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catbird
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« Reply #30 on: April 12, 2009, 02:55:12 PM » |
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Hi dino,
We're always glad to know that somebody out there is reading what we post, and it's very nice that you decided to join us. Welcome!
Eggshell powder is so easy and cheap to make (since most households are throwing out eggshells all the time) that it's my preference for calcium. From what I've read on this forum and elsewhere, eggshell or bone is preferred over inorganic calcium sources. For those cats who don't or can't eat ground bone (and I've read that ground bone has caused some cats problems), the eggshell seems to be an ideal solution.
(I ended up not buying the Alnutrin for reasons that had nothing to do with the product itself BTW--fussy cats.)
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Read "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and you'll know where we are going and why we are in this handbasket.
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lesliek
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« Reply #31 on: April 12, 2009, 03:35:52 PM » |
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Welcome Dino ! I agree with Cato,if you are feeding raw I would use the Alnutrin. The eggshells are really easy to do & get ground really fine.I haven't had too many problems since switching off commercial 2 years ago,so I am not the best person to give advice on picky eaters ! ;)We have 2 cats & 3 dogs,so everyone usually eats without a problem. They know someone else will if they don't !
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"the world's most inept extortionist"
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dino
Jr. Member
Posts: 5
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« Reply #32 on: April 12, 2009, 05:13:16 PM » |
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catbird, I don't know anything about nutrition, but I am the world's authority on feeding a fussy cat while trying to keep it healthy. Let me share my hard earned trick with you. Halo liv a littles chicken treats. You can thank me later  They are 100% freeze dried chicken so nothing bad in there. It's also called kitty krack! I sprinkle (make them a powder) them on anything my cat is going to eat. Really, he will rarely eat unless it is topped with his crack. It's been a miracle for me. Great to know that bone can be a potential problem because that simplifies the decision for me too. Thanks Lesliek for your input as well. It looks like it's pretty unanimous. That makes this easy for me. Too bad for the people at instincts because they have been outstanding to work with. btw, I have a sister and sister in law that are leslie k's Do you know if I can buy eggshell powder from a safe source? I rarely eat eggs so if I don't need to make them, the better. And yes, I am laaaazy. |
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lesliek
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« Reply #33 on: April 12, 2009, 05:22:45 PM » |
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dino- Carol found eggshell powder somewhere,after you have 3 or 5 posts you can send her a private message asking where she got it. You can always scramble the eggs for meals for the cats to get the shells.
Funny about all the leslie k's,its not that common a name.
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"the world's most inept extortionist"
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Cato
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« Reply #34 on: April 12, 2009, 06:46:20 PM » |
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Hi, thanks. I've been spying on you guys for a long time so I'm happy to finally join in. I'm loving that I you both replied already. THANKS!!!
I am definitely feeding raw chicken and liver. That is great feedback. Ok, now I'll ask you my next question about Alnutrin. I got the idea from reading Catbird's post. Their mix with calcium uses limestone. They also have a mix to use with your own meat and bone so therefore it doesn't contain the calcium. So the idea (because my cats are nowhere near eating bone yet) is to buy their mix for meat and bone and use powdered eggshell instead of using their supplied limestone. From Catbirds post it sounds as if that is superior and even alnutrin says they would rather use eggshell but don't have a source. Is that what you both would do too? And then I guess I could buy ground bone as well. I don't know the pros and con to either. For my gang, taste is the most important criteria as long as it's all reasonably healthy. I have 4 cats and it's hard to get one of them to eat anything. Ok, I'll let you all have at that new twist!
 I luv that you were "spying" on us for a while, Dino - but even more glad that you thought to finally jump in and "swim" Yes - organic forms of calcium are better assimilated than inorganic forms, whether we're talking abount cats or us hooomans. Glad you discovered the perfect "bribe" food for your cats! For my Kaffe, it used to be Bonito flakes or anything liver! I still have to find out what Cato's bribe food is --- so far, he will not eat food sprinkled with anything (even his favorite kibble). He eats straight raw food though, but not whole prey. Sorry can't help you with commercial eggshell since I make my own, but I think there are some here who do. One thing you have to remember when you use any commercial calcium source: you need to call the manufacturer and ask them how much ELEMENTAL calcium is in their product (whether per tsp or ounce or what). All calcium-to-phosp ratios are calculated based on elemental calcium. For example, home-made eggshell usually has 5000mg of clacium per teaspoon, but only 1800mg - 2000mg elemental calcium. |
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JustMe
Administrator
Hero Member
Posts: 7917
Elvis
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« Reply #35 on: April 12, 2009, 06:54:22 PM » |
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"One cat just leads to another." ~ Ernest Hemingway
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petslave
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« Reply #36 on: April 12, 2009, 09:47:04 PM » |
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Limestone and eggshell both have calcium carbonate as the calcium source. Not sure if the shell adds anything else in the way of supplements, but the chickens make their shells from the oyster shell or other calcium carbonate sources they are getting in their feed. I think most calcium carbonate people supplements are also limestone. I wonder if eggshell is a more purified calcium carbonate having gone through the bird's body?
I emailed Instinct and/or the other company that makes a similar product with a similar name awhile back to ask about using cooked meat. They were very adamant about using raw meat for their mixes. Alnutrin does have a cooked meat recipe on their website so I assumed it was OK for that. I guess it would be good to double check any of the mixes that you buy to see what they recommend.
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JJ
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« Reply #37 on: April 13, 2009, 07:59:51 AM » |
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Welcome Dino - glad you decided to join us.
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May your troubles be less,
Your blessings be more,
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door
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5CatMom
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« Reply #38 on: April 13, 2009, 08:40:03 AM » |
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Hi Dino,
Welcome. Just saw your question in a previous post.
I decided to use Alnutrin over Instinct because Marta answered my email, and Instinct didn't. The Instinct may be fine, too, but I'd have some questions about their kelp.
Either way, based on personal experience, I believe a balanced homemade food is much better than commercial (although I use a bit of commercial kibble).
5CatMom
=^..^=
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dino
Jr. Member
Posts: 5
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« Reply #39 on: April 15, 2009, 08:21:36 PM » |
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Hi! Wow, a big thank you to everyone! I especially appreciate the warm welcome. I ordered the Alnutrin with and without calcium. That way I'll have some here as a backup for when I don't have eggshell ready to go. I will try to prepare eggshell most of the time, so thanks for the encouragement. Of course we know that as soon as I make my first big batch my cats will immediately decide they don't like it anymore. But, that is to be expected!!!!
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bug
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« Reply #40 on: April 16, 2009, 07:41:28 AM » |
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Here is the nutrient composition of eggshell, in case you're wondering what else it provides: http://www.serve.com/BatonRouge/nutrition/eggshell.htm |
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Red and Bones, my baby boys, you'll always be in my heart. Mom will see you later. Look after each other, ok?
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petslave
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« Reply #41 on: April 16, 2009, 08:39:15 PM » |
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Very interesting, thanks, bug! Wow, what a lot of stuff in one little shell. Look at all the ASH, that's the most abundant thing in there.
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mainecoonpeg
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« Reply #42 on: June 23, 2009, 06:27:29 PM » |
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I am using this in homecooked foods and I like the results.
Cats seem to like the taste as well.
I will be ordering more.
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jenny
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« Reply #43 on: June 24, 2009, 03:58:41 PM » |
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I didn't follow the whole post, but there is a UK member on the yahoo feline IBD list that swears by alnutrin. She has gone as far as getting an agreement with the company so that she can sell it herself (apparently options are a bit limited in the UK). She uses alnutrin with calcium. If you happen to be a member of that list, here is her post on it, including her recipe: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/FelineIBD/message/97049Jenny |
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petslave
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« Reply #44 on: June 24, 2009, 08:00:31 PM » |
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I'm ordering some of this in the next week or so. Peg, what cooked recipe are you using with it, the one on the website?
I wonder if there is a problem with mixing it then freezing it - doesn't taurine degrade when frozen?
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