AVA Conference Adelaide 2016: Feeding cats: the role of raw diets in s...
Feeding cats: the role of raw diets in sickness & in health
This lecture will discuss a holistic approach to feeding cats which incorporates consideration of behaviour and welfare as well as nutritional and dental requirements. Although there is no clear scientific evidence base for feeding ‘natural’ food, common sense in considering the evolutionary predatory behaviour of cats, and the important domains of behaviour and mental state in animal welfare assessment, suggest that feeding cats some raw meat on the bone may have many benefits. There are potential concerns with this practice, however, and skill and experience is required to do this safely. There are also situations in certain disease states where feeding raw meat may be initially contraindicated, whilst there are other disease states where feeding as a form of environmental enrichment may provide additional benefits. This lecture aims to provide a sensible, safe and practical approach of incorporating raw food into cats diets for maximal benefit with the minimal risk, and by doing so enhancing the welfare of pet cats