Easy Homemade Raw Cat Food Recipe (2024)

Do you want to make your own raw cat food? This is the homemade raw cat food recipe that we used when we first switched our cats to a raw food diet, and continue to use and recommend today. We include instructions for making eggshell and vitamin supplement powder, and where to buy the vitamins you need to get started.

This recipe is nutritionally balanced for adult cats. If you are raw feeding kittens please follow the instructions to adjust the recipe.

Easy Homemade Raw Cat Food Recipe (1)

Equipment needed to make raw cat food

Thisrecipe does not use whole bone for the calcium source. If you plan to only make this raw cat food recipe, a less powerful grinder or food processor will be adequate to mince the protein and muscle/organ meats.

We advise against purchasing pre-ground mince or pet food mince from your butcher or supermarket. There is a higher risk ofbacteria in pre-packaged mince.

In addition to the meat grinder, we also use the following items when making this raw recipe:

Raw recipe ingredients

You will need the following ingredients for this recipe:

  • 737g (1 pound, 10 oz) boneless protein e.g. chicken, turkey, kangaroo, beef etc.
  • 85g (3 oz) heart
  • 45g (1.6 oz) liver
  • 45g (1.6 oz) kidney
  • 1 tsp (6.1g) finely ground eggshell powder OR 26 capsules of Calcium Hydroxyapatite (freeze-dried bone)
  • 7 capsules of 500mg salmon oil*
  • 1/2 tsp vitamin supplement mix
  • 1 large egg yolk

NOTE: When using eggshell as a bone substitute, this homemade cat food recipe is balanced and complete for adultcats only. Growing kittens need additional calcium andphosphorus. For kittens, you must replace the eggshell with calcium hydroxyapatite (freeze dried bone).
* One capsule of the Natural FactorsWild AlaskanSalmon Oil is 1000mg. Use 3-4 capsules per batch of raw food.

How to make ground eggshell powder (adult cats)

Finely ground eggshell powder works well as a calcium substitute for adult cats, and is easy to prepare.

Save your eggshells. Wash them throughly to remove the egg white but leave the membrane inside which has nutritional benefits.

Once the eggshells are dry, place them on a baking tray and bake them in the oven (150 C / 300 Ffor 10-15 minutes) until they are brittle.

We buy organic eggs from the supermarket. These are usually date stamped, so we break off the bits of eggshell that have inkon them to be on the safe side.

Next, place the eggshells in a clean coffee grinder (we used a Nutri Bullet which worked well too), and pulse until they resemble a finely ground powder. Wait 10 minutes for the dust to settle before opening the grinder, thentransfer the eggshell powder toa glass jar and store in the pantry.

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Vitamin mix for raw cat food recipe

You must add 1/2 a teaspoon of the vitamin supplement mix to every batch of homemade raw cat food. This will ensure the recipe is nutritionally balanced.

The vitamin supplement mix includes:

To combine, add all supplements (including gel caps) to a clean coffee grinder (or NutriBullet) and pulse until finely ground. Wait for the dust to settle before opening the grinder, then transfer toan airtight glass jar.

Where to buy vitamin supplements

We purchase the supplements to make this raw food recipe directly fromiHerbwho offer a convenient service and fast shipping around the world. Wepersonally recommend their products and service. Click on the product links below and add them directly to your shopping cart. You can save 5% on your order if you use code “GSP403” at checkout.

Note: *You must use the Calcium Hydroxyapatite if you are making this raw cat food recipe for kittens.

Raw cat food recipe step-by-step instructions

Based on a 55g (2 oz) portion size, this recipe makes 18 individual meals. This provides an adult cat with enough raw cat food for nine days based on feeding two meals per day.

This is the process we follow whenmaking the raw food recipe for our cats.

Set up: Raw recipe preparation

It iseasierto get everything ready and have what you needwithin arms reach before you start. Now is also a good time to put your cats in another room, otherwise you’ll have extra paws in the kitchen wanting to help.

We use a plastic chopping board with an absorbent kitchen cloth underneath which soaks up any meat and organ juices and minimises mess.

TIP: A redcoloured chopping board isbetterthan a white one if you’re a little squeamish.

Make sure you have prepared your eggshell powder and vitamin supplement mix.

Step 1: Cut raw meat and organs into pieces

Cut the raw bonelessmuscle meatand organs (heart, liver and kidney) into pieces that will fit through the feeder on the meat grinder. Mince everythingand place the ground meat in a large stainless steel mixing bowl.

Chicken heart, liver and kidney are often the easiest organs to source but you can use any mix of organs when making this raw recipe.

TIP: Cuttingup organs is ourleast favourite part of the process, it’s also the messiest – so wedeal with them first. Wealso use a carving fork and tongs with long handles to minimise the ‘icky’ factor of handling raw meat andorgans.

Step 2: Add salmon oil and egg yolk

Using a push-pin, pierce the salmon capsules and squeeze the fish oil onto the raw meat and organs, and add the egg yolk.

Alternatively, melt thesalmon oil capsulesin hot (not boiling) water and add the water/melted salmon oil to the raw food mix.

Easy Homemade Raw Cat Food Recipe (9)

Step 3: Add eggshell and vitamin powders

Ground eggshell powder (for adult cats only) and a vitamin supplement mix must be added to this homemade raw cat food recipe to ensure it is nutritionally balanced.

Placethe powders (ground eggshell and vitamin supplements) together in a glass jar and shake to combine. You can then add to the raw meat and organs. If required, add a small amount of water to ensure the supplements are mixed evenly throughout the raw food.

Alternative calcium source for kittens

Kittens need additional calcium andphosphorus in their diet.If you are making this raw cat food recipe for growing kittens, you must use freeze dried bone. Substitute 26 capsules of Calcium Hydroxyapatite (freeze-dried bone) instead of the eggshell powder.

Step 4: Mix and package raw food

Mix everything together thoroughly using a fork or spatula. Once the raw cat food recipe is well combined, spoon meal-sizedportions into zip-lock freezer bags (expel as much air as possible when sealing)and freeze until required.

TIP: Weuse a permanent marker to labelall the zip-lock bags so we can easily identify the raw protein source in the freezer e.g. a capital K on the outside of the zip lock bag = Kangaroo, C = Chicken, T = Turkey, B = Beef etc.

If you are feeding multiple catsor preparing raw food in bulk you may preferto use plastic freezer foodcontainersor Ball Mason freezer glass jars instead of zip-lock bags. Some people also freeze smaller portions of this raw recipe in ice cube trays.

Step 5: Defrost raw cat food – ready to eat

Place ameal sized portion in the fridge for 12 hours to defrost. We usually get the morning portions out the freezer the evening before and defrost overnight. We get the evening portions out the freezer that morning to defrost during the day.

If you forget to take the raw cat food out the freezer, you can defrost quickly in warm water. Simply submerge the zip-lock bag in warm (not hot) water for 10-15 minutes to bring itto ‘mouse body’temperature.

NEVER use the microwave to defrost raw food as it candestroy essential nutrients.

Why we recommend this raw recipe

There are many homemade raw cat food recipes available on the internet. We trust and follow this recipe which was developed by Laurie Goldstein and Carolina Lima, founders of theRaw Feeding for IBD Cats Facebook groupand Food Fur Life where they developed EzComplete, a premix supplement for homemade raw cat food. Pawesome Cats are sharing this recipe with their permission.

Nutritional analysis

If you want to understand the nutritional analysis of this recipe, you can view the original ‘Balanced Raw Food Recipe with Nutritional Analysis‘ page on the Raw Feeding for IBD Cats website.

Raw recipe questions

Please read the comments section, as we may have answered your question previously. Comments are now closed, but you can ask questions about this raw recipe in the Raw Feeding for IBD Cats Facebook group.

Easy Homemade Raw Cat Food Recipe (10)
Easy Homemade Raw Cat Food Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can I make my own raw cat food? ›

Yes, you can. But it's really hard to ensure it's safe,” Bullen says. “If my client is going to do it anyway, I'll still work with them. I'd rather ensure their pet has a balanced diet and educate them on the risks of feeding raw than turn them away.”

How do you prepare raw meat for a cat? ›

I prepare each element (meat, offals, bones, fish, heart, and supplements) in the diet of my cats separately: I cut and freeze each element of the diet in daily doses. Every evening, I pick up one piece of each element and I let them thaw in a tupperware in the fridge overnight.

What is the alternative to raw food for cats? ›

High quality, minimally processed wet and dry foods can offer similar nutrition to raw foods in a more convenient form, so you know your cat is getting the same proteins and nutrients you are.

Which raw meat is best for cats? ›

Here is a list of raw meats that provide your cat with optimum nutrition:
  • Chicken. This lean meat is low in fat and sodium, as well as being easy to digest. ...
  • Bacon. ...
  • Beef. ...
  • Pork. ...
  • Mince. ...
  • Lamb.
May 27, 2022

Why are vets against raw diets for cats? ›

Several studies reported in peer-reviewed scientific journals and product recalls have demonstrated that raw or undercooked animal-sourced protein may be contaminated with a variety of pathogenic organisms, including Salmonella spp, Campylobacter spp, Clostridium spp, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and ...

Do vets recommend homemade cat food? ›

To be honest, most veterinarians would likely tell you that making your own cat food is not the best idea, as it's nearly impossible to get your feline companions the nutrients they need. That's why the best pet food companies have veterinary nutritionists on staff.

Do vets recommend raw meat for cats? ›

Raw diets tend to be contaminated with pathogens (bacteria, parasites) that may cause your cat to become ill. These pathogens (i.e. Salmonella, E. coli. Listeria, Campylobacter) may also pose a health risk to humans.

Are raw eggs good for cats? ›

We do not recommend feeding raw or undercooked eggs to your cat. The safest way to serve eggs to cats is to ensure they are always cooked. Stick with boiled, scrambled or fried eggs. Just like humans, cats share the same potential risks in contracting Salmonella if consuming raw or undercooked foods.

Can cats live on raw meat alone? ›

Meat alone is not enough! Cats need the correct balance of amino acids, fats, vitamins, and minerals to thrive. These nutrients are best provided by a combination of meat, internal organs, vitamin and mineral supplements, and other ingredients eaten in just the right amounts and proportions.

Is raw food actually better for cats? ›

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stand united in their position (based on very robust data) that feeding raw food to cats is potentially dangerous to both the cat and to you.

Do cats prefer raw or cooked? ›

Some cats are creatures of habit. A farm cat who has been raised on rabbit-based raw foods may take a while to get accustomed to a new taste. Or, a house cat who prefers a strict and predictable feeding schedule may choose their wet food over freshly cooked fish.

Can cats eat canned tuna? ›

Cats can eat canned tuna, as long as it is packed in spring water only and has no seasonings or additives. Never feed your cat tuna in brine or sunflower oil, which is for human consumption only. Brine is salt water, and its high sodium content can lead to an electrolyte imbalance in your cat.

What raw protein is best for cats? ›

Fish is a popular protein source in raw diets and is found in many commercial raw diets. Chicken liver is a great way to supply cats with high levels of vitamins A and B12, which are important for the development and maintenance of a healthy nervous system.

Can I give my cat raw chicken? ›

The answer is 'yes', felines can be fed raw chicken as part of a complete and well-balanced diet. Raw animal meat is bursting with protein, contains vitamins and minerals, and can be easily digested by cats. On top of that it's also high in moisture, which may aid cats suffering from urinary conditions.

Is it better to feed cats raw or cooked meat? ›

Cooking with heat can cause the meat to lose nutrients, which is why raw feeding is considered to be very beneficial. However, if you are concerned about feeding your cat uncooked meat because of the potential for bacteria, Lisa A. Pierson, DVM and owner of CatInfo.org advises that you can also partially cook the meat.

Is making your own cat food cheaper? ›

The cost of homemade cat food ranges between $0.90–1.52 per day depending on the recipe. I compared the cost of the best in each category of commercial cat food. And you could save thousands per year making cat food at home. It will take more time to make your cat's food at home.

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