Packaged Raw Diet

Hi everyone!

My cat, Alcott, has horrible teeth-- and they finally caught up to him. Despite a diet of Natural Balance green pea & duck and regular cleanings, he had to have his remaining 8 molars removed. All he has left are his front teeth, and so I'm hoping to switch him over to soft food. He's never been a fan of it, so I'm concerned!

I'd actually prefer to switch him to a raw diet, however, I don't have the ability to grind up meat for him on a regular basis. I seem to recall seeing a raw food that came in a sort of sausage-like package that could be ordered online. Has anyone had any experience with this? Is it worth the expense?

Just to let you know, cats without teeth can still eat dry food although it isn't the best diet for any cat - with or without teeth.

Cats do not chew like humans, their jaws only go up and down, not side to side and usually if the pieces are small they don't chew, they just swallow them whole.

I have never ordered raw online. But I do buy Kody the premade raw. Several small pet stores carry various ones. You may need to try several to find one your kitty likes. Nature's Variety is an easy one to start with and if you email their customer service I bet they would email you some coupons--like Buy one, get one free. Kody used to eat the Nature's Variety chicken medallions. Now he loves the RadCat chicken, but it is harder to find in many areas. There are several others, too & many of them have free sample packs to try.

Anne

Thanks! The Nature's Variety is in my area. Is it pricey (can't find a price quote online)?

The stores near me charge about $13.00 for the 3 lb. (48 medallion) pkgs. The medallions are 1 oz. each. But if you sign up at Nature's Variety, they email out coupons very often for Buy One, Get One Free. If you don't get a coupon first, you might want to try a 1 lb. bag, just to see if your kitty (kitties?) will like it. Kody did at first, but then he got to where he doesn't care for it anymore. It was very convenient to be able to just take out individual medallions the night before!! If you do get it and they won't eat it, most of the stores will refund your money, too.

I don't know where you are located, but the Whole Foods stores do carry a variety of raw that is packaged like the Owen's sausage. I don't know what the brand is however.

Anne

My cats are all on raw. I feed them a variety to keep them happy and interested.

I use the following:

Bravo Free Range Fed Venison
Bravo Duck with Bones

Primal Pet Foods Feline Beef & Salmon nuggets
Primal Pet Foods Feline Chicken & Salmon nuggets

Natures Variety Chicken medallions
Natures Variety Organic Chicken medallions
Natures Variety Rabbit medallions

Never a complaint and they finish off the plates everytime.

Thanks so much everyone! I'm secretly hoping that in addition to being easier for him to eat, that it'll help cut down on shedding too. I'll check those brands out ASAP.

Originally Posted by RinaDaventry

Thanks so much everyone! I'm secretly hoping that in addition to being easier for him to eat, that it'll help cut down on shedding too. I'll check those brands out ASAP.

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Many raw advocating vets will also give you a fish oil or salmon oil for shedding as the "typical" raw diet is low in fatty acids