More and more cat owners are turning to raw feeding as an alternative to kibble or canned food. The idea is simple: feed cats the way nature intended, with fresh, unprocessed meat that’s closer to what they’d eat in the wild.
Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been feeding raw for years, questions always come up. Is raw food really safe? How much should I feed? Do I have to make it myself, or can I buy raw cat food ready-made?
Our complete guide to raw feeding cats brings everything you need to know into one place. You’ll find the essentials like portion sizes, safe handling, and the benefits of a meat-based diet. We’ll also explore common challenges, such as how to transition your cat to a raw diet and the cost of feeding raw. Plus, you’ll get links to in-depth articles including feeding approaches and the raw recipe we use ourselves, so you can explore what matters most for you and your cat.
Contents
Why consider raw feeding?
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means meat isn’t just something they enjoy, it’s something their bodies depend on. Unlike humans or even dogs, cats can’t make certain nutrients on their own or obtain them from plants. Vital nutrients like taurine, vitamin A, and arachidonic acid must come directly from animal tissue. In the wild, cats meet all of these needs by hunting: every mouse, bird, or lizard they eat provides protein, fat, moisture, vitamins, and minerals in perfect balance.
Processed kibble and canned foods, while convenient, can’t fully replicate that natural nutritional balance. That’s why many cats thrive when switched to a diet based on fresh meat. Feeding raw isn’t just about appearance, it’s about supporting the biology your cat was born with.
Curious about the science behind it all? Discover how feline evolution shaped cats as hunters and why cats need meat to thrive.
The benefits of raw feeding cats
So, what do cats actually gain from a raw diet? The improvements can be wide-ranging, and many owners notice changes within just a few weeks.
- Healthier coats: glossier, softer fur with less shedding.
- Improved digestion: smaller, drier, and less smelly stools.
- Better energy: more balanced activity levels compared to kibble-fed cats.
- Dental health: chewing meat and raw bones keeps teeth cleaner and breath fresher.
- Hydration support: the natural moisture in raw food helps protect kidneys and urinary health.
Over the long run, some cats also find relief from chronic digestive issues or food sensitivities, while others maintain a healthier weight and lower their risk of obesity or diabetes. Of course, every cat is different, but the pattern is clear: when their diet matches their biology, they thrive.
We’ve seen the benefits of a raw diet for cats firsthand after more than a decade of raw feeding, including dramatic improvements in our own cats’ chronic health conditions.
Is raw food safe for cats?
One of the first concerns people have about raw feeding cats is safety. Raw meat can carry parasites and bacteria like salmonella or E. coli, and many vets are understandably cautious about recommending raw diets.
The good news is that with the right knowledge and safe handling, raw feeding can absolutely be done responsibly. It comes down to a few simple habits: choosing fresh, high-quality meat, freezing when needed to eliminate parasites, and practicing the same kitchen hygiene you’d use when preparing your own meals.
Want to learn more about the risks? Raw food safety for cats explores what vets say, the real concerns to watch for, and the simple precautions that keep you and your cat safe.
How much raw food should you feed?
This is one of the most common questions about raw feeding cats especially for beginners. Cats don’t eat big portions, but getting the amount right is key to keeping them at a healthy weight. As a starting point, most cats thrive on about 2–4% of their body weight per day, usually split into two meals.
That works out to roughly 80–160 grams (3–5.5 ounces) a day for a 4kg (9lb) cat. Kittens, active young adults, and some seniors may need more, while indoor or less active cats often do well on the lower end.
It can feel a little tricky at first, but once you start monitoring your cat’s body condition and weight, adjusting portions quickly becomes second nature.
For raw feeding charts including how to feed kittens and adjust for lifestyle or health needs, see our raw feeding guidelines for cats.
Different approaches to raw feeding cats
Raw feeding isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are several ways to do it, and the best choice really depends on your lifestyle, your comfort level with raw meat, and most importantly – what your cat is willing to eat.
- Homemade raw: preparing meals from scratch with meat, organs, bone (or safe substitutes), and supplements. It takes some effort, but gives you complete control over quality and balance.
- Commercial raw: pre-made diets from pet food companies, usually sold frozen or freeze-dried. These are the most convenient option, though they often cost more.
- Prey model (Frankenprey): feeding a mix of meat, organs, and edible bones in the right ratios to mimic a whole animal diet. This approach gives cats natural chewing exercise and variety.
- Whole prey: serving small whole animals like mice, quail, or rabbits. It’s the closest to what cats would eat in the wild, but it isn’t for everyone.
Each approach has its pros and cons; homemade raw gives you control, commercial raw saves time, prey model is more natural, and whole prey is the most wild. Many cat parents find that a mix works best, blending convenience with variety. For a full comparison, see raw food diets for cats.
What are meal completers and why use them?
If you like the idea of making your cat’s food at home but worry about getting the balance right, meal completers make it easy. These are powdered supplements designed to “complete” plain meat –providing the essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that cats need, including taurine, calcium, and vitamin B1 (thiamine).
When you mix a meal completer with raw or lightly cooked meat, you end up with a fully balanced meal that meets your cat’s nutritional needs, without having to juggle multiple supplements or calculate exact ratios.
Meal completers are ideal for anyone who wants the freshness and control of homemade food without the guesswork. Products like EZComplete (United States) or Raw Meow Mix (Australia) are popular options trusted by long-time raw feeders.
How to transition your cat to raw (step-by-step)
If you’ve ever tried changing your cat’s food, you know how stressful it can be. Cats are creatures of habit, and many are skeptical of new textures or smells. That’s why the most successful transitions happen gradually.
Most cat parents start by mixing a little raw food into their cat’s regular diet, then slowly increasing the ratio over days or weeks. Patience pays off, especially for cats who have eaten kibble their whole lives. Along the way, tricks like toppers, warming food to ‘mouse body temperature,’ or even using play to spark curiosity can make all the difference.
Some cats switch quickly, while others take months, and that’s perfectly normal. What matters most is steady progress, not speed.
This step-by-step guide on how to transition cats to raw shows you exactly how to move from free-feeding to wet food, and finally to raw, at a pace that works for your cat.
How much does raw feeding cost?
Cost is one of the first things people wonder about when considering raw feeding cats. At first glance, it might sound expensive, but the reality depends on how you approach it.
Homemade diets, using fresh supermarket or butcher meat, are often surprisingly affordable and can even work out cheaper than premium canned food. Commercial frozen raw is more convenient, but that convenience usually comes at a higher price. Many cat parents find a balance by mixing both – making homemade batches most of the time, while keeping pre-made raw patties on hand for busy days.
Other factors also play a role: your cat’s size, the type of meat you use, whether you buy in bulk, and even how often you find specials at the butcher. When you put the numbers side by side, raw feeding often comes out more budget-friendly than people expect, especially when you consider the long-term health savings.
Interested in how much it costs to feed raw cat food? We’ve calculated the cost of raw feeding using the homemade raw recipe we feed daily. The numbers may surprise you.
Final thoughts
By now, you’ve seen that raw feeding cats isn’t a single recipe or a rigid set of rules, it’s a flexible framework that can adapt to your cat’s needs and your lifestyle.
The essentials are simple:
- Meat is non-negotiable. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they’re designed to thrive on animal protein, not grains or fillers.
- The benefits are real. From better digestion and smaller, less smelly stools to shinier coats and better energy, many cats thrive on raw.
- Safety and balance matter. With good hygiene, proper supplements, and sensible portions, raw feeding can be both safe and nutritionally complete.
Your cat depends on you for their health, and exploring raw feeding is one of the most powerful choices you can make to give them a healthy and happy life.
