Milly Gaines
Raw food diets for cats have become increasingly popular, but they are controversial. Cats are obligate carnivores with unique nutritional needs, and a raw food diet can be made from a variety of raw ingredients, including uncooked meat, fish, and internal organs. While some believe that raw diets are more natural and provide health benefits, there are risks associated with them, such as nutrient deficiencies, foodborne pathogens, and the spread of harmful bacteria to humans and other pets in the household. To make a raw diet for cats, one must ensure it is complete and balanced, including calcium, vitamins, minerals, and taurine. However, it is challenging to find nutritionally complete and balanced recipes for homemade cat food, and even commercial raw food diets may not contain a nutritional adequacy statement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Raw meat, fish, internal organs, ground bone, vitamin and mineral supplements, and other ingredients |
| Nutritional requirements | Amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, protein, calcium, phosphorus |
| Benefits | May help with kidney disease, higher in antioxidants, may improve dental health |
| Risks | Bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria), nutrient deficiencies, obstruction by foreign bodies (bones), food allergies, chronic digestive issues, tooth fractures, damage to the digestive tract |
| Commercial options | Commercially available raw diets, premixes of vegetables, vitamins, and minerals that you add raw meat to |
| Homemade options | Recipes formulated by a veterinary or animal nutrition professional |
| Food preparation | Keep raw food frozen until ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator or microwave, clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that come into contact with raw food |
| Food safety | Wash hands with soap and water after handling raw food, do not kiss your cat on the face or allow them to lick your face, especially after eating raw food |
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What You'll Learn
Cats are carnivores with unique nutritional needs
Cats are obligate carnivores with unique nutritional needs. They require a high-protein diet, using protein as their primary energy source rather than carbohydrates. A raw diet for cats typically includes animal protein (usually muscle meat), organs, bones, and a fibre source.
Cats require a nutritionally complete and balanced diet, with essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. While raw diets may provide these, there is a risk of nutritional deficiencies. For example, cats who eat a diet of mainly raw seafood are at risk of thiamine deficiency, which can lead to poor appetite, seizures, and even death. Cooking breaks down thiaminase, the enzyme that causes this deficiency, making cooked seafood a safer option.
There are commercial raw diets available, but many do not contain a nutritional adequacy statement, indicating a potential lack of certain nutrients. Homemade raw diets are even more challenging, as it is difficult to formulate a nutritionally complete and balanced recipe without the help of a nutritionist.
In addition to nutritional concerns, raw diets pose other risks. Bones may cause intestinal blockages or lacerations, and raw food is more likely to be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which can affect both cats and their owners.
While some sources argue that raw diets can improve kidney health and reduce cooking toxins, the risks associated with raw feeding are significant. Experts generally advise against raw diets due to these risks and the challenge of ensuring complete and balanced nutrition.
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Raw meat, fish, and internal organs are key ingredients
Raw meat, fish, and internal organs are the key ingredients in a raw cat food diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require a diet composed primarily of animal tissue. This includes uncooked meat and fish, as well as internal organs such as liver, kidney, and heart. Some people also include raw eggs in their cat's diet.
Raw meat and fish are good sources of protein, which is essential for cats as they use it as their primary energy source. However, it is important to note that meat and fish alone are not enough to meet a cat's nutritional needs. Cats also require a combination of amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which can be provided by internal organs and other supplements. For example, ground bone is often included in raw cat food to provide calcium and phosphorus.
When preparing a raw diet for cats, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with raw meat. Raw meat can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which can pose health risks to both cats and humans in the household. It is recommended to take precautions such as thoroughly washing hands after handling raw food, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and keeping raw food separate from other food.
In addition to the health risks, there is also a concern for nutritional deficiencies in homemade raw cat food. It can be challenging to find nutritionally complete and balanced recipes for homemade cat food, and even with a good recipe, it can be difficult to stick to it consistently. Commercially available raw cat food may be a more convenient option, but it is important to look for products formulated by veterinary nutritionists that meet WSAVA guidelines to ensure your cat is getting all the necessary nutrients.
Overall, while raw meat, fish, and internal organs are key ingredients in a raw cat food diet, it is important to carefully consider the potential risks and ensure that the diet is complete and balanced to meet your cat's nutritional needs.
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The dangers of raw feeding to cats and humans
Raw food diets for cats can be grouped into two categories: commercial and homemade. Cats require a nutritionally complete and balanced diet, which includes amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. While raw food diets may seem appealing, they pose several dangers to cats and humans.
Firstly, raw meat can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, or E. coli, which can cause foodborne illnesses in both cats and humans. The bacteria can be transmitted through the cat's saliva or feces, spreading infection to other pets and humans in the household. The symptoms of foodborne illnesses in humans can include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, and certain individuals, such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals, are at higher risk for severe symptoms.
Secondly, there is a risk of nutritional deficiencies or toxicities in raw food diets. Cats require specific nutrients, and it can be challenging to ensure a raw diet provides the correct balance. For example, a whole-rabbit raw diet resulted in taurine-deficiency cardiomyopathy in young cats, despite having adequate taurine levels when analyzed. Additionally, cooking improves the nutritional value of certain foods, as it breaks down enzymes that can interfere with nutrient absorption, such as thiaminase in seafood.
Thirdly, raw food diets may include bones, which can pose a risk of obstruction or damage to the cat's digestive tract. The bones may also cause tooth fractures.
Finally, raw food diets can be time-consuming and challenging to prepare. It is essential to handle raw food safely, including thoroughly washing hands, disinfecting surfaces, and keeping raw food separate from other food. The risks associated with raw food diets highlight the importance of consulting with a veterinarian or nutritionist before feeding a raw diet to cats.
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Commercial raw food may not be nutritionally complete
Secondly, raw diets can be contaminated with harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and Campylobacter, which pose health risks to both cats and humans in the household. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that food-borne salmonellosis affects 1.2 million people in the United States each year, with approximately 400 deaths. The CDC, the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the CVMA (Canadian Veterinary Medical Association) have all expressed concerns about the potential dangers of raw food diets for cats and other household members.
Thirdly, raw diets may contain bones that can result in tooth fractures or damage to the digestive tract. The benefits of raw diets are often marketed as including improved dental health and disease prevention, but these claims are largely anecdotal and unproven. Scientific studies have shown that cooking certain foods can improve digestibility and make nutrients more available, contrary to the belief that raw diets preserve nutrients lost in commercial diets.
Furthermore, raw diets may not be complete and balanced, even if they are formulated by veterinary nutritionists. The recipes may be challenging to follow precisely, and it can be difficult to find nutritionally complete and balanced recipes for homemade cat food.
Lastly, there is a risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in raw diets, particularly from livestock. A commercial raw diet was recently linked to the spread of tuberculosis in the UK, causing significant disease in cats.
Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider the potential risks and benefits before choosing a raw diet for your cat. While commercial raw food may be convenient, it may not always provide complete nutrition and can pose health risks due to bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalances.
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How to prepare and store raw food safely
Preparing and storing raw food for cats can be time-consuming and potentially dangerous. Raw meat can be contaminated by bacteria such as salmonella, listeria, and E. coli, which can make your cat and your household sick. Freezing does not kill pathogenic bacteria, and it can survive the freezing process.
To prepare raw food for cats, you can cut and freeze each element of the diet in daily doses. Meat can be frozen in cupcake silicone molds to avoid clumping. After 24 hours, the frozen meat can be transferred to a plastic bag. This way, you can avoid thawing and refreezing the meat, reducing the risk of bacterial contamination.
Supplements that do not need to be frozen or refrigerated, such as nutritional yeast, vitamin E, and kelp, can be added to the thawed meat. It is important to note that raw meaty bones are not all the same size, so the amount of meat in a daily ration may vary.
To store raw food safely, keep it separate from other food and cover and refrigerate any leftovers. Consume refrigerated leftovers within a few days to minimize the risk of bacterial growth. Do not thaw raw meat on the counter or in the sink, as this can promote bacterial growth. Instead, thaw it in the refrigerator or microwave.
When handling raw food, it is crucial to practice good hygiene. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw food and before touching your face or eating. Clean and disinfect all surfaces and utensils that come into contact with raw food. Keep raw meat separate from other foods to avoid cross-contamination.
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Frequently asked questions
Raw diets are considered to be the ancestral diet of cats, as their wild ancestors ate raw foods. Raw diets are also believed to preserve nutrients such as amino acids and vitamins that are lost in processed commercial diets due to the cooking process.
Raw diets pose a risk of nutrient deficiencies, as well as bacterial infections such as Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria. These bacteria can be spread to humans in the household, posing a health risk to the cat owners and other pets.
To make a raw diet for your cat at home, you need to ensure it is complete and balanced. This means including a source of protein from meat or fish, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and proper water intake. You can add raw eggs or meat to an occasional meal, or give dehydrated RMBD treats. It is important to consult an animal nutrition professional to develop a diet that meets your cat's specific needs.
