This raw feeding cats guide includes step-by-step how to switch your cat to a raw diet.
I’ve been raw feeding Jericho since 2018. This complete guide includes everything you need to get started.
Here’s how to switch your cat to a raw diet:
- Raw feeding cats guide basics
- Before you start raw feeding your cat
- Learn how to read cat food labels
- Switching your cat to a raw diet
Note: This is a free raw feeding cats guide. I link to many other articles on my site for further reference. Please be sure to read all the guides before switching your cat to a raw diet. Education is the best tool you have!
If you prefer the convenience of having everything in one place plus videos, printables, and other resources to fast-track your success, my Switch to Raw Blueprint video course is for you!
Raw feeding cats guide basics
A raw food diet for cats is the closest way to mimic our cat’s natural diet: whole prey. All commercial dry and most wet foods fall short of what our cats need to survive and thrive.
But a raw diet is much closer to the feral cat’s diet. A raw diet provides high moisture, high protein, moderate fat, and low carbs. This is exactly what our cat’s eat in the wild!
Read what should cats eat to see the recommended guaranteed analysis for cat food based on feral cat diets.
BARF and PMR are two styles of raw feeding cats. Many commercial cat food brands and homemade raw feeders follow this approach.
Best ways to raw feed a cat for beginners
I always suggest switching to a commercially complete raw diet before attempting homemade raw for a few reasons.
- Complete raw food is easier for beginners to start with.
- Cats are picky about food changes which is demotivating for cat parents.
- Homemade cat food involves a lot of learning and prepping.
Complete raw food is easier for beginners
Switching to commercially complete raw first will help you create a routine around raw meal prepping.
Meal prepping for commercially complete raw includes thawing and portioning out. But for homemade, you have to choose a recipe, buy ingredients individually, weigh individual ingredients, and then portion it out.
Cats are picky about food changes
Most cats are very picky about food changes. Especially when eating dry food. This makes the transition to raw a bit more difficult and time-consuming.
So it’s much easier for you to use an already complete raw food. You’ll ease into the routine of raw meal prepping, storing, and serving.
Homemade cat food involves a lot of learning and prepping
The second objection to raw feeding is nutritional imbalances. So we need to make homemade raw cat food correctly.
There are a lot of ratio diets out there. These ratios are great places to start.
However, we need to use specific foods and supplements to fill in nutritional gaps.
Wild cats hunt specific prey to fill their nutritional needs. Our indoor cats do not have this ability.
So we need to make sure we feed a nutritionally complete diet. Read can cats eat 80 10 10 for more details.
It makes more sense to switch to commercially complete raw first. And learn cat nutrition and how to make homemade cat food along the way.
Before you start raw feeding your cat
It’s crucial to understand your motivation on why you want to raw feed your cat before you start.
Again, cats are very picky about food changes. Especially when they are eating lower-quality commercial food.
Your motivation and your “why” will keep you going when things get tough. Because they will!
Hundreds of cat parents have said to me, “I tried everything and nothing worked… Until I followed your switch to raw plan.”
You’ll also need to gain some confidence. Confidence will help you stay motivated to learn and feed raw properly.
Take your cat to the vet before raw feeding
It’s important to get a vet check before you switch to a raw diet. This will give you a good “before” baseline.
Most vets are against raw feeding. However, you can find a holistic vet on AHVMA and CIVT.
Check with your cat’s vet:
- Urinalysis (urine test)
- GI panel (fecal test)
- CBC (bloodwork)
- Weight
- Body condition score
- Safe weight loss goal if your cat is overweight/obese
Body condition score and safe weight loss goals are important. Most overweight and obese cats who switch to raw start to lose weight because it is a species-appropriate diet.
Work with your vet on an appropriate safe weight loss goal to avoid fatty liver disease.
My Switch to Raw Blueprint video course includes a bonus cat weight loss plan.
Feeding schedules and routines for your cat
Feeding schedules are important before you make the switch to raw. Most cats have a 24/7 all-access buffet of dry food. You must eliminate this before you switch to raw.
Otherwise, your cat will just hold off until you cave and put down more dry food.
Additionally, it’s unsanitary to leave food out all day. Even dry food.
So you and your cat must get used to scheduled mealtimes before you switch to raw.
You’ll also have to determine how much to feed your cat. Most cat parents top off the bowl when it gets low. And they do not keep track of how much the cat eats.
Read how much should a cat eat and cat feeding schedule for more help feeding portioned meals at specific mealtimes.
Implementing fun routines can help both of you stay motivated throughout the transition as well.
Get these routines going now so you’re both having fun before you make the switch to raw.
Read cat daily routines and how to play with your cat for more advice.
Ready to switch your cat to a species-appropriate raw diet? Get my proven plan that has helped 200+ picky cats thrive on raw!
Learn how to read cat food labels
You shouldn’t rely on anyone else to tell you what to feed your cat (including me!).
Learning how to read cat food labels is an important first step. That way, you’ll know which treats, toppers, and food are healthy and appropriate for your cat.
AAFCO has many guidelines in place for pet food manufacturers to follow when creating and labeling their products.
These guidelines apply to all pet food products: treats, toppers, and food.
If you don’t understand these guidelines, you don’t understand what you’re buying.
For example, “Chicken Dinner” means the minimum requirement of chicken is 25%. But “Chicken Flavor” means the minimum requirement of chicken is 0% and it’s less than 3%.
Read cat food labels guide to learn how to read the label.
My Switch to Raw Blueprint course includes cat food label cheat sheets.
Switching your cat to a raw diet
Switching your cat to a raw diet will take time and effort.
However, your motivation, confidence, and fun routines that you already have in place will help you switch properly.
My switch to raw diet plan includes 4 steps:
- Scheduled mealtimes
- Upgrade your cat’s treats
- Liven up your cat’s meal with toppers
- Switch your cat to raw
Cats need to eat at scheduled mealtimes before switching to raw so that your cat understands what you put down is what’s for dinner!
No more caving and leaving out dry all night.
Introducing healthy treats and toppers before switching to raw helps your cat get used to eating better quality ingredients gradually.
This gradual change is important because cats are picky about food changes. Cats are also sensitive about food changes. So we need ot take our time.
Additionally, it’s much easier and more affordable to buy a bag of treats and toppers. Start the transition with this rather than jumping into buying 10 pounds of raw food.
Check out healthy cat treats and cat food toppers for my top recommendations.
You can learn about raw meal prepping, storing, and serving safety while you introduce treats and toppers to your cat’s diet.
Check out best raw cat food brands when you’re ready to make the switch.
You’ll start the switch to raw with one meal.
Gradually increase an additional 5% of the raw food and decrease an additional 5% of the current food each day. Your cat’s second meal during this transition will remain 100% current food.
Start the switch to raw with the second meal once the first meal is 100% raw.
My Switch to Raw Blueprint course includes a Google spreadsheet that does the maths for you.
Final thoughts on raw feeding cats
Raw feeding cats is the best way to feed our cats because we are mimicking their natural diet: whole prey.
There are many ways to raw feed cats. But, most importantly, we need to make sure we are feeding a nutritionally complete raw diet.
It’s easier for beginner raw feeders to start with commercially complete raw. Learn about homemade cat food as you transition to raw.
It’s important to have a clear why, learn how to read labels, and implement feeding schedules for your cat before switching to a raw diet.
Gradually introduce freeze-dried raw treats and toppers to your cat’s diet. Then slowly introduce raw food to your cat’s meals.
Prefer the convenience of having everything in one place plus videos, printables, and other resources to fast-track your success? My Switch to Raw Blueprint course is for you!
