Pros and Cons of Cats Eating Raw Meat Bones

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However, if you're opting for a raw meat diet, your knowledge of feline nutrition must be quite advanced. You'll need to carefully balance the meat, organs, and supplements like calcium and taurine according to your cat's age and weight. This includes determining the right portions of meat, offal, and other essential additives for each meal.

Cats cannot synthesize certain essential amino acids, such as taurine, on their own. If you haven't delved into feline nutrition, it's advisable to stick to occasional raw feeding, with commercial cat food as the staple. Occasional raw meals, like once or twice a week, are generally fine.

Here are some key points to consider when feeding your cat raw meat:

1. 72hour Freezing:

After purchasing raw meat, wash and portion it (for one meal) into separate bags. Place these bags in the freezer for a full 72 hours, then thaw them at room temperature. This process kills off parasites like Toxoplasma, Trichinella, and others. For particularly hardy parasites like those causing trichinosis, a longer freeze at 25°C is necessary.

Ensure your refrigerator is up to standard, as you can eliminate most parasites at home. For those that are more resistant to cold, there's no need to worry too much, as they are stored in specialized freezers before being distributed.

Standard cold storage facilities typically maintain temperatures between 22°C and 25°C, which is sufficient to eliminate even the hardiest parasites.

2. Control Feeding Times:

The optimal storage times for frozen meat are: 10 months at 18°C for freezing, 12 days for refrigeration, and only 2 hours at room temperature. If your cat doesn't finish the meal within two hours, discard it. Raw meat spoils quickly, and it's crucial to avoid leaving it out for longer periods, especially during summer, to prevent gastrointestinal issues.

3. Regular Deworming:

If you frequently feed raw meat, the main concern is parasites. Regular deworming is essential. Freezing is an effective method for removing parasites without compromising the nutritional value of the meat. Seal the meat, store it at 18°C or below, and keep it frozen for at least 48 hours. If you purchase prefrozen meat, you may not need to refreeze it for deworming purposes, but storage in the freezer is recommended. Additionally, cats on a raw diet should be dewormed more frequently.

4. Choose Your Sources Wisely:

Purchase meat from reputable sources and avoid feeding your cat raw fish. The quality of the meat source is crucial. I recommend chicken, pigeon, and beef, which are common and wellregulated in the market. Seafood, due to its higher risk of parasites, is not recommended for raw feeding.

While I don't encourage everyone to switch to a raw meat diet for their cats, it's important to recognize that it does require a significant amount of time and effort to prepare. If you're unable to dedicate the necessary resources, it's best to stick with commercial cat food.

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