Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've heard talk lately of folks promoting a raw food diet for cats. what are the typical types of foods people give their animals... raw meat? And if so, what types? Are there any types of raw meat that could be BAD for a cat? Also, are there any folks out there who think a raw diet in general is BAD for cats, and if so, why? What about my supplementing my cat's current diet (Felidae dry and Wellness Chicken and Beef moist) with some raw meat?

TX!!

>>what are the typical types of foods people give their animals... raw meat? And if so, what types? Are there any types of raw meat that could be BAD for a cat?

I have fed a raw, homemade diet to my cats for over 17 and a half years now. I use a recipe called Fatty Feline Fare from the book Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. Over the years I have tried a variety of other approaches and recipes, but this is what my own kitties seem to do best on.

People feed their cats everything from whole mice (such as you buy frozen from those who usually supply them for reptiles) to a home cooked diet to chicken necks and everything in between. The best thing to do is buy a couple of the books on the subject, visit some websites, possibly join a couple of email lists, and then decide which approach makes the most sense for you, your cats, and your lifestyle.

I would not recommend a casual approach, as cats have very specific dietary needs; they are not as forgiving as dogs, nutritionally speaking.

Some good resources:

The Wellpet email list and website
www.listservice.net/wellpet/index.htm

The Holisticat email list and website
www.holisticat.com

Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard Pitcairn DVM PhD and Susan Hubble Pitcairn

The New Natural Cat by Anitra Frazier

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Christie Keith
Caber Feidh Scottish Deerhounds
Holistic Husbandry since 1986
Meet the Felines!