Enrichment for cats is so important, especially when they’re exclusively inside the home. Felines have an innate desire to hunt, play, and explore, so it’s essential to provide stimulation in these areas, allowing for the expression of natural behaviours.

Some cats may be active with toys – you can easily encourage this healthy habit, join in with games, and provide a variety of toys. However, you do have some indoor cats that may not be toy-driven. In these instances, using food as a form of mental enrichment can certainly help. Let’s explore how.

How to use food as enrichment for indoor cats

Probiotics 

Indoor cats are not organically exposed to the good bacteria that occupy our microbiome. In contrast, wild cats have been shown to roll their meat in soil: it’s theorised that they do this to cultivate their digestive system with soil-based microbes (in other words, good bacteria) that guard the walls of the digestive system.

Why does this matter? Because good bacteria protects against the entry of ‘bad’ bacteria, pathogens, and inappropriate food particles into the blood and supports the absorption of immune-boosting nutrients. It cultivates a robust microbiome, which is essential for your cat’s physical and emotional well being.

To ensure your mog doesn’t miss out on all the fantastic bacteria she’d encounter hunting outside, you could try adding a broad-spectrum probiotic to her diet.

Cat grass 

Although they are obligate carnivores, cats naturally choose to cleanse their digestive system by eating fibre; this is often in the form of grass or from the fur or feathers of prey. As indoor cats do not have access to this fibre, some end up resorting to house plants, which, in certain cases, can be toxic. 

It’s a great idea to offer your friend fibre such as cat grass: you can either grow your own or stock up at most pet stores, where it’s readily available to buy. This is also wonderful for outdoor cats with a tendency to nibble on outside grass that may be chemically treated.

Puzzle feeders

It’s a smart idea to mimic hunting scenarios. Cats love to chase and will hunt even if they’re not hungry for food: it’s an instinctive urge they are programmed to fulfil.

A recent study found that delivering meals to cats via a puzzle feeder led to reduced signs of stress, contributed to weight loss, decreased aggression towards humans and other cats, and lowered anxiety and fear levels. Consider feeding their meals in a puzzle feeder, so they have to ‘hunt’ for their meal – you could even provide an additional outlet by hanging a piece of air-dried meat or a treat from a string, just out of reach. I’ve even known owners to introduce live crickets for stimulation!

Whole prey

Depending on the diet your cat is fed, you could increase the length of mealtimes by feeding whole prey such as frozen chickens and meaty bones, such as chicken wings. This encourages house felines to chew much as they would in the wild and stimulates the mind.

Do note: if you give your cat a bone, it’s always crucial to monitor them and check they’re chewing on these safely, especially when they’re new to eating bones.

Water fountain 

Cats have a strong preference for clean, flowing water due to their low thirst drive. Why not purchase a cat fountain to encourage drinking? The running water can be more enticing to felines than a still water bowl, which many don’t favour. The sound and motion of a water fountain are also very intriguing to mogs, especially the playful ones.

I hope these tips help and lead to one highly entertained cat!

Katie x

I’ll start with the simple answer: yes, you can switch to a new type of food! But before doing so, we first need to understand the care that must be taken.

Being the pet parent of a diabetic cat, you’ll know that treatment involves administering a daily injection of insulin to coincide with her feeding routine. The routine will come down to the individual feline and will be worked out by a vet: this is why any dietary alteration must be carried out with their professional support and consent.

The switch needs to be made slowly, as the carbohydrate content in a raw or cooked diet is much lower than that of a dry diet: this will affect blood sugar levels significantly, which, in turn, can impact insulin levels. As a result, consistent monitoring by you and your vet is vital during this period.

When food is ingested, carbohydrate particles are broken down into glucose by the small intestine; the glucose is then taken up into the bloodstream. In healthy animals, this glucose is used in cells as energy, allowed through the cell membrane by insulin.

In the case of Diabetes Mellitus patients, they lack insulin or the ability to use insulin. The result is starvation of glucose in the cells plus high glucose in the bloodstream. The kidney excretes the excess blood glucose into the urine.

If Diabetes Mellitus is left untreated or poorly managed, pets can develop Ketoacidosis. In this instance, the body begins to break down stored fat into fatty acids and ketones, which provide energy but are very acidic. The body becomes too acidic and goes into shock.

Nutrition plays a crucial part in the regulation of glucose in the body. Like many dry diets, a carbohydrate-based diet causes a fluctuation in blood glucose; moving away from this and instead opting to feed a fat and protein-based diet can really help bring your mog’s glucose levels under control.

A high fibre and low soluble carbohydrate diet is recommended for felines – and is especially good for a diabetic cat. Whole food diets such as these are known to achieve better blood sugar control than dry diets and are proven to reduce daily required insulin doses. A raw or cooked diet can also help with weight control, which can be a big issue for a diabetic cat; lowering their weight can lead to less strain being placed on their body while improving their overall health.

In other words, it’s worth saying goodbye to a dry diet and going fresh.

Do note: as reduced-carb diets lower the needed insulin dose, it’s critical to closely monitor blood sugar when switching. Otherwise, an insulin overdose could occur and result in Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).

Switching the diet of a diabetic cat

As we know, many cats are resistant to change, so the switchover to a raw or cooked diet can take a while – in some cases, a good few months! Don’t be too disheartened if the process takes time: it’s completely normal.

Felines often favour food by texture, so as you are transitioning her from dry food, the shift to raw may take a little longer. She’ll need to get used to eating softer food, and many mogs don’t accept this straight away.

Another note: please do not let your cat starve herself during the transition. Those who refuse raw food will not give in, even if they are hungry. This can cause feline Hepatic Lipidosis (liver failure). Transitioning at a rate she is comfortable with is very important.

You could try starting with cooked meat first, and then once she’s happily eating a cooked diet, you can gradually reduce the amount of time you cook the meat until, eventually, you’re serving it raw. Here at Hug, our premium raw cat food recipes can be safely cooked or fed raw, providing a complete diet either way – perfect for transitioning a cat who’s new to raw.

Below is our handy guide to switching over to a new type of food. As mentioned previously, as you have a diabetic cat, it is essential to have your vet on board so they can determine a monitoring schedule for blood sugar and provide you with guidance.

Kick things off by gradually introducing the new food into her dry meals – any mix is fine, even if it’s just a tiny spoonful.

The benefits of raw food for cats are well researched – and quite amazing. I hope these tips help and your friend starts enjoying the perks of a lower-carb diet very soon.

Katie x

This recipe is very versatile – you can use any fish your cat may enjoy, such as sardines and mackerel (we recommend avoiding tuna when possible). If your friend isn’t a big lover of fish (yes, some cats don’t like fish), you could always try making these with some cooked chicken or another type of cooked meat they favour. We have a brilliant range of cookable recipes that would work perfectly within these treats.

Have a go at making these fishy delights and share your creations with us – we’d love to see them!

Ingredients you need

1 tin of salmon in spring water (or any fish you would like to use)

2 eggs 

Making your fishy cat treats

Preheat the oven to 200 C.

Separate the whites from the yolks of both eggs and discard the yolks (or save these and use for something else).

Whisk the egg whites using a hand or electric whisk until stiff peaks form – if you can hold the bowl upside down without the contents spilling out, this should be done (try over your head if you’re feeling brave).

Drain the salmon and blend with 2 tbsp of the whisked egg whites until a smooth puree is formed.

Carefully fold in the salmon puree with the remainder of the egg whites, taking care not to knock too much air out of the mixture when combining the two.

Time to bake

Using either a piping bag or a small spoon, place a modest amount of mixture (think treat size) on a baking sheet and keep going until the mixture is used up.

Bake the cat treats for 20 minutes or until they are crisp. If they lift easily off the baking sheet and are no longer soft, this should mean they are done.

Allow to cool, then pop in an airtight container and use within 1-2 weeks. You can even freeze to use at a later date.

Prepare to see one happy cat!

In other words, raw feeding cats is feeding them as nature intended – it’s better for their long-term physical and mental health. 

The catch? You need to persuade your resident feline to make the change. Lovable but often aloof, foodies but often fussy, cats can be reluctant to adopt new diets. Think of it as a bit like trying to convince a teenager to pick a lovely salad over a takeaway.

Here’s your guide to making the move. 

Raw feeding kittens

In our experience, you’ll have more success raw feeding cats if you serve raw meals from day one. 

When transitioning an adult cat to raw, the hurdle comes in the form of suspicion ‘why is my pet parent suddenly feeding me different food?’ To us, this makes little sense: why be concerned about being offered a better quality diet? But felines are what we call neophobic, which means they’re fearful of anything new! 

As solitary hunters, cats don’t hunt as part of a pack. To survive, they need to be self-preserving, remaining fit and strong with well-honed hunting skills – after all, they depend on themselves and no-one else to bring home the next meal. Being cautious about new foods ensures they don’t make themselves unwell – and therefore vulnerable – by eating rotten meat or poisons. 

Kittens aren’t used to a set diet in the early stages, so they’re far likelier to accept a raw diet. If you have a young kitty, now is the perfect time to kick off raw feeding.

Setting the scene

To ease the transition to raw feeding cats, you need to set the scene a bit. 

Unsurprisingly, cats also like to eat alone, in a quiet, safe place. With this in mind, strategically place their bowl – perhaps on a high surface or in the most peaceful room in the house. 

Felines can be really picky about the bowl, too. Go for a saucer-shaped one to avoid contact with the whiskers, opting for ceramic or melamine for best results. Raw feeding cats little and often is ideal, as felines prefer to eat around 2-15 times a day.

The question of texture

The impact of texture on the feline appetite has been well-researched, so it’s another big factor to consider when raw feeding cats.

Mogs can be turned off by kibble’s shape alone, and texture preferences vary from cat to cat. Some prefer cooked meals, some are happy with minces, while others prefer chunks or ripping the meat from a chicken wing. The latter instinct can be beneficial for swaying these natural hunters towards raw dining. 

Many cats will eat kibble, then happily go out and eat a freshly caught mouse or bird. We need to transfer that psychology to the bowl. Feeding raw cat food at body temperature (37°C) may help tempt your cat – but do serve it as freshly as possible, as any oxidation will put them off. 

Raw feeding cats – it’s a waiting game

When making the change to raw feeding cats, it’s always worth simply offering a raw meal to see how your cat responds, as an avid hunter or kitten may just get stuck in. 

If your cat is on a dry diet, a good first step is to introduce a wet diet as a precursor to raw. There is a considerable change in texture between dry and tinned food, so take it slow. Mix a teaspoon per meal of wet food to their current dry diet, and add an extra teaspoon every 3-5 days if all is going well.

However, more often than not, it’s a waiting game. You need to be invested for the long term, and it’s not unusual for the transition to take many months.

In the early stages of the move, you can expect your feline to sniff the new food. They are then likely to hesitate, take their time, and will not rush to tuck in. Cats also change their minds, maybe touching with their tongue or taking in one or two bites. 

Next, apply the same strategy to the raw cat food, gradually adding it to the wet diet. Add a teaspoon into the regular ration, adding one extra teaspoon every 3-5 days if your cat is eating it without issues. If your friend doesn’t accept the new addition, just place the teaspoon of raw food to the side of their normal ratio – just being next to the new food is enough, to begin with. 

Cooking before you run

Stuck at square one – or worried your cat wouldn’t even sniff at raw? Don’t fret: we have the perfect solution. Get cookin’. 

A great way to ease into raw feeding is to serve meat cooked, mixing it in with your feline’s current meals. After they’ve grown used to cooked meat, gradually decrease the cooking time before each meal, eventually serving it raw, or, if your cat prefers cooked food, just keep on cooking!

It is important to note that you should not cook any raw diet that contains bone. Our completely cookable range gives you the best of both worlds, as it remains a complete diet, whether fed raw or cooked.

You may find it hard getting past a certain level or need to take a step back if there isn’t any success. Remember to keep raw cat food ultra-fresh, only defrosting very small amounts in your fridge and throwing away any that remains after 2 days. 

Please note: do not let your cat starve herself during the transition. Those who refuse raw food will not give in, even if they are hungry. This can cause feline hepatic lipidosis (liver failure). Transitioning at a rate your cat is comfortable with is vital, whether it takes weeks or, in some cases, months!

Raw feeding cats – worth it

Yes, the move to raw takes time, effort, and, sometimes, a bit of cunning, but boy, is it worth it. 

The benefits of raw feeding cats (and dogs) fresh whole foods have been demonstrated time and again. If you’re able to persuade them to eat like their pre-domesticated selves, you’ll be doing them a huge favour in the long-run. 

We’re always here to support pet parents, so don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team of experts if you need any guidance. 

Cats are obligate carnivores which, in short, means they need protein to survive. That’s why many pet parents are confused when they’re told to manage kidney disease with a low protein renal cat food – seems like a contradiction, right? I know it’s easy to feel lost, but, put simply, the approach you take should depend on the stage your feline’s condition has reached. Let’s delve a little deeper:

Raw vs renal cat food

In the early stages (normally 1-3), what matters for cats with kidney disease is not low protein but quality protein. The kidneys may not be digesting protein as well as they once did, so every mouthful counts. Our fresh cookable range for cats is ideal as it’s packed with premium protein and superfoods. These complete, whole food meals can be served raw or cooked, so they’re excellent for fussy eaters.

When treating cats with kidney disease, vets frequently recommend switching to prescription renal cat food – this tends to come dry or canned. Typically, renal cat food is over-processed and not very palatable, so switching to it often leads to felines refusing meals (which we don’t want). While possible, I’d just adjust a natural, non-prescription diet to suit your cat’s needs.

A whole food diet is also preferable to renal cat food due to its moisture content. Hydration is critical for felines and is the number one nutritional factor in the management of kidney disease.

As desert-evolved mammals, cats have inherited a very low thirst drive. Feeding a dry diet of 8% moisture does not help maintain hydration or support the flushing of the kidneys. In comparison, a natural whole food diet is around 70% moisture and will do a much better job of keeping your friend hydrated. If you’re not keen on a fresh diet and your cat’s dry fed, it’s best to at least switch to a wet diet.

Every mouthful counts

As they age, cats lose the ability to utilise the nutrients in their bodies fully, so the quality of ingredients we feed matters. In the case of our obligate carnivores, this means feeding meals rich in top notch, meat-based protein rather than grains, as the digestive tract of a cat is not designed to break down and absorb plant material.

As I mentioned earlier, feeding first-rate protein matters even more when treating kidney disease. This is because the condition prevents the proper digestion of protein, so what little your cat does digest needs to be high calibre. With this in mind, I suggest avoiding the standard cat food found in the supermarket, which is often stuffed with fillers, low-grade meat, and preservatives.

In addition to quality we need to think about quantity.

Weight loss occurs in older cats as their kidneys can no longer filter the blood effectively, and the body draws on protein reserves such as the muscles for fuel. To replace these losses and maintain a healthy weight, cats upwards of 10 years of age have a higher calorie demand. This is why, whichever diet you choose to feed, it’s vital to monitor your feline’s weight and increase the daily feeding amount if needed.

Tips to help cats with kidney disease

Adding extra water to your cat’s diet helps ensure they stay hydrated. The majority of felines are not keen on tap water due to the chemicals it contains – their ability to detect these varies depending on whether your water is soft or hard. Instead, you could try a cat water fountain, as many like drinking from running water. Rain water is another popular pick, so you could collect and provide this water or use bottled water.

Felines can become really picky if they feel unwell. Having some pre-prepared bone broth that can be warmed and diluted may help hydration and add electrolytes to keep your cat feeling well. 

Cats with kidney disease can benefit from some extra fibre in their diet, too. Feeding fibre in the form of psyllium husks and seeds will promote the growth of good bacteria in the digestive system. These beneficial colonies can decrease the amount of waste the kidneys must work to excrete, easing the pressure on your friend’s body.

Here are some other supplements that may aid cats with kidney disease:

• Omega-3 – the kidneys benefit from omega-3 as it reduces inflammation. We use krill in our recipes – it’s a highly bioavailable source of omega-3.
• Water-soluble vitamins – adequate levels of B vitamins will ensure excess is not lost through urination.
• Antioxidants – oxidative damage can speed up the progression of renal disease. Krill is brilliant as it contains a powerful antioxidant called Astaxanthin.

*It is worth noting that you should consult your vet before adding any supplements to your cat’s diet.

As I outlined in this guide, feeding renal cat food isn’t always necessary in the early stages. However, later-stage kidney disease may call for more restrictive feeding guidelines. At this point, you will need to discuss dietary options with your vet or a qualified nutritionist, who may suggest a prescription diet.

I hope these tips improve your cat’s quality of life and you find the best diet to suit her needs.

Katie x

No idea what your pet’s microbiome is? No worries. In this piece, we break down the basics and explain why a robust microbiome is essential for your pet’s health and wellbeing.

Your pet’s microbiome defined 

Just like us, our pets’ bodies are home to colonies of bacteria. While they predominantly dwell in the gut, you’ll find them pretty much everywhere – the skin, the eyes, the respiratory system, and so on. This incredible network of bacteria is known as the microbiome. 

Within your pet’s microbiome, you’ll find a diverse mix of micro-organisms. Some are known as ‘good bacteria’: they co-exist with your pet quite happily and help fortify the immune system. Others are opportunistic and capable of causing various health issues. 

Good microbiomes vs poor microbiomes

In a healthy digestive system, you’ll find a robust microbiome guarding the walls with a barrier of good bacteria.

Given that around 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, this barrier is critical to your pet’s health. It works to stop toxins, pathogens, and inappropriate food particles from entering the bloodstream – and when it’s in good nick, it does a great job.

When your pet’s microbiome is weak, this wall of bacteria becomes permeable, allowing unwanted invaders to enter the bloodstream. This forces the immune system to go on the attack. From here, problems can develop – for example, itchy skin, food intolerances, and digestive issues – with the potential for a long-term negative impact on health. 

We all know that ‘butterflies’ feeling we get when we’re anxious. The gut and brain communicate with one another, so it’s no surprise that recent research has suggested that your pet’s microbiome can affect their mental health, too. 

Now we know what the microbiome is, let’s explore what helps cultivate a harmonious one.

Back in the wilderness days…

To understand the makings of a good (or bad) microbiome, you need to look back on the diets pets subsisted on pre-domestication.

A healthy canine or feline digestive system starts cultivating itself from birth, as the foetus passes through the birth canal. From here, a wild dog or cat would have lived on a diet of fibre and meat covered in soil based microbes (no kibble in sight), which also would have added to a growing colony of diverse gut bacteria.

When cats and dogs are fed non-species-specific diets, their microbiomes suffer. Sadly, standard pet food is rarely as nature intended. Manufacturers opt for cheap carbs like maize to bulk out meals, along with artificial preservatives to extend shelf life. Pets end up consuming diets that don’t mirror those they evolved to thrive on in the wild.

A study in America compared the microbiomes of dogs suffering from chronic disease with those of healthy dogs. The healthy dogs’ microbiomes didn’t just contain a larger number of microbes in the digestive system: they included a much more diverse range of species, too.

Deprived of fresh whole foods, pets’ chances of developing a dynamic colony of bacteria are limited, leading to a weakened microbiome – we see the same effect with long-term antibiotic use.  

Whole food diets for thriving microbiomes

Research has demonstrated that the quality and composition of a pet’s diet affects their microbiome’s condition, with links made between a raw food plan and a happy gut. Changing your cat or dog’s meals to those that are natural and species-appropriate can be a significant step towards rebuilding a robust protective barrier in the digestive system. 

Hug’s whole food diets are designed to deliver optimal nutrition to your pet. They’re packed with high-quality protein, fibre, and prebiotics such as chicory root – ideal for a strong microbiome. You can also add soil-based probiotics to further cultivate and restore good bacteria. 

Still have questions about your pet’s microbiome? We’re always here to help. 

But what are they? How do they differ? And what can they do for your pet? We explain. 

Probiotics for dogs and cats

Like any natural ecosystem, your canine or feline’s body has vast numbers of micro-creatures living on and inside it. This incredible colony of bacteria is called the microbiome, and some of the micro-creatures inhabiting it are referred to as ‘good’ bacteria.

Good bacteria guard walls of the digestive system. Here, they protect against the entry of ‘bad’ bacteria, pathogens, and inappropriate food particles into the bloodstream, and aid in the absorption of immune-boosting nutrients. In other words, they’re essential for strong, happy pets.

Probiotics are live good bacteria that are typically fed as supplements. A good probiotic contains a diverse range of beneficial bacteria species.

Does my pet need probiotics?

In some cases, a pet’s bacteria colony isn’t as robust as it should be, resulting in a poor microbiome: research has linked this to factors such as a highly processed, poor-quality diet and the long-term use of antibiotics.

A damaged microbiome leads to a debilitated digestive system that cannot effectively absorb critical nutrients, leaving your pet’s body malnourished. From here, a number of issues can arise – itchy skin, digestive problems, and food intolerances (to name a few) – with the potential to cause a long-term impact on health.

If your pet is suffering from a condition linked to a weak microbiome, probiotics for dogs or cats may be recommended. 

Introducing probiotics to your pet’s diet

Feeding probiotics is the first step to rebuilding healthy, immune-boosting gut flora. 

We recommend the Body Biotics range for dogs as it contains a diverse range of soil based probiotics, rather than just one species of bacteria. Soil based bacteria would have been ingested by canines in the wild, pre-domestication, making them an ideal means of restoring the natural balance your pal’s microbiome needs.

One of the species Body Biotics contains is Bacillus: these micro-creatures are resistant to stomach acid and many antibiotics; they’re also immune-stimulating, producing anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial substances. Another species you’ll find in Body Biotics is Lactobacilli; these micro-creatures help cultivate an infant’s digestive system from birth onwards.

For cats, we suggest Animotics, a bespoke probiotic paste. This high-strength product delivers 22 billion colony forming units that belong to four different strains of probiotic bacteria. Pretty mighty!

Once introduced to your pet’s system, probiotics will begin to kill off opportunistic (bad) bacteria. Subsequently, toxins may be released that temporarily result in symptoms becoming worse, rather than better. This is why we start off feeding a small portion of probiotics, gradually increasing until we reach a therapeutic level, suited to the individual’s needs.

What are prebiotics?

Whereas probiotics for dogs and cats are supplementary good bacteria, prebiotics are components in food that support the growth of good bacteria and cultivate a strong microbiome from the get-go.

The first prebiotic your dog or cat ever encounters is found in their mother’s milk: the oligosaccharides it contains are known to boost the beneficial bacteria population and strengthen the immune system. 

As prebiotics lay the groundwork for a thriving colony of good bacteria, getting them right early on should lessen your pet’s need for probiotics going forward. That’s why both our raw and cold pressed ranges contain prebiotics.

Our species-appropriate meals are designed to create and sustain a great microbiome, whether you choose to feed them alone or add probiotics for dogs or cats. Alongside top notch protein and fibre, we put to work whole foods that are high in prebiotics, such as seeds and chicory root.

While rebuilding a solid colony of good bacteria takes time, it really is the route to long-term health for your pet – and that’s what we’re all about.

Sadly, cystitis in cats is a common problem, and it causes them significant discomfort. Sometimes referred to as Feline Idiopathic Cystitis, it tends to be brought on by stress and impacts a feline’s urinary tract and bladder.

Cystitis in cats: the basics

As we know, cats are often strong, silent types, so they’re pretty skilled at masking signs of pain; this is why it’s essential to know the symptoms of cystitis in cats. Look out for the following:

•  An increase in urination frequency •  Struggling to urinate or an inability to urinate •  Crying when urinating •  Urinating in unusual spots (away from the litter tray or garden, for example) •  Behavioural shifts (being more aggressive or withdrawn) •  Excessive grooming of the abdomen and genitals (this is likely to lead to hair loss) •  Blood in the urine

If you spot any of these signs, take your friend to the vet before you do anything else. Cystitis in cats can be an expression of an underlying health condition, so your vet must check for and rule out issues such as infection or bladder crystals first.

I’ll move on to diet shortly, but I’ll add that stress reduction should be an equally significant focus. A good behaviourist can assist you with making changes to resources and territory, hopefully leading to a happier cat and reduced cystitis episodes.

Nice and hydrated

Now we’ve covered the fundamentals, let’s take a look at the role diet plays in combatting cystitis in cats.

Diet is most definitely a useful tool for preventing additional flare-ups, and by far the most critical cystitis-fighting component in it is water. Dry cat foods contain around 10% moisture compared to fresh whole foods, which boast approximately 70%. All natural foods, in fact, all cellular life and the planet itself, are around 70% water.

This is why feeding a raw or home cooked diet is best for keeping cats hydrated – especially given felines evolved in the deserts and have a naturally low thirst drive.

You can also go one further and add extra spoons of water to their meals: this helps keep the urine dilute and encourages bladder emptying, aiding in the reduction of additional cystitis episodes.

Omega-3 and antioxidants

Omega-3 from krill oil and fish oil has anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, these oils work to reduce inflammation in the lining of the bladder and ease your feline’s pain, speeding up their healing process.

Antioxidants such as vitamin E and astaxanthin can contribute to the minimisation of oxidative stress caused by inflammation. You can add these to your cat’s food via supplements or by feeding whole foods such as krill oil and barley grass.

Glucosamine

The bladder lining needs plenty of glucosamine to remain robust and healthy.

Supplementing your cat’s diet with natural sources of this powerhouse ingredient can help replace any losses, and, in turn, target inflammation. Bone broth is a wonderful means of increasing hydration while delivering glucosamine – two big ticks when it comes to treating cystitis in cats.

Food that cares

Hug’s whole food recipes for cats and kittens are designed with their real needs in mind. Naturally high in moisture, they’re species-appropriate and contain goodies such as krill powder, omega-3, antioxidants, and glucosamine. They’re perfectly placed to support felines suffering from cystitis – and they taste delicious.

I hope this advice helps and your cat gets some relief from this painful condition soon.
Katie x

We know, we know – it doesn’t sound like a walk in the park. Worry not. In this post, we break down the basics of bioavailability and focus on facts that are relevant to you, the pet parent. 

We’ll explain why nutrient bioavailability is vital for your pet’s long-term health, and why it’s a given when you feed species-appropriate food. We’ll also outline why non-species-appropriate pet foods (artificial, extruded, tinned, you name it) can only offer limited nutritional value. 

It’s pretty interesting, promise. 

Bioavailability for beginners 

Put simply, bioavailability is the term used to describe the absorption rate of nutrients ingested by your dog or cat. 

Your pet’s digestive system has a thin lining with a large surface area. This lining is dotted with absorption sites which, all being well, ferry nutrients from the intestine to the bloodstream. 

If the nutrients are readily bioavailable, there are no access issues: they make it through the ‘gates’ and are absorbed into the bloodstream. But when a non species-appropriate diet is fed, essential nutrients can find themselves shut out, never making it past security – more on that in a minute. 

It all started before cats and dogs were domesticated…

Let’s go back to the beginning, when dogs and cats sustained themselves by foraging for whole foods in their natural surroundings – prey, grass fruits, and more. They evolved to thrive (not just survive) on the specific balance of minerals and dietary components that a whole food diet delivered. 

In other words, canines and felines are biologically wired to live on a whole food diet. As a result, this is the diet best equipped to provide them with essential nutrients in ratios that ensure optimal bioavailability – and this is why it’s deemed species-appropriate.  

Along came processed pet food 

Ok, great. But what’s the link between a non-species-appropriate diet and diminished nutrient bioavailability?

That’s a mammoth question. Many factors can restrict the bioavailability of nutrients in pet food, but the two main roadblocks are dietary components (for example, certain additives and cereals) and the chemical form of the minerals included.

These roadblocks are commonplace in processed pet food, which is why it’s referred to as being non-species-appropriate. To understand more, let’s revisit the moment when pets were domesticated…

Once we realised how great dogs and cats are, the pet food industry came to be. Unsurprisingly, it was the first port of call for owners looking to buy pet food – but there was a problem. The food being produced was designed for convenience: long shelf-life, low prices, and maximum profit for manufacturers. 

Just as it is today, standard pet food was packed with cheap cereals such as corn and maize, and additives. All of these ingredients interfere with nutrient bioavailability in pets’ digestive systems, as, before they moved in with us, none were present in the original diets of canines or felines. Examine the ingredients lists on pet food sold in the supermarket, and you’ll find few that qualify as species-appropriate.

The phytic acid example

What pet food producers didn’t realise was that mineral relationships are hugely intricate, and feeding a non-species-appropriate diet triggers mineral interactions that can have long-term effects on pets’ health.

A prime example of this? The phytic acid problem. In the pet food industry’s infancy, it wasn’t understood that cereals contain phytic acid, or that phytic acid blocks the absorption of many crucial minerals, including calcium – in fact, it actively competes with other nutrients for absorption sites. 

In the 1980s and 1990s, research into the cause of skeletal disease in growing dogs showed that a diet containing phytic acid caused a domino effect. The phytic acid impacted the level of calcium absorption into the blood, which then upset the all-important calcium: phosphorous ratio, causing skeletal abnormalities. 

Subsequently, pet food guidelines were created. These increased the levels of calcium in dog food to compensate for the phytic acid effect – this was particularly critical for growing pups. 

The phytic acid fiasco is just one illustration of why correctly balanced feeding cannot be achieved without an understanding of species-appropriate nutrition.

Looking at the chemical form of a mineral is also fundamental to determining its bioavailability. Minerals from meat are thought to be more bioavailable than those from plants. Chelated minerals, orates, and picolinates are more bioavailable than gluconates or oxides. Supplementation can also disturb mineral interactions if given inappropriately. We could go on…

A species-appropriate diet is a necessity 

With all of this in mind, your pet’s bowl of food might technically contain the essential nutrients they need, but it may also contain elements that block their absorption into the bloodstream. This leaves your friend with a meal stripped of significant health benefits. 

Yup, nutrient interaction is a minefield! However, one thing is clear and backed by science: if a pet is fed a whole food diet close to the one it evolved to eat, the nutrient interrelationships will not cause any disease within that species. 

By feeding a species-appropriate diet, we can let nature do its work as intended, obstacle-free. 

Sadly, the majority of pet food producers still concentrate on singular nutrients required to sustain life – they overlook the importance of species-appropriate nutrition and optimal bioavailability. This oversight means the food they manufacture is incapable of delivering vital phytonutrients and antioxidants, as cost-cutting continues to come first. 

Mammals evolved to cope with variation in diet – fast, famine, seasonality. If a species occasionally eats food that fails to support its nutritional needs (and is hazard-free), you will see no effect.

Issues arise when non-species-appropriate food is fed consistently, and bioavailability is compromised – the knock-on effect is exemplified by the problems certain cereals pose (phytic acid, itchy skin, digestive issues, the list continues).

The golden rules of pet food production

Here at Hug, we feel that pets deserve more than the minimum required to keep them alive. We’ve seen the effect whole foods have on their long-term physical and mental health, and it’s incredible.

You’ll never find cheap filler ingredients in our recipes. We use species-appropriate ingredients that are both bioavailable and ethically sourced. In other words, we offer the next best thing to the diets pets foraged for, pre-domestication.

The recipes in our cookable range are bone free, so they can be safely heated through, reducing the risk posed by bacteria, if this is a concern. We replace bone with the most natural source of calcium available, calcium carbonate.

We also offer a working dog range that includes bone and is only served raw. For those who don’t have space, time, or a desire to deal with raw, we have a premium cold pressed dog food range.

You choose the style of feeding; we provide the ideal solution. All of our food is human-grade, kitchen-friendly, and delivered straight to you – it’s never been easier to feed your pet the best.

Still feeling a bit baffled when it comes to bioavailability? Get in touch – our friendly team of vets, veterinary nurses, and nutritionists live and breathe this stuff. 

This is the story behind the creation of Hug’s cookable raw pet food range. It’s the only one out there, and we’re pretty proud of it.

The raw vs kibble debate

It started years ago. As our careers progressed, we became increasingly aware of the benefits raw whole food diets offer pets. Each one of us kept returning to the same old question: ‘Why are we told kibble is the best option?‘

Others were asking themselves the same thing. The raw industry sprang up and grew quickly, but, critically, it lacked relevant legislation around balance and safety. Quite rightly, vets questioned (and still question) the nutritional balance and pathogen content of raw diets, and many a passionate debate was sparked regarding the appropriateness of raw feeding pets.

As a rising number of owners chose to raw feed their pets, we became ever more frustrated that vets couldn’t see past the risks of raw. Crucially, this led to a lack of education on raw nutrition in vet clinics, and pet parents were often better informed than the professionals themselves. Ultra-processed kibble continued to be the default recommendation.

Raw like never before

We didn’t feel it was fair that the dogs and cats were missing out on high-quality, species-appropriate pet foods – ones designed to improve their lives, not merely sustain them. That’s why we decided to create our own bone free, cookable raw pet food, made from natural, human-grade ingredients. Simple, healthy recipes, as nature intended. 

We knew many owners wouldn’t feel confident feeding a raw diet, and we understood their safety concerns. We also knew some pets (or pet parents) might have health concerns that made feeding raw food unfeasible. Our answer? To provide all the goodness of a raw diet while resolving the hotly discussed issues: balance, bacteria, and bone content. That way, nobody needed to miss out. 

We put our extensive experience into practice and developed an incredibly exciting, versatile whole food range for pets – one that can be served raw or cooked. But… how did we pull it off? 

The bone issue

Let’s start with the bone issue. There are many horror stories of bone causing ruptured intestines and blockages in pets’ digestive systems, leading to hospitalisation or, worse, surgery. The presence of bone in raw recipes also prevents owners from cooking their pets’ meals, as bone can become brittle and hard to digest once cooked. To remove the risk once and for all, we took bone out of our cookable recipes and replaced it with natural sources of calcium, plus tasty veggies. 

Calcium in bone comes in the form of calcium hydroxyapatite; as canines and felines evolved, this was their primary source of calcium, and, therefore, it’s always the preferable option.

The second most readily available source of calcium is calcium carbonate; this is the most common form of calcium in pet foods. Calcium hydroxyapatite isn’t available as a registered supplement in pet foods, so we include calcium carbonate and other naturally occurring minerals in our bone free pet food. By doing this, we properly replaced the goodness that’s naturally delivered by bone. The addition of seasonal veggies helps cultivate well-formed, non-smelly faeces – a well-known perk of raw feeding your pet! Just thought we’d mention that.  

Addressing the bacteria concern

But what about the bacteria? For decades, the public has been educated about the risks of handling and eating raw meat – and with good reason. E. coli, Salmonella… you know the score, and it’s serious. 

Unsurprisingly, many people are against the idea of storing raw meat in the fridge and feeding it to pets – especially if they have children in the home. However, using top-quality, human-grade meat and correctly storing it can dramatically reduce the risk of contamination. We only source our meat from ethical suppliers who share our high standards of quality and hygiene, plus there’s no green tripe hiding in our food, so it’s fine to store in your fridge or freezer.

And we go one step further…

Bone free pet food you can cook!

Still not keen on raw? No problem. The absence of bone in our cookable meals allows you to safely cook them, eliminating concerns around contamination. If you, your pet, or a family member is immunocompromised, cooking food keeps the risk of bacterial exposure as low as possible. 

You can heat through Hug’s cookable pet food range as much or as little as you wish, without ever having to touch any raw meat – our packaging is suitable for the microwave. All it takes is a few minutes’ heating, then, hey presto, it’s ready (please check the temperature before serving). Warming the food also increases palatability, making it irresistible to your pet – ideal if they’re fussy or struggle with a low appetite. 

Alternatively, we also offer a premium cold pressed range and a working dog range that is served raw.

So, that’s the story behind our cookable raw pet food range. It’s the only one of its kind, and, if we say so ourselves, it’s exactly what every pet deserves. 

Got any questions or concerns? That’s what we’re here for.