Do cats do well on a raw-food diet? Regular fresh or canned food cannot be substituted for uncooked meat or dairy in a raw diet. Selecting cat food may be very confusing, particularly in light of recent recalls of commercial pet foods. To ensure they are aware of precisely what is found in their cat's food, some owners decide to feed their pets diets that they have created at home. These diets made at home might be raw or cooked. To emulate a feline's natural diet in the wild, many owners choose to feed their pets raw food.
What Is a Cat's Raw Diet?
What Is a Cat's Raw Diet?
Giving cats uncooked animal products is known as a raw diet. This comprises bones, muscle meat, and organ meat. The acronym BARF, which means "bones and raw food" and "biologically appropriate raw food," is sometimes used to refer to this kind of diet.
Cats should make their raw food according to a thoroughly thought-out recipe. While commercial forms are additionally accessible, many cat owners opt to make these diets at home. If you decide to feed your cat raw food, be sure it's one that a veterinary nutritionist has decided is complete and well-balanced. An unbalanced diet puts cats at risk for many different health problems.
Why Even Consider It?
Cats are required to be carnivores. That is to say, in order for them to survive, they have to consume animal products. Carbohydrates and veggies are not very necessary for cats to eat. Actually, they have a limited tolerance for carbs. Rather, cats do better on high-protein, high-moisture meals that are full of nutrients that are exclusive to meat. This comprises fatty acids, other necessary vitamins and minerals, and amino acids like taurine.
Raw foodists contend that heating meat changes or reduces these essential nutrients. They support a diet that closely resembles what a cat would consume in the wild and is biologically acceptable. Small wild cats typically hunt and consume fish, birds, insects, reptiles, and rodents, among other small animals. The goal is to establish a comparable diet when it comes to giving your cat raw food.
Raw food diets for pets are a topic of great dispute. Proponents of raw food diets cite numerous health advantages, including improved overall health, shiny coats, cleaner teeth, and a reduction in obesity. Although the opposition has legitimate worries regarding the safety of raw food diets, these claims generally hold water.
Are raw foods safe for cats?
It's critical to understand that there are certain risks associated with giving your cat raw food. Pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause serious, potentially fatal diseases, can be found in raw food. The majority of these viruses are eliminated when food is cooked, which is why humans typically boil our meals.
Because of their shorter, more alkaline digestive tracts, cats frequently digest raw meals easier than humans. A cat will often pass through many infections without any problems. The majority of cats can eat raw food, but some cats, such as those with immune-mediated diseases, may require heated food.
In terms of the risks associated with handling or feeding raw meat, cross-contamination may be the biggest concern. Raw food diets for cats can introduce harmful infections to you and other occupants of your home. Pathogens can linger on surfaces used for food preparation, in cat feces, on food plates, and even on the fur of your cat (particularly in the face area).
Cats that reside in homes with immunocompromised individuals shouldn't be fed raw foods. Additionally, they must be avoided in homes with little children or senior citizens.
When giving your cat a raw food diet, there are a few steps you can take to try to reduce the dangers as much as possible:
1: When cooking, keep the area of the house contained; afterward, clean and sanitize thoroughly (if possible, using a 1:32 bleach and water solution).
2: When handling raw meat, put on gloves.
3: When possible, handle frozen food.
4: Make use of meat components from reputable suppliers.
5: Feed the cat in a spot that is simple to clean without any adjacent upholstery or carpeting.
6: After feeding, quickly sanitize the food dishes.
An additional safety hazard with raw food diets is bones. A number of issues, including airway blockages, mouth injuries, and gastrointestinal obstructions, can result from some small entire bones or parts of bones. Animal bones should be finely pulverized if they are a part of the cat's raw food diet.
Cats' Commercial Raw Diets
Try a few of the numerous commercial raw diets available if you don't have the time to create recipes and make raw food at home. Advocates of the raw diet frequently believe that home-prepared raw foods are superior to those found in stores. They are said to be healthier than giving kibble, though.
In order to minimize germs, commercial raw foods are typically freeze-dried or frozen. Recall that appropriate handling practices ought to be followed in conjunction with these diets in order to avoid cross-contamination. To determine the appropriate commercial diet, consult your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist. Verify whether AAFCO guidelines for completeness and balance are met.
Alternatives to a Raw Diet
Think about feeding your cat home-cooked cat food if you want to avoid the risks that come with feeding them raw food while still providing them with an ideal diet. You will still have to locate a balanced and comprehensive recipe.
Alternatively, go for a high-protein wet kitten chow that is produced using premium ingredients. Today, the majority of veterinarians and specialists concur that dry kibble contains excessive amounts of carbohydrates and is the best option for cats. Thankfully, a lot of wet meals are made with very little or no carbs. Your cat's lifespan may increase if you cut back on or eliminate carbohydrates from their diet. In cats, low-carbohydrate diets can also fend off conditions like diabetes mellitus and obesity.
Related Post: