Feed Raw

 Is Raw Meat Safe for my Cat?

Why Consider a Raw Food Diet?

The simplest answer is, "Because it closely approximates the diet cats would get in the wild; the diet to which their physiology is naturally attuned." Cats eat a varied diet in the wild, including organs, brains, and occasionally, stomach and intestine contents:

• mice and other rodents
• small mammals
• birds
• fish
• snakes and other reptiles
• insects

There are mixed reactions to this question. Certainly pet food companies will tell you of the dangers inherent in feeding raw meat to pets, such as salmonella, e coli (a zoonose), listeria, and other bacteria.

Some veterinarians also take this stance. On the other hand, the "Raw, Meaty Bones" diet was developed by a  respected veterinarian Dr. Lisa A. Pierson, who advocates raw diets for cats. (see Dr. Lisa A. Pierson's info below)

While cats' stomachs are said to be more acidic than ours, and while cats often eat day-old carcasses in the wild with no ill effects, human-induced bacterial contaminants in processed meats can be problematical. However, thousands of people are successfully feeding their cats and dogs raw food diets.

• Use the meat immediately, or freeze the meat mixture in individual serving-sized packets for future use. (Freezing also destroys many bacteria.)
• Use safe food handling techniques - clean and sterilize all equipment, including cutting boards and food dishes after each use-
• Always take up and discard any uneaten food after thirty minutes
• Consult with your own veterinarian before offering a raw meat diet to an immunocompromised cat

When Time is Limited

Commercial raw meat frozen and freeze-dried diets are also available. They are great time savers. You only have to defrost the frozen foods, warm slightly to take off the chill, and serve. The freeze-dried diets are reconstituted with warm water and dinner is served.

It's Your Decision

As in all such issues dealing with cats, the bottom line is always that it is a personal decision, and you need to determine what is best for your own cat. I've given you several pros and cons here, along with some resources for forming your own opinion. As always, here's to good health and long, happy lives for your kitties and mine.

 

Feeding Your Cat: Know the Basics of Feline Nutrition

Lisa A. Pierson, DVM  

http://catinfo.org/