Fussy Cat

Apintplease

Not like thats a new one

So Timmy was a barn cat, we had him from 10 weeks old and he was a pure gannet - ate whatever was put in front of him - devoured it

Plus he is the best hunter ever, hes even brought in rabbits.

But hes getting so hard to feed

We dont have a lot of choice here, I have Tesco and Lidl, have to drive to further towns for pet stores and of course our lockdown restrictions dont allow for that and we get shafted for delivery with online and I dont want to buy bulk if the wee sod decides hes not eating it

So for months he settled on Felix - not the best but hey, he ate it. Then he stopped eating the fish ones, then he stopped eating the Jelly ones and now we are on last chance salon with the latest in the range - meat in gravy with added herbs, and already after 3 days hes thinking about it

But he loves raw food, hes over like a shot when Im prepping our dinner and will eat raw anything - liver, mince, chicken, beef, lamb and fish

Is it safe to feed a cat raw? is it wise to? Any raw feeders on here? Or any advice on a good food that all cats cant resist?

He also doesn't like dried food, its left down for him and he may pick at it at night but ignores it during the day

es5595

I feed raw and highly recommend it. As you’ve pointed out, cats are obligate carnivores; their bodies are designed to eat meat. 

I make my own now and I wish I had years ago as it’s so much cheaper. I got a second hand grinder on fb marketplace, used the calculator from cat crap (it’s a fb group, highly recommended) and went to the local butchers. 

Making your own is significantly cheaper than buying it pre-made. Cats have non-stinky poohs. Cats coat is in fabulous condition. Because they’re eating bone not canned mush their teeth are clean and according to my vet “absolutely amazing for ten year olds”. 

MovingForwards

Definitely do a raw diet if that's what your cat is happy with, loads of info online about the right balance of items.

Mine isn't fed raw, but has it as almost daily treats, nothing like a few bits of lamb, steak, chicken or whatever else is being cooked on the day.

She also goes through phases of what brand / type of mass-produced foods she will eat.

Mnoee

There are a few brands that make and sell pre-packaged raw food - most of them do a cheap trial then a subscription if it's a hit. I've not tried them as it's difficult having that stuff delivered to Northern Ireland.

I have tried Blink! (big hit for a while, then one suddenly went off it. Cheap trial box and subscription or in tesco) and Thrive (current favourite, bought from amazon and in some pet shops) in terms of the good quality stuff that's mostly available online - both are pretty expensive, but with no fillers and grains that's to be expected. There was also a German brand on amazon I trialled for a while (mjamjam - meat but offall meat too), which one loved and the other wasn't a fan of. If you're buying stuff from amazon anyway, you could always chuck in a few different things to try - then if it's a hit set up a subscribe and save. I get stuff every two weeks so there's not too much waste if they suddenly go off a flavour. Alas, there doesn't seem to be a brand that all cats love forever. 

carefullycautious

I can remember an RSPCA inspector saying that if an animal is hungry it will eat anything. But agree with above feed raw if that is what he likes it is cheaper. Do remember to worm him/her on a regular basis.

pinkteapot

Just be aware that a 'raw diet' doesn't mean feeding him meat intended for humans. Obviously it's fine for treats (mine also devours trimmings when I'm chopping raw chicken!), but if it's for a main diet it won't be complete. In particular, there's a nutrient called taurine that cats 'in the wild' get from the bones and certain organs of their prey, but which they won't get from meat. You can find recipes and supplements online for a complete raw cat diet. 

Apintplease

pinkteapot said:

Just be aware that a 'raw diet' doesn't mean feeding him meat intended for humans. Obviously it's fine for treats (mine also devours trimmings when I'm chopping raw chicken!), but if it's for a main diet it won't be complete. In particular, there's a nutrient called taurine that cats 'in the wild' get from the bones and certain organs of their prey, but which they won't get from meat. You can find recipes and supplements online for a complete raw cat diet. 

No Im totally aware of whats needed for a cats diet,  I used to feed my first dog a BARF diet many moons ago against the advice of my vet ( they still dont like you doing it do they? )

Anyways yesterday I picked up a packet of cat food pate style - and hes devouring it. I didn't think he would like the pate as hes a hunter and munches bones but we live and learn

TBH I dont have the time nor the money nor the storage to put him on a raw diet so that really is final stage if he becomes skin and bone through lack of eating, but hes a healthy lean 5kg and isn't losing weight. Hes just spoiled rotten ( we lost our other cat early last year to cancer ) which is our own fault and he does get too much human food as treats, the bits of ham or chicken that stick out of the edge of a sandwich, the bit of raw when Im cooking, the bit of left over fish or steak....