Looking for a commercial brand of raw cat food that is organic (or close to it) and 100% meat!

I have had my cat on a raw diet since I got him at 6 weeks (yeah, I know that's too young!). He's over a year old now and he's done really with it but lately I'm thinking of switching to a commercial brand because I'm concerned I might be underfeeding, not balancing his diet enough and also because I'm sick of running out of food for him and going to the supermarket and not being able to find anything organic for him. I think it might also be slightly cheaper and more convenient because I don't have as much time to make and portion his food out as I used to.

So I'm interested in finding a commercial raw brand that is:

-Organic AND natural (no artificial ingredients, no GMOs, no preservatives, no hormones, no antibiotics, etc etc)

-Meat ONLY (no grains of course, no fruit, no veggies! Cats are CARNIVORES, for crying out loud. Added supplements I'm iffy on - if they are natural, that may be alright)

-Sourced in a way that is humane and sustainable (free range, local, etc).

-Has a variety of flavors available.

I realize that this is a lot of requirements but there seems to be plenty of commercial raw out there and I've definitely found a few brands so far that meet more than one requirement so I think there is a good chance that there is something out there that meets all of them! I am willing to flex a bit, but this is my gold standard so whatever I can find that exemplifies this or whatever is on the market that comes closest is what I am looking for.

If you have any suggestions, or relevant experience, I would love to hear them!

Bonus question: Is there is a significant difference in frozen vs freeze-dried food? Is one superior to the other? If so, why?

Thanks!

I'm not sure whether this will help you as I don't know if you are in the UK, but we have a company called Honeys that only use Organic certified meat, or wild shot rabbit, for their dog and cat food, also obviously omitting veg for the cats. It's also quite coarsely ground so more like homemade, they are primarily a dog food producer however they are knowledgable and make up balanced cat food to order.

You may have to look for something online. Haretoday probably has what you want. The best raw food in retail stores is Radcat but I am not certain it is organic. You might want to check their website.

Thanks, guys!

@Citrineblue  Honey's looks really awesome, but unfortunately I'm located in the U.S. and they only ship to the U.K.! Thank you for the excellent suggestion, though.

@zoneout  I have heard Rad Cat a lot, but for some reason it was one of the brands I eliminated early on in my search. I found this document online: http://catcentric.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Commercial-Raw-Product-Overview-Initial.pdf that I perused to find some leads. It seems like Rad Cat would be an excellent choice in my parameters, and upon inspecting the document again I can't seem to remember what my reason for eliminating it was. I may have gotten sidetracked by the lengthy explanation of bone meal vs ground bone. However, you are spot on in suggesting it as it is mostly organic, and also free-range, sustainable and LOCAL! Plus I can buy it at Whole Foods! Who knew?

I ordered the introductory offer of Darwin's Natural already because it was just too good of a deal ($15 for over a month's worth of food!), and I love that they package their product in half pound sections. Since I'm only feeding one cat, it seemed a bit easier as far as thawing/freezing meals went than a multiple pound tub. I dislike that they only have two "flavors" available, though, so once Gandalf finishes that off I'll probably try a few other brands as well. Rad Cat will certainly be one of them. I really like Feline's Pride but it isn't available in my area and I have heard the shipping is astronomical. I also looked into Fegnion, which also appears to only be available online, and Vital Essentials which was another favorite (although I have read bad things about the company on this forum) AND it's available locally. Darwin's is the most budget-friendly of these (although most of them are cheaper than homemade!) so it's a good option for us at the moment. 

I sure wish cats could speak English! Then Gandalf could just tell me what he liked, as it is he's a pretty indiscriminate eater (which is not really as good of a thing as you would think!) so I think it's going to end up being up to me and my checkbook.

With all that being said, are there any other brands I should know about? And what are your guys' thoughts on Darwin's Natural, Rad Cat and Vital Essentials?

All cat commercial frozen raw have some fruits and vegetables don't they? All the ones I see do.

Here is a commercial frozen I buy "Primal" and I see the word organic and hormone free all over it! Here is the web site blurb for Primal Raw Frozen-

 

"Raw Frozen Formulas

Primal Formulas are produced using only the freshest, 100% human-grade ingredients. Our poultry, meat and game are antibiotic and steroid free without added hormones. We incorporate certified organic produce, certified organic minerals and unrefined vitamins to fortify our complete and balanced diets. All Primal Formulas contain fresh ground bone for calcium supplementation. This combination of ingredients offers optimum levels of the amino acids (protein), essential fatty acids, natural-occurring enzymes, and necessary vitamins and minerals that are the building blocks for your pet's healthy biological functions. All of the ingredients found in Primal Formulas are procured from ranches and farms throughout the United States and New Zealand that take pride in producing wholesome raw foods through natural, sustainable agriculture.

Primal Formulas offer you the convenience and benefits of a well-balanced, safe and wholesome raw-food diet without having to grind, chop, measure or mix the ingredients yourself. At Primal Pet Foods, we have taken the time to carefully formulate and produce a nutritious, fresh-food diet that is easy for you to serve and delectable for pets to devour. The proof is watching them lick the bowl clean while thriving happily and healthfully!"

http://www.primalpetfoods.com/

At the store they have "starter packs" Your kitty can try 4 flavors in one package. I wrote a review on them too on this site.

@Slykat12

Yes, I've looked at Primal! Thank you for the suggestion! Unfortunately they add fruits and vegetables to their raw cat food, and I'm looking for a product that only contains meat/supplements.

delitebrite said:

 
@Slykat12

Yes, I've looked at Primal! Thank you for the suggestion! Unfortunately they add fruits and vegetables to their raw cat food, and I'm looking for a product that only contains meat/supplements.

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Our cats love both Rad Cat and Primal... they get some of each every day and I'm increasing their Rad Cat now that I've realized I can buy it cheaper than I thought I could. I was initially resistant to Primal because of the fruits and vegetables, too, but decided to give it a try because it doesn't have starchy stuff like peas or potato and is low-carb. The cats love Primal's freeze-dried food, and it's painfully convenient. I also give them Stella & Chewy's every now and then but the phosphorous is high. Unfortunately not many stores where I live carry much raw cat food beyond Nature's Variety, which the cats hate. I should look into the other brands you mentioned, though, to see if I might want to ask someone to order them: the cats get raw and canned food every day but like raw better and seem to get filled up on it faster, which is a big bonus.

Good luck with Gandalf's food trials, delitebrite!

Whoops, 

Slykat12 said:

 
All cat commercial frozen raw have some fruits and vegetables don't they? All the ones I see do.

Here is a commercial frozen I buy "Primal" and I see the word organic and hormone free all over it! Here is the web site blurb for Primal Raw Frozen-

 

"Raw Frozen Formulas

Primal Formulas are produced using only the freshest, 100% human-grade ingredients. Our poultry, meat and game are antibiotic and steroid free without added hormones. We incorporate certified organic produce, certified organic minerals and unrefined vitamins to fortify our complete and balanced diets. All Primal Formulas contain fresh ground bone for calcium supplementation. This combination of ingredients offers optimum levels of the amino acids (protein), essential fatty acids, natural-occurring enzymes, and necessary vitamins and minerals that are the building blocks for your pet's healthy biological functions. All of the ingredients found in Primal Formulas are procured from ranches and farms throughout the United States and New Zealand that take pride in producing wholesome raw foods through natural, sustainable agriculture.

Primal Formulas offer you the convenience and benefits of a well-balanced, safe and wholesome raw-food diet without having to grind, chop, measure or mix the ingredients yourself. At Primal Pet Foods, we have taken the time to carefully formulate and produce a nutritious, fresh-food diet that is easy for you to serve and delectable for pets to devour. The proof is watching them lick the bowl clean while thriving happily and healthfully!"

http://www.primalpetfoods.com/

At the store they have "starter packs" Your kitty can try 4 flavors in one package. I wrote a review on them too on this site.

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Whoops, just noticed your first sentence. Not all commercial raw brands add fruits and vegetables. A few I found that don't are Darwin's Natural, Feline's Pride, Vital Essentials, Fegnion, and apparently Rad Cat. I don't think any of these brands are 100% organic, natural, humane and sustainable though (at least not that I can tell). Most of them are natural, some are mostly organic, and a few have good agricultural practices. I think of the brands I mentioned, Feline's Pride, Vital Essentials and Rad Cat are the brands that come out on top with my criteria.

delitebrite said:

 
@Slykat12

Yes, I've looked at Primal! Thank you for the suggestion! Unfortunately they add fruits and vegetables to their raw cat food, and I'm looking for a product that only contains meat/supplements.

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I never heard of this unless you want frozen mice. I will watch and learn from the thread.

Hello everyone,

I started to  feed  a raw diet to my 16 month old cat, Solo, one month ago. I transitioned him for a few weeks from commercial wet and dry cat food. It was very easy to do.

Before I started I read a lot on the internet to make sure I had enough info about raw feeding. I found these two sites very informative about raw food for pets; probably most of you already know of them. They are: feline-nutrition.org  and catinfo.org.

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I found a frozen raw food called Pets 4 Life. I am in Montreal, and this brand is sold in a few pet supply stores here. (I buy from Croque en Boul). It contains in the chicken flavor: chicken meat and ground bones, chicken heart, chicken liver, carrots, broccoli, apples,ground flax seed, whole eggs, honey, alfalfa meal and kelp. I am comfortable that it is a good diet, based on what I have read in the two websites that I just mentioned, nd in a book called "Natural Nutrition for Cats"......... Solo loves  this raw food. He has two  half cups per day. He weighs  lbs, ounces.

The reason for my post is to say to Delitebrite  that what a cat does not get from a frozen, prepared raw food is bones. Ground bones  in the mix give the calcium that cats need , but cats need to chew to  keep their teeth healthy. So Solo gets a "dessert"  every few days of; chicken wings and chicken feet.  I  get the chicken feet in a frozen pack at a store that sells only raw food for cats and dogs.(Bailey Blu in Montreal) I found a place to buy biological meat and I ordered chicken wings and also beef liver for him. I will buy a taurine powder just in case. I just bought a probiotic to add to his food a few times a week. I just found that Maxi in Montreal sells whole, frozen Atlantic sardines in bags - not expensive. They are big; about four or five inches long. I cut one in four pieces and they are his "treats" also.

So, I would like to hear the opinions of how I am doing so far; from the cat owners on this forum who are experienced in feeding raw food to their cats. Any advice would be welcome. I will be getting a 9 week old kitten tomorrow. (female tabby) She was weaned last week and went right to a raw diet. Her parents eat a raw diet. I have read in several places that is not too young, as a wild kitten would go directly to raw after being weaned.

I have not tried them but i have read some good reviews on feline pride

https://www.felinespride.com/#/shop

RadCat has no fruit/veggie fillers - pure meat as it should be.   Also the document on catcentric is kind of old - they dont use bone.   Calcium comes from ground eggshells now.

@delitebrite  as to your bonus question....  the issue with freeze-dried is somewhat the same as kibble (although it`s superior to it).    It has no moisture.   Cats evolved as a desert species and therefore have no thirst drive.   Nature intended cats to derive their moisture from the prey they eat (most of which is approx 65% water).   Therefore cats that are fed moisture deficient diets might not make up the difference from a water bowl.   Chronic hydration insufficiency leads to all sorts of health issues.  Most notably impacting the urinary system and kidneys.

I would use freeze-dried as a treat type of food - not the main course.

I am not familiar with the other brands you mentioned so cannot speak to them.

Also, I think if you research further, you will see that homemade is considerably cheaper - but its a balancing act since you need room in the freezer for storage and for one cat might not be worth the extra effort - depending on your budget of course.

The other alternative is feed using the prey model.   This has alot going for it.   As implied, the food is in a form that nature intended for cats.... ie, chunks of muscle and organ meat and small bones from parts like wings or feet.   There is plenty of discussion about it in the Raw diet section.

Deliebrite- Primal also sells Grinds which are just meat/bone/organs. You would have to add the minerals. I buy Alnutrin for meat/bone. It isnt' expensive and I buy the Primal at pet Food Express.My cats love it. Takes about 20 minutes/1/2 hour to mix , can and store 8 lbs.

zoneout said:

 
RadCat has no fruit/veggie fillers - pure meat as it should be.   Also the document on catcentric is kind of old - they dont use bone.   Calcium comes from ground eggshells now.

@delitebrite  as to your bonus question....  the issue with freeze-dried is somewhat the same as kibble (although it`s superior to it).    It has no moisture.   Cats evolved as a desert species and therefore have no thirst drive.   Nature intended cats to derive their moisture from the prey they eat (most of which is approx 65% water).   Therefore cats that are fed moisture deficient diets might not make up the difference from a water bowl.   Chronic hydration insufficiency leads to all sorts of health issues.  Most notably impacting the urinary system and kidneys.

I would use freeze-dried as a treat type of food - not the main course.

I am not familiar with the other brands you mentioned so cannot speak to them.

Also, I think if you research further, you will see that homemade is considerably cheaper - but its a balancing act since you need room in the freezer for storage and for one cat might not be worth the extra effort - depending on your budget of course.

The other alternative is feed using the prey model.   This has alot going for it.   As implied, the food is in a form that nature intended for cats.... ie, chunks of muscle and organ meat and small bones from parts like wings or feet.   There is plenty of discussion about it in the Raw diet section.

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Thanks for answering that question for me! It makes sense. I don't think my cat ever even drinks water! But he's been on raw his whole life, so he's probably hydrated enough. I still keep water out for him of course but it never seems like he drinks any of it. I think I would call his current diet frankenprey. I just rotate meats and cuts (so he always has one bone-in meat) and supplement with liver. He usually gets chicken, and then pork or beef as the variety since that's what they usually have at the supermarket. I also feed him cornish hens a lot because they have all the bones and organs, and despite his willingness to eat anything, I think the hens are his favorite. I cut it into fourths and feed one for a meal. I usually buy two meats at a time, pre-portion them into bags, and then alternate proteins each day. He only gets fed once a day because I don't really have time to feed him before I leave for work. I don't grind anything up, though, just feed it to him as is (except for the hens which I cut into smaller chunks, as I mentioned). It's kind of a pain for me, though, especially because I don't personally eat meat so I find it pretty gross. And like I said, I try to buy organic and natural. I did the math for how much I spend on his food per month now and how much a month of commercial raw would cost, and the commercial is definitely cheaper (especially Darwin's which is only a little over $30 month!). I can barely afford groceries for myself so every dollar makes a difference. Of course, I don't want either of us to subsist off of junk so food quality is not something I will compromise on regardless of budget.

zoneout said:

... the issue with freeze-dried is somewhat the same as kibble (although it`s superior to it).    It has no moisture.   Cats evolved as a desert species and therefore have no thirst drive.   Nature intended cats to derive their moisture from the prey they eat (most of which is approx 65% water).   Therefore cats that are fed moisture deficient diets might not make up the difference from a water bowl.   Chronic hydration insufficiency leads to all sorts of health issues.  Most notably impacting the urinary system and kidneys.
I would use freeze-dried as a treat type of food - not the main course.

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Many (perhaps even most?) freeze-dried raw foods -- like the Primal and Stella & Chewy's that our cats eat -- are designed to be rehydrated with plenty of water, which is how we feed them. I even add extra water when I mix freeze-dried raw food into the cats' canned foods. They like slurpy food!

Most companies are NOT certified organic. This would make the food so expensive. Just what constitutes 'orangic' is also very loosely defined.The companies still have very good meat, no antibiotics etc. Rad Cat , I believe, IS organic and I will bet the reason you ruled them out initially is because they are very expensive. I buy it every once in awhile for a treat but if the cats want it every day 1 of them will have to get a job.

Maureen Bradley said:

 
Most companies are NOT certified organic. This would make the food so expensive. Just what constitutes 'orangic' is also very loosely defined.The companies still have very good meat, no antibiotics etc. Rad Cat , I believe, IS organic and I will bet the reason you ruled them out initially is because they are very expensive. I buy it every once in awhile for a treat but if the cats want it every day 1 of them will have to get a job.

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The document I was looking at didn't have price. I stopped by a store that carries RadCat in my city, and if I bought there, it would cost $60 per month to feed my cat if I only fed him commercial raw (which I'm not - I'm going to throw in RMBs from time to time so he's still having to chew on bones), which is just about what I pay now (possibly slightly cheaper). And for commercial raw, RadCat and Vital Essentials are the only two brands which are carried at local shops in my area, making both options much less expensive than other commercial raw options just because I don't have to pay shipping. I haven't been able to stop in where Vital Essentials is carried, though, so I'm not sure if it is cheaper than RadCat or not.

Darwin's Natural, which I placed an order for about a week ago because their introductory offer is $15 and free shipping for 10 lbs (more than my cat will eat in a month), is priced very affordably at around $5 a pound, which averages out to about $30 a month for me. HOWEVER, that is the price before shipping, and when you order their introductory offer, they sign you up for recurring shipments. I was informed via email the other day that the price per shipment (20 lbs every ten weeks - which is more than my cat needs for that amount of time anyway), is $120! Which makes shipping about $30 - not outrageous, but I don't need that much food that often, so the price of Darwin's with shipping comes out closer to me just buying RadCat (and presumably Vital Essentials if it's priced similarly) locally.

I would certainly feed Rad cat if I just had 1 cat. I have given it to my cats on occasion and they love it but for 3 it is to expensive. I am going to place my first order with Hare Today this week.I was going to do it yesterday but they are out of Quail and so I will wait . I will be spending just over $200 ( including shipping) for  3 months of food so that will be ok.I will probably still buy the Primal on occasion.

delitebrite said:

it would cost $60 per month to feed my cat if I only fed him commercial raw (which I'm not - I'm going to throw in RMBs from time to time so he's still having to chew on bones),

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Lol... Saves the expense of buying a grinder. These carnivores come with their own grinder built-in.