Cat Raw Food Calculator
Calculate balanced raw food portions for your cat based on their weight, activity level, and life stage. Get precise measurements for muscle meat, organs, and supplements.
Understanding Raw Feeding for Cats
Raw feeding aims to provide cats with a diet that closely mimics their natural prey-based nutrition. Understanding proper ratios and safety guidelines is crucial for successful raw feeding.
Raw Feeding Basics
There are two main approaches to raw feeding:
- Prey Model Raw (PMR): Mimics whole prey ratios with 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 5% liver, and 5% other organs
- BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food): Includes 70% muscle meat, 10% bone, 5% liver, 5% other organs, and 10% vegetables/supplements
Raw Food Components and Ratios
Component | PMR Ratio | BARF Ratio | Key Benefits |
---|---|---|---|
Muscle Meat | 80% | 70% | Protein, amino acids, nutrients |
Raw Bone | 10% | 10% | Calcium, phosphorus, minerals |
Liver | 5% | 5% | Vitamin A, iron, nutrients |
Other Organs | 5% | 5% | Various vitamins and minerals |
Vegetables/Supplements | 0% | 10% | Additional fiber and nutrients |
Recommended Meat Sources
Muscle Meat Options
- Chicken: Hearts, breast, thighs
- Turkey: Hearts, breast, thighs
- Rabbit: Whole meat
- Duck: Hearts, breast
- Quail: Whole meat
Organ Meat Options
- Liver: Chicken, beef, lamb (essential)
- Kidney: Beef, pork, lamb
- Spleen: Beef, lamb
- Pancreas: Lamb, beef
- Brain: Lamb, goat
Raw Bone Sources
- Chicken: Necks, wings, feet
- Quail: Whole with bone
- Rabbit: Whole with bone
- Duck: Necks, wings
- Turkey: Necks, wings
Essential Supplements
Required Supplements
- Taurine:
- 250mg per day for adult cats
- 500mg for growing kittens
- Sources: Hearts, dark meat
- Fish Oil:
- 100-150mg EPA/DHA per 10 lbs body weight
- Supports skin, coat, and joint health
- Essential omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamin B Complex:
- Required if not feeding whole prey
- Supports nervous system health
- Aids in energy metabolism
Food Safety Guidelines
Handling Raw Meat
- Keep meat frozen until ready to use
- Thaw in refrigerator, never at room temperature
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils
- Clean all surfaces thoroughly after preparation
- Wash hands before and after handling raw meat
Storage Guidelines
- Freeze portions immediately after preparation
- Use within 2-3 days if refrigerated
- Label containers with date and contents
- Keep raw meat separate from other foods
- Use airtight containers or vacuum sealing
Transitioning to Raw
Gradual Transition Schedule
- Week 1:
- 25% raw, 75% current food
- Start with one protein source
- Monitor stool consistency
- Week 2:
- 50% raw, 50% current food
- Introduce organs gradually
- Continue monitoring digestion
- Week 3:
- 75% raw, 25% current food
- Add new protein sources
- Increase organ variety
- Week 4:
- 100% raw diet
- Full variety of proteins
- Complete organ rotation
Common Concerns and Solutions
Digestive Issues
- Loose Stools:
- Reduce organ meat temporarily
- Increase bone content slightly
- Slow down transition period
- Constipation:
- Reduce bone content
- Increase muscle meat
- Add water to food
Food Refusal
- Try different protein sources
- Slightly warm the food
- Mix with previous food initially
- Use meal toppers temporarily
Frequently Asked Questions About Raw Feeding
Getting Started
Is raw feeding safe for cats?
Raw feeding can be safe when done properly:
- Use fresh, human-grade meat
- Follow proper food safety guidelines
- Maintain correct nutrient ratios
- Include all essential supplements
- Monitor your cat's health regularly
How much should I feed my cat?
General guidelines for raw feeding:
- 2-3% of body weight for adult cats
- 5-10% for kittens and pregnant cats
- Adjust based on activity level
- Monitor weight and condition
Diet Components
Which organs are essential?
Required organ meats:
- Liver (5% of diet)
- Kidney
- Spleen
- Heart (counted as muscle meat)
- Brain (good source of omega-3)
Can I feed ground raw food?
Benefits and considerations:
- Convenient for portion control
- Easier to balance nutrients
- Less dental benefits than whole prey
- Must be frozen immediately after grinding
Special Situations
Is raw feeding good for kittens?
Considerations for kittens:
- Higher protein and fat needs
- More frequent meals needed
- Additional calcium requirements
- Start with ground food
What about senior cats?
Adjustments for senior cats:
- May need softer textures
- Additional supplements possible
- Monitor kidney function
- Adjust portions for activity level