{"id":21348,"date":"2022-08-02T06:25:46","date_gmt":"2022-08-02T12:25:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/?p=21348"},"modified":"2022-08-02T06:25:48","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T12:25:48","slug":"raw-diet-for-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/cats\/raw-diet-for-cats","title":{"rendered":"Is a Raw Food Diet Good for Your Cat?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re a cat lover, you know just how finicky your little feline can be about their diet. You might also know that domestic cats are what are called obligate carnivores, much like their wild ancestors. That means they need a diet high that consists mainly of animal protein to meet their nutritional needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, their systems can\u2019t process most vegetable matter, but does that mean you should be food raw food to your little mouser?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Raw Meat Better for Your Cat?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Cats don\u2019t use carbohydrates as a source of energy; they only use animal protein, but that doesn\u2019t mean the protein source has to be from raw food, and it\u2019s not the only thing your cat needs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While a raw diet can be nutritionally sound for your kitty, there are also commercial cat foods that provide them with the nutrients they need from cooked protein sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at what you need to consider about your cat\u2019s diet requirements, no matter which type of food you feed your little feline friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water Content<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cats typically get the majority of their water directly from their food<\/a>. If you\u2019re feeding kibble, that\u2019s very low in water content. Cooked, canned cat food, however, provides as much or more water when compared to a raw cat food diet. That\u2019s an important consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-Quality Ingredients<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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It\u2019s important to realize that uncooked food doesn\u2019t necessarily mean the same thing as high-quality or easily digestible food. Cooking can actually increase the nutritional value of some foods. A great example is raw seafood. Raw seafood has an enzyme called thiaminase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thiaminase actually breaks down thiamine, which is an important B vitamin. If your little feline friend is eating mostly raw seafood, he could be at risk for a thiamine deficiency. If your cat is deficient in thiamine<\/a>, he could have symptoms that include a poor appetite, seizures, and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you cook seafood, however, that breaks down the thiaminase, which makes the seafood safer for your cat. If you\u2019re feeding raw food, you\u2019ll want to investigate which foods are safe and which might be better cooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What About the Nutritional Value of Raw Food?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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While many pet parents are getting on the \u201craw is better\u201d bandwagon, you should know that there is no scientific study that has ever shown raw food to be more nutritious than other types of cat food.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it is true that a high-quality raw food diet would definitely be superior to a low-quality processed food diet, you could easily get the same results by simply switching to high-quality canned food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also important to realize that not all raw diet foods are the same. There are also some raw diets that are low-quality, and some can even be dangerous for both your cat and you (see below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most important thing to consider about your cat\u2019s diet is that he needs more than just animal protein. He also needs certain fatty acids like omega-6 and omega-3, amino acids such as taurine, arachidonic acid, calcium, and vitamins A, D, and several B vitamins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter what kind of raw food you\u2019re feeding, you want to ensure those nutrients are part of the recipe in sufficient amounts for him to be healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Homemade Raw Cat Food Better than Commercial?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If you are considering feeding raw cat food, you might be wondering if it would be better to make it yourself as opposed to buying commercial raw food. Once again, there are a few things you need to consider. Let\u2019s explore each option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homemade Raw Cat Food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you make your own cat food, you definitely have better control over exactly what they eat, which is what some pet parents love. However, it\u2019s important to know that while your kitty is an obligate carnivore, meat is not enough. He\u2019s going to need more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like with humans, your cat needs a balance of certain nutrients, including amino acids, fats, vitamins, and minerals. That\u2019s why you\u2019ll want to use a combination of meat, internal organs, and vitamin and mineral supplements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, the recipes for a nutritionally complete raw cat food diet are complex, and research has shown<\/a> that one of the biggest risks associated with home-prepared raw pet food diets is malnutrition. Even if you have a veterinary nutritionist prepare your cat\u2019s recipes, it\u2019s common for cat parents to stray from the recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What About Commerical Raw Cat Food?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Commercial brands of raw pet food definitely take the guesswork out of it for the pet parents, and there are many reputable manufacturers who stick to the recommended guidelines laid out by the Association of American Feed Control Officials<\/a> (AAFCO).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you go commercial, you can ensure you\u2019re feeding a brand with the AAFCO\u2019s statement of nutritional adequacy on the food label. They assess cat food brands to ensure they meet their nutritional requirements to fulfill the needs of cats at all life stages, whether they are adult cats, kittens, or older cats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you see their statement, you can be confident that the brand you\u2019re feeding conforms to their standards. That means your kitty will get his basic nutritional needs met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is BARF, and What Does it Mean?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re thinking about feeding raw, you might have heard the acronym BARF. It is often used to describe certain raw cat foods. It has two possible translations: Biologically appropriate raw foods or bones and raw foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proponents of BARF would argue that it\u2019s important to include raw bone and organ meat in your raw food recipe. They would say this is how you can create a balanced diet for your feline buddy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it is true those ingredients can add nutritional benefits to your cat\u2019s raw meals, you can achieve similar results by feeding simply raw muscle meat and adding other supplements to make up for the lack of bone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are There Any Dangers to Feeding Raw Food?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There are definitely some concerns you need to know about when feeding raw meat to your cat. Specifically, there are three main concerns to look out for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Pathogen risks to both your cat and you<\/li>
  2. Nutritional imbalance in your raw food recipe<\/li>
  3. Foreign bodies, like bones, can cause serious health problems<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Let\u2019s Talk About Pathogen Risks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    We\u2019ve already discussed the need to make sure you\u2019re feeding a nutritionally complete raw food recipe and how you can avoid a problem with foreign bodies by supplementing your muscle meat recipe. So let\u2019s turn our attention to the biggest risk of feeding raw food \u2013 pathogens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Pathogens are disease-causing organisms like bacteria, and these will be the biggest threat to both you and your cat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have all taken a stand against feeding raw food diets to cats or dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Their number one concern was the presence of dangerous bacteria in raw pet food products. They surveyed several commercial raw pet food<\/a> products and found that nearly 25% tested positive for harmful bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The following are the bacteria that were found in several brands:<\/p>\n\n\n\n