Viva raw cat food & supplementals

[MeowMeow]

Hello.

I’m using the recommended frozen Viva Raw cat food and my cat loves it.

I rotate chicken, turkey, & duck, and must note that I chose those certain meats that do not have any other added ingredients, just 100% meat, which I love.

I rotate the other days with frozen Darwin’s chicken or turkey, which is already supplemented.

That being said, I’m concerned about those important missing ingredients (like taurine) on the two days weekly of Viva.

Do cats require taurine every day?

I give omega daily in the form of sardines and kelp, and veg.

Thank you.

 

[NancyK]

I thought meat has lots of taurine naturally, especially the muscular organs like heart.

Nancy

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Do cats require taurine every day?

Great question! And congratulation on feeding a raw meat diet.

The answer depends on many individual factors such as their intercellular taurine stores, absorption, etc. Typically not.

And as Nancy said, a raw meat diet (especially if it contains heart like Viva) gives them all the taurine they need.

The Life-Saving Importance Of Taurine For Cats

Taurine is an essential amino acid for your cat. Your cat or kitten cannot create it & must have it included in their diet otherwise it can lead to health issues.

rawandfresh.com.au

 

[MeowMeow]

Good to know
Excellent website

Viva happened to write back too. Below is their reply.

I do not agree with nutritional yeast as I hear often it is msg. The only other that stands out is seeing manganese on the list. Does it really need to be included do you think?

“Below is what we would recommend adding to our Pure Recipes for cats.

For every 1 lb of Viva, add:

• 1 scoop of Kelp Powder - the NOW kelp powder comes with a small scoop so that's my unit of measurement here
• 1/2 tsp of Cod Liver Oil (Carlson brand) or 4 drops of NOW Vitamin D3
• 2-3 drops Natural E Oil
• 4 drops Manganese
• 1 tsp Nutritional Yeast
• 1/4 tsp Taurine”

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Does it really need to be included do you think?

I believe the manganese is important tho am confused why Viva is advising to supplement their food.

@Dr. Jean Hofve do you feel that raw meats are manganese deficient?

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Oh, I see now. He's covering his basis regarding their "pure" diets only. Not their complete ones.

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Just to catch up, manganese *can* be hard to balance in a raw diet.

Just fyi, I don't recommend using kelp as a supplement for cats, as it is very high in iodine. This can lead to thyroid issues.

 

[MeowMeow]

They also say this on their website under the Pure choices (Pure meaning 1 protein and nothing else added):

“Not intended as a complete and balanced diet, suitable for intermittent feeding for dogs & cats.

• Prey Model Raw at 80% meat, 10% organ, 10% bone”

Only 10% organ is concerning and plan to feed at least 3+ times a week.
If there are any other supplementing advice or articles that would be great.

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Here are the instructions I recommend for raw-feeding cats: Making Cat Food