What Is a Raw Cat Food Diet?
A raw food diet for cats includes a variety of foods, including raw meat, bones, and organs. It’s a high-protein diet that can be difficult to put together at home. The main difference between commercial and homemade raw diets is that commercial diets are produced in a facility that follows specific protocols for processing the food. This includes using strict controls on temperature and humidity levels when making the food—to ensure safety.
Raw cat food diets are often recommended by holistic veterinarians because they help prevent many health issues associated with dry kibble diets, including obesity and kidney disease. They also offer benefits to aging cats’ joints and digestive tracts thanks to the nutritional benefits of raw food ingredients like calcium from animal bones or probiotics found in some organ meats such as chicken liver or tripe.
Is Raw Cat Food Safe, Balanced, and Complete?
Raw food diet can be a safe, complete, and balanced diet if you do the research. You need to do your homework and make sure that what you’re feeding your cat is in line with their nutritional requirements.
There are many companies that sell raw cat food online, but they may not all be created equal. It’s important to remember that just because a product says it’s “raw” doesn’t necessarily mean it has everything your pet needs for optimal health.
How to Prepare Raw Cat Food Diet at Home?
The raw cat diet is raw meat and blood in its natural form. It used to be available only in pet stores but now you can prepare it at home.
You can make homemade cat food by purchasing a whole chicken, deboning, and cutting it into pieces of your choice. You can also purchase chicken necks, wings, or thighs if that’s what your cat likes best. Or you could even make your own ground chicken using a grinder or food processor. You should remove any skin from the chicken (if your cat does not have skin issues) and cut off any fat as well before feeding it to them directly or freezing it for later use.
How to Feed My Cat a Raw Food Diet?
Cats are carnivores and should eat a diet that is mainly meat-based. Raw food diets are high in moisture and natural enzymes, which help to promote healthy digestion.
There are a few ways you can feed your cat raw food diets:
- Transitioning gradually by mixing small amounts of raw with the dry or canned food they’re used to eating
- Feeding cat raw meals (100%) for 2–4 weeks at a time, then transitioning back to their old diet for 2–4 weeks before switching againHow much Raw Cat Food Should I Give My Cat?
The amount of raw food you give your cat depends on the cat’s weight, activity level, and whether or not your cat is used to eating raw. If your cat is new to eating raw meals, start off with small amounts of raw food and build up from there.
If you’re feeding cat raw food twice daily (as most people do), then use the following chart as a guideline:
- A kitten weighing less than 7 pounds should be fed ¼-⅓ cup of raw food per meal if they eat both meals within an hour or so of each other (2-3 ounces total) or ⅛-¼ cup per meal if they get hungry between meals (1-2 ounces total).
- A kitten weighing 7 pounds should be fed ½ cup per meal if they eat both meals within an hour or so of each other (4 ounces total) or ⅓ cup per meal if they get hungry between meals (2½ ounces total).
- Kittens weighing 8+ pounds can receive ¾ – 1 cup of raw meaty bones per day depending on how active they are and how fast their metabolism is running at that moment.
What is the Best Way to Store Raw Cat Food?
As you might imagine, raw cat food is best kept in the fridge. This will keep it fresh, and it’ll be safe for your kitty to eat. You can buy containers that are designed specifically for storing raw cat food. These usually come with lids that are airtight, so they’re perfect for keeping the food fresh when it’s not being eaten. If you don’t want to spend money on a container just yet, then just use an airtight plastic bag instead—your cat won’t mind! Just make sure that if you choose this method of storage (or any other), everything stays cold until your pet eats it up completely, and then throw away whatever remains after 24 hours have passed without eating any more. This will help prevent spoilage from occurring later down the line before the next time around when he does his usual routine again next week/month/year.
What Health Concerns Can a Raw Cat Food Diet Help?
If your cat has health issues, raw cat food diets can be a good solution. Here are some common problems that raw feeding may help:
- Allergies. If your cat is allergic to something in their regular diet, changing what you feed them can reduce or eliminate symptoms. The most common food allergies include protein sources like beef and dairy products, but corn and wheat allergies are also not uncommon.
- Digestive problems. Some cats have digestive issues like diarrhea or vomiting that respond well to switching to a different diet altogether—especially if they’re on processed commercial food that contains additives that give them trouble in the first place!
- Kidney disease/renal insufficiency (RI). This condition can cause blood-sugar imbalances which lead to diabetes mellitus (DM) as well as other metabolic disorders; it often requires careful management from both the veterinarian and owner alike—but one good way of managing RI is through proper nutrition! Feeding raw high-quality fresh prey meats with no added preservatives has been shown over time again by many studies conducted worldwide by scientists at universities such as Cornell University in New York City; this means those who eat lots of fish don’t need to worry about getting enough vitamins because they’re already getting everything they need without having any artificial ingredients added into their diets.”
What Do Vets Have to Say with Raw Cat
You might find it helpful to know what veterinarians and other experts have to say about raw cat food. Some veterinarians believe that a raw diet is actually good for cats, while others are concerned about the potential cat health risks involved with feeding raw diets.
For example, Dr. Karen Becker writes on her website: “When we think of the term ‘raw food’ we automatically assume that it must be better than cooked or processed because cooking destroys vitamins, minerals, and enzymes… If you feed your cat only cooked kibble (dry commercial pet food) along with an occasional treat (which could include some canned food), I would not worry about switching him over to 100 percent raw.”
However, Dr. Lisa A. Pierson states in her article “Raw Diets for Dogs & Cats – Why Are They Dangerous?” that there’s no conclusive evidence showing that one type of food (i.e., raw) is better than another type of food (i.e., dry). Therefore, if you’re concerned about whether or not your cat should be eating a particular type of pet food—including one made from raw ingredients—you should ask your veterinarian what they recommend instead!
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This article originally appeared on CatBandit.com
https://blog.catbandit.com/is-raw-cat-food-a-good-choice/
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Secrets of this fascinating cat body language
When you first get a cat, you may be wondering what their ears mean. Here’s what you need to know about the different positions your cat’s ears can take.
Cat ear language is the subject of much discussion and speculation among cat-lovers. It’s common knowledge that cats have an extensive vocabulary, but scientists and animal behaviorists are still trying to figure out what exactly they’re saying with their body language.
With a little bit of research, however, you can learn how to interpret your own cat’s language—and use it as a way to improve your relationship with them!
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Cat ears are a great way to understand your cat’s mood and communicate with them. Whether you are a seasoned cat owner or new to the world of kitties, it’s important to learn how to read your kitty’s ear positions. A healthy cat should be able to hold its ears in an alert position at all times, but there are times when they change its shape or position for different reasons. Here is everything you need to know about reading your cat’s ears!
Cat ears are a way for your cat to communicate with you and the world around them.
The positions of your cat’s ears can tell you what they’re feeling, what they’re thinking, and whether or not they want to be bothered.
Here are some of the most common ear positions.
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The neutral position is the one you’re most likely to see your cat in. In this position, the ears are not facing forward and they are not turned back. They are in a middle position; neither forward nor backward. They may also be slightly tilted to one side or another. The eyes and nose should be symmetrical as well (though some asymmetry is normal). If your cat’s ears are showing any of these signs, he or she is relaxed and happy:
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When your cat’s ears are faced forward, you know she is curious about what’s going on. She may be interested in what you’re doing or interested in something else happening outside of your window.
It could be that she has a confident air about her as well—she knows that she can handle whatever might come her way.
If your cat holds her ears straight out and flat against her head, she might be showing aggression or fear.
In the wild, this posture indicates submission to the dominant cat who just arrived on the scene.
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When your cat’s ears are straight up, it can mean a variety of things. This position shows curiosity, alertness, confidence, and aggression. When the ears are forward, you know your cat is feeling submissive or afraid. Your kitty may be confused if the ears are cocked to one side or down towards the floor.
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When your cat turns his ears back or sideways, he’s either not interested in what you’re saying or he is annoyed with you. It can also be a sign that the cat is becoming aggressive and wants to defend himself from perceived threats. If this happens, it’s important to use caution when approaching your pet. The last thing you want to do is provoke him further by getting too close!
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If your cat’s ears are low and facing outwards, it is likely that your cat is relaxed, curious, alert, and listening. This position can also indicate a frightened or aggressive state. When your cat’s ears are in this position they will rotate slightly as they move their head to focus on sounds.
In this position the vertical muscles within the ear (called chorda tympani) contract which makes the cartilage within each ear stiffen up which becomes more noticeable when you look at them closely with a magnifying glass. The flap of skin (pinna) on top of each ear also tightens so that blood does not pool there making it appear redder than usual.
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This is a sign of relaxation. A cat’s ears can be low on the sides of their head when they’re relaxed, meaning that they’re not necessarily in any danger or stressed out about something. If your cat has been through a tough day and you see this position, it means that they are probably just chilling out at home with you and not doing anything too difficult or involving.
Sometimes, cats will also have their ears in this position when they are simply listening to sounds around them. This could mean that there is another animal nearby or even just the sound of someone talking in another room! It all depends on the context; if your cat is doing something else like eating or grooming themselves, then these positions might not apply as well since there won’t be much “listening” involved in those activities unless someone interrupts what your pet is doing (in which case we would recommend paying attention!).
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A cat’s ears are a great indicator of its mood. When the ears are low and flat, it means that the cat feels relaxed and comfortable. This is often seen in sleeping cats, as well as those who feel completely at ease in their surroundings. The most common ear position!
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One ear down indicates a cat is relaxed and happy. A more specific meaning of this position is that the cat is also listening to something. For example, if you are talking to them and they have one ear down, this could mean they’re listening to your voice (and therefore, responding to it). If your cat has both ears forward, this might indicate that their focus is on something else in their environment, such as another animal moving around outside or a sound coming from the next room.
Alternatively, if your cat only has one ear back or slightly turned inward toward you then he may be distracted by something else but still interested in what you’re saying at least enough so as not to completely ignore it (or get up and leave). In this case, he’s telling you that he cares about what’s being said but isn’t fully focused on it yet; essentially what we might call “half-listening.”
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Twitching ears mean that your cat is extremely happy and content. This can be a sign of relaxation or affection for their owner, another animal, or even a toy.
When you see your kitty’s ear twitching, go ahead and give them a scratch—you’re sure to get some purrs!
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Understanding cat body language is a form of nonverbal communication. Cats use their bodies to communicate with other cats, but they also use body language to communicate with humans. In fact, the way you interpret your cat’s body language can help you better understand her behavior and how she feels about different situations.
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You may be wondering what the difference between cat ears and dog ears is. The answer is simple: dogs have floppy ears that move around, while cats have pointy ears that tend to stay still. This is because cats are predatory animals, whereas dogs are more like prey animals. Dogs will often tilt their heads when they’re interested in something, but cats will not do this because it could give away their location and make them vulnerable to predators. Cat ear positioning is an important part of understanding your pet’s moods, so let’s take a look at some of the most common positions!
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In conclusion, cat ear language is a fascinating set of cat facts that can help you better understand your pet. It’s important to remember that there are many different types of nonverbal language in cats, so it’s good to know what each one means. If you find yourself struggling with the interpretation of your cat’s ears, try some of these tips!
This article originally appeared on Blog.catbandit.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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Featured Image Credit: Sergey Pakulin/iStock.
