Raw food concern, might be silly?

[ElfMommy]

I want to supplement one of my baby's meals with raw food and snacks. My concern is my 2 human babies age 7 and 2 kiss the cat. My 2 year old on occasion has been helping Gizmo groom with his own little tongue ( now that's love) Is there any chance of them getting samonella poisoning?

 

[SphynxKid]

Well, I am not a raw food feeder but there are probably a few concerns not just related to raw food in which your child should not be helping your cat groom by licking him!

In addition to the possible spread of bacteria from the food, take into consideration that raw food might also contain microscopic parasites that you transfer to your child.

Also, there might be skin disease such as a staph infection or ringworm, that your child would be directly ingesting. Of biggest concern in my opinion, is E. coli. Don't forget that kitty grooms EVERYWHERE and then will clean its entire body (ie, will lick butt, and then clean rest of self) so there is a chance that your baby might be ingesting E. coli and things like enterobacter, which belong deep in the intestinal tract and not in the upper GI tract of a young child. So just something to keep in mind, and might be time to discourage your young one from help kitty like that and maybe just help kitty in the bathtub instead!

Jen

 

[sciumi]

I would strongly advise against adding raw meat to your kitty's diet.

The nutritional advantages for the cat are not worth the health risks for your kids.

It's a bummer, but cooked food will supply all of the nutrients your kitty needs


http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/23/the-raw-food-diet-for-pets/

 

[Fester]

.

It's a bummer, but cooked food will supply all of the nutrients your kitty needs

I'd have to disagree.
Cooked food with appropriate supplements will supply all the nutrients.
Pottenger study
Specifically, the cooking process destroys taurine, an essential amino acid for cats.

I agree about raw food and children, though.

 

[sciumi]

I'd have to disagree.
Cooked food with appropriate supplements will supply all the nutrients.
Pottenger study
Specifically, the cooking process destroys taurine, an essential amino acid for cats.

I agree about raw food and children, though.

Thanks for adding that, Fester!

Is Taurine in most commercial foods?

 

[ElfMommy]

Well, I am not a raw food feeder but there are probably a few concerns not just related to raw food in which your child should not be helping your cat groom by licking him!

In addition to the possible spread of bacteria from the food, take into consideration that raw food might also contain microscopic parasites that you transfer to your child.

Also, there might be skin disease such as a staph infection or ringworm, that your child would be directly ingesting. Of biggest concern in my opinion, is E. coli. Don't forget that kitty grooms EVERYWHERE and then will clean its entire body (ie, will lick butt, and then clean rest of self) so there is a chance that your baby might be ingesting E. coli and things like enterobacter, which belong deep in the intestinal tract and not in the upper GI tract of a young child. So just something to keep in mind, and might be time to discourage your young one from help kitty like that and maybe just help kitty in the bathtub instead!

Jen

I was so surprised when I seen him doing this!! I totally discouraged him from licking him but he's going through a licking faze I didn't even think of all the other factors about grooming himself, thanks for the heads up

 

[Caloci]

At least here in BC, cats used as therapy pets must not be fed raw. I am assuming because many of the people they visit may not be resistant to bacteria and infection. Feeding raw certainly has it benefits but there are risks associated to the pet and the people who handle them and their food.

I think you should weigh the pros and cons. And if you do choose to feed raw it should be only raw and not a mixture of raw and kibble.

Maybe wait till your little one can be trusted not to help with kittys oral grooming!

 

[Caloci]

Thanks for adding that, Fester!

Is Taurine in most commercial foods?

Yes, taurine is in most commerial foods. It is the most important amino acid for cats. In the wild they get it from organ meat such as heart and liver.

You should be able to see taurine on the lable of any food. Apparently you can get it in Liver Powder to supplement RAW if needed. Taurine is also used as a supplement for people and you can buy caplets in any pharmacy.

 

[SphynxKid]

At least here in BC cats used as therapy pets must not be fed raw. I am assuming because many of the people they visit may not be resistant to bacteria and infection. Feeding raw certainly has it benefits but there are risks associated to the pet and the people who handle them and their food.

I think you should weigh the pros and cons. And if you do choose to feed raw it should be only raw and not a mixture of raw and kibble.

Maybe wait till your little one can be trusted not to help with kittys oral grooming!

Therapy animals here cannot be fed raw diets either, for the same reason.

Jen

 

[sciumi]

Thanks!

Mmmm....powdered liver....yummy.

 

[Fester]

Another supplement that is good to know about:
l-Lysine

Apparently many domestic cats have a form of herpes -- kinda like many humans having cold sores. This is a bit more of a concern with a sphinx because the 'goopy' eyes that a herpes flair can cause. On a Sphynx the 'eye goobers' can sometimes dry to a hard crust that allows secondary infections to occur.

so... back to the l-Lysine, the herpes virus uses l-Arginine to reproduce, in a cat's metabolism lysine displaces arginine, thus slowing herpes virus reproduction.

in short, if your vet tells you your kitty has herpes, giving them lysine with their food is a very good idea. If you give the lysine, just in case, no worries there, either. lysine is pretty safe even in larger doses.
common treatment dose is around 100mg per day.

 

[ilovedirt]

Thanks!

Mmmm....powdered liver....yummy.

Ugh. And to make it worse...the way my mind works sometimes...it just decided to show me milk made with powdered liver in the way one would make chocolate milk. *gag*

 

[ilovedirt]

Another supplement that is good to know about:
l-Lysine

Apparently many domestic cats have a form of herpes -- kinda like many humans having cold sores. This is a bit more of a concern with a sphinx because the 'goopy' eyes that a herpes flair can cause. On a Sphynx the 'eye goobers' can sometimes dry to a hard crust that allows secondary infections to occur.

so... back to the l-Lysine, the herpes virus uses l-Arginine to reproduce, in a cat's metabolism lysine displaces arginine, thus slowing herpes virus reproduction.

in short, if your vet tells you your kitty has herpes, giving them lysine with their food is a very good idea. If you give the lysine, just in case, no worries there, either. lysine is pretty safe even in larger doses.
common treatment dose is around 100mg per day.

Good info...thank you.

 

[JoyCats]

I'm new here so I don't even know how this works or what I'm responding to LOL ..but owell..here goes..raw diet? I just started one ...I was thinking the same thing..I wonder if I kiss my cats am I digesting harmful bacteria?? lol well I haven't died yet and I'm not sure if I can go without giving my babies daily smooches!!

 

[SphynxKid]

I'm new here so I don't even know how this works or what I'm responding to LOL ..but owell..here goes..raw diet? I just started one ...I was thinking the same thing..I wonder if I kiss my cats am I digesting harmful bacteria?? lol well I haven't died yet and I'm not sure if I can go without giving my babies daily smooches!!

There are a couple of differences between giving your cat a smooch and actually licking him or her! Additionally, based on your typing skills, I'd say you're older than two, lol. So unless you're immunocompromised, you could probably stand giving kitty a kiss!! Trust me, I am not one who will scold for kissing a kitty, and I am even one who allows my cat to share a bowl or spoon with me, knowing fully well he just licked his bum or other parts! But just not safe for a 2 yr old whose cat is on a raw diet to lick his cat!

Jen

 

[Nofuratu]

Regarding lysine - Ive read that some people give their cats 1000mg /day with no problems but Ive also read that 250mg is the reccomended dose, going up to 500mg for only short periods like a week. Otherwise cats can become arginine deficient which is very bad.

so I stick with the lower dose of lysine, and only increase to 500mg when my herpes cat has flare ups. All my other cats are on the low dose.

 

[sciumi]

Ugh. And to make it worse...the way my mind works sometimes...it just decided to show me milk made with powdered liver in the way one would make chocolate milk. *gag*

Haha!

Ew!