Feeding This to Her Cat Was a Mistake
She thought she was doing the right thing—until he got sick.
🐾 Hey Golden Whiskers family,
When the vet told Elizabeth there was nothing else they could do for her four-year-old cat Lumiere, she refused to accept it.
He was hospitalized with severe pancreatitis. Not eating. Wasting away. They said they’d just “keep him comfortable.”
But Elizabeth did what many of us would do in a moment of heartbreak:
She fought back with love—and with food.
Boiled chicken. A little probiotic. Anti-nausea meds to help him keep it down.
That was it.
And it worked. Lumiere bounced back. He never had another episode.
It completely changed Elizabeth’s life—and became the spark for her career helping pet parents heal through whole food nutrition.
It reminded me so much of when Mia got sick at age 12.
She was vomiting all day. They suspected pancreatitis.
I thought I was losing her.
I was crying on the phone to my parents on the way to the emergency vet.
But somehow—like a little miracle—she recovered.
She lived another 8 beautiful years.
And while I’m forever grateful for that extra time…
I can’t help but wonder what might have been different if I had known then what I know now.
About food. About labels. About the long-term power of even tiny changes.
This week’s podcast clip is a powerful reminder of just how much control we actually have—and how food can be one of the greatest healing tools we’ll ever use.
Let’s dive in.
📘 Episode Snapshot: Healing With Food (Elizabeth Casas)
🎙 In this clip, Elizabeth shares the emotional story of Lumiere’s recovery from pancreatitis and how a simple shift to boiled chicken and probiotics changed everything.
We also talk about:
What kibble really does to the body (even the “premium” stuff)
How to spot misleading food labels
The power of rotating proteins
Why many cats suffer silently with inflammation
Where to start if switching foods feels overwhelming
If you’ve ever felt unsure about what’s in your cat’s bowl—or if you’re feeding the “right” thing—this is a must-listen.
👉 Listen to the clip now
(It’s short. But it might change how you feed forever.)
🐾 Elizabeth’s Recommendations for Cat Owners
✔️ Start small: Add just one teaspoon of a whole food this week—sardines, sautéed mushrooms, goat milk, or boiled chicken. See how they do.
✔️ Check the label: Is the first ingredient a whole named protein? Or something vague like “meat meal” or “by-product”? Look deeper. Call the company if you’re unsure.
✔️ Look out for ingredient splitting: Corn flour, ground corn, corn gluten… it’s all corn. Pet food brands split ingredients to make carb content look lower than it is.
✔️ Don’t panic about perfect balance: If you’re feeding fresh foods with variety (different proteins, colors, textures), you’re already giving your cat more than a bag ever could.
✔️ Rotate proteins: Don’t feed just chicken every day. Over time, it can cause sensitivities. Mix in turkey, duck, rabbit, or salmon.
✔️ Trust your instincts: If something feels off—vomiting, itchy skin, goopy eyes—it might be the gut. Don’t wait for it to become a diagnosis.
🐾 What I’m Trying With Niko and Milo
This interview was a great refresher for me.
I’ve already been feeding them high-quality wet food (thankfully, they’re great eaters), but I haven’t been rotating proteins—and after hearing Elizabeth explain how feeding the same thing daily can cause sensitivities, I knew I needed to make a change.
This week, I swapped in some turkey and duck formulas.
Next up: I’m going to try topping with sardines—and maybe a little goat’s milk if I can find a good source.
Also planning to scan their food labels again with fresh eyes.
We’re not going for perfection here.
Just better.
A little more wild. A little more whole.
🐾 Listen to This Week’s Episode
🎧 The Diet That Saved Her Cat’s Life - What Every Pet Parent Should Know with Elizabeth Casas
Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.
▶️ Click here to listen
💬 Cattitude Prompt
Have you ever had a “wake-up moment” around your cat’s food?
Maybe a health scare, or a tip that shifted your mindset?
Hit reply (or comment below) and tell me—I read every story.
Let’s keep learning and growing—together.
With gratitude,
Scott 🐾
www.goldenwhiskerslove.com