16/05/2024
This was written by Laura, an incredible human being who is very passionate and knowledgeable when it comes to Raw Feeding. She is the creator and owner of RMM (raw meow mix) but supports all balanced raw feeding. head to their FB page to find the files referenced in this article.
RAW FEEDING BASICS
There are some basic “rules” that apply to feeding raw properly
If you want to feed raw, you must do it right, or you will be risking nutrient deficiencies or worse
We have compiled a list of the most basic DO’s And DON’T’s of raw feeding for quick referral
This is not a guide to raw feeding. For that please refer to our pinned posts
· Liver is not optional. Liver is an essential part of raw feeding and must be fed at minimum of 5% to maximum of 10% of a raw diet for cats.
· Calcium is not optional. This must be provided either by bone or a calcium replacement. This can be bonemeal, calcium carbonate or eggshell.
· Note that the products on our recommended list already contain the liver and calcium portions, including RMM. Always check labels when feeding a raw diet or choosing from products not on our list. Too often we find products being sold lacking either one or the other of these two essential ingredients, and many products are based on an 80-10-10 model which is lacking in so many nutrients. If in doubt ask us
· Eggs are an important addition to the raw diet. Eggs provide choline, but more than that they provide many nutrients and good fats, they are complete superfood. Eggs can also help with constipation, loosening stool, and assist with hairball prevention. The lecithin in egg yolks are a fat emulsifier that breaks down the fat holding together the clumps of hair in your cats belly, allowing them to be passed in the p**p, avoiding hairball vomits. Additional egg yolk can be fed for these purposes, we recommend a quarter egg yolk per day when required or use the Raw Meow Egg Yolk powder as directed. Never feed egg whites on their own. (RMM already contains the egg yolk) If not listed in ingredients on the products you feed, please confirm with manufacturer
· Plain meat is not a balanced diet. Feeding just plain proteins creates immense nutrient deficiencies and cause health issues in adult cats and paralysis and death in kittens
· Supermarket raw products are not a good option. The raw pet food products you find in supermarket fridges are not balanced, but worse than that they contain preservatives that can cause neurological damage in cats. Too many breeders recommend these products. These are products you should avoid at all costs. Preservatives in any meat product should be avoided. Example would be Fussy Cat raw
· Vitamin supplements are not optional. Balancing a raw diet for cats is impossible to do without the addition of a vitamin/mineral supplement. Many products claim to do this with plant-based food ingredients. Although these ingredients do contain the properties they claim they do, they are generally not bio-available to the obligate carnivore cat. This means they are not absorbed or utilized properly by cats. (RMM already contains the supplements. If not listed in ingredients on the products you feed, please confirm with manufacturer. You may want to request a nutritional analysis to ensure the product meets minimum standards set by AAFCO or NRC)
· Transition takes time. It can happen in a day or it can take months. Be persistent and patient and follow the steps we have laid out. These work regardless of the raw options you are using.
· Remove the kibble from the house. Once you start the transition and your cat is eating a wet option, get that kibble out of the house. Put it in the garage or the boot fo your car, then once transitioned, throw it out or donate it.
· Kibble will not balance a diet. Feeding a plain meat diet, and assuming kibble will balance it all out is incorrect. Kibble is a balanced “food” on it’s own, it cannot balance anything else. If you are mixing feeding, all options must be balanced
· Feeding kibble and raw is not ideal. Apart from the fact that kibble is a carb filled, awful and low protein filled, moisture void food option, it also requires an alkaline digestive tract to process it. Raw diets require an acidic digestion to break it down. Feeding both will cause digestive distress. Do your cat a favour and ditch the kibble
· Raw fed cat drink and p**p differently. Raw fed cats are getting the majority of their moisture from their diets. Raw meat is approx. 70% water. Your cat may drink very little or no water at all once they are raw fed. This is normal. Raw fed cats also p**p way less than kibble fed cats. This is because they are using most of their diet and there is very little waste. 2-3 days without a p**p is normal.
· Raw meals should not be kept in the fridge longer than 2-3 days. Treat raw cat food like you would raw meat for yourself. Raw meat is safe in the fridge for up to 3 days. Portion your meal accordingly
· All meat should be frozen prior to freezing. Freezing kills parasites that cause toxoplasmosis. Freezing is not optional. You can freeze, defrost, batch then refreeze as long as this is done safety and quickly and always only in the fridge. Or you can batch, portion then freeze. 3 days for all meats, 3 weeks for wild caught meat.
· Kittens must be fed kitten appropriate diets. If feeding a commercial option check it is ALL LIFE STAGES or suitable for kittens. Kittens require more phosphorus and calcium than adults for growth
· Fat is not the enemy. Cats need fat. They have a requirement for 10% fat in their diet so if making your own food with RMM do not over-trim the fat. Raw fat is preferred but rendered duck fat is also acceptable. If reading labels in dry matter basis then the number is 30%DMB
· Fish is not appropriate. Cats are land animal eaters. Fish is not an appropriate protein for them. The only fish cats should be offered are small oil fish that can provide essential omega 3. Sardines and green lipped mussel are great. Cooked is better (canned sardines) and if feeding raw then limit to one sardine per week. Raw sardines contain thiaminase that can deplete the cats body of thiamine, hence the limit. An occasion piece of cooked fish as a treat or a little tuna as a tiny occasional treat will not cause harm but do not feed fish as a staple to your cats diet
· Cooked meat can be added to RMM. Though raw is always the best option, you can use Raw Meow Mix with cooked meats. If adding RMM to cooked meats you need to do the following
1. Weigh the meat raw to calculate the amount of RMM powder required based on RAW weight
2. Lightly poach the meat in a little water
3. Let cool
4. Use the cooking water, which is full of nutrients from the meat, to mix the powder
5. Add the meat and RMM sauce together, you can add more water or bone broth if required
6. You can do this in the morning, cooking and mixing the amount of food required for the day, putting it in the fridge to scoop and serve from there
7. You may also cook and freeze, though it would be better done daily, or for 2 days worth, at a time
· Canned and raw is fine. Though raw is the best option, we always find that feeding canned products in rotation with your raw is also great. ARFC recommend Ziwi and Feline Natural canned products as the preferred options.
· Freeze dried meals should always be rehydrated. Freeze dried meals, though an excellent choice, must be rehydrated. One of the most important aspects of raw feeding is feeding a moisture rich diet. Freeze dried food is very dry is offered on its own and can cause the same dehydration issues as kibble sf fed this way. Always rehydrate any freeze dried meals you feed with either water or bone broth
· Treats should only make up 10% of total daily intake. Keep in mind that freeze dried treats weigh one quarter of fresh weight
· Cats do not need milk. Cats are generally lactose intolerant and do not need milk once weaned. Kitten milk is even worse as it is a chemical concoction. Offer fresh water bowls changed daily and if you want to you can offer an occasion small bowl of bone broth
· Feed multiple small meals. Cats in the wild eat many small catches of prey. We recommend you mimic this when feeding and offer 3-6 small meals a day. You can do this around your own schedule.
· Cat’s digestive system is very acidic. Over 100 times as acidic as ours in fact. This means it is safe for them to eat raw meat. Even raw meat that has sat out of the fridge a couple of hours. Although it is preferred that the food is eaten quickly once offered, some cats come and go and finish their meals over a couple hours. If your are feeding indoors in a climate controlled, insect free environment then I would not stress about doping this. I have heard my cats finishing last night’s meal in the early hours of the morning. Do not do this on purpose but don’t panic if this does occur.
· Feed their raw food at mouse temperature. Cats can regurgitate their food if it is too cold. We recommend you warm it slight bain-marie style over hot water, or dish it up and leave to sit till it reaches room temp, before serving, to avoid regurgitation.
· Eating too fast can cause vomits. Meals too cold and eating too fast are the two reason a cat will vomit soon after eating. Warming the food as above and serving smaller meals or using a lickimat or bowl can help slow them down and help avoid post meal regurgitation. This is not a medical issue and does not generally require a vet visit.
· Feed a wide variety. Different cuts of meat have different nutrient profiles so be sure to feed a wide variety of proteins if feeding with RMM and a wide variety of options when feeding a commercial option.
· Probiotics are very beneficial.Adding probiotics to your cats diet can be extremely beneficial on many levels. Gut health is the source of everything and affects all functions of our bodies. Vaccines and medications can deplete the health of the gut and adding a good probiotic, that creates new gut bacteria, and prebiotics that feed the gut bacteria can help keep your cat healthy.
And finally… reach out, head to Australian Raw Fed Cats fb page. We have created this community for you. Use its resources wisely. Use the search function, ask questions, post as often as you need. We are here to help you.
