Easy raw beef cat food recipe for kittens and adults (boneless)

This raw beef cat food recipe is complete and balanced for kittens and adult cats. I use whole foods and minimal supplements to complete the recipe.

You can get most ingredients at the grocery store. And you’ll have to buy a few things online. But it’s very simple!

This raw beef cat food recipe is:

  • High protein, low carb
  • Beef-based with whole foods
  • Free from grains, gluten, and fillers
  • Made without bones, so you don’t need a grinder
cat eating homemade raw food

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Raw beef cat food recipe:

This recipe is formulated to be complete and balanced to AAFCO guidelines for healthy kittens and adult cats.

Beef is the main ingredient, with a few other protein sources to make this a complete and balanced meal.

I’ve included product links within the ingredients list below of what I use and recommend.

  • 23 oz (652 g) beef heart, no fat
  • 18 oz (510 g) ground beef, 85/15
  • 6 oz (170 g) beef liver
  • 3 oz (85 g) sardines (canned in water, no salt)
  • 3 oz (85 g) cooked frozen oysters (I buy these at a local Asian Market)
  • 2 oz (57 g) cooked blue mussels (I buy these at Lidl in the frozen seafood section)
  • 4 1/4 T (35 g) raw sunflower seeds, no salt
  • 3 T (25 g) NOW bone meal powder (1 tsp = 2.8 g)
  • 1 tsp (5 g) nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 tsp (3 g) sea salt
  • 500 mg taurine powder
  • 2 3/4 scoop NOW kelp powder (comes with scoop)

Please note that converting grams to tablespoons/teaspoons isn’t always an exact match. I like to use this calculator.

plates of homemade raw cat food

Where to buy meat ingredients

Check your grocery store, Asian market, farmers market, go directly to the farm, butcher, etc. Anywhere you can buy meat!

You can order meat ingredients online if you can’t find them locally. My go-to raw pet food supplier is Hare Today. They sell a variety of proteins, heart, gizzards, liver, kidney, etc.

Or you can order from farms that sell meat for human consumption. Stock up for yourself and your cat!

Nutritional benefits of this cat food recipe

Every ingredient in this recipe has a purpose.

My goal is to make recipes as simple as possible using whole food ingredients that offer high-quality nutrition.

  • Beef meat is high in protein, provides fat, and helps fulfill important vitamin and mineral requirements
  • Hearts are high in taurine and other essential nutrients
  • Liver helps to fulfill essential vitamins and minerals
  • Sardines are rich in healthy fats and vitamin D
  • Oysters provide necessary zinc, copper, and iron
  • Blue mussels fulfill manganese requirements
  • Sunflower seeds fulfill vitamin E requirements and add omega-6 fatty acids
  • Bone meal powder brings calcium up so that the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is what’s recommended
  • Nutritional yeast provides potassium and B vitamins
  • Sea salt fulfills chloride requirements
  • Taurine powder is added since ground beef is lower in taurine
  • Kelp provides necessary iodine

The meat ingredients make up 95.75% of this recipe. So the additional non-meat superfoods are only 4.25% of this recipe.

food processor grind up raw cat food

Guaranteed analysis of this recipe

NutrientAs fedDry matter
Protein18.03%58.13%
Fat8.63%27.81%
Ash2.81%9.07%
Moisture68.98%
Fiber0.28%0.92%
Net Carbs1.26%4.07%
Ca:P1.17:1

Note: Ash = minerals. Ash (aka minerals) is high because kittens have higher mineral requirements for growth.

You can view a full nutritional analysis of this recipe in this PDF. Please see the feeding guidelines below, as the PDF feeding amounts apply only to kittens.

How to make DIY raw cat food

Note: the video below shows how I make DIY raw cat food in general. It does not show this specific recipe.

  • All meat in this recipe should be served raw. Practice proper food safety and hygiene while preparing raw foods.
  • Wash your hands, utensils, dishes, and surface areas with hot water and soap.
  • Weigh ingredients using a digital scale based on the recipe above.
  • Cut larger pieces of meat into smaller chunks. Use a food processor or blender to mix all ingredients together.
  • Preportion daily servings in sealed containers. Store any portions you will not use within 72 hours in freezer-safe containers and put in the freezer until you need it.
  • Thaw raw food in the refrigerator ~24 hours before you need it. If you need to thaw food quickly, put the sealed container of food in a larger dish full of cold water. Do not thaw raw food at room temperature on the counter. Do not use a microwave.
  • Serve all juices in the container when you feed.

Check out my meal prep list on Amazon for other supplies.

Please note that cats are very cautious (not picky!) about new foods. Make a plan to transition to any new food slowly. Use my switch from kibble to raw plan.

cat eating homemade raw cat food

How much to feed your cat

This recipe is formulated to feed a 10-pound adult cat for 14 days. Feeding amounts vary depending on the individual cat.

Please adjust the feeding amount according to your cat’s weight, body condition score, and individual needs.

Macronutrient information for this recipe

Total kcal in recipe2,521.18
kcal / oz43.89
kcal per pound702.25
kcal / kg1,548.16

You will have to adjust feeding amounts based on your individual cat. See how much to feed your cat for more instructions. There is a calculator included in that post.

More cat food recipes

jericho eating homemade raw meaty bones diet

I have a library of cat food recipes here on this blog:

How to make your own recipes

For beginners who want to make their own recipes, I highly recommend Paws of Prey Cat Meal Formulator. It’s very easy to use, includes a sample recipe, and it’s a one-time payment! Check out how to make your own cat food recipe to see how I formulate with this formulator.

Still need help? Check out how to make homemade cat food and recipe FAQ for a more detailed guide.

Note: This recipe is a general guideline for educational purposes only and should not replace professional advice. It is the cat parent’s responsibility to determine if this recipe is suitable for their individual cat. Cat parents must also discuss any diet changes with their cat’s veterinarian. This recipe was formulated to AAFCO guidelines for all life stages.

easy raw beef cat food recipes jess and jericho caticles.com