🎙️ Episode Summary
This week, we’re doing something different.
No new guest, no full solo episode — just a simple, practical nutrition roundup pulled from three of my favorite conversations from the Feline Wellness Summit.
You’ll hear from Dr. Ruth Roberts, Elizabeth Casas, and Penny Wood as they break down some of the biggest questions cat parents have about food:
Why kibble isn’t great for long-term health
How to transition picky cats without a hunger strike
What pet food labels really mean
The differences between kibble, canned, freeze-dried, lightly cooked, and raw
Affordable ways to cook for your cat
Simple whole-food upgrades
And why hydration is one of the most underrated longevity tools for cats
My goal with this episode isn’t to overwhelm you. It’s to give you a handful of small, realistic changes that can make a big difference over the long run.
📘 Recommendations for Cat Owners
Here are a few simple, doable ideas inspired by Dr. Ruth, Elizabeth, and Penny — things you can start trying this week:
1. Add One Small Upgrade to the Bowl
Don’t overhaul everything.
Just try one “better than yesterday” idea:
a bite of wet food
a teaspoon of cooked meat
a sprinkle of sardines
or a little bone broth mixed into the meal
Even tiny changes move your cat in the right direction.
2. If Your Cat Eats Kibble, Start By Adding Moisture Safely
Instead of pouring water directly onto kibble (which Penny explains can reactivate fungal toxins), try:
a water fountain
diluted bone broth
or a splash of goat milk
Anything that encourages “free drinking” is a win.
3. Try the “⅛ Teaspoon Method”
From Dr. Ruth:
When transitioning from kibble → wet → cooked → raw, start with an eighth of a teaspoon of the new food placed next to the main bowl.
No pressure. No tricks.
Just familiarity.
Slow is often fast with cats.
4. Watch Out for Ingredient Splitting
Elizabeth shared how companies disguise high-carb formulas by listing “corn,” “corn gluten,” and “corn flour” separately.
If the ingredients look like a grocery store scavenger hunt… that’s a red flag.
5. Consider Cooking in a Crock Pot
Elizabeth’s tip:
Cats don’t eat much volume, so one overnight batch of cooked food can often last weeks.
It’s more affordable than most people expect — and you control every ingredient.
6. Hydration = Kidney Support
Penny made this point clear:
Cats are terrible free drinkers.
If they’re eating dry food and not drinking, the kidneys work overtime for years.
Moisture in food is one of the easiest longevity “hacks” for cats.
🎧 Guest Links
Dr. Ruth Roberts — https://drruthroberts.com/
Elizabeth Casas — On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecasascpcn
Penny Wood — https://drzoolittle.co/
✨ Final Thought
I always listen to these episodes through the lens of my own journey with my cats — especially Mia and Nomar, and now Niko and Milo who are 2 years old now.
When you know better, you do better.
And sometimes “doing better” is simply moving one inch in a healthier direction.
Don’t worry about getting it perfect.
Just pick one upgrade and test it this week.
Your cat will tell you what works.
Give your cat some extra love from me, Niko, and Milo, and I’ll see you next time.
