The Tails of Truth Podcast:

What to Feed Your Cat: From Fancy Feast to Raw

In this episode ofย Tails of Truth, holistic veterinarianย Dr. Angie Krauseย and veterinary nurseย JoJoย explore the sometimes confusing world ofย cat nutrition. Drawing on Dr. Angieโ€™s extensive experience working for majorย pet food brandsโ€”includingย Open Farm,ย Stella & Chewyโ€™s, andย I and Love and Youโ€”they unpack the pros and cons ofย raw feeding,ย kibble,ย canned food,ย homecookedย andย prescription diets.

Listeners will learn how to safely feed raw during the avian influenza era, whyย HPP (High-Pressure Processing)ย doesnโ€™t diminish nutrients, and how to balance homemade cat food with resources likeย Balance.it. The duo also coversย common myths about kibble, discusses whyย Fancy Feast isnโ€™t the enemy, and explores howย prescription dietsย can be beneficial for cats withย IBD, kidney disease, or urinary blockages.

Through candid, unscripted conversation, Dr. Angie reminds cat parents thatย thereโ€™s no one-size-fits-all approachย to feline nutritionโ€”genetics, palatability, and practicality all play a role. Whether your cat eats raw, canned, or kibble, this episode empowers you to make informed choices and find what works best for your feline family.

Key Takeaways

  • Tails of Truthย keeps cat care conversationsย unscripted and authentic.
  • Dr. Angieโ€™s pet food industry experienceย offers rare behind-the-scenes insights into formulation.
  • Raw feedingย supports high protein and moisture with low carbs.
  • Safe raw feeding requires aย kill stepย (likeย HPP) andย balanced nutrition, not grocery store meat.
  • Kibbleย is convenient but too high in carbs for obligate carnivores; it can contribute to obesity, inflammation, and dental disease.
  • Canned foodย (even Fancy Feast!) is often a better optionโ€”higher moisture, more protein, fewer carbs.
  • Prescription dietsย are helpful for conditions like IBD, kidney disease, and urinary blockages.
  • Homemade and gently cooked dietsย can work if properly balanced with vitamin/mineral mixes.
  • Every cat is differentโ€”genetics, texture preferences, and practicalityย matter more than perfection.
  • The goal:ย Do your best, love your cat, and enjoy life together.

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  • โ€œHPP does not diminish the nutrition in the raw food.โ€ย  - Dr. Angieย 

  • โ€œMy cat poo doesnโ€™t stink. What an elitist thing to say.โ€ - JoJo

  • โ€œThe downside of canned, if weโ€™re going to talk about it, is the lining. That lining has chemicals that we are linking to hyperthyroidism.โ€ย  - Dr. Angieย 

  • ย โ€œPrescription diets are so painful for people who come to our practice.โ€ - JoJo

  • โ€œWith cats, itโ€™s only going to get better and better, right? Because theyโ€™re decades behind on the research.โ€ย  - JoJo

  • ย โ€œCanned is much better than kibbleโ€”and almost any type of cannedโ€”and this is going to be controversialโ€”but Fancy Feast is not that bad.โ€ - Dr. Angieย 

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