Diet
Here at the Summit House I am passionate about feeding a species appropriate diet to all of my cats. I have been feeding a homemade balanced raw diet to our cats for over 15 years and we have found that our cats thrive on this diet. I have been active in Sphynx Cat rescue for many years (prior to breeding Devon Rex and currently) and have seen how much a species appropriate diet can change the lie of a pet for the better. I have solved IBD and allergy issues with a homemade balanced raw diet and have seen cats go from fat and lazy to active and thriving. Cats are obligate carnivores and while they might be “fine” on a high carbohydrate, dry food, they will not thrive. A cat will thrive the more meat and moisture they have in their diet. I have transferred what I have seen in Sphynx Rescue to breeding and raising Devons which has proven to show that our cats thrive on a species appropriate diet. I have found that feeding on a scheduled routine rather than free feeding will also help provide a sense of security and routine with your cats as well as helping them go to bed on a schedule with you. A scheduled diet of a species appropriate diet will help with that age old question of “how do I get my cat to let me sleep at night”!
Types of diets:
Dry Food: Dry food is very high in carbohydrates and low in moisture which is the opposite of what an obligate carnivore needs which makes this the least beneficial diet for a cat. It can be hard on their kidneys and other bodily functions. It can cause obesity which can lead to diabetes. Dry food diets are loaded with carbs, sythetic nutrients and sugars and preservatives and many of these factors can lead to some very foul litter box smells. We often hear the misconeption that dry food keeps their teeth clean. In reality cats don’t really chew their food and it can actually cause damage to their gums. Sure dry foods are convenient for the pet owner but if we value their lives, we will strive to feed them a much more species appropriate diet. Imagine feeding a child dry cereal with a glass of water every day for their entire life. This is not the way we would like to see our Summit Rex babies fed. Dry food should NOT be fed as a sole primary diet.
Wet Food: Wet foods typically have more real meat ingredients than dry food and have a moisture content of 60% and above. They are low in carbs and unnecessary fillers. They help keep your cat hydrated which helps keep their kidneys, bladder and urinary tract healty. A diet high in moisture and low in carbs will keep your cat active and healthy for many years. This is a much preferred option over feeding dry food.
Balanced Raw Diet: A raw food diet consists of a balance of muscle meat, bone and organ. It is high moisture and as close to a species appropriate diet as you can get for a cat. The high moisture content helps keep their kidneys, bladder and urniary tract healthy, helps control obesity and prevents diabetes. A raw diet helps keep them active, helps keep their teeth clean and will prevent them from always feeling sluggish from being weighed down with carbs. Raw diets can come in many forms such as freeze dried (should ALWAYS be rehydrated when fed), commercially prepared and homemade. They key with these is that they absolutely have to be balanced. We will happily provide more infrmoation about raw feeding upon request. Many of the dieases we see in cats can be prevented by feeding a species appropriate diet.
Treats: Treats are just that, treats and they can come in many forms. Our cats and kittens are raised on having freeze dried meat treats which have become quite popular and widely available.
Summit Rex 