How to Transition Your Cat To A Raw Diet

I want you to know that it's important to do your research and listen to the directions I give you. Raw feeding companies and facebook groups do not all follow the best feeding guidelines. Here are the fundamentals you need to know.

1. Cat's must have atleast 30% fat in their diet to sustain them. Cats who are fed majority poultry or fish will often loose weight and require more food. Poultry, Rabbit & Fish are very lean proteins. Meats like beef, lamb, pork and even duck are fattier and have much more calories. These are facts.

2. The whole point of raw is to steer away  from supplements and processed vitamins in their food. Whole ingredients are best for your cat, just like fresh, non processed ingredients are best for you! I do not recommend the use of completers , supplements, freeze dried or cooked meals except for emergencies.

3. Variety is KEY! Each type of meat offers nutrients varying quantities. The ideal raw diet has atleast 3-5 meats with the majority being red meats. Your cat may favor chicken for example, but it is your job to make sure they eat a balanced meal!

4. Just like in human food nutrition there can be conflicting information on a proper raw diet. AAFCO is a guideline many companies follow, but that doesn't make it the best solution to follow! Don't believe everything you read or hear.

4. If you are looking for corroborating information please review these sources: 

The Book: The Raw Facts of Feline Feeding (this book is sent home with my kittens)

Youtuber: Paws of Prey (she has loads of research behind what she feeds)

The following information on my raw page is a collection of everything I have learned from feeding raw for 3+ years. 

 If you have a cat who has never eaten raw and/or suffers from Gastro Intestinal problems and food sensitives, please order 5Strands Pet Food Intolerance Test for Dog's and Cat's on Amazon so you know what meats to avoid!

After you've received your raw test results you can then transition your cat to raw. The last thing you want is to buy a bunch of raw food your cat can't eat and have them vomiting repeatedly. 

Keep in mind that a cat allergic to Chicken in commercial food -may not be allergic to it in raw. Try introducing proteins your cat is allergic to in super small quantities to gauge reaction. 

After you have tested your cat, you may now begin. Testing is extremely important to weed out allergies if your cat throws up their first few meals.

Start by heading to your local grocery store and purchasing a pound or less of boneless chicken, pork, beef, turkey and lamb.

Once at home you may spend a week transitioning your cat to raw without having to purchase large amounts of raw premade. Your cat will be perfectly fine on an incomplete diet for up to 3 weeks. The ideal time is around 1 week.

During this time occasional throw up, puppy dog eyes of sadness and even weight loss may occur! Buckle up because transitioning a stubborn cat can seem daunting. 

 Hunger Method: For adult cats & kittens, remove all commercial pet food and offer only a spoonful of raw meat for the 1st & 2nd day so as not to waste food. You can offer more once your kitty starts eating.  

I practice the hunger method for transitioning cats, especially picky eaters. Please only do this if your cat is healthy (meaning not super obese, heart or kidney problems ect).

On average it takes 2-3 days using the hunger method to get your kitty to take bites. Do not offer raw with any treats or previous food anymore.

I have had some stubborn kitties take up to 5 days to take their first bites. Some take even a month to be eating completely normal on a raw diet. This is to be expected.

The most key is to be more stubborn than your kitty.  

During the Hunger Method make sure your kitty is drinking plenty of water. If your kitty experiences any signs of major illness (lethargy, seizures, heart issues, breathing or diarrhea issues) stop immediately and seek veterinary assistance. 

Some initial vomiting is completely normal.  Heavy vomiting could mean an allergy or that you may need to move to a slower approach. 

If the hunger method is not working for your kitty, then try the Gradual Method.

This involves cooking the raw plain meat (or premade) every day searing it less and less until your cat has adjusted to the raw.  The food losses nutrients, but can make the transition easier. 

**Make sure you have removed all remants of kibble/wet food from the home. Cats can smell very well and may be inclined to 'wait it out'. **

If your kitty is favoring one type of meat, but won't touch another, you can try the following: 

1.Right before your kitty is going to be fed, they are at their hungriest! This is the best time to offer the undesirable protein first. Offer just a spoonful and then once eaten serve the rest of their meal.

2. You can also try adding a tiny spoon of the undesirable protein to your kitty's plate. Slowly increasing with time. Do not mix meats together as this may deter them from eating all together.

When you are first beginning make sure not to order too much at a time so you know your cat has no complications with the brand you chose.  Please read the following tips on feeding instructions now that your cat is eating raw!