This post includes a whole prey diet plan for cats that’s as balanced as I can get it!
Whole prey data is limited so it is a guessing game with some nutrients. But I fill in most of the gaps with other whole foods.
You will likely have to buy whole prey online. But there are some pet stores that carry more options nowadays.
Please note that I only recommend whole prey for cats who are currently eating 100% raw.
Do not expect your cat to know that whole prey is food if there is zero fresh food in his diet. Use my switch to raw guide first if you’re feeding dry and/or canned food.
This variety whole prey recipe is:
- High protein, low carb
- Whole prey based with other whole foods
- Free from grains, gluten, and synthetic supplements
- Made with whole prey (that you feed whole), so you donβt need a grinder

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Whole prey cat food recipe
This recipe is *mostly* complete and balanced to NRC guidelines for healthy adult cats. I say mostly because whole prey data is limited.
Certain nutrients are missing from whole prey data. I go into more detail below the recipe.
Whole prey mice, quail, and day-old chicks are the main ingredients, with a few other protein sources and whole foods to make this as balanced as I can get it.
I’ve included product links within the ingredients list below of what I use and recommend.
- 9.1 oz (258 g) whole prey large mice (approx. 10-11 mice)
- 7 oz (198 g) whole prey adult quail (approx. 1 quail)
- 7 oz (198 g) day-old chick (approx. 5-6 DOC)
- 0.7 oz (20 g) canned oysters
- 0.7 oz (20 g) raw salmon
- 0.42 oz (12 g) raw pork fat
- 1.4 oz (40 g) blue mussels, cooked
- 3/4 teaspoon (1.75 g) Maine Coast Sea Seasonings Dulse
- ~1 raw chicken egg yolk (17.5 g)
- 3/4 teaspoon (1.75 g) NOW nutritional yeast
Check out where to buy whole prey for my favorite places to buy whole prey.
Whole prey vary in size and weight. So please use the ounce or gram amount for accuracy. However, I’ve included an approximate amount for each based on average weights to make it easier to understand and visualize how much you will need each week.
Adult quail are about 6-8 weeks old. It should list their age on the product description from wherever you purchase these.
I have trouble sourcing cooked blue mussels. Most at the store are green mussels which are lower in manganese.
So I like to use SmallBatch freeze-dried blue mussels, and I rehydrate them. I buy these at my local pet store, but they are also on Amazon and Chewy.
Please note that converting grams to teaspoons isn’t always an exact match. Go for grams as that is more exact. I like to use this calculator to convert teaspoons to grams and vice versa.
Nutritional benefits of this whole prey meal plan
Formulating with whole prey is difficult since data is lacking. My goal is to make recipes as simple as possible using whole food ingredients that offer high-quality nutrition.
- Mice are high in iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, and protein
- Quail are high in taurine, potassium, calcium, and fat
- Chicks provide variety to the diet and are probably the easiest to transition to since most cats like/currently eat chicken
- Oysters help to fulfil necessary zinc and selenium requirements
- Salmon provides vitamin D and adds healthy fats
- Pork fat brings the fat content up since whole prey is very lean
- Blue mussels fulfill manganese requirements
- Dulse provides iodine
- Egg yolks add healthy fat and trace nutrients
- Nutritional yeast helps boost B vitamins
Nutrients that are low in this recipe (based on NRC):
- Iodine is at 88% of what’s recommended
- Vitamin B6 is at 41%
- Vitamin B5 is at 85%
- Biotin is at 0%
- Choline is at 24%
Unfortunately, whole prey data does not include these nutrients.
However, we do know that quail meat and skin are high in B vitamins. I’m still including nutritional yeast just in case.
If you’re concerned, you can use a B-complex vitamin supplement made for cats. Follow the instructions on the bottle. B vitamins are water-soluble so any excess should come out in the urine.
Biotin and choline are not analyzed by most food databases so it is possible that the recipe does provide enough.

Guaranteed analysis of this recipe
| Nutrient | As fed | Dry matter | 
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 18.56% | 59.73% | 
| Fat | 8.47% | 28.16% | 
| Ash | 2.73% | 9.07% | 
| Moisture | 68.93% | |
| Carbs | 1.31% | 4.3% | 
| Ca:P | 1.8:1 | 
Note: Ash = minerals. Blue mussels are the highest in carbs followed by oysters. This amount still matches the feral cat diet. And obviously these ingredients are not gluten, grains, etc.
How to make this whole prey meal plan
- All meat in this recipe should be served raw (except for blue mussels). Practice proper food safety and hygiene while preparing raw foods.
- Wash your hands, utensils, dishes, and surface areas with hot water and soap.
- Use a food processor or blender to mix the following ingredients: oysters, salmon, pork fat, mussels, dulse, egg yolk, and nutritional yeast. Divide this amount into 7 portions per 7-day batch.
- Preportion daily servings in sealed containers. Store any portions you will not use within 48 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.
- If you choose to use B complex supplements, add to the food at mealtime. Do not freeze.
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.

How much to feed your cat
This recipe is formulated to feed a 10.7 pound altered adult cat for 7 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.
kcal information for this recipe
| kcal / oz | 54.8 | 
| kcal / day | 211.14 | 
| Recipe makes # of days | 7 | 
| Amount to feed per day (gm) | 109.15 | 
| Amount to feed per day (oz) | 3.85 | 
You will have to adjust feeding amounts based on your individual cat. See how much to feed your cat for more instructions.

How I formulate recipes
For beginners who want to formulate recipes (especially using whole prey), I use and 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!
Want a simpler recipe to start? Check out my ground mouse recipe (this one is complete and balanced). Or view all recipes here.
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 discuss any diet changes with their cat’s veterinarian. This recipe was formulated to NRC guidelines and is *mostly* complete and balanced for a healthy adult cat weighing 10.7 pounds.
