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).
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.
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.
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.
Note: One capsule of the Natural Factors Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil is 1000mg.
Hi, thanks so much for this recipe. I have a question about liver/heart/kidney please. Do I need to use the three of them or could I just use liver for example (and put more of it in the recipe) ? Thank you
You should follow the recipe exactly as it is written, without making any substitutions.
This is a “balanced” raw food recipe and ensures your cat is eating a meal that contains the right balance of nutrients (vitamins, minerals, fats, amino acids) to ensure their optimal health and wellbeing.
organs have different vitamins. Most Health Food stores can get all 3 beef in frozen form; human grade is best. My cats protein is Elk, Beef, wild Boar & beef liver, heart, kidneys.
Call Health Food butchers if they Cary the 3 organ meats. All bones fed to cats should be RAW; cooked bones splinter & are dangerous for any animal to eat.
What about giving bones, like wing tips to kittens and wing pieces to older cats?
Yes, we feed wing tips to our cats and quail necks are good too if you can get them.
What do I do with the extra supplement mix? Can I freeze it?
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.
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?
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.
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?
The supplement mix will last you many months possibly even a year. I feed multiple cats and make a batch maybe twice a year.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!!
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.
Can I freeze dry this homemade cat food?
Yes, we always freeze in individual portion sizes for convenience.
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.
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.
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?
We tend to use 4 capsules of the salmon oil.
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 😊
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.
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.
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.
Why do they suggest eggshell powder for adult cats? Or can you also Use the freeze dried bone for adults? Thanks
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.
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!
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!
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!
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 =)
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!
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.
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!
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!
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?
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 🙂
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.
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.
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.
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.