As pet owners, we all want to give our cats the best possible diet to ensure they live long and healthy lives. While commercial cat food has come a long way in terms of nutritional value and variety, some pet owners prefer to make their own cat food at home. In this blog post, we will discuss the attributes of homemade cat food, the downside of feeding a highly processed diet, provide two turkey and pumpkin recipes, one that is cooked and one that is raw, and discuss the pros and cons of a raw diet for cats.
What Homemade Cat Food Can I Feed My Cat?
As a veterinarian, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of maintaining a balanced diet for your feline companions when considering making homemade cat food. While preparing meals for your cat can be a thoughtful gesture, it is crucial to ensure that the food you provide contains all the necessary nutrients, trace minerals, organ meat, and taurine. Cats have unique dietary requirements that differ significantly from humans, and they rely on specific nutrients to maintain optimal health. Neglecting these essential components can lead to severe nutritional deficiencies, which may manifest as a variety of health issues such as poor coat quality, weakened immune system, digestive problems, and even life-threatening conditions.
Is Homemade cat food better for my cat?
Attributes of Homemade Pet Food: One of the most significant benefits of homemade pet food is the ability to control the quality of the ingredients. You know exactly what goes into your cat's food, and you can tailor their diet to meet their specific needs. Additionally, homemade pet food can be free from preservatives, additives, and other chemicals that are commonly found in commercial pet food.
You know what they're saying: "If you are trying to do something correctly you have to make it your own." This is a common motivation of many people to switch to homemade cat food. If your cat needs food it is the most efficient solution. Homemade cat food might be a good option when cats aren't happy with commercial foods. The best way to manage your pet is to choose the best food for your pet. You decide if you want to buy cat food from a local cat store, or buy cat-friendly food online.
How do you ensure the food you are providing your cat is what suits their specific needs?
DIY home-made cat food can help in this situation. Contrary to some beliefs serving homemade cat food can make it amazingly healthy and nutritious. The possibilities of this program are endless and its diversity gives you the opportunity to tailor your food plan to suit your cat. The number of cat meals has increased dramatically in recent years. DIY cat meals can easily be found online. Supplements can now be purchased from a variety of online retailers. A lot of stuff is available for delivery straight to the house!
Raw Meat Homemade Cat Food vs. Cooked Homemade Cat Food
Pros and Cons of a Raw Diet for Cats:
A raw diet consists of uncooked meat, bones, and organs. Advocates of raw diets believe that they are more natural and provide cats with essential nutrients. However, there are several potential downsides to feeding a raw diet, including the risk of bacterial contamination, the difficulty of ensuring a nutritionally balanced diet, and the potential for bones to cause intestinal blockages. If you are considering a raw diet for your cat, it is essential to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that you are meeting their nutritional needs while minimizing potential risks.
How can you choose raw vs cooked foods that work for a cat? This question has become an extremely common question from newcomers to DIY cat recipes. Raw cat food translates to raw food. This does not require cooking. The entire food is cooked for your cat raw. Diets for cats using a raw, homemade food source are normally low in fat and free of additives. In some ways, a dog's raw food diet can retain nutrients that are sometimes taken from a food source during cooking. Cooked cat food is essentially food that has been cooked prior to use.
Is Homemade Cat Food Better for Cats?
One of the most significant benefits of heathy homemade cat food is the ability to control the quality of the ingredients. You know exactly what goes into your cat's food, and you can tailor their diet to meet their specific needs. Additionally, homemade pet food can be free from preservatives, additives, and other chemicals that are commonly found in commercial pet food.
What is Bad About Kibble?
While commercial pet food is convenient, it is often highly processed and may contain fillers, artificial flavors, and preservatives that have no nutritional value. Over time, feeding a highly processed diet can contribute to a range of health problems such as obesity, allergies, and digestive issues.
The protein content is particularly important for obligate carnivores like cats, as they require a meat-based diet. Dry food needs carbohydrates to be dry. You can't make a cake without flour.
Is Wet/Canned Food Better For Cats?
Canned cat food, also known as wet cat food, can be beneficial for cats in several ways. Cats have low thirst drive and are naturally designed to obtain moisture from their prey. Canned cat food typically contains a high moisture content (around 75% or more), which helps promote hydration and supports kidney function. Adequate hydration is essential for maintaining urinary tract health and preventing issues like urinary crystals or blockages.
Palatability: Many cats find canned cat food more appealing due to its strong aroma and flavor. This can be beneficial for cats with finicky appetites or those needing to regain their appetite after an illness. Ensuring cats eat an adequate amount of food is crucial for meeting their nutritional needs.
Digestibility: Canned cat food is generally more easily digestible than dry kibble. The moisture content and texture of wet food can aid in digestion and help prevent issues like constipation or hairballs.
Weight Management: Due to its higher moisture content and lower calorie density, canned cat food can assist in weight management. It helps cats feel more satisfied with smaller portions, reducing the risk of overeating and subsequent weight gain.
However, it's important to note that not all canned cat foods are created equal. Some may contain lower-quality ingredients, excessive fillers, or artificial additives. It's crucial to read labels and choose high-quality brands that prioritize animal protein sources and avoid unnecessary additives or fillers.
This is precisely why I recommend homemade cat food. You can control what goes into your cat's diet. Skip that artificial flavorings, preservatives, and chemicals you cannot pronounce.
How can I make my own cat food at home?
Homemade Cat Food Recipe Turkey With Turkey and Pumpkin
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground turkey
- 2 TBSP of coconut oil
- 1/4 cup pumpkin
- 2 TBSP of broccoli sprouts, micro-greens or parsley (optional)
- 3/4 cup water or bone broth
- 2 TBSP of Holistic Vet Blend Feline Blend
-
1/2 TSP Holistic Vet Blend Icelandic Omega-3 fish oil
Instructions:
- Saute' the turkey in coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- After 6 minutes add the greens and cook an additional 2-3 minutes until all traces of pink are gone.
- Remove from heat. Add water or bone broth (tip: if it's chilled it will cool the recipe so you can add nutrient premix)
- Add the premix and Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Blend to desired consistency in a food processor or with a hand held immersion blender.
-
Freeze what you will not use in 4 days.
This recipe makes a little over 1.5 pounds of food. Since I have 4 cats I use the food within 4 days I keep the food in a large container and scoop out the meals from the container. You could freeze 1/2 or 1/4 cup servings if you like for what you will not use up in 4 days. I do this regularly by buying 3 pounds of ground meat (better price in bulk and less packaging waste), triple the recipe and freeze the servings for later. You can do this with different proteins if your cat likes variety.
Raw Turkey and Pumpkin Homemade Cat Food Recipe
Turkey and Pumpkin Recipe - Raw:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground turkey
- 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
- 2 TBSP of coconut oil
- 2 TBSP of broccoli sprouts, micro-greens or parsley (optional)
- 2 TBSP of Holistic Vet Blend Feline Blend:
- 1/2 TSP Holistic Vet Bled Icelandic Omega-3 fish oil (or 3.5 ounce tin of sardines in water)
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients except meat and greens in one bowl: pumpkin, coconut oil, premix, and Omega-3's in one bowl.
- Use a large bowl to mix the meat with and greens with the premix, pumpkin, and greens.
- Allow your cats to enjoy the meal and freeze the rest in 1/2 cup portions. I use a muffin tin to measure out the servings. Freeze and put the servings in a container to thaw before feeding.
This recipe makes approximately 1.5 pounds of food. I use 1/2 cup portions for 4 ounces and 1/4 cup portions for 2 ounces of food. After I mix I feed my cats their meal and freeze the rest. I measure out 1/4 or 1/2 cup scoops, add the scoops to a muffin tin, and freeze.
What Should I Avoid When Making My Own Cat Food?
Notice Anything Missing From This List? That's Right – Carbohydrates
As carnivorous cat species, cats do not need carbohydrates in their diets. In reality their digestive systems have little enzyme capacity for metabolizing plants. Cats are also capable of using plants as fuel. In addition, the fiber is an important source of energy to support the digestive system. However, carbohydrates do not require biological necessity in cat foods as they are generally a supplementary ingredient.
In conclusion, homemade cat food can be a healthy and nutritious option for your feline friend. By controlling the ingredients and avoiding fillers and preservatives, you can provide your cat with a diet tailored to their specific needs. Whether you choose to cook or go raw, it is essential to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your cat is receiving all of the nutrients they need to thrive.
