Betty Ann wrote:
> My cats went for their annual check ups yesterday. Both are
> at healthy weights for their individual bone structure. My
> vet told me they have been participating in a study on
> feline nutrition for the past year with the intention being
> to mimic the diet in the wild as much as possible. Since
> most cat owners are not paleo, the plan calls for frequent
> small meals of highly digestible canned food with kibbles
> available for grazing.

Betty Ann, please do not take this personnally, because I'm sure you are
trying to do what is best for your animals.  BUT...the vet appears to be
doing something similar to what a dr. would do if he/she said, "People used
to be hunter-gatherers.  In order for you to achieve optimal health, I want
you to eat grains, dairy and artifical ingredients every two hours instead
of three times a day."  Same outcome.

The only diet that I know of that is species appropriate for dogs and cats
is a raw food diet:  no kibble, no cooked/canned.  I think it's great your
vet is trying, but he/she is still way off the mark.  A good basic book for
beginning a raw food diet is:

The Ultimate Diet
by Kymythy R. Schultze
ISBN# 0-9664749-1-0

Also, the RAWDIET list on Onelist.com is a wonderful source of info. and
support... much like this list is for humans.  Good luck with your animals;
you sound like you really love them.

Kath