Yes, you can gently cook homemade cat food, and many owners do so to reduce bacteria while keeping nutrients intact. Lightly cooking at a low to medium temperature (around 160–165°F / 70–74°C) is usually sufficient

I think you took that section completely the wrong way. They’re not saying “aw shucks” to the companies screwing up – they’re saying the companies aren’t infallible, so don’t believe they’re always the healthier option vs making the food yourself, and listed a few examples of bad things that can happen with said companies.

Because it’s cheap… More volume for the buck. (Just my opinion… I’m not any sort of expert… just a cat mom, with seven rescues)

Really?

Not that human grade food in this nation is anywhere near as regulated as it once was prior to the deregulations of the early 1990s, but I have to ask. Would this articles author take the same nonchalant attitude regarding human food production, baby food, or infant formula? Because after all, someone could easily let their gum slip out of their mouth while processing pureed beef for or chicken and peas for the wee ones.

Somehow this normalizing and downplaying of so-called mistakes in the industry has me question the integrity of this articles purpose. We already have pretty lax food regulations, and they are soon to become even more so. Having a retired FDA food inspector in the family, I cannot believe the things I’ve heard regarding just how deregulated things have become in the past three decades. And for this reason, the number of food recalls and their level of seriousness has risen to outlandish numbers. But since it has been going on now for the better part of two and half generations, it’s become acceptable. Just as the opening paragraphs of this article seem to wish us to continue to do. Don’t take it seriously folks, after all it’s just food. Not to mention pet food… no worries here. Besides after your cat dies, you can always go find another can’t you?

When formulating cat food, a veterinary nutritionist considers the role of carbohydrates, fiber, and plant-based proteins carefully, even though cats are obligate carnivores. Small amounts of carbohydrates can provide energy, while fiber aids in digestion and helps with stool consistency. Plant-based ingredients can also supplement the protein content, but they are balanced to ensure they don’t replace essential animal-based proteins that cats need for optimal health. The goal is to create a balanced recipe that meets nutritional needs while being cost-effective and appealing to cats

Hi Rosemary, it’s recommended that without heart, you can substitute with added taurine. This video offers some guidance.

Hey there. Sounds like you’re going through a lot! You might appreciate our article on the best homemade cat food for kidney disease. Hope this helps, and I wish you all the best.