Ultimate Raw Cat Diet Guide: Nutritional Tips & Recipes

Introducing Raw Meat Diet

Composition of Raw Meat Diet

The raw meat diet primarily consists of musclerich components, including meats and organs that are predominantly muscle tissue, such as chicken breasts, duck breasts, beef, hearts, and gizzards. Additionally, liver is a crucial element in this diet, though it is typically recommended to feed no more than 5% of the total raw meat volume to ensure it doesn't overwhelm the cat's diet.

Cartilage, chicken necks, quail bones, and other cartilaginous tissues are also important to include. You can safely offer these bones whole, or if your cat is not fond of them, you can substitute with calciumrich supplements like eggshell powder.

How to Transition Your Feline Friend to a Raw Meat Diet?

Starting your cat on a raw meat diet can be a daunting step.

Step 1:

Before diving in, it's a good idea to feed your cat 35 days of canned wet food as their primary diet. This helps them get accustomed to the idea that their meals are about to undergo a significant change!

Step 2:

Begin by not overwhelming your cat with a full raw meat meal. Start with simple chicken breasts and gradually introduce them alongside the canned wet food. As your cat becomes accustomed, you can introduce organs like liver and heart, always mixed with canned food to help them adjust to the flavors. If you're concerned about the taste, you can gently steam the organs before mixing them with the canned food.

Step 3:

Maintain this mixed feeding for about one to two weeks. Once your cat has adapted to raw meat, you can start preparing complete raw meat meals. Choose meats based on your cat's preferences and nutritional needs, such as chicken, duck, venison, or beef. Common organ combinations include chicken hearts, gizzards, duck gizzards, chicken liver, and beef kidneys. Soft bones like chicken or duck necks or whole young chickens can be offered raw. Generally, the recommended amount of raw meat in a cat's diet is 4%6% of their body weight, with feeding divided into 23 meals per day for adult cats. You can mix raw meat with canned food and establish a consistent feeding schedule, ideally every 45 hours. Using a kitchen scale for precise measurement is advisable.

When preparing the raw meat, cut larger pieces or organs into smaller, manageable sizes for your cat. You can also add additional nutrients like raw egg yolks, which are beneficial for coat health and nutrition, but should be fed in moderation due to their high cholesterol content. Eggshell powder can be added to supplement calcium, and omega3 fatty acids, which can be a challenge if your cat dislikes fish, are also important. These can usually be found at your local pet store.

Important Considerations for Feeding Raw Meat

1. Regular Deworming:

Since raw meat can carry parasites, it's crucial to deworm your cat regularly, ideally every 23 months, or more frequently if your cat is an outdoor cat.

2. Storage of Raw Meat:

All meats must be frozen before use. Once portioned for feeding, store them in the freezer. It's best to leave them in the refrigerator for 72 hours before serving.

3. Feeding Times:

Due to the risk of spoilage, raw meat should be fed within 30 minutes. This is especially important during warmer months to prevent your cat from experiencing stomach upset.