About Michelle Rossi Expertise My area of research is in regards to feline diet and digestive physiology as well as history of domestication and how it applies to dietary adaptation in Felis catus.
Experience In total, between my own pet cats and the ones Ive taken in/ re-homed as rescues, I have fed a total of over 95 cats and kittens a natural, raw diet.
I have a cumulative of 7 years worth of experience, from feeding a partly prey and partly processed food diet to a completely prey (home bred quail, young home bred chickens, captive bred feeder rodents/ rabbits) and raw meaty bones diet (chicken neck bones and wings), which I currently feed.
I have assisted numerous people in formulating a raw diet which is suited for their animals and their lifestyle.
Education/Credentials Biology degree with an emphasis in Ag and animal husbandry related courses.
I have worked in veterinary medicine and am currently completing my RVT certification. I was accepted into a veterinary medicine program, but due to unforeseen life changes, I am currently unable to begin vet school.
Please consider that I am not a veterinarian, nor do I play on on TV. ;-) I will offer advice to the limit of my own knowledge and when in doubt of my own qualifications to address specific issues, I will refer to you a medical professional who is more suited.
For a good book about carnivore diet, I recommend "Raw Meaty Bones Promote Health," by Dr. Tom Lonsdale DVM
Here are Dr. Londales suggestions for feeding cats and dogs:
http://www.rawmeatybones.com/diet/exp-diet-guide.pdf
Here is a partial list of veterinarians who are supportive of natural feeding:
Lisa A. Pierson, DVM
DrPierson@catinfo.org
Question Michelle,
When I read one of your answers related to CD dry cat food for urinary tract health I was horrified. My vet too advised me to feed my baby this expensive food and now I hear it is bad for him. Can you recommend a food that would be better for him? He has always eaten dry food and has never wanted canned. If you can tell me what is a better food I would be so grateful! Thank you so much!
Answer Hi Tammy,
Did you check out Dr. Lisa's website? I have recommended to to others who are going through urinary tract issues as well. http://www.catinfo.org/
Dry food, which causes chronic, low-level dehydration in cats, is best avoided. Adding water to the food itself, helps to maintain proper urinary pH levels, without needing to alter the mineral content of the food. In the past, the ash content has been the primary focus of urinary specific formulas, but more recently, animal practitioners are becoming more aware that hydration levels are more important in preventing FLUTD.
In short, the best diets for cats are those that are high in moisture content and are meat based. You can try mixing in canned food with his kibble and slowly increasing the amount of canned food until he is totally weaned off of dry. You could also try giving him raw meat along with his kibble, slowly decreasing the amount of dry food that youre serving. Try different meats and different flavors of canned foods. I am active in rescue and have weaned many cats and kittens off of dry food. I have only had one (out of 90+) that I have not been able to get completely off of kibble. I am able to get her to eat about 75% raw meat and 25% Innova Evo kibble. It has taken 3 years to get her that far! Maybe in a nother couple of years she will be completely weaned. ha ha
Good luck with your boy. You are not alone in the battle against FLUTD, but luckily it is not something that is too challenging to overcome. Just do what you can to get your kibble junkie to kick the habit, and he will be much better off in the long run.
