Many cats like corn so that's our "main-version" grain for this versatile recipe. For the best texture try polenta, a coarser grind than cornmeal. It's commonly carried in natural food stores. This high-protein formula is excellent for pregnant or nursing cats and their growing kittens (alternate poultry with beef).
Since this contains a higher proportion of meat than the other recipes, you can substitute many kinds of grains and meats, both lower and higher protein types, and there is still plenty of protein to spare. Using lean meats, the dry weight percentage of protein ranges from a low of 41% (lean beef heart with rice or potatoes) to a high of 52% (turkey with oats). With fattier meats, the protein ranges from 30% (fatty beef heart with rice or potatoes) to 40% (regular hamburger with oats). Alternate use of poultry and red meats or combine them in the same recipe.
Bring 4 cups (1 quart) of water to a boil. Add the cornmeal, stirring rapidly with a fork or whisk to keep it from getting lumpy. (This is easier with polenta.) When thoroughly blended, cover and simmer on low 10-15 minutes. When done, stir in the eggs and butter. Then mix in the remaining ingredients. Immediately freeze whatever cannot be eaten in 2-3 days.
Meat Substitute: It's a good idea sometimes to use fattier grades of meat and at the same time to eliminate the oil and butter. Use 2 lbs of beef heart with fat showing, regular hamburger, poultry with skin, or choice chuck roast.
Grain Substitute: 2 cups rolled oats (+ 4 cups water = 4 cups oatmeal) or 10 slices whole wheat bread or 4 cups cooked and mashed potatoes or 1 cup (dry) of any of the following: bulgur, millet, buckwheat, barley, brown rice, couscous, amaranth, spelt, quinoa.
Daily Ration:
small cats: 1/2 - 3/4 cup
medium cats: 3/4 - 1 cup
large cats: 1-1/4 - 2 cups
Copyright at Common Law, West El Paso Information Network, 1996