Raw Fed Cat: Pros & Cons
Raw feeding has gained popularity among pet owners looking to provide their animals with a more natural and potentially healthier diet. However, it’s no secret that it’s controversial in the space - with people vehemently for or against it.
Advocates of raw feeding often tout its numerous benefits, while critics warn of potential risks. This blog post shares why we raw feed when we can, and highly suggest it for our new pet parents, but we also completely understand the wariness around it.
I hope this is helpful! ❤️
Reminder: I’m not a pet nutritionist and cannot help formulating. I am just posting my opinions about raw feeding and what we do. I’ve read pretty extensively about it but I am, by no means, a super expert. :) I recommend @feministkitty on TikTok to get good insights about cat nutrition.
A fun little meal we made with Viva Raw Chicken for Cats, Native Pet Bone Broth (frozen for summer), Vital Essentials Raw Minnows, and Dancing Tail Freeze-Dried Egg yolk.
Pros of Raw Feeding
1. Improved Nutrients
Most food commercially available for pets is very processed, with good nutrients being lost in high heat/high-pressure processing. Raw diets typically include fresh meats, bones, fruits, and vegetables, which can lead to better digestion and nutrient absorption. Cats are obligate carnivores - stay far away from foods that fill their nutritional needs with starchy fillers and carbohydrates.
2. Healthier Skin and Coat
Many pet owners report that their animals develop shinier coats and healthier skin after switching to a raw diet, and that’s no different for us too! We saw less matting and less shedding when we started feeding raw. Natural oils and fats present in raw meats are considered to contribute to these improvements. All of our cats have shiny, soft fur.
3. Better Dental Health
It’s a myth that dry food helps with dental health in pets. They say that the hardness of the food helps break off plaque, but logically.. that doesn’t make sense. Dry food is full of carbohydrates, so imagine eating croutons every day as your dental care. On the other hand, raw pet foods contain natural live enzymes and “good” bacteria which help prevent plaque and tartar buildup!
4. Enhanced Energy Levels
We aren’t the ones to notice an increase in our pet’s energy levels and overall vitality after switching to a raw diet! The higher protein content and absence of fillers found in many commercial pet foods may contribute to this boost in energy.
5. Weight Management
Raw feeding allows for better control over portion sizes and nutrient intake, which can help manage a pet's weight. Pets on a raw diet are often leaner and more muscular, which is beneficial for their overall health and longevity.
6. No More Stink!
Cats have an easier time digesting more natural food. Everything they digest will be properly utilized because raw food does not have common fillers and additives. This results in firmer, more compact stools with reduced odor (and less pooping as well)! On top of that, raw food is much higher in moisture, to keep your cat hydrated. Isn’t that awesome? I would also suggest adding probiotics to support a happy, healthy gut. :)
Cons of Raw Feeding
1. Potential Nutritional Imbalance
One of the significant concerns with raw feeding is the risk of nutritional imbalance. A lot of conventional frameworks (like 80-10-10 and prey model) tend to veer that way due to the difficulty of knowing 100% of the nutrient composition of the ingredients. Many ratio diets are rough estimates, and it is easy to miss critical nutrients. This is why we use commercially available raw food that is finished and completed (or we utilize completers, such as EZComplete and Dr. Harvey’s). Balancing over time is also difficult for many people to do as well. Oftentimes, people tend to feed their pets the same thing every day.
2. Risk of Bacterial Contamination
Raw meat can harbor harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli, which pose health risks. It’s important to remember that ALL food can harbor bacteria - it’s not uncommon for dry food and wet food companies to recall due to contamination for the same reasons.
Your cat can handle a lot more bacteria (they do lick their butts). The risk of contamination is more crucial for humans. Proper handling, storage, and sourcing of raw ingredients help minimize these risks. Treat raw food for pets the same way you treat raw food for humans (before cooking) — Wash hands and surfaces, and don’t let it sit out too long.
3. Cost and Convenience
Preparing a balanced raw diet can be time-consuming and expensive! But for one or two cats, it may not be too different from feeding a high-quality wet food. We did the calculations for our cattery, and it makes sense for us to keep part of the cattery on partial raw since we love the benefits.
High-quality meats and fresh produce can cost significantly more than commercial pet foods. Additionally, the preparation and storage of raw meals require careful attention to hygiene and safety. There are many guides online on preparing and completing your raw food. If you want to go the commercial route, we have a 20% off coupon with Viva Raw: SUNKITTENS.
YES, babies can be safely weaned off mom immediately onto raw.
In Conclusion..
Raw feeding has its share of passionate advocates and cautious critics, that’s for sure! While many pet owners have observed significant health improvements in their pets, the potential risks and challenges are important to be considerate of.
For us, the lifetime benefits of feeding raw will always outweigh the risks. I strongly suggest our pet parents consider continuing their kittens on a lifetime of raw feeding. I also understand that it depends strongly on your lifestyle and what you’re able to provide, so it’s okay if you’ve found something else that works for you.
We’ll be here to support you and answer any questions you may have.