Raw Feeding Resource Thread

[Draco]

awesome! Thanks!

I am seriously considering raw feeding.. and this thread compels me to do more research.

I know Monet LOVES raw. I feed him as treats (I get the liver/hearts from the supermarkets, and he enjoys tidbits of raw chicken if I make them).. but Cassie totally ignores raw food. She'd be a challenge!

My main concerns are pricing, and storing. I am going to see if the local stores around here carries raw to make it easier than ordering online and worry about damage/heating during shipping

 

[ldg]

The cheapest is making it yourself. The easiest is commercial.

It also seems to be a comfortable process to start with commercial, and then make your own once you're comfortable that kitties are eating raw, and by then you're more comfortable with the whole process, so it's easier to take the step to making your own.

 

[ldg]

Many people wonder how much to feed. The guideline is between 2% - 4% of their body weight. This is a huge range. If your cat is a kitten, feed kitten as much as she wants to eat. If your cat is an adult, if very active, feed at the high end. If not so active, start in the middle, and if not active, start at the low-end. It's a good idea to weight them every week (or if weight is an issue, every 3-4 days) at first, to ensure you've got an amount that keeps them stable.

If kitty needs to lose weight, target the amount of food for your cat's current weight and activity level. Once you've got the right amount of food to maintain that weight, THEN slowly reduce the amount of food so your cat loses weight at a very gradual rate. Their livers can become overwhelmed if the weight comes off too quickly.

Here is a table indicating the amounts to feed daily (just divide by the number of meals you'll be feeding). Obviously you don't need to be exact. Two of my kitties "should" get 4.3 ounces - they get 4.5. :lol3:

 

[carolina]

Here is another commercial food I just found.... Looks pretty good, developed by veterinarians, and the Company is owned by vets - Their Purity line is 100% grain/vegetable and fruit -free...... And on the top of it, Excellent variety and quite affordable Their medleys line is 95% meat (including bones and organs), and 5% fruits and vegetables.... and even more affordable. Often uses the whole animal..... No additives of course, and gives the choice of grass fed beef.
They also have raw cow and goat milk, and raw collostrum!

Bio Complete Natural Diets - Our diets are designed to be used in rotation. Rather than to spray on or add synthetic vitamins and minerals, we choose to have the diet “Balanced” by eating a variety of meats. Each brings with it a unique blend of proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Which like us,work best when varied to ensure that you get what the body needs.
Here is a place I found that ships: http://www.fiestapetdeli.com/category/BioComplete Natural Diet

 

[minka]

9 ounces per day??? *falls over*

 

[feralvr]

Here is another commercial food I just found.... Looks pretty good, developed by veterinarians, and the Company is owned by vets - Their Purity line is 100% grain/vegetable and fruit -free...... And on the top of it, Excellent variety and quite affordable Their medleys line is 95% meat (including bones and organs), and 5% fruits and vegetables.... and even more affordable. Often uses the whole animal..... No additives of course, and gives the choice of grass fed beef.
They also have raw cow and goat milk, and raw collostrum!
Bio Complete Natural Diets - Our diets are designed to be used in rotation. Rather than to spray on or add synthetic vitamins and minerals, we choose to have the diet “Balanced” by eating a variety of meats. Each brings with it a unique blend of proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Which like us,work best when varied to ensure that you get what the body needs.
Here is a place I found that ships: http://www.fiestapetdeli.com/category/BioComplete Natural Diet

Excellent!!! Thanks so much. I am always looking for something new to add into my rotation. Will check it out!

 

[ldg]

9 ounces per day??? *falls over*

??????

 

[ldg]

...but if you're referring to the feeding guide table, yeah, it looks pretty outrageous for big cats at the upper end. If they're active, they're not that fat. :lol3:

Most cats, depending on age, size and activity level, need 3 ounces to 6 ounces daily. Most commercial raw foods recommend feeding at about the 2% of body weight amount.

 

[minka]

I'm just saying, if I started at the highest amount like you had recommended, that would be 9oz a day. Even the middle range is over 6oz. So much food!

 

[ldg]

Well, there are very few indoor kitties that qualify as very active - unless they're kittens. But for fat cats, it's better to start too high than too low (IMO), especially if you're only going to weight them once a week. It's just too dangerous to have their livers flooded with lots of fat. :dk:

 

[ckovacs]

I think I am beyond stressed. I would like to start feeding my cats a homemade diet. I am finding out what means to use. But what I honestly need is a full ingredients list (as well as vitamins, etc I need to be adding) and then of course a measurements list. I have no clue how much of each item to put in. I've been reading, and I feel like I'm so overwhelmed and completely confused.

Any help or guidance would be great.

 

[ldg]

It DOES seem completely overwhelming at first!

But it's pretty straightforward. :nod: It's a process, getting comfortable with the whole thing, and the absolute easiest thing to do is just snip off little bits of meat the next time you're making chicken or something, and offer it to the kitties as a treat. See if they like it and recognize it as food.

What are the ages, activity level, and weight of your current cats? What and how much of it are you feeding them currently? How does that compare to what the manufacturer recommends?

Are they already on timed meals?

 

[mschauer]

First you should probably start a new thread. It will be easier for people responding to find the right thread again later.

Is starting with a commercial, premade raw food a possibility? For a lot of people that is the easiest way to start.

Second easiest is probably using a premix that when added to meat and possibly liver, creates a complete and balanced food.

If you really want to making your own, this link to Dr. Pierson's website has detailed instructions on doing that:

http://www.catinfo.org/?link=makingcatfood

Dr. Pierson's original recipe required grinding whole bone but she has recently added how to make the food using bonemeal rather than ground bone.

Do you have any idea which way you want to start?

 

[ldg]

:lol3: Good point, mschauer. I always forget making ground is an option. :lol3: :anon:

 

[emilymaywilcha]

I put some pages on my AOL Favorites list (many are different pages on the same websites) because I am very interested in feline nutrition in general, holistic medicine, how to feed cats with digestive system disorders, and what some vets say about feeding raw food to cats. All of the links seem to answer one or more of those questions.

However,  there is one thing missing: a link about raw vs. cooked cat food so people can see the nutritional, cost, and preparation differences compared to homemade cooked cat food. That would help people decide if feeding cooked or raw is better for their particular budget, lifestyle, and cats. If I can find something like that I will post it here.

 

[feralvr]

I put some pages on my AOL Favorites list (many are different pages on the same websites) because I am very interested in feline nutrition in general, holistic medicine, how to feed cats with digestive system disorders, and what some vets say about feeding raw food to cats. All of the links seem to answer one or more of those questions.

However,  there is one thing missing: a link about raw vs. cooked cat food so people can see the nutritional, cost, and preparation differences compared to homemade cooked cat food. That would help people decide if feeding cooked or raw is better for their particular budget, lifestyle, and cats. If I can find something like that I will post it here.

You will find the following extremely helpful. Excellent research on the subject of feeding cost comparisons prepared by Laurie.
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/243153/for-those-looking-for-help-wondering-what-food-to-feed

 

[ldg]

Another resource that needs to be included in this thread:

Canadian sources of commercial raw food: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/248687/canadian-raw-food-suppliers

 

[ldg]

BUN & CREATININE numbers are often higher in raw fed pets

For more information,

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/259655/...-info-about-elevated-bun-crea-in-raw-fed-cats

 

[ldg]

The Great Protein List!

Every cat is an individual - but Chandra09 took the time to compile a list of proteins and TCS members cats' reactions to them. It might help you identify which proteins to start with in your transition.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/259215/the-great-protein-list

 

[ldg]

Let's talk about calcium and bones!

Questions about sources of calcium and feeding bones? http://www.thecatsite.com/t/261077/lets-talk-about-calcium-and-bones