What to feed a sick cat?
The Liver Juice is nutritionally complete. Baby chicken food is not.
The Liver Juice for a Sick Cat
My Cat is Sick and Won't Eat. What to Feed a Sick Cat?
A few years ago, I bought a book from Dr. Martin Goldstein, titled “The Nature of Animal Healing”. I had just received a male cat who was FeLV+ and consistently fighting infections. I was at my wits end, because nothing I did was helping him. He was constantly at the vet, and he was slowly getting weaker and weaker. He did not want to eat anything, and I knew if I did not find some type of solution soon, he would not last very long. I kept asking myself “what to feed a sick cat”? No one seemed to have the answer.
I had been to several vets in my area, but they all recommended that I euthanize Joey because they could not see any hope for him. There is no treatment for FeLV cats. For me as someone who studied biochemistry at university and later acquiring my certificate in feline nutrition, this was not plausible solution. I knew that there must be a way to slow down the progression of this illness through natural remedies. And I knew it had to start with food, but no one seemed to give me an answer as to “what to feed a sick cat”?
That day I met a friend at the bookstore and as I was browsing through the books in the Pet Section, desperately looking for the answer to “what to feed a sick cat”, I came across Dr. Marty Goldstein’s book. I had never heard of holistic vets before so this really peaked my interest. I bought the book, and I still have it on my bookshelf, and I am constantly referring to it. Many of the solutions Dr. Goldstein discusses in his book I have applied to my cats and with great success. Actually, I even used some of his solutions to solve my own health issues, and again with great success.
In his book he has a small section on FeLV, but it is enough information to send me searching the web. Dr. Goldstein mentions a “Liver Juice” developed by Dr. Ihor Basko which is administered to sick cats and is highly effective. Finally someone answering my question “what to feed a sick cat” Hurray! I decided I would try it. It worked wonders with Joey, my sick FeLV male cat. He finally came around, and although he was not cured at 100%, he was able to stay with me another 7 years. Every time he would get sick, I would administer this liver juice. Through Dr. Goldstein’s book, I also found supplements, and tinctures to help him with secondary symptoms.
If you have a sick cat that won’t eat, and you are asking yourself ‘what to feed a sick cat”? I highly recommend this. What to feed a sick cat is a question I get all the time. And all you find on the web are suggestions for chicken baby food. Unfortunately chicken baby food is not a nutritious meal for sick cats, and I explain more below. Please note this is not to be fed continuously, only until the cat gets better and can eat on his/her own. This liver juice can also be given to a sick cat that is sick with other illnesses. You can also feed this to cats with injuries who are in pain or on pain medication and therefore lacking appetite.
Here are some of the benefits of feeding liver to a sick cat:
- Liver is a nutritional powerhouse that includes critical vitamins such as vitamin A, B12, and C, as well as amino acids and protein.
- Vitamin A supports healthy skin, as well as healthy nerve, muscle, and visual function. Healthy cognitive function and a strong immune system depend on vitamin B12.
- Furthermore, vitamin C promotes the acidity of urine and protects against urinary issues such as bladder stones.
Why is Baby Chicken Food Not Suitable for Sick Cats
Chicken baby food is not a suitable or complete food for sick cats due to several reasons:
Nutritional Imbalance: Chicken baby food is formulated for human infants and lacks the essential nutrients that cats require for their overall health. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need specific nutrients found in animal tissues and organs that are not present in chicken baby food.
Lack of Taurine: Taurine is an amino acid essential for cats’ heart health, vision, and reproductive system. Chicken baby food does not contain adequate levels of taurine, which can lead to severe health issues in cats if they do not receive enough of this essential nutrient.
Inadequate Protein Content: Cats require a high protein diet to maintain muscle mass and energy levels. Chicken baby food may not provide sufficient protein content needed to support a cat’s metabolic needs, especially when they are sick and require extra nutrients for recovery.
Missing Essential Vitamins and Minerals: Cats have specific dietary requirements for vitamins and minerals that are not present in chicken baby food. These nutrients are crucial for their immune system, bone health, and overall well-being.
Digestibility Concerns: Baby food may contain additives, fillers, or preservatives that are not suitable for cats and can lead to digestive issues or allergies. Cats have sensitive digestive systems, and consuming inappropriate food can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Potential Harmful Ingredients: Some baby foods may contain ingredients like onions, garlic, or spices that are toxic to cats. It’s essential to check the ingredients label carefully before feeding any human food to your cat.
In conclusion, while chicken baby food may seem like a soft and easy-to-eat option for sick cats, it does not provide the necessary nutrients and balanced diet that cats require for optimal health. It’s crucial to consult with a veterinarian for appropriate dietary recommendations tailored to your cat’s specific health needs.
What to Feed a Sick Cat? Here is the Recipe
The following is a basic recipe, it is not the complete one. There are different variations of this recipe, and I have created my own recipes using the Liver Juice recipe as a basis according to what ails the cat. I always have great success with it.
To administer, first try putting a little on a plate. Most cats will lick it up with no fuss. Others might need to be forced fed.
Ingredients
1 cup of chicken liver (this is my preference, but you can use other liver like veal or rabbit or any other small mammal, however no beef or pork, and organic, grass fed ideally)
1 organic, pastured fed egg (yolk only)
1 cup fresh pressed organic carrot juice (you can omit this, but the carrot juice adds a little sweetness)
1/4 cup water (I used distilled water)
1 tsp Spirulina powder (you can also use kelp powder also)
Directions
Place all these ingredients in a blender and liquefy. It will look greenish from the Spirulina powder.
Dosage
10 ml daily 3-6 times a day until the cat is able to eat on its own.
HOLD ON!
Isn’t Vitamin A toxic to cats?
The short answer is Yes and No
So, what do I mean by this? Vitamin A is essential to all mammals, some need more, some need less. Vitamin A adds that healthy luster to a pet’s coat, it is required for optimal night vision as well as optimal eye vision, essential for correct development and growth, and finally enhances the immune system so it can fight off cancer, toxins, and other diseases. Notice how I said enhances the immune system? What is the liver juice composed of primarily? Vitamin A, correct? The Vitamin A in the liver juice helps to enhance the immune system of the cat so that it can fight off whatever is ailing the cat.
The liver juice is not meant to be given over a long period of time, nor do you feed exorbitant amounts. You feed the liver juice until the cat is able to eat on his own. And also, I did mention not to feed beef liver. Why? Because beef liver contains large amounts of Vitamin A.
So please avoid the beef liver, and feed only chicken liver, rabbit liver or veal. I prefer chicken, but that’s up to you and depends on what you have available near you. Grass fed and finished, and organic would be better, but again it depends on what you have available to you.
And what’s up with the carrots? Don’t they contain beta carotene? Yes, they do, and in humans they convert to Vitamin A in the body, but not in cats. So no worries on this one!
Many other ingredients can be added to this Liver Juice. For example, if I have a cat that is fighting a UTI, I will add herbs to help the bladder. The herb you use is the one whose biochemistry make-up is a match to that area in the body that is having problems. When using herbs, it is always best to get proper treatment protocols from a holistic vet or a holistic specialist for pets.
And yes, cats can suffer Vitamin A toxicity, but only when liver, particularly beef liver, is fed in large amounts over a long period of time, and with supplementations. Some pet owners mean well and give their cats cod liver oil, but cod liver oil has too much Vitamin A concentration and can and certainly will lead to Vitamin A toxicity over a long period of time.
Vitamin A toxicity usually will be rectified once the cat is removed from consuming the culprit.
Conclusion to
"What to Feed a Sick Cat?"
It is important that a sick cat be fed a superior diet. In order to fight disease, the liver needs to be strong and healthy. Detoxification is one of the best treatments to improve the health of the liver, however you need to be careful with detoxification and fasting. In both cases toxins will be released very rapidly and if the liver is not strong it will not be able to deal with all the work required to eliminate the toxins from the body. The key is to go slowly and steadily. And if the cat is emaciated, well nourishing is a priority at that point. And of course, rehydration. Nourish with the best quality foods you can buy, containing preferably human grade ingredients. I will talk about all about this in more details in another post.
If you have a sick cat, and you too are asking “what to feed a sick cat”, I greatly suggest you try the liver juice if they won’t eat and let me know how it goes.
The liver juice will be liked by a sick cat because it has a sweet and salty taste that they like especially when they are sick and need the extra punch in order to stimulate them to eat. It’s energetic properties tonifies, warms and supports the kidneys, spleen, liver and stomach.
This drink is a complete meal for a sick cat until they feel good enough to eat by themselves again.
The liver juice helps to provide the extra nutrients that they require to heal themselves. Cats that may have nutritional deficits or who require extra nutrients to sustain their health frequently use it as a source of nutrition.
So there is your answer to “what to feed a sick cat?”
Who Am I?
With a strong academic background in biochemistry, I pursued and attained my degree and entered into a career that included years of research work in the lab. I was primarily involved in studies focused on treatment options for cats suffering from FeLV and FIV, two viral diseases that pose significant health concerns. This extensive experience and knowledge inspired a deep commitment to making a difference in the lives of these cats.
Realizing their need for specialized care and support, I knew that this would be the calling of my life: to look after unwanted and vulnerable cats, especially those suffering from FeLV and FIV. So I undertook various studies to enhance my holistic approach, such as in-depth certification in Feline Nutrition, homeopathy, and herbalism. All this extra training has made it possible for me to further assist these cats through nutrition, homeopathic remedies, and herbal treatments that enhance the quality of life and well-being of cats afflicted by these conditions.
In this regard, I had pioneered my own cat sanctuary in 2017. I was involved in the rescue, sheltering, and rehabilitation of various types of cats such as terminal, old, disabled and feral. Recently I decided it was time to retire from cat rescue, however my sanctuary remains, and my permanent residents will remain with me until the end of their lives.
After years of hands-on rescuing, I decided to shift the focus to something as important: education and empowerment. My mission now is to help cat owners and rescues provide the best natural care, treatments, and quality of life for cats. Sharing what I’ve learned over the years, my hope is to make a difference in keeping cats healthy, happy, and in loving homes. By working together, we can help more cats get adopted, flourish in their environments, and prevent surrenders. While I may not be actively rescuing, my passion for improving the lives of cats continues stronger than ever.
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