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In talking about the diet of a cat, we often think about the bags of dry food or cans of wet food that can be purchased at any local store. We don’t really think about them catching and eating a mouse or a bird, though we know that they are certainly capable. The truth is, before man-made kibble came into the picture, mice, birds, and other boney creatures of the earth were on the menu of a cat. They ate what they could catch and they sometime got table scraps from the farmer who’s corn the cat was protecting from said rodents.
The Evolution Of A Cat’s Diet
Cats have evolved since the days of their forefathers and now they eat what man gives them. There are no more catch-as-can or table scraps; there are no more crunchable birds and yummy mice. Since cats are carnivores, it makes you wonder just how they have learned to adapt to corn and grain (found in most commercial pet foods) when corn was never even a side dish, let alone a main meal.
This is why the raw food diet is gaining in popularity. Though most pet owners are not running out to the pet store to purchase rodents for their cats (that we know of), those who are proponents of a raw food diet are trying to provide that raw meat satisfaction that their cat’s great, great, great grandfathers enjoyed. If you think that a raw food diet might be better for your cat than what you find on the shelves, you might be partially right.
Bad In The Bag, Crazy In The Can: The Culprits
From artificial dyes that cause hyperactivity, tumors, and allergies in some cats, to preservatives like BHT and BHA that are no longer legal for human consumption due to cancer-causing properties, there are plenty of things to fear in commercial cat foods. Add meat by-products to that list and you’ll be providing a low-quality meal for your cat. By-products are the parts of an animal that are left over from processing such as brains, intestines, blood, bone, tissues, and organs; the tricky part is, you just don’t know what parts are being used. At least if you do a raw food diet, you’ll know that you’re giving your cat a liver or a heart by choice.
The Pros of a Raw Food Diet For Cats
- Better Digestion. A cat’s digestive system is made for the processing of a meat-based diet. Grains are tougher on their system by being hard to digest and might cause problems down the road.
- Better Litterbox Odor. When a cat is getting the right nutrition, his body will process the majority of it, leaving less waste to pass. And the natural food makes the waste much less odiferous.
- Better Energy Levels. Your raw foodie will have more energy by getting a high-quality protein that many commercial brands fail to provide. Even lazy cats have been known to move more.
- Better Teeth. When you include raw and meaty bones to your cat’s raw diet, it will improve the health of their teeth and gums as well as make their jaw muscles stronger.
- Better Skin and Coat. The fatty acids in the raw food diet for cats will provide a barrier for healthy skin and a shiny coat that sheds less. Hairballs will also be reduced.
- Better Quality. You know where the food is coming from and you won’t have to worry about recalls and poisons that can make you cat sick; or worse.
The Cons of a Raw Food Diet For Cats
- Time and Cost. It takes time to shop for and then prepare all of the ingredients you need to properly balance the nutrition that your cat must have. Depending on where you live, some of the ingredients can be hard to find or costly.
- Bacterial Fears. The main reason why people shy away from the raw food diet is the fear of contamination by salmonella or e-coli. If you ever heard that cats can process these contaminants, you heard wrong. They can get just as sick as a human can get.
- Fussy Puss. If you try to change your cat’s diet, he might be fussy and give you a hard time about the change. Cats are picky and some might just refuse to go along with your ideas, no matter how hard you try.
- Getting the Balance. You’ll need to be sure that you get a good balance of meat and fats as well as other minerals; especially taurine. A cat cannot make taurine in his own body (like a dog can) and without it, he can develop heart problems and eye issues. And research shows that 76% of cats on the raw food diet have some kind of an imbalance.
A Better Balance
If you are looking for real meat or fish nutrition with no dyes or preservatives, you and your cat can benefit from a high quality cat food that provides plenty of nutritious meat, important vitamins, and essential minerals. These brands rely less on grains like corn, and more on nutritious fibers like sweet potatoes. You’ll spend less time in preparation and more time playing with your cat while still feeling good about your choices. Some meaty canned or dry options to try include:
- Addiction Safari Buffalo Meatloaf
- Blue Bistro Herb Roasted Turkey
- Wysong Vitality Canned Cat Food
- Avoderm Sardine Shrimp and Crabmeat
- By Nature Adult Dry Cat Food
- Orijen Regional Red
- Nutro Ultra Indoor Adult Cat
No matter what kind of food you feed your cat, do your best to research a bit before you decide. Wet or dry, raw or cooked, it’s up to you to know what is best for your cat. Feed him what he likes and what has the best ingredients for his needs. As long as it has plenty of meat and some essential vitamins and minerals (like taurine) you really can’t go wrong.
