Raw Feeding Cats

What is raw feeding?

Raw feeding is basically feeding your cat a more natural diet of raw meat, organs and bone. It’s based on the knowledge that cats are naturally carnivorous hunters and the nutrition they require comes from the bodies of other animals. Many people believe that feeding cats a raw food diet is closer to their natural diet and therefore better for the cat’s digestion, nutrition and overall health than commercial foods.

Reasons to feed raw

• It’s healthier – You have more control over what your cat eats and you can ensure they get all the nutrition they need without unnecessary ingredients.
• Cats are naturally carnivores – Raw food is closer to a cat’s natural diet and so they are better able to process the ingredients.
• Pet food allergies – Raw food strips away additives and fillers so sensitive pets are less likely to react with other ingredients.

Reasons not to feed raw

• Don’t have time – Learning to raw feed can be time intensive as you learn the nutritional requirements of your cat and how to prepare meals.
• Cat does not take to it – Some cats simply will not eat raw food no matter how hard you try.
• Can be more expensive than commercial food (but isn’t always) – It’s usually more expensive at first and costs decrease the longer you stick with it.

What you should know before raw feeding

Cats in the wild eat their prey whole. This means they digest the meat, organs, bone and even the contents of the prey’s digestive system. Each of these components contributes to the cat’s nutrition and you must emulate this balance when you feed raw.

Cats need taurine. Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats and they have a limited capability for producing it. It is strongly linked to many areas of a cat’s health and a taurine deficiency can cause severe health problems. Taurine is found in muscle meat so a well balanced raw food diet should contain sufficient amounts to keep your cat healthy. Grinding or freezing meat can reduce the amount of taurine that is available. Some people advocate supplementing a typical raw diet with taurine. For cats, taurine is non toxic and any excess is flushed out of the body.

Cats can be tricky to switch to a raw food diet. The natural pickiness of cats combined with the addictiveness of commercial foods mean some cats will resist unfamiliar foods. This can usually be overcome by persistence but it’s good to start slow and introduce raw food correctly for the best results.