Raw diets provide an optimal blend of nutrients compared to most kibble options, providing plenty of animal-derived proteins, species-appropriate fats and healthy carbs in one convenient package.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies thrive on a diet consisting of only raw meat. Raw foods can also be easier for their bodies to digest than conventional kibble diets.
1. Improved Digestion
Cats, being obligate carnivores, thrive when provided a diet comprised of raw foods – however it’s often challenging for Cat Parents to provide 100% raw meals to their cat.
One of the advantages of feeding your cat raw meat diet is improved digestion. A dry kibble diet produces large, bulky stools that may make digesting food difficult; in comparison, raw diet produces smaller and softer stools which are easier to digest.
Pet owners who grind their own meat for their cats to improve digestion may opt to grind the food themselves, making the experience more beneficial to both parties involved. When grinding food at home it is vital that proper food handling techniques are utilized so as to avoid bacteria contamination and possible illness; you also should invest in high quality grinders and store the food properly so it does not spoil.
2. Better Immune System
Raw diets offer your cat a more complete and balanced meal than commercial kibble, which may contain overprocessed ingredients lacking essential vitamins. Raw diets feature high quality meats with easily digestible proteins.
As cats are carnivorous creatures, their digestive enzymes have evolved to facilitate eating raw meat. A raw diet helps ensure smooth and effective digestion without bloat or gas – potentially helping reduce furballs as a side benefit!
Raw diets also tend to be naturally low in carbohydrates that fuel unhealthy bacteria in the mouth and can contribute to gum disease. Furthermore, their firm stools provide gentle pressure against anal glands to encourage them to express themselves naturally – bringing much-needed relief for many cat parents!
3. Weight Loss
Proponents of raw diets assert that cats are biologically designed to eat foods found in nature – including muscle meat, bone fragments, organs and other whole food sources.
Raw diets offer more than just healthier coats – they often support better digestion and help eliminate furballs altogether! Plus, well-rounded raw diets typically feature reduced carbohydrates that can aid in weight loss.
Ideal, pet parents should gradually introduce raw food over 7-10 days to minimize digestive upset. Furthermore, always use a sanitary stainless steel bowl and disinfect any items coming into contact with raw food to decrease cross contamination risks and illness risks.
4. Better Skin & Coat
Raw diets tend to be more digestible for cats, meaning more of their essential nutrients reach the intestinal tract where they are absorbed into their systems and utilized. Many pet parents have seen significant benefits when switching their cat or dog over to raw feedings.
Wild cats consume their prey intact, including bones. Raw food diets commonly include ground bone to provide calcium supplementation as well as vital nutritional fiber and key proteins.
Organ meats such as liver and kidney are included in raw diets to provide essential B vitamins, vitamin A and amino acids to cats. Commercial and homemade raw foods often add taurine as a supplement so as to avoid deficiency of this essential amino acid; in addition, cats on this type of diet tend to produce smaller and less smelly feces than their counterparts who don’t receive as many supplements.
5. Improved Dental Health
Domestic cats are known as obligate carnivores and must consume an animal protein-rich diet in order to fulfill their dietary requirements. A raw diet similar to that consumed by their wild counterparts may help support this need.
Many studies suggest that consuming raw foods helps with digestion, coat health and dental wellbeing. This could be because raw diets tend to be easier for our bodies to process than cooked diets.
Raw diets typically incorporate organ meats such as liver and heart that provide essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids, including taurine. Commercial raw cat food often offers taurine as a supplement; homemade raw diets may also supply this vital nutrient.
6. Better Bone Health
Raw diets may offer certain advantages for pet parents, including shiny coats, healthier teeth and weight loss. Although this may be true, pet owners must understand any possible risks involved with raw food diets as well.
Raw foods contain harmful pathogens that could potentially harm or even kill cats, so it’s crucial for cat parents to use proper hand hygiene when handling raw meals for their pet and only feed frozen meat to them. It is also necessary for cat parents to designate an area within their home where they store and prepare raw meals as well as regularly clean and disinfect their dishes and counter tops in order to avoid cross-contamination and spread of pathogens to other parts of the home.
7. Less Poop
As with humans, your pet’s digestive tract produces less waste when fed a raw diet compared to dry kibble, making life easier when it comes to sanitation and cleaning up after him or her.
Raw diets provide calcium and phosphorus in appropriate proportions for cat health. Offering appropriate sized bones will also help decrease tartar build-up.
Switching your pet over to a raw diet should be as seamless as possible, which can be achieved using commercially prepared and mixed diets. There are various companies who specialize in producing raw diets with added food safety measures like high pressure processing. You could also create one yourself if you have enough time and know-how.
