Keto for pets? Keto strips for cats?
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Posts: 1,168 Member
A friend recommended that I put my dogs on a keto diet. She said that it's the newest trend and that her cat is now in ketosis ( confirmed through strips)
https://www.dog-nutrition-naturally.com/ketogenic-diet.html
I'm well aware of all the myths and bunk that surrounds the keto diet in humans. I know it can't magically cure athletes foot and grow new limbs for amputees but I'm wondering if there's any benefit for pets? I know there's some benefits for humans with certain medical conditions but would it be the same for pets? Fwiw my pets don't have any known medical condition and neither do her cats.
She just said that an online doctor told her all these amazing qualities of the diet for pets. Anyone have any experience or knowledge on this topic?
https://www.dog-nutrition-naturally.com/ketogenic-diet.html
I'm well aware of all the myths and bunk that surrounds the keto diet in humans. I know it can't magically cure athletes foot and grow new limbs for amputees but I'm wondering if there's any benefit for pets? I know there's some benefits for humans with certain medical conditions but would it be the same for pets? Fwiw my pets don't have any known medical condition and neither do her cats.
She just said that an online doctor told her all these amazing qualities of the diet for pets. Anyone have any experience or knowledge on this topic?
18
Replies
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Please consult your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.24
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Seriously, my dog would hate me. And I would hate picking up his poop too.
What are people thinking? It’s like my acquaintance who makes his pets fast on Sunday. He’s a tool.19 -
Please consult a psychiatrist if you are seriously thinking of doing this to your dog.24
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Aren't predators, even domesticated predatotor like dogs and cats, but especially cats, natural carnivores?24
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Someone started drinking early this st. Paddy’s day :laugh: :laugh:11
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My best advice would be this... if you are seriously considering doing this to a pet, give the pet away. They don't deserve this kind of treatment. ;-)
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My dog and my 2 cats eat a raw diet, consisting of raw meat, bones and organ in the right percentages. With some added stuff like eggs, yoghurt, a little bit of vegetables.
My dog is almost 11 years old and eats like this since she was 3 months old. The cats are both almost 13 years old, and eat like this since they were 10 months old.
They are in excellent health, my vet always says she is amazed. Perfect teeth, perfect stool too (much less smelly )
There is nothing fancy about it, just the most natural way to feed a carnivore. You can find a lot of info about it on internet, not all of it is accurate...
Most vets are against it for various reasons, but there are now (more modern) vets that see the benefits and promote it.
Vets that promote it are for instance: Karen Becker, Mogen Eliassen, Billinghurst, Lonsdale,...).
If you google those names, you can find a lot of video's too.
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Isn't the natural diet of dogs and cats high-protein? If you want to prepare a raw diet of meat and bones for your pets, that seems pretty safe and commonly done. I've heard a high-fat diet is quite bad for cat/dog organs. I wouldn't personally take the risk.9
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Don't do this. Your friend is nuts. Pardon my expression. I feel sorry for her animals.9
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I once had a dog with seizures. Maybe we should have put her on keto?1
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I think this is just raw feeding or BARF diet for dogs and cats which has been around forever. Someone is just slapping a trendy keto label on it. Do a lot of reading on it and talk to your vet before trying it.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_feeding
http://rawfed.com
I have not raw fed cats but did do it with 2 dogs some years ago. Benefits I noticed were great teeth, great coats, less waste. Poop was less stinky. They loved the food. They were healthy, energetic animals. Downsides were expense, incovenience/work, messier.5 -
How do you get a cat to pee on a stick? And why on earth would you ever want to?21
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Cats are not only carnivores, they're obligate carnivores - so they are in ketosis or dead.
On another note though, Vets think they are people doctors. Their costs/fees are higher than my regular doctor. Such a scam. No insurance agencies watching over their costs.11 -
ladyhusker39 wrote: »How do you get a cat to pee on a stick? And why on earth would you ever want to?
I was wondering this too. LOLcmriverside wrote: »Cats are not only carnivores, they're obligate carnivores
Exactly this. Cats eat meat.when they eat greens it seems to be to induce vomiting.
Dogs are supposed to eat mainly meat, but they do better with higher protein and lower fat than people do (as I understand it). I really think the rice or wheat or soy in many dog foods is not something that dogs were made to harvest and eat. Meat with a bit of veggies or occasional fruit seems pretty ideal. Flour based treats like a milk one cookie are probably not.
ETA I think the most obvious benefit is tooth care. No flour or sugar = fewer or no cavities. I imagine that it would also be a good diabetes treatment.
I have seen one pre clinical study on using it as part of a cancer treatment in dogs that was showing some promise.1 -
When a fad diet goes into hyper-drive...8
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Don't forget the coconut oil: http://www.dogingtonpost.com/benefits-of-coconut-oil-for-dogs/
It has many benefits you know.
Plus every dog should reap the benefits of ACV: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/apple-cider-vinegar-for-dogs/
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Read up on knuckling under and bowing of legs in puppies from malnutrition.
I just can’t even. Dogs and cats are natural carnivores, and dogs are better off with some carbs.0 -
Read up on knuckling under and bowing of legs in puppies from malnutrition.
I just can’t even. Dogs and cats are natural carnivores, and dogs are better off with some carbs.
A ketogenic diet has carbs, just not a lot. In humans it is usually under 15% of total calories. I doubt dogs need more than that.
... Now I have a mental picture of dogs grazing in a field or picking berries. LOL My dog has never gone after the veggies or fruit in my garden. He has eaten birds and squirrels. He has played with a potato, but it was more to use as a toy to fetch.0 -
It's one thing to stop feeding your pets kibble and cheap food full of fillers. It's another thing to test their urine to be sure they are in ketosis. That's just pathetic, I'm sorry.
I have mixed feelings about raw food diets for pets. Yes they would be eating raw meat in the wild, but it would be freshly killed. Not sure I'd trust the raw meat available to me, my ability to handle it safely, and def wouldn't trust commercial raw pet food. If they can manage to get salmonella and euthanasia drugs in dog chow, they'll eventually get it into those cute little frightful expensive packages of raw food.
People always have to take stuff too far smh. If you want to make your pets food yourself, go for it. They should be eating mostly meat anyway, rather than some of the corn kibble that's out there. You can do that with better label reading too. But it doesn't matter if you can confirm they're actually in ketosis or not.11 -
My dogs ate grass, though. I think they find what they need, carb-wise. My one dog loved carrots and oranges.1
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