Raw Cat Food - Benefits and Risks

The raw cat food trend has been growing steadily over the last few years. As cat owners seek healthier ways to provide their feline friends with the best nutrition possible, the cat raw food diet has become very popular. Recent stories about tainted pet food have prompted many cat owners to make the switch to raw food.

So, what exactly is raw cat food? Raw feline food consists of primarily of uncooked meat (chicken, fish, turkey, organ meats), soft bones, and a few cat safe vegetables. Raw food enthusiasts emphasize that a diet composed of uncooked meat is the type of diet that cats can digest most effectively.

In the wild, felines eat mice and other small rodents, which supply their complete dietary needs. Cats’ bodies are designed to function best on high protein, high fat meals. Raw cat food mimics natural wild food and is high in protein, fiber, fat, and much needed moisture.

Commercial cat food (especially dry cat food) tends to be high in carbohydrates and grains, both of which can cause digestive problems in cats. Store bought dry cat food also lacks adequate moisture that cats need and can lead to feline urinary tract infections and kidney stones. To make matters worse, some prepared cat food contains harmful preservatives and colorants that can aggravate feline allergies.

However, some cat owners are turned off by the thought of feeding their cats’ raw, uncooked meat. If you’ve never had to grind and prepare raw meat meals, it can be a bit daunting the first time. And some veterinarians have doubts about the safety of a cat raw food diet.

When deciding whether or not the feline raw food lifestyle is right for you and your cat, it’s best to look at the potential rewards and risks of the diet. Here’s a list of a few benefits and possible pitfalls of the raw food lifestyle for both humans and cats.

Kittens' Special Needs

Kittens can tolerate raw food diets. They may need to have meats pureed a bit finer than adult cats. And bones can be more problematic for delicate kitten teeth. Soft boned fish such as sardines can be given to kittens to supply needed calcium. Keep in mind, kittens require higher levels of protein and adult cats. So, they may require more frequent feedings than fully grown cats.

Benefits of Raw Food

• Increased amounts of energy in cats
• A lowered risk of urinary tract infections
• Glossy, shiny fur
• Fewer problems with cat allergies
• Increased feline immunity
• Control of what your cat is eating
• Less expensive than canned or dry food

• Potential bacterial contamination from mishandling meat
• Risk of parasites in meat
• Risk of damage to cat teeth from hard bones
• Diet may lack essential vitamins/minerals cats need
• Meals require more prep time
• Lots of trial and error to see what meat your cat likes
• Possible food rejection by cats

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