InstinctsTC - the ultimate raw meat diet

• What is InstinctsTC?
• What it is not.
• What is in it ?
• What is Felamin?
• How do I switch my cat over to this food ?
• What meat do I use and where do I buy it ?
• Detailed preparation instruction.

Millions of years have shaped the cat into a carnivore. Cats look, function and act the way they do because of what they hunt. The recent replacement of their natural habits with commercial canned and dry cat foods, however, represents a true evolutionary dead end. In their sheer nature, these products vary so greatly from what cats are naturally adapted to eating, that it is nearly impossible for them to maintain good health.

What is InstinctsTC ?

InstinctsTC is a blend of dry ingredients, developed to assist caregiveres in the easy preparation of a nuritionally sound home-made cat food in 4 easy steps :

	1. Measure and scoop InstinctsTC powder into a bowl
	2. Add water and included Salmon oil (prick & squeeze) - stir
	3. Add raw liver and raw meat - stir again
	4. Divide into portions. Its ready to eat ! Freeze for storage

The resulting cat food is a complete and balanced diet for cats of all ages. Because InstinctsTC reflects the cat's natural dietary habits as a wild living animal, it is equally suited for all kittens as young as 4 weeks, pregnant and lactating queens, as well as healthy cats of old age. When feeding InstinctsTC, no supplementation of any kind is required. It is also an excellent complement to the wellness plan for ailing cats . It finds application as the staple diet for cats in treatment for Lower Urinary Tract Disease caused by Struvite Crystals, Irritable Bowel Disease, skin disorders, food sensitivity and Diabetes.

What it is not:

InstinctsTC powder on its own is not a food for cats, or when it is mixed with water alone. It is also not meant as a "sprinkle-on vitamin supplement". Although InstinctsTC find wide application in helping cats recover from illness, it is - due to its high protein and mineral content not suited for cats in renal failure.

What is in it ?

Great consideration went into selecting the ingredients to make InstinctsTC. Each component has been thoroughly examined for its composition of nutrients and their interactions, as well as the bioavailability of nutrients for the cat. We choose only the highest quality ingredients available for the manufacture of Instincts TC. Because a product is destined for consumption by animals does not, in our opinion, justify the practice of ?cutting corners? for financial gain.

What is Felamin?

"Felamin" is a complex blend of amino acid chelated minerals and organic trace elements to take the place of bone meal. During the past decade of researching cat nutrition, the use of bone meal in our formula raised growing concerns. Our search for a suitable alternative had begun nearly two years ago and we are finally able to conclude our development and research and introduce "Felamin" - Feline AminoAcid Minerals. This formula is only possible due to new technologies and is exclusively manufactured for your cat by The Feline Future Cat Food Company.

The benefits of "Felamin" are numerous. It provides a safe, pure, reliable source of essential minerals for cats. The minerals are up to 40% more bioavailable in "Felamin" as they are from bone meal. Unlike bone meal, "Felamin" is free of lead, hormones, and disease causing pathogens, and does not cause constipation in cats. Cats enjoy the taste of "Felamin" and we had tremendous success raising kittens on the improved InstinctsTC formula with "Felamin"

How do I switch my cat over to this food ?

Reviving a cat's natural taste preference with InstinctsTC is a lifestyle choice you make for your cat. When transitioning a cat from commercial dry or canned foods, be prepared for some reluctance on the cat's part in accepting this raw meat based diet. Being so specialized in their dietary needs and nutritionally dependant on specific foods, it is natural for kittens to become fixated on any main staple during their first year of life. In nature, this programmed behaviour ensures that the young cat will know what to hunt and eat when the time comes to be independent from its mother. Therefore it is important that you, as the caregiver, are comfortable and confident with the new diet and enforce the change despite possible resistance.

Some tips:

• The favourite meat choice for the transition period is chicken and/or turkey. Begin with ground meat and graduate to chunks.
  Although we recommend feeding a variety of meats, temporary limitation in meat choices during the transition period is acceptable.
• In our experience, beef is not as well tolerated by many cats initially, but may be introduced at a later time once the cat is accustomed to digesting raw meat.
• Due to its high fat content, which could cause indigestion, and unique odour, lamb might be best reserved for later as well.
• Freezing the prepared food in small portions - like ice cube trays - will provide convenience and prevent waste while phasing in the new food.

Getting started:

1. Remove all current food and present your cat with a small portion of the new raw meat food.
   If your cat is fond of the new food right from the onset, you may ignore the following transition steps and start your cat on the path to better health by simply feeding InstinctsTC.
2. For those cats who are hesitant about their new food, you may want to proceed by following our suggested steps on how to phase out their current food.
   For this, remove all dry food and feed a ?premium? quality canned product. Begin feeding your cat designated meals, without leaving food out all day.
3. Mix a small quantity e.g. 1 tsp. of the new raw meat food into your cats canned food meal.
   If your cat readily accepts this addition, increase the portion of raw meat food gradually in every meal, while reducing the canned food in proportion.
4. Fasting may be necessary if the cat, at any point during the addition of raw food to the canned food, refuses to eat.
   Hunger will help the cat to overcome any hesitation. Fasting for 24-48 hours is acceptable for a healthy, adult cat. Do not fast kittens or ailing individuals. The total fasting days should not exceed 7 days in one month.
5. The whole process of transitioning may take as much or as little time as dictated by the cat.
   Be patient and flexible with this process. Don't hold back if your cat appears ready for more, but don't rush it should your cat need more time with a certain raw meat food to canned food ration.

Kittens:

kittens in particular show a true craving for the raw meat food and easily make the transition to it. At the age of four to five weeks, the little tykes are ready to have their first taste of solid food.

Please remember that the introduction of solid food does not indicate that the kittens no longer require nursing. Only at twelve weeks of age are the kittens truly independent from their mother's milk.

What meat do I use and where do I buy it ?

Muscle and organ meats are the most essential foods for the cat, and special care should be applied when selecting them. Meats must be raw, fresh (e.g. not spoiled) and preferably not previously frozen. Heat processing of meat will destroy or alter most essential nutrients. Feeding cats cooked meat would, therefore, lead to deficiencies, resulting in poor health and ultimately in premature death.

• Feed a variety of meats to your cat. This provides stimulation, prevents fixation and guarantees a well balanced meal plan with little room for deficiencies.
• Lean meats are preferred over fatty cuts, as a high fat content prohibits proper digestion.
• Choose the liver from the same type of animal as the meat used in preparing your cat's food. The combination of different types of meats and livers in the same meal can lead to indigestion.
• The use of pork and fish is not advised. Pigs can carry many disease-causing pathogens making pork an unsuitable choice when feeding meat raw. Feeding raw fish can lead to a thiamine deficiency.

Detailed preparation instruction:

• It is important to follow the instructions as outlined.
• Never cook the food or use cooked meat !
• Do not use chicken with bones in this recipe.
• Addition of liver is imperative !

Whisk powder into water. Add more water if desired - especially if using ground meat. Prick each capsule and squeeze Salmon oil into the mix. Stir again. A semi-gelatinous texture will occur within a few minutes. Thoroughly but gently combine the raw liver and raw meat with the moistened powder. It works well to add the liver pureed.

Divide into serving sizes and freeze. Reusable, small plastic or glass containers are most convenient. The food may remain frozen for an average of 6 months and will keep fresh for 24 hours once thawed. Thaw daily portions in the refrigerator and warm to room temperature in a hot water bath before serving it to your cat. Remove uneaten food within 30 minutes to be refrigerated again.