouse1]

So...if I microwave for a few seconds to get raw chicken mix to room temperature am I losing a little or a lot of Taurine? I add in my mix and supplement with each serving, so I think he is getting plenty of nutes. He devours it at room temp but leaves most for later when I serve cold. We have a 18 year old DSH on a low protein diet, so I can't leave raw out all day or he will shock his kidneys. This is why I microwave to room temp, usually 8 seconds. Thanks, Jeremy.