{"id":13769,"date":"2023-04-05T08:36:05","date_gmt":"2023-04-05T07:36:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=13769"},"modified":"2023-03-28T18:55:58","modified_gmt":"2023-03-28T17:55:58","slug":"what-raw-meats-can-i-give-my-cat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/what-raw-meats-can-i-give-my-cat\/","title":{"rendered":"What Raw Meats Can I Give My Cat?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/history-of-cats\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">natural<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> carnivores. In nature, their diets mainly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/cat-care\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">consist of meat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and other meat-based products. This means that their nutritional needs will vary from those of other animals. Raw foods can help<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thelittlecarnivore.com\/en\/blog\/proteins-and-raw-diet-for-cats-nutrition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> supplement nutritional values<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not found in ordinary, commercial cat food and provide benefits that aid in both cognitive and physical health<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To know more about raw meats in cat diets, here are some that you can give your cat and the benefits of raw meat for their diets.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='raw-meat-for-cats-and-how-does-it-benefit-them'><b>Raw Meat for Cats, and How Does It Benefit Them?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This refers to meat that is not cooked or processed. A raw food diet usually has raw meat, organs, and occasionally, raw and ground bones. The most common natural raw food served to cats is chicken, but cats can also eat other <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/how-to-cook-eggs-for-cats\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">raw foods<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raw food diets are low in carbohydrates and high in protein. It also provides cats with physical benefits, such as;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improved skin and fur<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stronger joints and bones<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improved digestion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improved oral health<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Better renal health<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helps in mainting weight<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats need a lot of protein in their diets than other animals; they get most of their energy from protein rather than carbs. Arachidonic acid, vitamin A, vitamin D, and numerous B vitamins must also be present in cat diets in appropriate quantities, as a few specific amino acids, most notably taurin. A balanced diet of raw, canned, and dry food can provide the proper nutrients and vitamins a cat needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='raw-meats-suitable-for-cats%c2%a0'><b>Raw Meats Suitable for Cats\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a lot of raw meats that cats can eat. It may be cheap steak cuts, free-range, locally butchered meat, and organic. The general rule for feeding raw meats to cats is to choose human-grade meats, as these will provide proper nutrients. Here is a table of common raw meats to serve to cats, their nutritional value, and how often you should give and serve them.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Type of Raw Meat<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Nutritional Value<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>How Often in a week<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>How to serve<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Salmon<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contains omega three fatty acids (for cat fur and coat, and immune system), potassium, Vit. B, Selenium, and Niacin<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1-2\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remove head, tail, slice, and debone.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Chicken<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contains protein, selenium, niacin, phosphorus, and Vit. B6 and B12. Protein from chicken aids cats&#8217; muscle and tissue repair<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1-2<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cut breast or thighs and remove bones\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Duck<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is High in protein and a good source of Vit. B, Zinc, and Iron<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Occasionally<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cut breast or thighs \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and remove bones, skin, and fat<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Lamb<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Has heme-iron (for proper iron absorption) and Vit. B12 for neurological support and brain growth<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Occasionally<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">heart, kidney, and flesh in small servings. Remove fat<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Turkey<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High in protein and low in fat<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Occasionally<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breasts, wings, and legs, and cut into chunks.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Beef<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High in protein<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fresh beef only, cut into chunks<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serving these foods in rotation with other accompanying food, such as dry or wet, is ideal for achieving a more balanced diet. Cat\u2019s raw diets should be around <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3Vj7Y9l7sH8&amp;t=340s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30% to 50%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of their daily meal. Consider alternating particular raw foods with other choices or giving them as treats to avoid nutritional deficiencies.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='how-to-safely-serve-raw-food-for-cats'><b>How To Safely Serve Raw Food For Cats<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are always risks when handling raw meat. Below are practices that can help you safely prepare raw meat for your cat&#8217;s consumption:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3 id='get-fresh-meat-from-reputable-sources'><b>Get Fresh Meat From Reputable Sources<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The appropriate raw meat for your cat should be human-grade, fresh, and free from preservatives. Only get your raw meat where you know where they source it, how they clean it, and how they butcher it. Avoid meat sourced in unnatural ways, such as wild animals.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3 id='don%e2%80%99t-wash-raw-meat'><b>Don\u2019t Wash Raw Meat<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Washing raw meat can spread bacteria around your area, especially when handling chicken. Use a clean paper towel and pat dry the raw meat.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3 id='clean-your-hands-and-kitchen-utensils-before-preparing'><b>Clean Your Hands and Kitchen Utensils Before Preparing<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improper cleaning and handling of raw meat can cause contamination. Wash your hands in warm water with soap to avoid cross-contamination before and after handling raw meat. Also, wash your cat\u2019s pet dish before and after serving raw meat to eliminate lingering bacteria. Use hot, soapy water or use a dishwasher.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3 id='use-gloves-and-appropriate-utensils'><b>Use Gloves, and Appropriate Utensils<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prepare separate sets of gloves, stainless steel bowls, and kitchen utensils that will be used for your cat\u2019s raw food preparation. This avoids cross-contamination from your food to your cat\u2019s food.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3 id='disinfect-your-preparation-area-before-and-after-serving-raw-meat'><b>Disinfect Your Preparation Area Before and After Serving Raw Meat<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clean your preparation area before and after serving raw meat to your cat. This includes kitchen table tops where you prepared your cat&#8217;s food and floor areas where your cat ate their raw food.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3 id='store-raw-meat-in-small-containers-and-store-it-in-freezers'><b>Store Raw Meat in Small Containers and Store it in Freezers<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you plan on feeding your cat raw meat for the week, prepare raw food in small containers to avoid freezing and defrosting raw meat. This causes the meat to lose its freshness and develop bacterial contamination. The appropriate temperature for frozen meat is 5C.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3 id='slowly-defrost-raw-meat'><b>Slowly Defrost Raw Meat<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Never defrost frozen meat at room temperate; this causes the meat to spoil quickly, becoming harder to eat. Defrost raw meat overnight in the refrigerator before serving it to cats.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3 id='dispose-of-uneaten-raw-food'><b>Dispose of Uneaten Raw Food<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike dry cat food, leaving raw meat out for more than 20 minutes causes bacteria to multiply quickly &#8211; especially in a warm environment. To avoid your cat getting sick and spreading unwanted bacteria, dispose of raw meat that your cat didn&#8217;t eat after 20 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='final-words'><b>Final Words<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall, feeding your cat raw meat can allow them to explore <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/littlebigcat.com\/avma-vs-raw-food\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">different palate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s. Think of it as treats that you can reward now and then. However, a cat\u2019s diet doesn&#8217;t live on raw meat alone, and it&#8217;s a cat owner\u2019s responsibility to supply the right amount of food.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your cat&#8217;s diet. They can provide personalized recommendations and ensure your cat gets the proper nutrition. Ultimately, what matters most is your cat&#8217;s well-being, and health.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='frequently-asked-questions'><b>Frequently Asked Questions:<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3 id='when-can-i-start-feeding-my-cat-raw-meat'><b>When can I start feeding my cat raw meat?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats are picky eaters and quickly adapt to the food they are given. You can start by giving them small chunks of raw meat as a kitten. However, only start a raw diet on kittens at 20 weeks as their immune system is still developing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='is-raw-food-diet-safe-for-cats'><b>Is raw food diet safe for cats?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, yes, but bacterial contamination risks include salmonella and E.coli. You can avoid contamination by using clean storage practices and only getting fresh meat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There&#8217;s not much to worry about since cats are less susceptive to bacteria due to their short gastrointestinal systems<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='can-i-feed-my-cat-raw-meat-from-the-grocery-store'><b>Can I feed my cat raw meat from the grocery store<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, it is safe to feed your cat raw meat, as long as it&#8217;s hygienically prepared.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='will-my-cat-be-healthier-with-raw-meat-diet'><b>Will my cat be healthier with raw meat diet?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raw diets have more moisture than any other diet. This can help cats with renal or urinary tract problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Better renal and urinary health can help your cats absorb more protein and help in bowel movements<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='what-raw-meat-is-not-allowed-for-cats'><b>What raw meat is not allowed for cats?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tuna. It contains the enzyme thiaminase. It destroys essential B vitamins inside a cat&#8217;s body.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='should-i-give-my-cats-raw-food-with-bones'><b>Should I give my cats raw food with bones?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, but cooked bones can cause broken teeth, stomach and intestinal problems. However, monitor your cat when giving them bones; it can also cause choking.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='references'><b>References:<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coates, J. (2021, January 19). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raw Cat Food Diets<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. PetMD. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/cat\/nutrition\/can-cats-have-raw-food-diet<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lee, K. (2022, June 3). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can Cats Eat Salmon? Is Salmon Good for Cats?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Alaskan Salmon Company. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https:\/\/aksalmonco.com\/blogs\/learn\/can-cats-eat-salmon<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malik, R. (n.d.). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Controversies in Feline Nutrition &#8211; WSAVA2009<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. VIN. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https:\/\/www.vin.com\/apputil\/content\/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=11290&amp;catId=33318&amp;id=4252702&amp;ind=179&amp;objTypeID=17&amp;print=1<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should You Feed Your Cat a Raw Diet? 11 Questions to Ask First | RAWZ<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (n.d.). Rawz. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https:\/\/rawznaturalpetfood.com\/raw-food-diet-cats\/<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should You Feed Your Cat a Raw Diet? 11 Questions to Ask First | RAWZ<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (n.d.). Rawz. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https:\/\/rawznaturalpetfood.com\/raw-food-diet-cats\/<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smargiasso, C. (2021, May 1). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats and Meat: Can Cats Eat Chicken, Pork, Beef, and Other Meats?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Petcube. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https:\/\/petcube.com\/blog\/can-cats-eat-meat\/#cancatseatduck<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watani, H., &amp; Cabana, F. (2021, October 21). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Raw Meat Can Cats Eat? \u2013 PetCubes<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. PetCubes. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https:\/\/www.petcubes.com\/blogs\/raw-feeding-guide-cats\/what-raw-meat-can-cats-eat#how_do_i_get_my_cat_started_on_a_raw_diet?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wilson, J. (n.d.). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can Cats Eat Raw Meat? Pros &amp; Cons of Raw Feeding<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Cat-World. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https:\/\/cat-world.com\/feeding-cats-raw-meat\/<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cats are natural carnivores. In nature, their diets mainly consist of meat and other meat-based products. This means that their nutritional needs will vary from those of other animals. Raw foods can help supplement nutritional values not found in ordinary, commercial cat food and provide benefits that aid in both cognitive and physical health To [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/what-raw-meats-can-i-give-my-cat\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from What Raw Meats Can I Give My Cat?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":13770,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cats","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13769"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13769\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}