Cats and raw food

Fridaycat

I wanted to introduce more raw into my cats' diet, so I was quite disappointed when 3 of my 5 won't eat it, despite trying different meats etc.

I was lucky enough to get 4 free containers of Natural Instinct at last year's Supreme cat show, yet still the same 2 liked it and the other 3 turned their noses up at it.

I think you should definitely try raw, but am just warning you that your cats might not like it - I know that NI has a minimum order value for home delivery, and it could work out to be an expensive mistake if your cats won't eat it! However, if they eat other meat raw, then chances are they'd like NI.

con1888

I tried it with Frankie but he wouldn't take, he has recentley though started to have some chicken wings and some liver ( as well as his cat food ). Think he sees the dog getting it and doesn't want to miss out.

~Chameleon~

Nature's Menu also do a frozen block of raw food for cats (about £1 for 300g) which is a highly palatable balanced diet and negates the worry about calculating specific nutrients.

paddypaws101

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Nature's Menu also do a frozen block of raw food for cats (about £1 for 300g) which is a highly palatable balanced diet and negates the worry about calculating specific nutrients.

I have heard rumours of this food but never been able to actually track it down,
Can you tell us where you buy it Chameleon or supply a link to a website for info on it's composition.

xoAmyox

I'd really love to raw feed, and feel confident to create my own mix of foods and vitamins.

Does anyone know where I can get a good (cheap) and proper grinder, that will comfortably grind chicken bones etc?

krlyr

Yup Amy - open your cat's mouth and look inside!
On a serious note, the crunching and chewing of raw food provides health benefits in terms of stronger, healthier gums, cleaner teeth and so on. Unless your cat really won't eat whole bones, I'd try not to grind them up. If you do need to go down that route though, a dog raw feeder on a forum I used to use bought a CuisinPro Turboforce grinder (1800W) off Ebay and used that to prepare her dog's food

hayleyc_2

Those who raw feed, how much does your cat eat at a time? I have a 4 month old kitten and would be happy to give him raw food but I don't want raw meat sitting about for ages, and being wasted. At the moment my kitten never eats more than about 1/3 of a pouch of natures menu (the cooked kitten food) in one sitting. He has dry food out all the time, then I'll give him the wet food over 2 or 3 meals.

paddypaws101

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I have the Kenwood and it handles whole chickens easily, the other one has earned some good reviews from raw feeders.
You would need a balanced recipe such as the one provided by a qualified veterinary nutritionist Lisa Pierson
http://www.catinfo.org/?link=makingcatfood
I would recommend a mix of minced meat/bone and chunks to work the jaws and clean the teeth.
4 months is a great age to introduce raw foods....in general, the younger they are the easier it is. My kitten Wiggins eats lots of small meals through the day. I have a house full of cats so waste is not a issue, but for a single cat I would freeze the prepared meat into small pound shop tupperware boxes and defrost daily so that the meat is always fresh. Guidelines for an adult are 2-3% of body weight, but a kitten should be allowed to eat as much as it wants.

~Chameleon~

paddypaws101 wrote: »

I have heard rumours of this food but never been able to actually track it down,
Can you tell us where you buy it Chameleon or supply a link to a website for info on it's composition.

I buy it from a local(ish) pet store when I'm in the area. Only one of my cats will eat it unfortunately so I've still got plenty in the freezer. I don't think it's available online (yet) and I certainly haven't been able to find it for sale elsewhere.

~Chameleon~

hayleyc wrote: »

Those who raw feed, how much does your cat eat at a time? I have a 4 month old kitten and would be happy to give him raw food but I don't want raw meat sitting about for ages, and being wasted. At the moment my kitten never eats more than about 1/3 of a pouch of natures menu (the cooked kitten food) in one sitting. He has dry food out all the time, then I'll give him the wet food over 2 or 3 meals.

The one I use comes in 300g blocks but will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge once defrosted so I just about get through the pack with one cat eating it.