Feeding pets a raw diet has been a debate for decades. Logically, a raw diet seems natural for animals since they would eat raw meat in the wild, but domesticated pets are different. Their bodies have changed and adapted over time. They move less during the day, don’t have to hunt for their food, and they live in our households instead of the wild.

While some dog owners feed their dogs raw diets, some pet owners may be surprised to learn that the discussion extends into the cat world as well. Just like dogs, cats have a natural instinct to return to their wild roots, and food is a great way to bridge the evolutionary gap. If you have a picky cat, this may be the reason why. Cats want flavor in their food just like us. They crave meaty textures and real flavors instead of artificial fillers. But is a raw diet the right option for your cat?

Research shows that a raw cat food diet has both pros and cons, so the answer isn’t so straightforward. Here is a quick list to show some of the benefits and the drawbacks when considering a raw diet for your furry friend..

The Pro List

Nutrition

A raw cat food diet offers more essential nutrients in a natural way. More nutrients are retained from the food ingredients since they do not undergo high heat processing that can destroy heat sensitive nutrients. As a result of this, there is less supplementation needed to add back the nutrients in raw diets. This means your feline friend is getting more natural, high-quality food.

Flavor

While cats have different taste preferences than humans, who doesn’t love flavor? The concept of palatability plays a huge role in what our pets are willing to eat. Cats are naturally drawn to meat. It’s in their blood! Rich flavors contained in raw meats are what most cats are craving. If you have a picky eater, it may be based on taste alone.

Texture

The texture of raw food can be enticing to cats. Because of how they are made, raw diets tend to be very high in meat very little fillers, providing the flavor and texture that cats love. For some cats, the texture is everything and raw meals are something they can savor.

The Con List

Cost

Raw food, like any real food, can be costly. There is a huge difference between a bag of kibble and several prepared meals per day containing meat products. Your cat may like raw food, but your budget may not.

Time and Care

Preparing raw food for your furry friend is time-consuming. It’s like having another human in the house to cook for. You may like the idea of a raw diet, but your work life may not allow the time or energy.

Food Safety

Raw diets are also more likely to be at risk for bacterial contamination, which poses risks for the cats and human. Raw diets may not contain a “kill-step”, which reduces or eliminates harmful microorganisms to food safe levels. This can lead to illness in the cats that eat the raw diet, or cause disease to humans that live with the cat. When preparing dishes with raw meat ingredients, you must pay attention to food safety. Working with raw meat must be taken seriously. Make sure to clean the area thoroughly and wash your hands after preparing a raw dish. Be sure to properly dispose of leftover scraps, especially if you have young kids in the house. Cats on raw diets also shed more bacteria, so the pet parents must be careful about the cats licking them and surfaces that the cats go on.

Health

There is a school of thought which suggests raw food may not be great for cats’ dental health. Because unlike kibble, nothing is scraping the cat’s teeth clean during the eating process. This is common misconception, since unless the kibble is a specifically designed dental diet, kibble actually doesn’t help clean the cat’s teeth. To help support your cat’s dental health, try Wellness^® WHIMZEES Natural Dental Treats!

Another concern is that raw diets don’t always offer complete and balanced nutrients. Controlling and tracking the precise nutrient levels in your cat’s raw diet can be difficult, but this won’t be a concern with a properly formulated commercial raw diet that also undergoes laboratory analysis and feeding studies. If you are interested in trying raw for your cat, it is important to select a reputable brand that takes all the necessary step to ensure nutritional adequacy and food safety for the cats.