Feeding cats a raw food diet that closely mirrors what nature intended offers many benefits. After more than a decade of raw feeding, we’ve seen firsthand the benefits of a raw diet for cats with the improved health and wellbeing of our own feline family.
Of course, raw feeding has its pros and cons. But after years of research and real-life experience, we’re convinced it provides better nutrition than commercial alternatives. The difference was especially clear with Charlie, one of our cats who suffered from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). His struggles with digestion were the reason we first made the switch, and it’s no exaggeration to say a raw food diet changed his life.
Cats are obligate carnivores and their bodies are built to thrive on a meat-based diet. Feeding them a raw, species-appropriate diet aligns with their natural biology and can support a longer, healthier, and happier life. Here are the key benefits cat owners observe, and what you can expect if you choose raw feeding for your own cat.
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Better digestion and nutrient absorption
Cats are natural hunters with short, acidic digestive systems built to process raw meat quickly and efficiently – usually within 12 hours. Commercial pet foods, especially those heavy in carbohydrates, can be harder for cats to digest since they lack the necessary enzymes needed to break down grains and vegetables.
With raw food, nutrients are absorbed more effectively. This often means fewer digestive issues, less overeating, and reduced begging. Many raw-fed cats feel satisfied for longer, which naturally helps regulate their appetite.
Managing food sensitivities and supporting gut health
One of the biggest benefits of a raw diet for cats is its role in reducing food sensitivities and promoting gut health. A biologically appropriate raw diet helps calm inflammation, often easing symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, nausea, and even excessive hairballs.
Food intolerances don’t just affect digestion, they often appear on the skin as itchiness, dryness, redness, or irritation. Many commercial diets contain wheat, corn, or soy, which are common triggers. By removing grains and feeding raw, you reduce inflammation and give the skin a chance to heal. Many cats see major allergy relief, and sometimes their symptoms vanish after switching to a balanced raw diet.
Stronger teeth and fresher breath
Improved dental health is another raw diet benefit for most cats, although genetics can also play a role. Cats fed carbohydrate-heavy kibble (cat biscuits) are more likely to develop plaque, tartar, and even gum disease.
In contrast, raw-fed cats typically have cleaner teeth, stronger jaws, healthier gums, and fresher breath. Chewing chunks of meat and raw meaty bones acts like a natural toothbrush and floss, scraping away plaque while exercising jaw muscles. This isn’t just cosmetic, oral bacteria can spread to vital organs, so keeping teeth and gums healthy supports long-term wellbeing.
Healthier skin and shinier coats
A raw diet supports your cat’s skin and coat health by delivering essential fatty acids that nourish from the inside out. Many cat parents notice a visible difference within weeks: coats become softer, glossier, and silky to the touch.
Raw feeding is also believed to reduce shedding and minimise hairballs, and plenty of owners happily report this as true. In our household though, it hasn’t made much difference. Our cats all have thick, medium-length coats, and they still shed heavily especially during seasonal changes, even with regular brushing.
Smaller, less smelly poop
One of the best benefits of a raw diet for cats is what happens in the litter box. When cats are fed a species appropriate raw diet, their bodies use more of their food, stools become smaller, drier, and almost odourless.
When our cats ate commercial cat food, they pooped daily and had larger, smellier stools. On a raw diet, their bowel movements are about half the size, nearly odourless, and usually every two to three days. Less scooping, less smell, that’s a definite plus for cat parents.
More energy and better weight control
Think of how you feel after a heavy, processed meal: sluggish, sleepy, and unmotivated. Cats are no different. Their energy levels are directly linked to the quality of their food. A species-appropriate raw diet, rich in high-quality meat protein and balanced nutrients, fuels both their body and mind, leaving cats more alert, more active, and more playful.
If your cat usually spends most of the day snoozing in a sunny spot, don’t be surprised if they suddenly show more interest in toys or interactive play once they’re eating raw food. Our own cats made the switch when they were young, and even now, well into their senior years, they’re still active and enjoy daily play sessions.
For cats who are overweight, the change can be even more dramatic. The combination of increased energy, renewed interest in play, and a biologically appropriate diet helps shed excess grams naturally. Raw feeding supports appetite regulation and a healthy metabolism, making it easier for cats to maintain a healthy weight without restrictive portion control.
Improved hydration and urinary health
Unlike dogs, cats don’t naturally drink much water. Instead, they’re built to get most of their hydration from their food. This makes diet one of the most important factors in protecting their kidneys and urinary health.
While commercial canned food provides a moisture content closer to what cats need, kibble-fed cats are often chronically dehydrated. Over time, that lack of hydration can take a toll, contributing to health issues like urinary tract problems and even chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Raw food, on the other hand, naturally contains around 70% moisture, very similar to the water content of small prey such as mice and birds. Feeding raw helps your cat stay properly hydrated, supporting healthy kidney function, efficient toxin flushing, and lowering the risk of painful urinary conditions like cystitis, infections, bladder stones, and crystals.
Healing through raw feeding: Charlie’s story
Charlie’s journey shows why so many cat parents answer yes when asked, is a raw diet good for cats? As a kitten, he struggled with frequent bouts of diarrhoea, vomiting, and nausea due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We tried everything – commercial raw diets, novel proteins, even prescription medications, but nothing worked.
Finally, we made the gradual switch to a carefully prepared homemade raw diet. Within weeks, his symptoms began to improve. Within six months, flare-ups became rare. Today, Charlie is a thriving senior cat with no signs of IBD. Raw feeding didn’t just improve his digestion, it gave him a new lease on life.
Final thoughts
From the litter box to their overall wellbeing, the benefits of a raw diet for cats are far-reaching. Better digestion means smaller, less smelly stools. Higher moisture content keeps them properly hydrated, protecting kidney and urinary health. Balanced, high-quality proteins fuel steady energy and support a healthy weight, while essential fatty acids nourish their skin and coat, leaving it soft, glossy, and healthy.
After more than a decade of raw feeding, we’ve seen these improvements across all our cats,and Charlie’s transformation proves just how life-changing it can be.
So, is raw diet good for cats? In our experience, absolutely. Feeding a species-appropriate raw diet gives cats the best chance to live long, healthy, and happy lives.
––> Curious but not sure where to start? Our Beginner’s Guide to Raw Feeding Cats explains the practical side of feeding raw, step by step.
