Raw feeding for cats
Cats are not small dogs. Here's what changes.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which is a stricter category than dogs. A dog can survive on a mixed diet even if it doesn't thrive on one. A cat's body genuinely requires nutrients that only animal tissue provides. That makes raw feeding a closer match to a cat's biology than to a dog's, and it also makes a few rules non-negotiable.
What makes cats different
Taurine is essential
Cats cannot make enough taurine themselves, and a deficiency causes heart disease and blindness. Taurine is found in animal tissue, particularly heart, and it is destroyed by heat. Fresh raw food preserves it naturally.
They can't use plant nutrients well
Cats convert beta-carotene to vitamin A poorly and cannot make arachidonic acid from plant oils. They need preformed vitamin A and animal fats. Vegetables are a minor component in a cat's diet, not a foundation.
Very low carbohydrate need
Cats have limited ability to process starch. Dry cat food is typically 30 to 40% carbohydrate because it has to be, which is a poor fit for an animal built to run on protein and fat.
They get water from food
Cats evolved on prey that was mostly water and have a weak thirst drive. A cat on dry food is often chronically under-hydrated, which matters because urinary and kidney problems are among the most common feline health issues. Raw food is around 70% moisture.
How much to feed
Cats eat roughly 2 to 4% of body weight per day, with active young cats at the higher end and sedentary indoor cats at the lower. Most adult cats land close to 3%.
| Cat weight | Daily amount | Pouches per month |
|---|---|---|
| 3kg | 90g | 11 × 250g |
| 4kg | 120g | 15 × 250g |
| 5kg | 150g | 18 × 250g |
| 6kg | 180g | 22 × 250g |
Split the daily amount across two or more meals. Many cats prefer several small meals a day, which suits their natural pattern of frequent small kills.
Transitioning a cat takes patience
This is the honest difference: cats are neophobic, meaning they are suspicious of unfamiliar food by nature, and cats raised on dry food often imprint on the texture and smell of kibble. A dog usually transitions in two weeks. A cat can take four to six, and some take longer.
What works with cats
- Go slower than you think you need to. Start with a teaspoon of raw mixed into their usual food, and increase only when they are eating it without hesitation.
- Serve at room temperature. Cats judge food by smell, and cold food barely smells like anything. Take the chill off before serving.
- Set meal times instead of free-feeding. A cat with dry food available all day has no reason to try something new. Two set meals builds appetite.
- Use a topper. A little bone broth over the top makes the new food smell like food.
- Change one thing at a time. New food and a new bowl in the same week is two arguments instead of one.
- Never starve a cat into eating. This is the critical rule. Cats can develop hepatic lipidosis, a serious liver condition, after only a couple of days without eating. If your cat refuses food, go back to what they were eating and try again more slowly.
What to expect once switched
- Smaller, firmer, far less smelly litter tray output. Cat owners notice this fastest.
- Better coat condition and less shedding over a few weeks.
- Drinking noticeably less water, which is expected on a high-moisture diet, not a warning sign.
- Weight normalising, particularly in indoor cats carrying extra weight from free-fed dry food.
When to involve your vet first
Cats with kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or a history of urinary blockage should only be switched with veterinary input, since some of these conditions need specific therapeutic diets and others need careful monitoring during a change. The same applies to cats on immunosuppressive medication. We're happy to send our nutritional analysis to your vet.
Start your cat on real food
Our Cat Chicken & Veggies recipe is formulated for feline requirements, taurine included, and comes in 250g pouches sized for cat-scale portions.
Shop cat foodRaw feeding for cats
Cats are not small dogs. Here's what changes.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which is a stricter category than dogs. A dog can survive on a mixed diet even if it doesn't thrive on one. A cat's body genuinely requires nutrients that only animal tissue provides. That makes raw feeding a closer match to a cat's biology than to a dog's, and it also makes a few rules non-negotiable.
What makes cats different
Taurine is essential
Cats cannot make enough taurine themselves, and a deficiency causes heart disease and blindness. Taurine is found in animal tissue, particularly heart, and it is destroyed by heat. Fresh raw food preserves it naturally.
They can't use plant nutrients well
Cats convert beta-carotene to vitamin A poorly and cannot make arachidonic acid from plant oils. They need preformed vitamin A and animal fats. Vegetables are a minor component in a cat's diet, not a foundation.
Very low carbohydrate need
Cats have limited ability to process starch. Dry cat food is typically 30 to 40% carbohydrate because it has to be, which is a poor fit for an animal built to run on protein and fat.
They get water from food
Cats evolved on prey that was mostly water and have a weak thirst drive. A cat on dry food is often chronically under-hydrated, which matters because urinary and kidney problems are among the most common feline health issues. Raw food is around 70% moisture.
How much to feed
Cats eat roughly 2 to 4% of body weight per day, with active young cats at the higher end and sedentary indoor cats at the lower. Most adult cats land close to 3%.
| Cat weight | Daily amount | Pouches per month |
|---|---|---|
| 3kg | 90g | 11 × 250g |
| 4kg | 120g | 15 × 250g |
| 5kg | 150g | 18 × 250g |
| 6kg | 180g | 22 × 250g |
Split the daily amount across two or more meals. Many cats prefer several small meals a day, which suits their natural pattern of frequent small kills.
Transitioning a cat takes patience
This is the honest difference: cats are neophobic, meaning they are suspicious of unfamiliar food by nature, and cats raised on dry food often imprint on the texture and smell of kibble. A dog usually transitions in two weeks. A cat can take four to six, and some take longer.
What works with cats
- Go slower than you think you need to. Start with a teaspoon of raw mixed into their usual food, and increase only when they are eating it without hesitation.
- Serve at room temperature. Cats judge food by smell, and cold food barely smells like anything. Take the chill off before serving.
- Set meal times instead of free-feeding. A cat with dry food available all day has no reason to try something new. Two set meals builds appetite.
- Use a topper. A little bone broth over the top makes the new food smell like food.
- Change one thing at a time. New food and a new bowl in the same week is two arguments instead of one.
- Never starve a cat into eating. This is the critical rule. Cats can develop hepatic lipidosis, a serious liver condition, after only a couple of days without eating. If your cat refuses food, go back to what they were eating and try again more slowly.
What to expect once switched
- Smaller, firmer, far less smelly litter tray output. Cat owners notice this fastest.
- Better coat condition and less shedding over a few weeks.
- Drinking noticeably less water, which is expected on a high-moisture diet, not a warning sign.
- Weight normalising, particularly in indoor cats carrying extra weight from free-fed dry food.
When to involve your vet first
Cats with kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or a history of urinary blockage should only be switched with veterinary input, since some of these conditions need specific therapeutic diets and others need careful monitoring during a change. The same applies to cats on immunosuppressive medication. We're happy to send our nutritional analysis to your vet.
Start your cat on real food
Our Cat Chicken & Veggies recipe is formulated for feline requirements, taurine included, and comes in 250g pouches sized for cat-scale portions.
Shop cat food