Top Ten Benefits of a Raw Diet For Your Maine Coon

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We believe health begins at home and for our Maine Coons that foundation begins with their food.  We know that you are what you eat, and healthy cats eat GOOD FOR THEM food, that’s why we feed raw because it most closely mimics what they would eat in nature.  Feeding them a species appropriate diet gives them the necessary building blocks for lifelong vitality and longevity!

Not all recipes are created equal, however, so we would like to speak a word of caution:  you can find many recipes across the world wide web but don’t think that you can just purchase ground meat from the grocery store and call it good.  That would leave them lacking many foundational vitamins and minerals.  We love that Darwin’s Natural Pet has done the research and formulated a recipe that is complete and balanced.  No more guessing, no more experimenting, no more worrying.  Just place your order online and it will show up on your doorstep.  That makes feeding raw, easy and convenient and your cats will be on the right path to a more healthy and happy life! 

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of a raw diet.

1. MIMICS NATURE

Feeding raw most closely mimics a wild diet.  In the wild, your cat would be consuming a high protein, high-moisture, meat/organ-based diet.  There would be a moderate level of fat and approximately only 1-2 % carbohydrates.  Compare that to the values of bagged and some canned food and you will quickly see that they are filled with cheap grains and fillers.

2. PRESERVED NUTRIENTS

Darwin’s raw cat food is minimally processed to maintain the most nutrients as possible.  “Dry and canned pet foods may sound healthy but are actually designed for the pet owner’s convenience and maximum shelf life instead of nutrition for their pet.  Cooking and high-pressure processing destroys most of the vital enzymes and vitamins in the ingredients.  They also contain preservatives for long-term storage, which can deplete micronutrients and have been connected with many common allergies.”

3. SUPERIOR PROTEIN

Not all proteins are created equal.  Proteins derived from animal tissues have a complete amino acid profile.  So even though the protein level may look good on the label, those numbers may include sources that are difficult to digest.  Remember there is no such thing as a vegan cat.  Taurine is one of the most important nutrients present in meat but is missing from plants.  A Taurine deficiency will cause blindness and heart problems for your cats.

4. EASIER TO DIGEST

A raw food diet will improve digestion in your cat.  Because their natural diet had almost no carbohydrates, they have only one enzyme capable of handling them, therefore they have a limited ability to digest them.  A cat’s digestive tract is unique.  It is short and acidic and is extremely efficient in processing raw food in about 12 hours.  This means there is very little time for bacteria to grow, making cats naturally resistant to food poisoning.

5. SMALLER, LESS SMELLY STOOL

When cats are fed a raw diet, their bodies are able to use most of what they consume, which in turn means much less stool volume and stools are often drier with little smell.  The opposite is true when the bulk of their diet is carbohydrates.  Their systems will struggle to digest the excess carbs, will be unable to use them efficiently and therefore will produce a greater amount of waste.

6. HEALTHIER COAT

When cats meet their requirements for unsaturated fatty acids, Omega 6 and Omega 3 from animal sources, you will notice that their coat is softer, silkier and healthier.  This will reduce the amount of shedding, which in turn reduces the incidence of hairballs.

7. INCREASED ENERGY

Cats are created to utilize protein for their energy.  When they are fed a species appropriate raw diet, they are receiving more readily available energy from their food which increases their energy and vitality.

8. IDEAL WEIGHT

Due to the giant nature of Maine Coons, it is even more crucial that they maintain a healthy weight.  Being overweight can predispose them to diabetes and joint and heart problems which we certainly don’t want!  When cats are fed an inappropriate diet, they tend to overeat to make up for the nutritional deficiencies.  Raw food satisfies them, so they don’t feel hungry all the time.

9. CLEANER TEETH

When cats consume a balanced raw diet, chewing on the bones, meat and connective tissue helps keep their teeth clean.  Carbohydrates create a starchy film that can lead to dental disease.

10. BETTER URINARY HEALTH

Cats are prone to dehydration when fed dry food that is laden with carbohydrates.  Chronic dehydration can lead to a whole host of urinary problems.  Feeding raw food ensures that your cat is receiving plenty of moisture, reducing the likelihood of urinary issues.

I hope you can see the importance of real, raw food for your Maine Coon.  “Darwin’s Raw Cat Food has no preservatives, no high-pressure processing, no synthetic additives, no hormones, no antibiotics, no grains, no fillers.  Darwin’s uses only high-quality meats, is minimally processed to maintain the most nutrients possible and immediately frozen to preserve freshness.”  Their cat food meals are complete and balanced.  “The moderate fat formula has a balance of important Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids with added essential minerals from natural or organic compounds to exceed the guidelines of both AAFCO and the National Research Council for feline nutrition.”

Who wouldn’t want better health and a longer life for your most beloved feline?  Take advantage of their special offer today and get 10 lbs for only $14.95!!

Resources:

Darwin’s Natural Pet

Feline-Nutrition.org

Catinfo.org

Crochet Candy Corn Cat Toy

In today’s post, I’ve combined my love of crochet with my love for cats and created a super fun crochet candy corn cat toy (say that 5 times fast :)! This is not exactly a CAL but you’ll get a peek into the process and what our cats thought of the finished project. I think it definitely received their Maine Coon stamp of approval. Scroll to the end for the video!

The project started with a chain, followed by single crochets, and gradually decreased as I made my way up the triangle.

I made two and joined them together.

Then I added stuffing and a little catnip.

Ta da! One of the cutest candy corn you ever did see.

And one of the cutest Maine Coon kittens, Gabe, wrestling with it! Watch all of their reactions below.

Affordable, High Quality Maine Coons

I can’t begin to tell you how many times we have been contacted by potential families and told horror stories of scams during their search for a Maine Coon Kitten, how expensive other catteries are or how they were treated terribly by another breeder.  So many people are ready to give up.  So many have had horrible experiences that make them question why they should trust me or why they should give Sugar Island Farm a chance?  Especially considering how the going narrative by so many other breeders out there will tell you that if the price is below $1,500, then it must be a scam, or their Maine Coons are inferior. 

I’m here to tell you that we are neither.  Just in the last few days, I have had several people ask me why my price is so low.  My response is that when we started our Cattery over 3 years ago, our heart behind it was and always will be, that everyone (or at least as many as possible) should be able to experience this amazing breed without the HUGE financial barrier that some catteries attach to their kittens.   We want people to know they CAN afford to add a Maine Coon to their family and trust that the kitten you bring home from Sugar Island along with the investment you have made, is of high quality and health.  We have put in the time and the research, and we love and care for each and every kitten that is born here in our Cattery.

So how can you feel confident in your decision to adopt a Maine Coon from Sugar Island Farm?  Here are a few things we want you know!

We have chosen Maine Coons for our breeding program that have an impressive lineage of Champions and are hardy, healthy cats with a robust immune system.  Most have been born and raised here, which means we know their complete health history.  We believe health begins at home, not the vet’s office.  Health begins with good food.  Health begins with good care.  We know that you are what you eat, and healthy cats eat GOOD FOR THEM food.  We feed raw because it most closely matches their natural diet.

We have also taken the time to pre-screen our breeding cats through DNA testing for the heritable, genetic defects and diseases common to the breed.  They all have received clear/negative results and those results are posted on our website.  While this is not an absolute guarantee that the cat or kittens produced will not develop any anomalies caused by environmental, diet or other factors outside of our control, you can have peace of mind that genetically speaking they will be clear.  We do also offer a one-year health guarantee, complimentary 30-day medical coverage and life-time support for your kitten.

I can’t stress it enough though; what they eat is so important!  We’ve done everything we can to ensure that your kitten has an excellent start, but the real work begins when you bring them home. Please choose to feed them a raw diet that most mimics nature!

We hope you can see that we have not cut any corners or sacrificed anything when it comes to the health and quality of our Maine Coons and the kittens they produce.  We will continue to strive to keep our prices as affordable as possible for as long as we can.  However, our costs can and do change and we may need to reevaluate our pricing.  One way that our families can help is by shopping our Amazon affiliate links on our supplies page and purchasing raw food through our link to Darwin’s Natural Pet.  We make a small commission at no extra cost to you, so we can keep on doing what we love and sharing the fruits of that labor with all of you!

Chicken Pot Un-Pie

Our family loves a good Chicken Pot Pie any day of the week but to be honest, sometimes I don’t have the forethought, time or patience to put one together. On nights like those, I like to whip up what we have coined Chicken Pot Un-Pie! The method is similar but comes together faster. If I’m in the mood, I’ll even throw together some drop biscuits and call it a night. (I know, biscuits are basically pie crust but again, quicker and less precise. In my mind it takes less time:) I also just like to use what we have on hand and it is a great way to use up ingredients too, like half of a rotisserie chicken we had in the fridge. If you are looking for a quick, inexpensive meal that is a family pleaser, try this tonight!

Ingredients for Chicken Pot Un-Pie:

1. 1/2 cup butter

2. 1/2 cup flour

3. 1 tsp salt

4. 1/2 tsp pepper

5. 4 cups milk

6. 3 cups cut-up cooked chicken

7. 1 can of mixed vegetables

Directions:

1. Measure out flour, salt and pepper into bowl and stir.

2. Over low heat in a 10” skillet or pot, melt butter.

3. Stir flour mixture into melted butter. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat.

4. Gradually stir in milk. Return to heat. Heat sauce to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute.

Then add in your cooked chicken and canned vegetables (I used a can of mixed vegetables and also a can of potatoes that I had on hand), reduce heat to low and simmer until everything is warm, about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Hint: This is also the perfect time to whip up a batch of drop biscuits!

Then plate up your Chicken Pot Un-Pie and ENJOY!

Serves 6-8

Spooktacular New Toys for our Maine Coon Kittens

Maine Coon kittens love new toys! We grabbed these spooky treasures at Ross while on vacation. If you’re in the market, it might not be too late to still snag some at your local store.

Watch below for our kittens’ reaction!

Handmade Crochet Unicorn

This past year has been a great time to brush up on old skills or take up new ones! While I had taught myself some crochet a long time ago, the extent of my skills at the time was crocheting in a straight line, aka only scarfs :) The world of Amigurumi was only recently brought to my attention. Now I have a “can’t stop, won’t stop” mentality when it comes to creating all the plushy cuteness. There are just SO MANY fun patterns out there!

When we found out that my sister-in-law is expecting a little girl, I knew just the pattern I wanted to try next. The free pattern is called Unicorn Amora and it is a pattern created by amiimaker by Marina Dessotti. The instructions were easy to follow and it was such an enjoyable project to make. I just love how it turned out and she did too! I even whipped up a matching headband to go with it.

I’m considering taking limited orders between now and the holidays if anyone would like to gift it or just simply enjoy for themselves! You can find her on our products page.

Or if you are a fellow crocheter and would like to try the pattern for yourself, be sure to tag us on Facebook, Instagram or leave a comment below with your finished Unicorn!

Dewormer Recipe - Dosage Balls for Goats

Animals are no stranger to worms, it is a common problem among all species of livestock and domestic pets and those pesky parasites can cause a host of unpleasant symptoms for your goats, sometimes even death.  So, you might be asking yourself; where do these gastro-intestinal parasites come from and what is the best way to manage them? 

Let’s try and answer question #1 first, where do they come from?  For goats, the vast majority of worm larvae are found on the pasture.  As they graze, they pick up the worms and believe it or not, these worms can live on the pasture for several months!  Not only that, but their life cycle is also fast, taking less than 3 weeks from the time the larvae was ingested until it becomes a blood-sucking, egg-laying adult!  The female adult can lay up to 5,000 eggs per day and the average animal has about 300 worms.  You can see how quickly this can become a compounded problem. 

So, what’s the best way to manage them?  I think for starters, pasture rotation plays a much bigger role than one might think.  Honestly, I had no idea just how long worms can live on the pasture!  Rotation is something we have practiced here but we based it more on the condition of the grass and not the potential worm load.  To make matters more difficult, short grass following a rain is the perfect combination for a sudden parasite bloom.  Once you know, you know.  We will definitely be re-evaluating our pasture rotation.

Another management practice is that of deworming (sometimes known as worming, drenching or dehelmintization), which is the giving of an anthelmintic drug to an animal to rid them of helminths parasites, such as roundworms, flukes and tapeworms.₁  However, it is a well-known fact that gastro-intestinal parasites (worms) have developed resistance to all of the currently available dewormers.  Resistance means that the treatment is not effective (or marginally effective) at killing worms and alleviating clinical symptoms.  Also, worm resistance is heritable; meaning the worm’s ability to survive is passed onto its offspring.₂  In hopes of alleviating the resistance, some have practiced rotating wormers.  However, research is showing that this may have done more harm than good.

On our farm, because we are aware of the problem of dewormer resistance, we have decided to use an herbal formula from Fir Meadow for our goats (and even our cats too!)  Natural dewormers help to build the animal’s resistance to the worms by means of a healthier digestive tract, which in turn increases their ability to expel the adult parasites before they are able to attach to the intestines.   DWA is formulated to help support the body in foreign matter removal without the need for meat or milk withdrawals and is safe for pregnant animals.  According to their website it is “comprised of several traditional herbs that are said to have therapeutic properties: anthelmintic, vermifuges, vermicides and taeniacides to deal with issues in the digestive tract and to help the body defend itself with what it comes in contact with.  Cleaner animals over time turns into cleaner pastures.”

When it comes to using DWA for our cats, we just mix it into their raw/wet food which is super simple.  For the goats, they tend to put up a little more fuss and we have found that dosage balls (aka treats) are the best method for us and for them. 

Follow along with me as I whip up a batch!

All you will need are 2 ingredients: DWA from Fir Meadow and Honey.

As per the directions on the package and the size of my Nubian goats, I used 1 tsp per dose. For one goat, dosing twice a day for 5 days, I used 10 tsps of DWA.

Next, add the honey. I do not have a specific measurement for this, I just eyeballed it. Then stir until the herbs begin to come together. You’ll want to be able to form a ball/log so because the honey is the binder, add more if needed. Allow your mixture to sit for about an hour, this will help it dry out a little which will make it easier to work with.

Next, I used a little bit of Slippery Elm powder on some parchment paper to help form the log. Slippery Elm is also great for digestion, however if you don’t have any, feel free to use a little bit of flour instead. Coat your herb mix in the powder and roll into a log. Then cut into the desired number of pieces, for this batch, that amount is 10. Keep the dosage balls in a sealed container and use as needed. Comment below if you give this recipe a try and best of luck on your battle against gastro-intestinal parasites!

1.Deworming - Wikipedia

2.Slowing Dewormer Resistance in Small Ruminents - Premier1Supplies

3.other resources:

» A New Approach to Worming | Veterinarian and Animal Clinic in New Ross, IN (newrossvet.com)

Alternative Treatments For Haemonchus Contortus in Sheep: Testing of a Natural Dewormer and Literature Review of Management Methods (dickinson.edu)

Rest, Relaxation and Unexpected Surprises

Our family had the opportunity to take some time off from our daily responsibilities here on the farm and soak up some Florida sunshine!  It was the perfect combination of sun, sand and surprises.  (Don’t worry though, our Maine Coons and our other farm animals received the best care while we were gone, thanks Mom and Dad!) 

As you can imagine, traveling for us is… shall we say, a little difficult.  We love our farm and our Maine Coons but choosing this lifestyle of ours doesn’t really afford for much time to get away.  Short of some weekend trips here and there, this was our families first REAL vacation, and we made the most of it!

Did you know that Disney is celebrating their 5oth anniversary?  We had no idea when we booked everything back in the Spring.  We were a little nervous about how the crowds might be but on average we were pleasantly surprised and didn’t have to wait longer than 30 minutes for most of the attractions, which was awesome!  The magic of Disney did not disappoint either.  My personal favorite was a Broadway-esc musical rendition of Beauty and the Beast.  Matthew’s was the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and the kids will forever be talking about the Slinky Dog Dash. 

We also had perfect weather while we were in Florida.  Sun, sun and more sun!  It didn’t feel too different from what we left back home in Missouri, but we soaked it all up nonetheless.  After a day full of sun, miles of walking and exciting adventures, it was so nice to come back to our hotel in the evenings and cool off in the pool!

After Disney, we tackled the almost 7-hour drive AND the 7 MILE BRIDGE (what!?!) and found ourselves at the southernmost point in Key West, Florida.  Matthew and I still can’t believe how many miles from the mainland it really is.  Reading up on the history of Key West and the overseas highway is very fascinating.  Did you know that in 1912, Henry Flagler connected Key West to the Florida mainland via the Overseas Railway?  Mind. Blown. 

The Keys certainly have a magical atmosphere all their own.  Endless stretches of beautiful blue ocean, palm trees, coconuts, wild chickens and cockroaches the size of a small child.  We were definitely caught off guard when we returned back to our townhome one night, flicked on the light switch and watched very large insects quickly scurry away.  Or when in the wee hours of the morning, while sipping on a cup of coffee one appears out of nowhere and you swear it is going to eat YOU for breakfast!  Yeah, the roaches weren’t a favorite, but the beaches, coconuts and chickens certainly were!

On our first night out, we ate dinner at the Moondog Café and Bakery.  Its location is in the Old Town District which made parking a little bit of a struggle, so we had to walk some before reaching our culinary destination.  As we were approaching the final corner before the café, we noticed a crowd of people, stopped at a fenced house, taking pictures.  To our surprise it was the home of Ernest Hemingway and his polydactyl cats!!  I may have been freaking out on the inside just a little but tried to keep my cool.  We love our MITTEN KITTENS!!!

After a quick refresher, I recalled reading about the Hemingway house but for some reason it had never clicked when we were planning our vacation.  Unfortunately, our schedule did not allow us to tour his home, but I was able to take a few pictures from the outside.  Can anyone spot the Hemingway cat?

Speaking of polydactyl cats, did you know that some Maine Coons have inherited this genetic anomaly?  The word polydactyl means having more than the normal number of toes.  For the feline species that number is normally 18 toes, however the world record holder has 28 TOES!!

It is commonly believed that Hemingway’s polydactyl cat Snowball, may have been a Maine Coon.  It is said that one of his friends, a ship captain, brought him a cat with six toes on its paw.  Because cats were not altered during this time, more and more Hemingway cats began to appear.  On average, if one parent carries the polydactyl gene, 50% of the kittens will too!  And as he put it so correctly: “One cat leads to another” in more ways than one. If you add a Maine Coon kitten to your family, chances are you’ll want another one to go with it! As if the Maine Coons could get any more exceptional, we think ones with extra toes are extra special, especially when they give mitten hugs!

Our final days were spent on the beach, playing in the sand, hunting for shells and sea glass and splashing in the warm ocean waves.  If you get the chance to, we highly recommend visiting the Florida Keys!

While we enjoyed our time away and there is something wonderful about stepping out of the ordinary and seeing and experiencing new things, at the end of the day, there still is no place like home.

Back to the Basics

This past year has been a roller coaster full of ups and downs, twist and turns, corkscrews and loop-d-loops. But what a ride it’s been AND will continue to be, as such is the nature of life! I’m not quite sure what path the track will take next but we are looking forward to the adventure! To help us better prepare for what may lie ahead, we as a family and a farm, have decided to focus on the basics.

There are still so many questions that we are working through but we also have a sense of clarity as well, a focal point if you will. And that focal point is our OWN duty stations; our Family, our Farm, our Felines and the people that God has put on our path. In His sovereignty, the Lord has called us to this place, with these people and these animals. We are learning to be content in whatever situation He has placed us in and also to be faithful with the work He has given us to do.

In our Family, back to the basics means; focusing on our relationship with the Lord through family Bible reading and attending church together, being intentional with our time and investing in our relationships with each other, cultivating a lifestyle and environment of learning and growth and providing hospitality to our friends and neighbors.

On our Farm, it means making better use of the land and resources that are here. Cutting back in some areas and expanding in others. Adding new animals and saying goodbye to old ones. Developing a plan for summer and fall gardening and better sustainability.

While we loved hosting the large events here in previous years, at this time we are unable to continue to provide those experiences on that type of scale. However we remain open and willing to be used by the Lord, should a new opportunity present itself.

Lastly, for our Felines, we remain focused on the care and health of our Maine Coons. Providing families with a healthy, social, lifetime companion has been and will continue to be our mission. We love what we do and we love having the opportunity to share this amazing breed with others!

So whatever duty stations the Lord has called you to; “work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…” Colossians 3:23.

And sing while you work!

Blessed the Man that Fears Jehovah/ Psalm 128/ Robert Lowry

Blessed the man that fears Jehovah

And that walketh in His ways.

Thou shalt eat of thy hands labor;

And be prospered all thy days.

Like a vine with fruit abounding

In thy house thy wife is found

And like olive plants, thy children

Compassing thy table round.