Choosing the purr-fect diet for your cat as a feline parent can be very challenging. You must balance the desire to provide your cat with what they need while handling their demanding nature. Amidst the confusion, raw cat food has become all the rage amongst some cat parents.
Your cat’s ancestors ate a raw diet in the wild, but is your kitty made for such a diet? Because your cat is a predator naturally, feeding it raw food seems to be ideal.
The benefits of a raw food diet for cats include improved digestion, an increase in energy, and better skin and coat health. With the correct preparation, raw cat food can provide all the essential nutrients that your whisker requires to remain healthy and happy.
In this blog, we will discuss the 10 best raw foods for cats that make a balanced diet.
Let's dive in!
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Raw Cat Food: Understanding What It is
Before we jump to the best raw foods for your fluffball, don't you want to know what a raw food diet for cats is?
Raw cat food is basically uncooked and unprocessed food that is obtained from raw ingredients. Uncooked meat, fish, and organs are used as the main ingredients while preparing raw dry cat food.
For food to be truly considered as “raw” it shouldn't be processed using heat. The raw food diet for cats is also known as BARF which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. The main idea behind feeding your cat a raw diet is that they receive a diet that somewhat resembles the diet in the wild.
Most cat food manufacturers are now offering raw food diets making it very easy for feline fanatics to feed their whiskers a raw food diet.
Raw Cat Food: Pros And Cons
While raw food diet for cats has gained a lot of traction it comes with its own set of pros and cons.
Let's look at the pros first.
More nutritious
If prepared correctly, raw cat food proves to be more nutritious than kibble. A raw diet consists of raw ingredients and is free from artificial colors and flavors. They are a perfect balance of fats, protein, and calories. With raw cat food, your whisker won't be required to rely on any fillers.
Facilitates healthy digestion and quality of stool
Your cat's digestive system is designed for a meat-based diet. They may need help to digest the fillers and supplements that are included in commercial foods. Because a raw diet is similar to what they would have in the wild, it is easily accepted by their digestive system.
Cats have a small and highly acidic digestive tract. Raw cat food takes less time to get digested. This in turn provides very little time for the bacteria to grow in your whisker’s tummy, reducing the chances of food poisoning.
A study in 2022 proved that kittens who were fed a raw rabbit diet had better stool quality than those fed dry cat food. Commercially available dry cat food has higher amounts of carbohydrates that your cats do not easily digest.
Better skin and coat health
The essential fatty acids in the raw food diet tend to make your cat’s skin and coat shinier and silkier.
Though there are quite convincing advantages to feeding your feline friend a raw food diet, there are a few cons as well.
Heavy on the pocket
Raw food diets for cats are a little expensive. This happens especially when you are experimenting with which raw diet your finicky whisker prefers best. You can save money by preparing a homemade raw diet. But make sure you feed your cat a nutritionally complete diet.
Note: A raw diet also needs additional supplements added to it. Taurine is one important supplement that you need to add to your cat's diet. It's an essential amino acid that cats require for better eye and heart health.
Preparation
Many feline parents turn their noses up when it comes to dicing chicken hearts and liver. It is a little unappetizing.
Storage and shelf life
Storing a raw food diet for cats can be very tricky and difficult. Homemade and commercially available raw foods take up much space in your refrigerator. Compared to kibble and other processed cat foods, they have a shorter shelf life.
10 Best Raw Foods For Cats That Make A Balanced Diet
Raw cat food is available in two main forms. Some cat parents prefer to make their own raw food while others depend on commercially available options. We have listed down a mix of options that make a balanced diet for your fluffballs.
1. Chicken Thighs With Bone
This meal is a nutritional mix of chicken thighs with bone, heart, liver, egg shells, taurine, salmon oil, essential vitamins, iodized salt, and spring water. You must take only the right quantity of all the ingredients and grind them well before feeding them to your cat.
2. Rabbit Meat and Poultry
This is a bowl full of happy ingredients that your whisker will surely enjoy. It contains rabbit carcass, eggshells, chicken thighs, animal kidney, salmon oil, vitamins, and supplements. It is important to grind them well with water and then feed them to your cat.
3. Raw Chicken And Salmon
Raw chicken wings, 1 whole egg, raw salmon, chicken heart, liver, kidney, and supplements like taurine go into the preparation of this meal. If for any reason you are unable to grind these ingredients together, you can puree the organs with water and egg.
4. Raw Cat Food
Consisting of raw boneless protein, animal liver, kidney, eggshell powder, salmon oil, spring water, and, vitamin and supplement mix, this bowl full of nutrients makes the purr-fect raw cat food. This recipe can be fed ground or as chunks.
5. Single Served Cooked Chicken and Rice
This meal consists of cooked chicken breast that may occasionally be added to your raw diet. A mixture of raw ingredients of your choice along with steamed rice can be a good change for your whisker.
6. Raw pork
Combine raw boneless pork with egg shells, chicken liver, beef kidney, salmon oil, egg yolk, and essential vitamins and supplements.
Note: The fat content of your cat's meal here will be influenced by the type of meal you choose. Going for pork loin, known for its lower fat content, is an excellent choice for introducing your cat to raw food. If your cat requires additional calories or fat, consider replacing some of the pork with raw chicken thigh, including the skin.
7. Fish
Your cat can consume fish up to 3 times a week. You can add either whole fish to your cat's meal or give them a tin of sardines in spring water.
8. Happy Cat Minkas Duo With Beef And Rabbit
Happy Cat Minkas Duo With Beef And Rabbit consists of high-quality ingredients and proteins that will make the perfect raw food diet for your cat. It is easy to digest and not heavy on your cat's digestive system.
9. Whiskas Pouch Bites Beef Liver In Gravy\
Whiskas Tender Bites Beef in Gravy provides as a wonderful source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals to nourish your cat. Its delicious flavor is enhanced, particularly when served in its natural juices.
10. Minkas Duo With Poultry And Salmon
Happy Cat Minkas Duo With Poultry And Salmon is rich in premium protein, omega 3, and omega 6 fatty acids. This raw food is perfect for your finicky cats.
FAQs: 10 Best Raw Diet For Cats That Will Keep Your Cats Healthy
Where can you find a raw food diet for cats?
In case you do not know how to make cat food, there are plenty of commercially available raw food diet for cats.
Maryam’s pet can be your one-stop solution for everything that your cat will require.
Is the raw food diet for cats complete and balanced?
When purchasing raw cat food from a store, it's crucial to check the label for the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement. If the product lacks a declaration of being complete and balanced, it's necessary to invest in a nutritional supplement or vitamin that can be added to your kitty’s diet. If you choose to prepare homemade raw cat food, it's important to find recipes that have all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
How should you transition to a raw diet?
The transition from dry cat food to a completely raw diet will take time to happen. Start with adding 25% raw food to 75% of their current diet for a few days. As your kitty becomes familiar with this blend, raise the portion of raw food every 3 days until it fully becomes a raw diet.
Note: Many whiskers have a sensitive digestive system. Before introducing raw food to your kitty, make sure you consult your vet.
Conclusion
Changing your cat's food should not be taken lightly. Since most cats resist change, be sure that the raw food that you provide contains the nutrients that your cat needs. It's better to measure the pros and cons and understand what's best for your kitty and you.
If you're confused about transitioning your cat to a raw food diet, we advise conducting thorough research beforehand. While our article serves as a good starting point, it's important to explore various other resources before committing to a fully raw diet. If uncertain, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian and seek their guidance.
