Which is healthier? Canned tuna or canned cat food?
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shaina_is_here
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- Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2007 3:10 pm
- Location: Nebraska
Re: Which is healthier? Canned tuna or canned cat food?
What is ash content?
Re: Which is healthier? Canned tuna or canned cat food?
I'll ask my question a little more explicitly this time... I was under the impression that it's not really all that unhealthy for cats to eat a lot of canned food or even only canned food so long as it's quality food and they're not overfed. That it's not necessarily worse for them, or too fatty or anything. Just a little less helpful for their tooth health. Am I wrong?
Re: Which is healthier? Canned tuna or canned cat food?
See this post and the corresponding links in that post.
The problem with ash content, is not knowing the source, quality etc and true amounts. The mineral content should state that on the labelling, but it can be confusing for owners because they don't know what an exceptable level of ash content is in the food, nor if one mineral exceeds another, thereby causing excesses or deficiencies, improperly balanced. Magnesium is equally concerning in the content of food, since large percentages of it in the diet is also contributable for FLUTD.
The problem with ash content, is not knowing the source, quality etc and true amounts. The mineral content should state that on the labelling, but it can be confusing for owners because they don't know what an exceptable level of ash content is in the food, nor if one mineral exceeds another, thereby causing excesses or deficiencies, improperly balanced. Magnesium is equally concerning in the content of food, since large percentages of it in the diet is also contributable for FLUTD.
..........Traci
Re: Which is healthier? Canned tuna or canned cat food?
MJ, I hadn't realized your first post was an actual question. Anyway, it depends on the cat, palatibility, digestibility, absorption of nutrients, and of course, overall health, age, activity level, etc. Yes, a quality brand is essential if feeding only dry OR canned.
However, there are theories suggesting canned foods for cats may be causing hyperthyroidism and canned foods may contain excesses of vitamin D (fact). More recently, it is theorized that metals and plastics used in the manufacturing process may contain PBDEs. Note, both theories require more studies and long-term studies to confirm.
However, there are theories suggesting canned foods for cats may be causing hyperthyroidism and canned foods may contain excesses of vitamin D (fact). More recently, it is theorized that metals and plastics used in the manufacturing process may contain PBDEs. Note, both theories require more studies and long-term studies to confirm.
..........Traci
Yeah, the first post kind of slipped the question in lazily.
So basically, dry food is preferred for most cats, and there are possible problems with canned food... But a lot of it isn't proven?
I definitely have no plans on ever feeding cats only canned unless they have to for medical reasons, so I was just curious. It's interesting to know the possible problems though, since I had thought it would be mostly the same to feed canned only if you had to.
On that note though, when it comes to the original question of the topic... Is canned food actually significantly more fatty and likely to make a cat fat than dry food? At least as compared within the same brand?
So basically, dry food is preferred for most cats, and there are possible problems with canned food... But a lot of it isn't proven?
I definitely have no plans on ever feeding cats only canned unless they have to for medical reasons, so I was just curious. It's interesting to know the possible problems though, since I had thought it would be mostly the same to feed canned only if you had to.
On that note though, when it comes to the original question of the topic... Is canned food actually significantly more fatty and likely to make a cat fat than dry food? At least as compared within the same brand?
I don't think there's any hard evidence to say one way or another (except for oral health etc), unless it is fed excessively, and the owner doesn't pay attention to, or doesn't get involved with the cat's activity level (to prevent obesity).
I have never recommended feeding soley canned cat food for ANY life stage, but in seniors, for example, it is oftentimes necessary (for oral problems, digestibility, etc) but in younger cats or kittens, I always advise a dry food over canned because GI tract problems are prone to develop, digestibility factors, and canned does nothing to promote good oral health. By nature, domestic cats are grazers and I think a large percentage prefer to nibble on dry food and accept canned as either a supplement or treat. Convenience is also a factor of course, one cannot leave out canned food for more than a few minutes at a time.
The two theories mentioned above are not proven, but the studies suggest there is cause for more studies and more long term investigation. There may be a cause and effect between both studies, and they were done years apart so there may be some correlation. Unfortunately, any study is costly, and getting a large number of test subjects in a long term study can be costly and difficult. Client involved studies are useful but there is difficulty with followup.
On the topic, fat is a necessary component in the diet (to a certain degree) of all pets, as is protein and other nutritional content. But, quality commercial food manufacturers do go the extra mile to ensure the diets are balanced properly, provide for optimal health etc. Canned is alot of moisture and water content, and both types have enhancers to increase palatibility, so the ingredient list is also important between the two. GI transit time with canned food is less than with dry food, so some cats may not feel as satiated as those eating dry. Some canned foods are laden with fat enhancers (because fats ARE the majority of enhancers), and thus do not make a good diet fed exclusively.
I have never recommended feeding soley canned cat food for ANY life stage, but in seniors, for example, it is oftentimes necessary (for oral problems, digestibility, etc) but in younger cats or kittens, I always advise a dry food over canned because GI tract problems are prone to develop, digestibility factors, and canned does nothing to promote good oral health. By nature, domestic cats are grazers and I think a large percentage prefer to nibble on dry food and accept canned as either a supplement or treat. Convenience is also a factor of course, one cannot leave out canned food for more than a few minutes at a time.
The two theories mentioned above are not proven, but the studies suggest there is cause for more studies and more long term investigation. There may be a cause and effect between both studies, and they were done years apart so there may be some correlation. Unfortunately, any study is costly, and getting a large number of test subjects in a long term study can be costly and difficult. Client involved studies are useful but there is difficulty with followup.
On the topic, fat is a necessary component in the diet (to a certain degree) of all pets, as is protein and other nutritional content. But, quality commercial food manufacturers do go the extra mile to ensure the diets are balanced properly, provide for optimal health etc. Canned is alot of moisture and water content, and both types have enhancers to increase palatibility, so the ingredient list is also important between the two. GI transit time with canned food is less than with dry food, so some cats may not feel as satiated as those eating dry. Some canned foods are laden with fat enhancers (because fats ARE the majority of enhancers), and thus do not make a good diet fed exclusively.
..........Traci
Re: Which is healthier? Canned tuna or canned cat food?
That could partly explain why cats that want to eat exclusively canned food whine and yowl about it so much and want to be fed several times a day... It not keeping them full for as long. :P
Thanks for all the good an interesting information.
My cats of course will continue to be happy with getting a can of food a couple of times a month for a treat. :P
Thanks for all the good an interesting information.
My cats of course will continue to be happy with getting a can of food a couple of times a month for a treat. :P
Hi everyone in this thread. Just wanted to share about my experience with dry food and canned food for my 3 cats. I have 3 senior indoor kitties with FLUTD, two males and a female. They were on Hill's c/d dry food for many years and kept on getting flare ups of struvites/blood in urine even though the c/d was specifically for cats with FLUTD and recommended by our vet. After numerous tests, urine cultures, ultrasounds and stress, we were advised by our vet that the reason they kept getting struvites/cystitis was because they weren't drinking enough water with their dry food and the concentration of their urine was too high. We took them to specialists, contacted Hill's and spoke to Hill's food advisors as well, and they advised us to get the cats onto canned food only as it has more moisture. All 3 cats are now on Hill's c/d canned food (chicken multicare) for the last 8 months and they seem to be doing well on it. (Holding thumbs they'll NEVER have struvites or any other urinary problems again). Yes, it costs a heck of a lot more for them to have the canned Hills c/d food than the dry c/d, but it's been worth it for their health and well being. Our cats did not gain weight after changing them from dried food to canned. So if you do feed your cats dry food just make sure to keep an eye on their urinary health. I know of many cats who do fine on quality dry food. My 3 kitties are doing well on the Hills canned c/d which we've been advised is a high quality food, and their annual bloodwork + urinalysis is good too. One more thing we were advised, is to give our cats Cosequin daily for urinary tract health as well as joint health, so ask your vet about giving your kitties Cosequin with their dry or canned food.
Edited for spelling and to add that my cats are seniors: 9, 12 and 13.
Edited for spelling and to add that my cats are seniors: 9, 12 and 13.
Re: Which is healthier? Canned tuna or canned cat food?
Cosequin For Cats doesn't prevent FLUTD or any other urinary tract issue, it is a neutraceutical used by some vets for some cats with urinary tract problems to help relax muscles in the bladder and urethra. It is extrapolated information, used off-label for urinary tract conditions and is not manufactured for this purpose. It is designed/formulated/manufactured for the purpose of managing joint problems or joint disease, or arthritis problems in cats.
..........Traci
Re: Which is healthier? Canned tuna or canned cat food?
Hi Traci! Sorry I wasn't very clear about the Cosequin in my last post. The vets recommended it for cats who already have FLUTD (it's not preventative as you say) and Ozwald's arthritis, and I also called Nutra Max lab who told me that the Cosequin helps the bladder lining of cats who have been scarred by struvites. They said it was safe to give senior kitties Cosequin as an ongoing supplement for joint health as well.Traci wrote:Cosequin For Cats doesn't prevent FLUTD or any other urinary tract issue, it is a neutraceutical used by some vets for some cats with urinary tract problems to help relax muscles in the bladder and urethra. It is extrapolated information, used off-label for urinary tract conditions and is not manufactured for this purpose. It is designed/formulated/manufactured for the purpose of managing joint problems or joint disease, or arthritis problems in cats.