Nutritious Raw Cat Diet
This recipe for a Raw Diet for cats is designed to provide all the essential nutrients your feline friend needs. Combining high-quality proteins from poultry, rabbit, and eggs, along with vital supplements, this homemade cat food offers a balanced diet that mimics their natural eating habits. The mix can include either a whole carcass or ground rabbit, ensuring your cat receives a rich source of amino acids and fatty acids. The preparation involves baking some ingredients to enhance flavor and texture while still providing raw components that are crucial for health. This recipe yields 25 meals, allowing you to plan ahead and maintain a fresh supply of food. Be sure to check out additional resources online for further tips and insights on feeding your cat a raw diet. Visit http://www.catinfo.org/?link=makingcatfood#The_Recipe for comprehensive guides.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Poultry
3 lbs (thigh meat bones & skin (whole carcass) or 2 1/4 lbs ground rabbit (whole carcass))
Boneless Chicken or Turkey
3/4 lb (skin and fat (only if using rabbit))
Water
1 cup (preferably more if your cat will eat it with extra moisture)
Eggs
2 (use yolk raw and lightly cook the white)
Fish Oil
5 g (a good source of essential fatty acids)
Vitamin E
1/3 g (use powdered E from capsules for convenience)
Vitamin B12
1/16 g (can be from capsules or tablets)
Taurine
2 g (use powdered form, either from capsules or loose)
Salt
3/4 teaspoon (use Morton Lite Salt for iodine (when using chicken), avoid when using rabbit)
Liver
included in ground mix (ensure it's blended with meat)
Instructions
1
Thaw the ground rabbit (including meat, bones, and liver) and mix it with the chunked chicken/turkey thigh meat and skin in a large mixing bowl.
2
In a separate bowl, combine the water and supplements (vitamin E, vitamin B12, taurine, fish oil, and salt) to create a supplement slurry. Ensure everything is well dissolved.
3
Incorporate this supplement mixture into the meat and bones using your hands for thorough mixing.
4
Portion the combined mixture into containers for easy freezing and storage, ensuring each portion is about 100 grams.
5
If using chicken/turkey thighs, bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until the outside is cooked but the center remains around 50% raw, typically around 20-30 minutes depending on thickness.
6
Once cooked, immediately transfer the thighs to cold water to stop the cooking process, and then cut the meat into small chunks for dental health, aiming for sizes between a pea and a die.
7
Run the meaty bones, non-chunked meat, and skin through a food processor or grinder. Add the liver and optionally, cooked egg to ensure even distribution.
8
Whisk together any remaining ingredients and pour over the mixed meat and bones. Ensure everything is well combined.
9
Freeze in appropriate portion sizes to maintain freshness. Thaw in the refrigerator as needed, consuming within 48 - 72 hours.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nutritious Raw Cat Diet?
It is a homemade cat food recipe designed to provide balanced essential nutrients by mimicking a feline's natural eating habits using proteins like poultry, rabbit, and eggs.
How many meals does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 25 meals.
What are the primary protein sources in this diet?
The main proteins include poultry (chicken or turkey thighs), rabbit (whole carcass or ground), and eggs.
At what temperature should the poultry be baked?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long should the chicken or turkey thighs be baked?
They should be baked for 20-30 minutes, until the outside is cooked but the center is still 50% raw.
Why is the poultry baked to only 50% raw?
Baking enhances flavor and texture while retaining raw components that are crucial for a cat's health.
What size should the meat chunks be cut into?
Meat should be cut into small chunks between the size of a pea and a die to support dental health.
How should eggs be prepared for this recipe?
The yolks should be kept raw, while the whites should be lightly cooked.
What supplements are included in this cat diet?
The recipe includes Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, taurine, fish oil, and salt.
How much water is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of water, but more can be added if your cat prefers extra moisture.
What is the purpose of adding fish oil?
Fish oil is included as a good source of essential fatty acids.
What type of salt is recommended and why?
Morton Lite Salt is recommended for its iodine content when using chicken.
When should salt be avoided?
Avoid adding salt when using rabbit in the recipe.
How should the supplements be mixed?
Supplements should be dissolved in water to create a supplement slurry before being mixed into the meat.
How should the prepared food be stored?
Portion the mixture into containers and freeze them to maintain freshness.
How long can the food stay in the refrigerator once thawed?
Thawed food should be consumed within 48 to 72 hours.
What is the suggested portion size for freezing?
Each portion should be approximately 100 grams.
What is the purpose of placing cooked thighs in cold water?
Placing them in cold water immediately stops the cooking process.
How do you handle the bones and skin?
Run the meaty bones and skin through a food processor or grinder along with the non-chunked meat.
Is the liver included in this recipe?
Yes, liver is included in the ground mix and should be blended thoroughly with the meat.
Can ground rabbit be used as a substitute?
Yes, 2 1/4 lbs of ground rabbit (whole carcass) can be used instead of poultry carcass.
What form of Vitamin E is easiest to use?
Powdered Vitamin E from capsules is recommended for convenience.
How is taurine added to the mix?
Use 2 grams of taurine in powdered form, either from capsules or loose powder.
Is Vitamin B12 required?
Yes, 1/16 g of Vitamin B12 from capsules or tablets is part of the supplement mix.
What should I do with the remaining ingredients after mixing the meat?
Whisk any remaining ingredients together and pour them over the mixed meat and bones for a final combination.
How much poultry is required if not using rabbit?
The recipe requires 3 lbs of poultry (thigh meat, bones, and skin).
Why is it important to grind the bones?
Grinding ensures the bones are safely consumable while providing essential minerals.
Does this recipe include any fiber?
According to the nutrition data, the fiber content is listed as null, as it focuses on an animal-based diet.
Where can I find more detailed guides on this diet?
You can visit catinfo.org for comprehensive guides and additional tips on raw feeding.
Is this diet suitable for all cats?
While designed to be nutritionally balanced, it is always recommended to check with a veterinarian and consult resources like catinfo.org.