Dogs drink what water they need. Cats are different, having evolved from desert hunters which depend 100 per cent on hunting and killing prey to survive. Photo / Supplied
Dogs drink what water they need. Cats are different, having evolved from desert hunters which depend 100 per cent on hunting and killing prey to survive. Photo / Supplied
Kiwi conservationist Samantha Boston learned from wolves that it is better to feed meat to cats and dogs.
After working at a wolf rehabilitation sanctuary in Oregon, Boston (known as Sam), advocates providing as much fresh meat to pets as possible, including offal and bone. It's the best way, shesays, to balance the animal's essential nutritional needs and - particularly with cats - to maintain their hydration.
"The sanctuary I worked at in the Pacific North West didn't have enough acreage for the wolves to hunt their own prey. In Oregon, if your vehicle kills a wild animal on the road you have to surrender it to the authorities.
"But we had permits to pick up road kill carcasses - usually deer and elk - and bring them back to the sanctuary for our wolves."
Handling these magnificent animals, which had died so suddenly, was tough for an animal lover like Sam, who has a degree in Applied Science, majoring in animal management. "But it was also a great way of observing the natural circle of life. I saw first-hand how the wolves thrive best through eating the whole animal - not just the muscle meat, but also the offal and bone."
Sam, who has also been a veterinary nurse, now works as pet advisor for Bombay Petfoods, the manufacturer of Jimbo's fresh and frozen meat products for pets. However, she's quick to point out she came to Bombay Petfoods as a kindred spirit - already a passionate advocate for fresh meat as best for carnivores such as cats and dogs.
Dogs are opportunistic carnivores, says Sam. They're descended from wolves, which have the ability to turn to other foods for months at a time when prey is not available.
Dogs drink what water they need. Cats are different, having evolved from desert hunters which depend 100 per cent on hunting and killing prey to survive. They do not have a strong instinct to go out and find water - getting much of it from their food.
Their natural prey contains over 75 per cent moisture, which is how cats' ancestors received their daily hydration.
"Because of their desert ancestry, cats do not naturally drink a lot of water - their bodies are designed to get most of the water they need from meat," says Sam. "Domestic cats have a pretty high risk of facing issues caused by lack of hydration, such as kidney failure and bladder issues."
This view is backed up by recent research in Britain, showing the risk of urinary diseases can be decreased by a high-moisture diet.
Sam says a long-term diet with a higher percentage of meat is likely to improve a cat's health, vitality and even longevity.
There's another factor - more to do with the emotional bond people feel with their pets: "Just as with the wolves I observed in Oregon, I see a real increase in enthusiasm when cats are fed meat.
"I also work with feral cats rescued from the wild and, believe me, these creatures bond much more quickly to me when I feed them meat, which they love."
