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Cooking for the Cat – Make Your Own Cat Food

Cats are gourmets. Surely you have already noticed that your house tiger develops special preferences for very special food brands or types. If for whatever reason, you reach for a product that your cat is unfamiliar with, you may well get irritated looks. According to the motto: Should I eat that?

What are the advantages of preparing fresh cat food?

Cats are also often choosy when it comes to additional food: Some cats can’t resist cheese, others even go for the vegetable basket. With all these cravings, most cats probably come to the same common denominator: you can’t beat freshly prepared food. If you occasionally prepare a cat menu from freshly bought and directly processed ingredients, you not only ensure high-quality variety in the cat bowl.

If you have the time and little kitchen skills, you might enjoy preparing fresh food for the cat occasionally. This also gives you full control over the ingredients used. However, you are preparing the food for an animal with the needs of a specialized predator, not an “omnivore” like humans are. This means that when cooking for cats, you’ll have to rethink some of the steps you’re used to in the kitchen. If you observe the following points, it is guaranteed that your cat tolerates the food – at least most of the time. Because just like humans, there are also intolerances in animals. If you have any concerns, it is best to ask your veterinarian for advice.

What is taurine all about?

An elementary component of a balanced cat diet is the amino acid taurine. Cats need them for their metabolism and digestion. Taurine is produced in the mammalian body by assembling it from other amino acids. However, unlike other animals, cats cannot synthesize enough taurine in their own liver. The enzymes required for this are only active to a small extent. Cats therefore absolutely need a sufficient supply of taurine through food. You can ensure this by feeding raw meat: the cat absorbs additional taurine from this.

Absolute hygiene is required when giving raw meat. Make sure that the cold chain is maintained and clean the meat carefully before feeding. Since taurine can be destroyed by the effects of heat, cooked meat is not optimal when it comes to taurine supply. Incidentally, the source of meat richest in taurine is none other than the mouse – the classic prey of hunting cats.

Taurine is also commercially available as a powdered dietary supplement. In order to find the right dose for your tiger, if necessary, you should consult with your veterinarian. Depending on the breed, age, weight, and diet, the need can vary individually.

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