Lightly cooked raw food for cats Bella and Maya

[DayshaG]

Good morning! I wanted to get yours and the HA! community's feedback on "lightly cooking" raw food. I am exploring with expanding the offerings to my kitties who will turn 16 next month and always pretty much been on a raw food diet (except a period of a year or so when I was cooking and making a prescribed diet by hand from a vet nutritionist for Bella's early stage kidney disease around 2022 and 2023...it became too labor intensive so I stopped and went back to raw). Now Maya has early signs of kidney issues too as of last Fall, 3 years after her sister. Anyways, based on feedback recently from a session with Hana Makinen and also Dr Christina, both mentioned perhaps lightly cooking the raw food for older pets. And that in Chinese medicine some foods can be cooling or warming. Hana's session showed that Bella's GI tract feels cold and watery, so maybe lightly cooking will help her feel better. I have a TCM based holistic vet coming this Sat to give acupuncture and we will talk more about TCM.

I have been melting either ghee, coconut oil or butter in a metal pan before I add their VIVA raw food and I wasn't sure how long lightly cooking means. I usually just cook until there is mostly pink but some darkening of the meat (as if it was starting to cook). Also, I thought I heard enzymes can change when you lightly cook. I currently add their respective kidney supportive supplements from Aventi for Bella and SP for Maya, as well as they both get a little fish oil and Wysong PDG or I will sprinkle yeast flakes during another meal. Is there anything they will be missing if I lightly cook meals? Sometimes I also feed raw from the fridge as they eat little meals per day. Thanks!

 

[Dr. Christina]

there is no one right answer for cats, just like people. Try lightly cooking, fully cooking, raw and see what she likes best, and if you can tell a difference in any symptoms, BEAM, hair coat, energy, etc. Maybe check with Hana again to see what works best for her to confirm your intuitive observations. Nothing critical is missing, IMHO, when food is cooked - lightly or not. Dr. Jean will have more info for you.

Dr. christina

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Yes, regarding your question about cooking the Viva, let's see what @Dr. Jean Hofve has to say.

Also, I really want to applaud you for everything you've done for your kitties!

Most cats don't even get to live a normal 16 year+ life. And many of the ones I see that make it to 14 and above also have some early kidney signs.

My own 16 year young kitty has had kidney "dis-ease" (and hyperthyroidism) for 2+ years.

She is losing muscle mass and coat however her BEAM is 9/10!

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Lightly cooking to me means exactly what you’re doing… a little bit of pink. Heat will denature enzymes and destroy B vitamins so I would add a little extra of those as it cools, just before feeding. Also add back a little bit of water (or broth etc) since that is the main thing cooking takes out. Your approach is perfect!

 

[DayshaG]

Lightly cooking to me means exactly what you’re doing… a little bit of pink. Heat will denature enzymes and destroy B vitamins so I would add a little extra of those as it cools, just before feeding. Also add back a little bit of water (or broth etc) since that is the main thing cooking takes out. Your approach is perfect!

Thank you for the feedback! Would any of the following I have on hand cover the bases for enzymes/B vitamins? I call them Sprinkles. @Dr. Jean Hofve

Wysong PDG: PDG™ Nutrition-Packed Dog & Cat Food Supplement | Wysong

Bragg or comparable brand from local co-op of Nutritional Yeast flakes: Nutritional Yeast Flakes - Vegan Nutrition - Bragg® Nutritional Yeast

 

[DayshaG]

Yes, regarding your question about cooking the Viva, let's see what @Dr. Jean Hofve has to say.

Also, I really want to applaud you for everything you've done for your kitties!

Most cats don't even get to live a normal 16 year+ life. And many of the ones I see that make it to 14 and above also have some early kidney signs.

My own 16 year young kitty has had kidney "dis-ease" (and hyperthyroidism) for 2+ years.

She is losing muscle mass and coat however her BEAM is 9/10!

@Dr. Jeff Thank you so much! I love them so much! Here is a picture from today. I started trying Cat TV on Youtube like my neighbor does and the kitties do enjoy it. Trying to limit the time as like humans, they have learned how to walk up to the TV as a sign they want to see birds and things. LOL.