Add Raw Food to Your Cat's Diet
Although you may not appreciate a hunk of raw meat for dinner, your cat will gobble it up. In the wild, big cats rely on raw meat fresh from the hunt. This provides them with critical nutrients. Your small, docile domestic cat has the same hunting instincts and nutritional needs as a big cat. Incorporating raw food into your cat's diet is a safe and healthy way to give them a taste of the wild. It also provides more moisture than dry foods, which makes it easier on your cat's kidneys than dry food in the long run.
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Things You'll Need
- 16 oz. boneless chicken, minced
- 15 oz. boneless turkey, minced
- 8 oz. ground lamb or bison
- 8 oz. pound chicken or turkey heart, ground or minced
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 2 scrambled eggs
Instructions
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Make a list of healthy raw foods that provide the necessary nutrients for your cat. Protein is the most important ingredient. Several great protein sources for a homemade diet include boneless chicken, turkey, and ground lamb or bison. Chicken or turkey heart is also an excellent protein source. If you prefer some non-meat foods, substitute hard-boiled or scrambled eggs for the meat -- though keep in mind that cats are obligate carnivores who must have meat in their diet.
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Check the expiration date to make sure it will stay fresh for your cat's upcoming mealtimes; expired meat can make your cat sick.
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Purchase a variety of minced meats to keep your cat's palate entertained. This also ensures that your cat is getting all of the nutrients it needs. Purchase human-grade bone meal, a natural source of calcium. Big cats eat bones in the wild, but your cat may prefer ground bone, as it is easier on the teeth.
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Freeze the meat at -4 F for 72 hours prior to serving, this temperature kills parasites.
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Wash one to four ounces of meat thoroughly and serve. If your cat doesn't eat all of the meat right away, refrigerate it. Feed your cat two to three servings a day. Portions vary according to your cat's weight, other foods and the choice of meat.
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Tips & Warnings
Discuss your cat's new diet with your veterinarian before administering it.
Watch your cat's weight, coat, teeth and stool consistency to make sure everything seems healthy. If any of these change -- especially for the worse -- contact your veterinarian about the diet.
Avoid vitamin supplements unless your veterinarian approves them. Too much of a vitamin is detrimental to a cat's health.
References
- Photo Credit Cat-mother image by askimfox from Fotolia.com
