Changing to a raw diet

Hi ~  Now that I am down to one kitten (age 5 months) I want to get him off of commercial products and onto a raw diet. I am confused as to which are the more reputable raw diets out there to buy from.  I am doing some reading up on this now and it was recommended to start with a ground diet as that is most similar to what my cat is currently eating. How will I know if what I am purchasing is ground or not?  I will have to purchase online and have it delivered to my home. 

As a kitten, he had a reaction to anything with feathers, however, now he seems to be okay with duck, but in the duck recipes for raw, I'm seeing chicken and egg mixed in.  I found one recommended online group called Felines Pride that sells raw for $6.00 a pound, however, once you add shipping and the cold pack it suddenly jumps up to $44.00.  I sent off an inquiry to them asking for help with this.They do not have a telephone number to call them.

I understand I should find a separate place away from my kitchen to feed him, only use porcelain or metal bowls.  Should I be wearing rubber gloves?  I have an immune issues since cancer. 

Thank you

Debbie

Depending on where you live, HareToday or MyPet Carnivore may be cheaper; and yes, shipping costs add a lot to the per pound price. Which is why some of us buy a freezer (second hand is fine). The more frozen product you buy, the cheaper per pound the cost turns out to be.
The description of the product should clearly state whether it is ground, and how fine the ground is (coarse? fine?) and what exactly is in the ground (bone? liver? anything else?)
I personally don't serve the food in a place other than the kitchen (um, where did you read that you should?) I feed prey model raw, and freeze the daily portions in individual, small plastic containers until needed. I do use a stainless steel bowl to feed Ritz with.
I know you say you have to order online: are there any pet stores (independent or chain [PetCo, PetSmart]) near where you live that would special order you commercial raw? RadCat gets high praise, as does Bravo and Natures Variety. Some chain stores have started carrying commercial raw; you might look into them.
Also, some cats love commercial ground, some prey model raw, some whole prey. And some a combination of both. It really depends on the cat.
Good luck, and keep on asking questions.

PS: I have asked a moderator to move this thread to the Raw & Home Cooked Cat Food forum, where you might get more replies..

Hello Ritz ~ Thank you soo much for your reply   I do not have a car, nor drive, so I have to depend upon the mail, mostly.  Thank you for moving my post to a place where I may get more direction. 

I gave my 6 month old some raw chicken breast last night.  I freeze all my meat before I cook it to kill off any bacteria or parasites.  Rocky carried the slice of chicken around in his mouth for sometime, shaking his head and playing with it before he finally consumed it.  It took him awhile to chew the small piece I gave him.  He wanted more, so gave him another small piece.  No gastric upset so far.  Was this safe to do?

I will check out the websites you suggested and I'm sure I will be back here for more questions.

Thanks once again

Debbie and Rocky

congratulations!

if you're in the US, you should definitely try https://www.hare-today.com/. And seems you're lucky enough that he likes the meat peaces - I wouldn't even start with ground stuff (where you have to add lots of things because the grinding increases the surface which increases the destruction of nutrients by air exposure, and it does nothing for Rocky's teeth or jaw muscles). The downside of feeding chunks of meat, for the human, is the fun the cat has with it (i.e. schlepping it around and making sure it's dead). What I did was give them cheap rugs and place mats that I can just stuff into the washing machine when they get too dirty.

You can buy commerical raw pet foods that are complete diets. Nature's Variety Instinct Raw Bites is one.

Non chain specialty pet stores usually have raw meats for pets. Bravo and Primal Pet are two popular brands you can find in pet stores. Besides those two brands, I can get Oma's Pride and Hare Today products at the pet store. You'll typically find two different types of raw meats: plain raw meat with or without hone and raw meat wit organs and bones added. These products aren't complete diets on their own so you'll need to add supplements. I use the Better In The Raw pre mix. Other people follow a recipe like the one at Catinfo.org.

RoguetheCat ~   Yesterday Rocky was in heaven carrying around the raw chicken, shaking his head, playing with it.  Although he did carry it all over the apartment, tossing it down on the carpet.  When he was thru, he came back to several places where he laid the chicken down on and starting eating the carpet.... So, will have to find a place to confine him in while he eats anything raw. 

LTS3 ~ Yes, I saw the Natures Instinct Raw Bites at Chewy.com and thinking I will start adding this in slowly with his regular food to see how he does with this as this looks like more of a complete diet for now. When I get brave enough will go to a specialty store not to far from home and start on the real raw diet. 

Thank you both for your suggestions as these are very helpful starting out

Debbie and Rocky

I actually have 4 cats that I have to separate when they eat.  So, two of them get fed in the bathrooms, one in the hallway and one in the bedroom.  I have place mats down for them, but of course they still get it on the floors.  The hard floors are pretty easy to clean up with a bit of vinegar spray and a paper towel.  If you have carpets, you can get plastic carpet runner fairly cheap, or, as mentioned, use old towels or rag rugs that you can toss in the laundry.

I started feeding raw "way back when" there weren't a lot of commercial options.  So, I ended up going "frankenprey" (prey model) style.  I will second the suggestion for getting an extra freezer.  Even a small one will help keep costs down in the long run.  We have 5 animals on the raw diet, so we got a large freezer to put in the garage.  All the animals' meats go on the main shelves, and the "human food" goes in the door. 

I have been feeding raw to my nine cats for 12 years. 

I don't use any mix...I use to buy chicken thighs...which are easier as there is no cutting up....they go through the grinder okay.. even though the company says not to...many many people do..

You do need a electric grinder...Mine is a Maverick..you can google it...I got my last one on amazon..for $100...plus shipping..

It will last you a very long time..one time something happened to mine.I called the company and asked how to fix it..and they told me to send it back..and they sent me a new one..no charge..I was shocked.

I've had cancer twiice...no chemo...and it never occured to me to be afraid...No I don't wear gloves...however you can .. ask you butcher for some...the kind they wear behind the counter..or I think you can buy those online if you want.

I buy a case of chickens now...6 in a case..so they give me a discount...and I use the air-chilled chickens.....Smart is the brand name...however others use reg chickens with no problems..however I  know what days they come in and only get them on those days..and grind them up that day or the next...and spoon the mixture into zip lock bags and freeze flat...so I can defrost easier.  I sit mine in warm water to thaw...I also have found CVS freezer bags are the best... If you find the stool is too brittle I leave out the backs...depending on how many chickens you grind at one time..you could adjust as to how many you leave out...and I don't always use all the skin...

Luckily my butcher will cut up the whole chickens in pieces that will go through my grinder...so I don't have to do that..some people use a cleaver..there are utube videos on how to do the whole thing from beginning to end.. A good pair of kitchen shears too...

I also use reverse omossis water,,,and I add quite a bit of water...as cats on raw don't drink much water.

Bev.

Hello EasyBee~  Something went wrong with my kittens digestion.  I tried him on a few fresh hearts and liver but now he is refusing all food and appears ill.  I purchased this fresh from the grocery and was sure to wash it well and cut each up into tiny slivers but only gave a few pieces and put the rest in the freezer.  After two days he refused all food. 

I have just ordered the Hills Prescription Macro Diet in dry to see if this helps him.  He has been struggling with GI issues since a kitten.  I have tried novel diets, limited diets, regular diets, all sources of protein and he still remains uncomfortable after he eats and has painful bowel movements.  He's not constipated, it just hurts him to pass a bowel movement and his gas is horrible and painful, so he cries.

Debbie