Domestic cats are carnivorous animals like their wild counterparts and require a diet rich in proteins and fats – such as what raw food provides – in order to remain healthy.
Raw dieters frequently create their own recipes. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know whether these homemade meals provide adequate nutrition.
At Instinct Foods, our commercial raw diet can provide the solution. Freeze-dried raw foods reduce bacteria risk while providing a complete and nutritious meal plan.
1. Improved Digestion
Raw diets align more closely with what their wild ancestors would eat, leading to healthier pets in many pet owners’ eyes. Proponents claim that raw diets contain enzymes destroyed during commercial food’s cooking process that help improve digestion in cats; however, studies have not substantiated this assertion. In addition, raw foods can introduce dangerous pathogens for both cats and their human handlers, including Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes bacteria which are especially risky to human health and may result in vomiting, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite or even death!
As felines are naturally carnivorous animals, their digestive systems have evolved to digest meat-rich diets easily and digest them completely. Furthermore, raw diets contain higher moisture levels which helps ensure your cat remains well hydrated reducing risks of bladder disease, cystitis, kidney stones or crystals forming in their urinary tract.
Before changing to a raw diet for your cat, consult with your veterinarian to ensure it will fulfill their dietary needs. Transition gradually by beginning with grain-free kibble and gradually adding in raw ingredients – some raw diets come nutritionally balanced while others require you to create homemade recipes with extra vitamins/minerals (such as taurine). Look for food tested by veterinary nutritionists so that your feline gets all they require for good health.
2. Better Skin & Coat
Raw diets offer an alternative to commercial pet food that more closely mirrors what natural carnivorous cats would eat in the wild, and therefore many cats on such a diet tend to experience healthier skin and coats due to an increase in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids intake as well as less carbohydrates which cause itchy skin conditions.
As previously discussed, raw diets are generally easier for your cat to digest than cooked or processed foods due to containing meat and bone that he or she is used to eating in nature. Furthermore, chewing on an appropriately sized raw meaty bone activates digestive enzymes so nutrients are more easily absorbed into their systems. In addition, raw meals provide ample calcium and phosphorous levels in appropriate ratios that support bone health in your feline friend.
Heat processing-free pet foods have also been shown to significantly improve kidney function in cats. This is because heat processing alters the amino acid profile of proteins, making them harder for their kidneys to metabolize and process; especially true if your cat has any form of renal impairment such as chronic renal failure.
3. Less Hairballs
If your cat tends to develop hairballs, switching to a raw food diet could be the solution. Cats are obligate carnivores with acidic digestive systems designed for processing raw meat proteins efficiently; Stella & Chewy’s raw meals offer all of these proteins necessary for healthy digestive tracts as well as firmer stool production that puts gentle pressure on their anal glands which helps to keep things tidy and clean.
Raw diets contain far fewer carbohydrates and sugars that feed unhealthy mouth bacteria, helping control tartar buildup, gum disease and overall oral health issues. Plus, animal teeth contain vital glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health benefits.
Raw foods provide cats with much higher amounts of protein and functional fats, providing more energy to fuel their bodies – leading to greater caloric expenditure and weight loss.
There may be risks involved with feeding your cat a raw diet, but they can usually be reduced through proper handling and storage of their food. Always wear gloves when handling raw meals for your pet and designate an area in your kitchen as their designated storage, preparation and service location; consider setting aside specific kitchen utensils like mixing bowls or carving knives specifically for this task as well. It’s also wise not to let children, elderly individuals or immunocompromised pets handle raw food directly.
4. Increased Energy
Many pet parents notice their cat’s energy level increase upon switching to a raw diet, due to the additional nutrients it contains compared to processed food. Raw meals offer high-quality proteins from muscle meat, organs and bones while they also supply important amino acids, vitamins, and minerals; bones include additional benefits that provide glucosamine and chondroitin that promote joint health in cats.
Raw diets also can help your cat maintain healthier teeth by helping remove plaque and tartar build-up while potentially preventing gum disease. Furthermore, eliminating carbohydrates may reduce frequent and unpleasant bowel movements while improving digestive processes overall.
Note that not all raw food is created equal. Be sure to opt for diets which have undergone AAFCO feeding trials and been designed by or recommended by a veterinarian nutritionist, while some diets require supplementation with taurine as cats cannot produce this essential nutrient from protein alone.
Be certain to take precautions when handling raw food, ensuring it remains in an sanitary environment and all surfaces, dishes, utensils and storage containers are disinfected using an antimicrobial solution that kills pathogens.
