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You are here: Home / Raw Feeding / Balanced Raw Cat Food Recipe including Vitamin Supplements

Balanced Raw Cat Food Recipe including Vitamin Supplements

Updated 7 October 2020 By Pawesome Cats 40 Comments

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Do you want to make your own cat food? This is the homemade raw cat food recipe that we use and recommend. It also includes instructions on mixing your own raw cat food supplements and where to buy the supplements you need to get started.

When we started our journey into raw feeding, we really didn’t know where to start, perhaps you’re feeling the same way right now?

This is the homemade raw cat food recipe we made when we first transitioned our cats from commercial raw food. It uses ground meats and is similar in texture to many commercial raw cat foods. This helps ease the transition from a commercial raw diet to homemade raw cat food. One of the benefits of this raw recipe it that it’s easier to include the organ meat in the cat’s meals when it’s mixed together. We continue to use this raw cat food recipe as part of our rotation of meals, we also feed chunks of meat which give cat’s teeth and jaws a better workout.

There are many different homemade raw cat food recipes available on the internet, but we follow one that was developed by Laurie Goldstein and Carolina Lima, co-owners of the Raw Feeding for IBD Cats Facebook group. You can find the original recipe ‘Balanced Raw Recipe with Nutritional Analysis’ on their website.

Questions about this recipe? The best forum to ask any questions about this recipe is via the Raw Feeding for IBD Cats Facebook group.

Please note: Using eggshell as a bone substitute, this raw cat food recipe is balanced and complete for adult cats only. Growing kittens need additional calcium and phosphorus. For kittens, you must replace the eggshell with calcium hydroxyapatite (freeze dried bone). 

easy homemade raw recipe for cats, ingredients in stainless steel bowl ready to mix together

Image: Pawesome Cats

 

Homemade Raw Cat Food Recipe

We purchased a basic mincer (meat grinder) to mince the protein and muscle/organ meat. You could also use a food processor to turn the boneless meat into mince. This recipe does not use whole bone for the calcium source so a powerful (and expensive) meat grinder is not required.

We advise against purchasing pre-ground mince from your butcher or supermarket. There is a higher risk of bacteria in pre-packaged mince.

Ingredients

737g (1 pound, 10 oz) boneless protein e.g. chicken, turkey, kangaroo, beef etc.
85g (3 oz) heart
45g (1.6 oz) liver
45g (1.6 oz) kidney
1 tsp (6.1g) finely ground eggshell powder OR 26 capsules of Calcium Hydroxyapatite (freeze-dried bone)
7 capsules of 500mg salmon oil
1/2 tsp vitamin supplement
1 large egg yolk

Note: for kittens you MUST use Calcium Hydroxyapatite instead of eggshell.

How to Make Your Own Cat Food

Based on a 55g (2 oz) portion size, this recipe makes 18 individual meals. This provides an adult cat with enough raw cat food for nine days based on feeding two meals per day.

This is the process we follow when making the raw recipe.

SET UP: raw cat food recipe preparation

It is easier to get everything ready and have what you need within arms reach before you start. We use a plastic chopping board with an absorbent kitchen cloth underneath which soaks up any meat and organ juices and minimises mess.

TIP: A red coloured chopping board is better than a white one if you’re a little squeamish.

raw kangaroo meat and organs alongside knife, tongs and red chopping board

Image: Pawesome Cats

 

STEP 1: cutting raw meat and organs

Cut the raw boneless meat and organs (heart, liver and kidney) into pieces that will fit through the feeder on the meat grinder. Mince everything and place in a large stainless steel mixing bowl.

TIP: Slicing organs is our least favourite part of the process, it’s also the messiest – so we deal with them first. We also use a carving fork and tongs to minimise the ‘icky’ factor of handling raw meat and organs.

STEP 2: add salmon oil and egg yolk

Using a push-pin, pierce the salmon capsules and squeeze the oil onto the raw meat and organs, and add the egg yolk.

TIP: Alternatively you can melt the salmon oil capsules in hot (not boiling) water and the water/melted salmon oil can be added to the food.

STEP 3: add eggshell and vitamin powders

Place the powders (ground eggshell OR freeze dried bone, and vitamin supplement) together in a glass jar and shake to combine, then add to the raw meat and organs. If required, add a small amount of water to ensure the supplements are mixed evenly throughout the raw food.

This homemade raw cat food recipe includes ground eggshell powder and a vitamin supplement mix. This ensures the recipe is nutritionally balanced. 

**If you have pre-prepared your ground eggshell powder (or are using freeze dried bone) and your vitamin supplement mix, go straight to Step 4.

STEP 3A: make ground eggshell powder (adult cats only)

Finely ground eggshell powder works well as a calcium substitute, and is easy to prepare. Save your eggshells, wash them throughly to remove the egg residue and leave them to dry.

Once dry, place on a baking tray and bake them in the oven (150 C / 300 F for 10-15 minutes) until they are brittle.

We buy organic eggs (which are date stamped) from the supermarket. To be on the safe side, we break off the bits of eggshell that have ink on them.

Next, place the eggshells in a clean coffee grinder (we used a Nutri Bullet which worked well too), and pulse until they resemble a finely ground powder. Wait 10 minutes for the dust to settle before opening the grinder, then transfer the eggshell powder to a glass jar and store in the pantry.

eggshells for calcium source, sitting in tray on top of oven ready to be baked

Image: Pawesome Cats

 

REMEMBER: If you are making this raw cat food recipe for growing kittens, you must use freeze dried bone. Substitute 26 capsules of Calcium Hydroxyapatite (freeze-dried bone) instead of the eggshell powder.

STEP 3B: vitamins for raw cat food recipe

To ensure this recipe is nutritionally complete, you must add 1/2 a teaspoon of the vitamin supplement mix to every batch of homemade raw cat food.

The vitamin supplement mix includes:

  • 1,000mg Taurine – 50 capsules
  • 150mcg Standardised Kelp – 20 tablets
  • 10mg Chelated Manganese – 10 capsules
  • 400iu Dry Vitamin E – 5 capsules
  • 50mg B Complex – 2 capsules

To combine, add all supplements (including gel caps) to a clean coffee grinder (or NutriBullet) and pulse until finely ground. Again, wait for the dust to settle before opening the grinder, then transfer to an airtight glass jar.

–> Scroll down, to read where to buy supplements for this homemade raw cat food recipe.

STEP 4: recipe mixing and packaging

Mix everything together thoroughly using a fork or spatula. Once the raw cat food recipe is well combined, spoon meal-sized portions into zip-lock freezer bags (expel as much air as possible when sealing) and freeze until required.

TIP: We use a permanent marker to label all the zip-lock bags so we can easily identify the raw protein source in the freezer e.g. a capital K on the outside of the zip lock bag = Kangaroo, T = Turkey, B = Beef etc. 

If you are feeding multiple cats or preparing raw food in bulk you may prefer to use plastic freezer food containers or Ball Mason freezer glass jars instead of zip-lock bags.

STEP 5: defrosting raw cat food – ready to eat

Place a meal sized portion in the fridge for 12 hours to defrost. We usually get the morning portions out the freezer the evening before and defrost overnight. We get the evening portions out the freezer that morning to defrost during the day.

If you forget to take the raw cat food out the freezer, you can defrost quickly in warm water. Simply submerge the zip-lock bag in warm (not hot) water for 10-15 minutes to bring it to ‘mouse body’ temperature.

NEVER use the microwave to defrost raw food as it can destroy essential nutrients.

Where to Buy Supplements

Australian law doesn’t require full disclosure of ingredients in nutritional supplements, which makes us cautious particularly with Charlie, who has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and food sensitivities.

We purchase our raw cat food supplements directly from iHerb in the United States who offer fast and direct shipping to Australia and elsewhere in the world. We personally recommend their products and service.

Click here to view the supplements and products we use in the homemade cat food recipe and save 5% on your order. Use code “GSP403” at checkout.

shopping list of vitamin supplements from iHerb

Note: One capsule of the Natural Factors Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil is 1000mg.

raw cat food recipe balanced with nutritional supplements

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Filed Under: Raw Feeding

Comments

  1. Bill says

    3 November 2021 at 6:01 pm

    What about giving bones, like wing tips to kittens and wing pieces to older cats?

    Reply
    • Pawesome Cats says

      11 November 2021 at 11:06 am

      Yes, we feed wing tips to our cats and quail necks are good too if you can get them.

      Reply
  2. Katelyn Macias says

    15 August 2021 at 8:49 am

    What do I do with the extra supplement mix? Can I freeze it?

    Reply
    • Pawesome Cats says

      15 August 2021 at 8:55 am

      The extra supplement mix can be stored in a jar and will last as long as the earliest expiry date on the individual supplements (it’s usually at least 12 months). I write the date on a sticker and attach to the jar, to discard after this date. I store in the pantry or fridge during the heat of summer.

      Reply
  3. Kris says

    30 July 2021 at 5:30 pm

    I have been making my own raw cat food based off a recipe that says to use three chicjen skins per batch for a little bit of fat content. If a cat prefers a keaner raw meat is there any options you’d recommend for added fat content other than chicken skins?

    Reply
    • Pawesome Cats says

      15 August 2021 at 9:01 am

      I can’t comment on someone else’s’ recipe and this recipe doesn’t include chicken skins. But in addition to feeding my cats this balanced raw recipe, their weekly treats include pieces of meat – e.g. chicken thighs with fat, duck with skin and other meat including small amounts of fat.

      Reply
  4. Sarena says

    7 July 2021 at 2:39 pm

    Hello, When combining those vitamins to mix together how much 1/2 tsp servings are in this recipe? How many months would this recipe last for one cat before having to make another batch?

    Reply
    • Pawesome Cats says

      13 July 2021 at 7:24 pm

      The supplement mix will last you many months possibly even a year. I feed multiple cats and make a batch maybe twice a year.

      Reply
  5. Lynne Clark says

    29 May 2021 at 9:49 pm

    How much do those supplements cost and how long do they last [how many batches]? I’m on a fixed income so I have to be careful. My cat is 21, so I’d like to help him in his older years. I’ve only had him for about 4 years.

    Reply
    • Pawesome Cats says

      13 July 2021 at 7:29 pm

      You can view the supplement prices in your currency on iHerb. The supplement mix results in quite a large batch – it will last you many months if you’re only feeding one cat.

      Reply
  6. Grete Hansen says

    14 April 2021 at 3:45 am

    They say to feed your cats from 2-6 meals a day normally. Stating 6 is best so with the raw food diet you state that recipe is for two meals a day. I know based on my cats weight he should eat 400 cal a day. Do you have that info available for this raw food diet. Do you also feed your cats more than two meals a day. My cat easy like a bodybuilder on a competition every three hours he howls for food🤣 thanks for the info

    Reply
    • Pawesome Cats says

      15 April 2021 at 11:08 am

      If you have a kitten or cat under 12-18 months old then it’s good to feed them smaller meals more frequently to support their growth and development. For an adult cat, a morning and evening meal usually fits with the typical family schedule, especially if you are away from home during the day. My cats receive two meals per day, they also have a small snack at lunchtime when I’m working from home, and usually get another snack (freeze dried meat) an hour before bedtime. Just make sure you factor the extra treats into your cat’s overall food intake, otherwise you may end up overfeeding. The total amount you feed your cat needs to be appropriate for their age and activity levels.

      Reply
  7. Teya says

    25 March 2021 at 5:02 am

    Hello! Thank you so much for the recipe! Sorry if this question is silly, but I was wondering if you use chicken with the skin or no skin? Also, what part of the chicken do you use, like breast or thigh or legs? I am looking to transition my 2 cats to raw diet. Also, how long can the vitamin mix be kept? Thanks again!!

    Reply
    • Pawesome Cats says

      29 March 2021 at 5:21 pm

      We use chicken breast or thigh, or a combination of both. A little bit of fat (skin) won’t hurt although thighs generally have a bit of fat on them anyway. The expiry of the vitamin powder, will be the same as the vitamins themselves (use the first date to expire as an indicator of how long the vitamin powder will last you). Good luck with transitioning your cats.

      Reply
  8. Rayla says

    2 January 2021 at 10:51 am

    Can I freeze dry this homemade cat food?

    Reply
    • Pawesome Cats says

      2 January 2021 at 12:54 pm

      Yes, we always freeze in individual portion sizes for convenience.

      Reply
  9. Denee Sheffield says

    21 November 2020 at 11:35 pm

    The math seems to be off. It says that barely 18oz worth of ingredients equals 18 two ounce meals. 18oz of ingredients does not equal 34oz of food.

    Reply
    • Pawesome Cats says

      5 December 2020 at 12:05 pm

      Hi Denee – please carefully re-read the recipe, I think you’ve just misread the ingredient amounts. There is 737g (1 pound, 10 oz) boneless protein. The recipe is correct as published.

      Reply
  10. Kris says

    8 November 2020 at 3:50 pm

    I noticed you say 7 capsules of 500mg salmon oil then make the notation at the bottom that one capsule of the Natural Factors Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil is 1000mg. If using the 1000mg capsule how many capsules should be added to each batch?

    Reply
    • Pawesome Cats says

      8 November 2020 at 4:48 pm

      We tend to use 4 capsules of the salmon oil.

      Reply
  11. Azalea says

    8 October 2020 at 5:57 pm

    Hi there. I have to start feeing my cat a raw based diet hand made instead of store bought and has to be kangaroo. I was just wondering with the organs do you use that from kangaroo as well or can the organs be from any animal? Sorry if that is a silly question. Thanks in advance 😊

    Reply
    • Pawesome Cats says

      8 October 2020 at 6:00 pm

      It’s not a silly question – I’m glad you asked. You can feed any organs, they don’t have to be from the same animal as the muscle meat. We usually feed chicken or lamb organs – they are smaller and easier to handle, but also easy to obtain.

      Reply
  12. Joseph Beaini says

    5 January 2018 at 11:11 am

    This is fantastic, thank you.
    Could you be kind enough to recommend the additions for kittens that are growing. Is this also safe to feed the adult cats until the kittens are say about 1 year I would presume.

    Reply
    • Pawesome Cats says

      27 February 2018 at 11:06 am

      This raw cat food recipe has now been updated to include the instructions for growing kittens. Essentially, you need to substitute the eggshell powder for freeze dried bone.

      Reply
      • Maria Altilia says

        29 September 2020 at 10:07 am

        Why do they suggest eggshell powder for adult cats? Or can you also Use the freeze dried bone for adults? Thanks

      • Pawesome Cats says

        29 September 2020 at 5:37 pm

        You can use freeze dried bone for adult cats. Ground eggshell is often used because it’s an easily available and inexpensive option. For cats with kidney/renal issues eggshells are a better choice as they have less phosphorous and cats with compromised kidney function can’t remove excess phosphorous from their blood as effectively.

  13. Jeanne Melanson says

    26 August 2016 at 2:13 am

    Kangaroo meat! Wow. I wonder how that tastes? (I’m in the U.S.) I’d love to start feeding my 4 feral cats more raw food. Thanks for your ideas here. I’ll give it a try. Take care!

    Reply
  14. Bernard Lima-Chavez says

    28 November 2015 at 11:03 pm

    I am a rotational feeder and include raw food sources too! I have primarily used prepackaged raw meats and freeze-dried raw protein sources, but I may try my hand at this recipe. Thank you for recommending iHerb to purchase taurine and other important supplements!

    Reply
  15. Kitty Cat Chronicles says

    28 November 2015 at 3:40 am

    Thanks for this! I haven’t fed raw to my cats in a while, but when I was I followed a recipe from catinfo.org. It is pretty similar to this one. I’ve been wanting to get back into raw feeding, so I will save this recipe to refer to.
    P.S. I didn’t know that kangaroos were eaten!

    Reply
  16. Mary Haight says

    1 September 2015 at 12:22 pm

    Very well-presented article on raw feeding your cats! Shared on Pinterest and Twitter and it made me wish you had a collage of all your great photos =) Thanks — oh, and about using the tongs and things so you don’t have to touch the stuff if you don’t want to, made me laugh though I know people can be squeamish =)

    Reply
  17. Tami says

    31 August 2015 at 3:09 pm

    Really interesting to read about the recipe and ingredients…. this “tip” made me LOL! “A red coloured chopping board is better than a white one if you’re a little squeamish.” That might be me! I might give this a whirl one of these days. Thanks for the great info!

    Reply
  18. Beth | Daily Dog Tag says

    31 August 2015 at 5:07 am

    One of my sisters feeds her cats and dogs prepared raw diets, I’ll have to point this out to her as I’m sure it would save her a lot of money.

    Reply
  19. Bernard Lima-Chavez says

    29 August 2015 at 8:51 am

    I’m just starting to explore raw feeding for my dogs, so this really resonated with me! If it goes well, I may try raw with my cats too. Thank you!

    Reply
  20. Kristen–well minded says

    29 August 2015 at 4:57 am

    I really learned a lot from this article. Seems like a great recipe…I’m sure it gets easier the more times you make it. I don’t have cats, myself, but I will pass this along to my pet sitting clients who might be interested. Thanks!

    Reply
  21. Suzanne says

    29 August 2015 at 3:47 am

    This is a great recipe for cat on a raw food diet. Supplements are important when feeding a raw food diet. You did a great job in making sure everything was step-by-step. Hey did I see a package of Kangaroo?

    Reply
  22. Jenna Meow says

    28 August 2015 at 5:12 am

    So great to find another raw cat food blogger! I have been feeding all home made raw for over a year and am very happy with the results. I would really recommend feeding real bone, the real thing rather than supplement it. But congrats to you for caring so much about your cat’s health 🙂

    Reply
  23. Robin says

    27 August 2015 at 6:47 am

    That looks pretty easy! I never thought about using eggshells for calcium. That’s really smart! I’m still not quite ready to make the move to raw, but this does make it intriguing.

    Reply
  24. Lola The dRescued Cat says

    27 August 2015 at 5:11 am

    Mommy gives humans who do this for their kitties a lot of credit. She doesn’t think she could do this on a regular basis.

    Reply
  25. Rosa @ Cat Lady Confidential says

    27 August 2015 at 12:47 am

    This looks like a great recipe. I haven’t tried raw feeding my cat, but it certainly seems like a great option in terms of health. For me the biggest obstacle for feeding raw is the time it will take to prepare the food, I must confess.

    Reply
  26. Summer says

    24 August 2015 at 7:55 pm

    This sounds really awesome! Sadly, my human doesn’t take anywhere near this type of care in her own diet (at her healthiest, she gets healthy food “to go”), so I have no idea how to convince her to do this! I may have to settle for the occasional raw chicken heart.

    Reply

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