Can You Feed Raw And Dry Cat Food?

Every fur parent is aware of the importance of good nutrition for a cat's health. However, when it comes to cat food selection, it can be rather difficult, especially when we have to worry about commercial pet food recalls. There is raw food, dried food, flash frozen food and more, which adds to the confusion. Can you feed raw and dry cat food together?

In this article, we will discuss all you need to know about mixing dry and raw food, the benefits and the right way of raw feeding your cat as opposed to giving dry food so that it lives a long and healthy life.

Mixing raw food and kibble for cats

No, it is not advisable to mix raw food and kibble because high-carbohydrate food can interfere with the efficient absorption of nutrients in raw food. This can potentially reduce the advantages of a raw diet.

When cats are fed higher amounts of crude fibre in their diets, they produce more waste and it reduces the digestibility of their diets.

However, there are a few exceptions to feeding a raw-kibble mix to your feline. One is when changing from kibble to raw diet, remember that you’re trying to keep your cat's digestive issues to a minimum while still getting them to eat raw. Therefore, offer some of their favourite foods during transition

Another factor to consider is the cost. You may not be able to afford raw 100%, but you're doing your best with the resources you have, to provide a healthy balanced diet to your cats.

Can you mix raw food with wet food?

Yes, as long as the wet food is of medium to high quality. The only reason you would feed them together is to help a cat transition from wet food to raw.

A more usual reason is if you’ve been feeding raw food for the past week or month, you may run out and will be preparing a fresh batch soon. In the meantime, you can feed your cat commercial wet food. This is good because the canned meal is high in protein and low (or non-existent) in grains and veggies.

Apart from that, cats are prone to becoming addicted to certain things. There is a possibility that they will become addicted to a specific type of food due to its flavour, aroma, texture, or size.

Hence, they may become hesitant to try new tastes, smells, and textures. As a result, it’s critical to introduce your cat to a variety of foods so that they can learn to recognise them as such and be open to trying new ones.

Dry food vs raw food for cats

Cats are predators by nature, they evolve by eating a raw-based diet, which is important for their survival. Here are some of the advantages of feeding your cat raw food:

• Improved digestion
  Cats must eat meat, there are no vegan cats. The digestive tract of a cat is short and acidic, and it’s specifically designed for a meat-based diet. It processes
  species-appropriate raw food in roughly 12 hours and this gives bacteria very little time to proliferate.
  
  
• Greatly reduced stool odour and volume
  Proper nutrition results in less stools for cats because their bodies use up the majority of the food they eat. The amount of poop produced can be reduced by half, and it won't smell.
  
  
• Healthy coat, less shedding, fewer hairballs
  Cats must have omega-6 and omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids in their diets. These essential fatty acids help maintain healthy skin and coats, they also help to reduce hairballs.
  
  
• Increased energy
  After switching to raw food, many cat owners realise their cats are really active. Cats have a special adaptation that allows them to use protein to meet their energy needs. Protein is essentially "burned" in their liver, where a process known as gluconeogenesis turns it into energy.
  
  
• Weight Management
  If your cats are obese, switching to a raw cat food diet will help them lose weight. This is because a raw food diet keeps cats satisfied and full for a longer time.
  
  
• Better dental health
  Teeth can be kept clean by chewing on raw bones, meat, connective tissue, skin, or fur.
  
  
• Better urinary health - Raw cat food has a high moisture content of about 65 to 70% which helps them to keep hydrated.
  
  

On the other hand, here is a list of benefits that dry food can offer to your cats;

• Convenience - For storage and ease of feeding, dry cat food is the number one option because it is mess-free and the food can be left out for prolonged periods.
  
  
• Preservatives - These are often required in dry cat food to ensure its long shelf life, but only if they are obtained naturally. All-natural preservatives for dry pet food include vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and rosemary.
  
  
• Cost - Dry cat food is generally a lot cheaper than other types of cat food.
  
  
• Dental health - There are some dry diets that can have beneficial dental effects by either reducing tartar formation or slowing down plaque accumulation. However, not all dry food is able to do so because it depends on the kibble texture.

Where to buy raw meat for cats

Raw cat food is available at supermarkets. You should only purchase human-grade raw meat because it is less likely to be contaminated and therefore safer for your cat to consume. Check the label if the product meets the AAFCO standards.

Try PetCubes Raw Cat Food, which is made with the freshest raw ingredients and nutritionally balanced for a healthy cat.

Conclusion
It's vital to keep an eye on your cat's diet. By feeding them a raw diet you are making sure they have all the nutrients they need. However, if you're unsure about anything, always ask your veterinarian.

For more information on raw feeding your cat,  read “Raw Feeding Guide For Cats”.