Raw Food For Cats: How Much Is Truly Enough

Raw cat food is exactly that—food that hasn't been processed and is composed entirely of raw materials. Cats are obligate carnivores with specific dietary requirements that can be addressed by consuming a diet high in animal tissue. This is accomplished by putting uncooked meat, fish, and internal organs at the top of the ingredient list in raw cat feeds. 

There are differing ideas on how much raw food to feed your cat, and the amount depends a lot on your cat’s metabolism and activity level. If you’ve heard about raw cat food but don’t know where or how to start, this article will guide you through your journey.

How much should I feed my cat?

When it comes to feeding a raw diet to your cat, there are a few things to keep in mind. Some cats may nibble at their bowls throughout the day, while others may try to eat the entire dish in one sitting. 

The amount you feed also varies depending on the age of your cat. Here’s how much raw food you have to feed your cat of different ages: 

Ideal food portion for kittens

Anyone who has ever had a kitten knows how active and inquisitive they can be. They require more food for their body weight than adult cats in order for healthy growth and development.

Because kittens can't eat as much as adult cats at one go, you might want to feed them smaller meals more frequently rather than a few big ones. To maintain their energy levels and keep up with their everyday activity, they require meals that have as many nutrients as possible.

A general guide to feeding raw food to your kitten is as follows:

• For 2 to 3 months, 10%-13% of their current body weight/ per day
• For 4 to 8 months, 6%-10% of  their current body weight/ per day
• For 8 to 14 months, 3%-6% of their current body weight/ per day

This can be split into at least 2, or preferably 3 meals per day.

Ideal food portion for adult cats

Cats' metabolisms tend to slow down as they get older. You may find that your adult cat spends more time snoozing in the sun and gets up to feed and play less frequently than kittens. 

The following is a general feeding guide for adult cats:

• For cats at their optimal weight; 2% to 2.5% of their current body weight/per day
• For less active, overweight cats or senior cats; 1.5% of their current body weight/per day
• For active, underweight cats; 3% of their current body weight/per day

Other factors that determine how much raw food to feed your cat

An elderly cat that spends his days lazing around the house and only walking as far as his food bowl and litter box, for example, would require significantly less food than a young and healthy energetic cat that spends his days playing and racing outside in the fresh air.

Hence, because each cat is unique, you must consider a few factors when calculating how much raw food to feed your cat. The factors are as such:

• Current weight
• Appetite
• Metabolism 
• Activity levels
• Exercise levels    

Is raw cat food safe?

It's crucial to understand that giving your cat raw food has certain hazards. Pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli can cause serious, life-threatening illnesses when consumed raw. 

The majority of these infections are removed when food is cooked, which is why we typically prefer to thoroughly cook our meals.

But because cats' digestive systems are shorter and more acidic than humans, they are able to digest raw meals easier. Many pathogens pass through a cat's system without creating any problems. 

Thus, the majority of cats can eat raw food safely. However, those with health issues (such as immune-mediated illnesses) may require pre-cooked food. 

Cross-contamination from the raw ingredients that have not been cleaned properly is perhaps the most serious danger of feeding and handling raw meat. Hence, always be vigilant on how you handle raw food or get guidance from an expert or your veterinarian on how to do so.

How to prepare raw cat food?

There are many ways in which you can prepare raw cat food. The most common ingredients you will need in preparing raw cat food is as follows:

• Raw meat from organs and muscles
• Grounded raw bones
• Eggs
• Supplements, if required by your cat

To prepare the raw diet, you'll most likely need the following tools and supplies:

• A large chopping board
• Meat processor
• Poultry shears
• Glass or stainless steel mixing bowls
• Disposable gloves (latex or nitrile)
• Containers for storage 
• Space in the freezer and refrigerator

Preparing a raw cat meal can be a time consuming task, so most owners prefer to get pre-made raw cat food to save time and money.

Petcubes’ Raw Cat Food is meticulously crafted with pasture-raised, free-range beef and is specially developed for cats. This holistic meal has a specific mixture of protein, calcium, taurine, omega oils, and iodine, assuring improved digestion, a better coat, and more energy for your cat.

Conclusion 

At the end of the day, the amount of raw cat food you want to give your call boils down mainly to its age and weight. If you are not confident in making your own raw food, you can always depend on PetCubes’ expertise on this matter.