Raw Food Cat Diet: Pros And Cons
In the past decades, there are more and more pet owners who are turning to raw diets. Since we love our kitties so much, it’s important to learn more about this new trend. Generally speaking, raw cat food consists of a mixture of organ meats, ground bones, muscular meats, skin, and other meat food which are not cooked. In most cases, meat products are derived from poultry and rabbits. To preserve its freshness, they are frozen until they are fed to your furry baby. This might not sound appealing at first, but you may be surprised to find out what studies have shown regarding this diet.
If you are considering switching your cat to a raw diet, it is important that you explore the pros and cons of this option. Thankfully, that’s exactly what you are going to discover today. Read on to learn more!
What Are The Pros?
There is a growing number of vets and cat owners who support the idea of feeding cats raw food. Here are some of the arguments used in favor of using a raw diet for cats.
1. Raw Food Mimics The Natural Diet of Cats
Cats are carnivores and that’s a fact of life. If you look at the cat families living in the wild, they catch and eat their food raw. Proponents of raw cat diets would argue that if these wild cats eat raw meat, why would domesticated cats eat differently?
2. Raw Meat Comes With More Nutrients
You probably have heard that veggies are best eaten raw. The same principle works in raw meat. Studies have shown that raw meat retains more vitamins, enzymes, and nutrients compared to processed food. Some studies also suggest that cats on raw food diets are generally healthier than cats on other diets.
3. Improved Overall Health
Because raw food comes with more nutrients, cats consuming mostly raw food have a better immune system and digestion. Moreover, it is also shown that cats who eat raw food develop a healthier coat, skin, and teeth. As a result, cats would also have increased energy, vitality, and quality of life.
What Are The Cons?
While there are experts who endorse the idea of feeding cats with raw food, there are also prominent animal associations that are against it. These include the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), American Veterinary Medical Association, and American Association of Feline Practitioners. Here are some of the arguments they use against feeding cats with raw meat:
1. Increased Risk of Infection
Experts expressed their concern with how raw cat food is handled and consumed. Because raw meat is not cooked, there’s a greater potential for disease-causing organisms to live in them. These dangerous microbes may lead to diarrhea and food poisoning. The risk for infection greatly increases when you feed completely raw meat to cats who are already susceptible to diseases. For example, it is considered dangerous to feed raw diet to old cats, kittens, and cats with pre-existing medical conditions.
2. Increased Risk of Passing Along Pathogens
Aside from the risk of making the cat sick, there’s also the potential for people and other animals to get sick. For example, anyone preparing raw food has an increased chance of contracting illnesses that may come from uncooked meat. Another example is when cats pass stool. Harmful microbes may survive the digestive system of the cat and may still live outside. These microbes may then live in your house and infect family members.
Finally, it is not just humans who might get infected by the pathogens brought by raw food. If a cat who eats raw diets is brought to an animal center, other animals may get infected as well.
Talk To Your Vet
Now that you have read the arguments in favor and against the raw cat diet, you now have better knowledge to make an informed decision. If you want to learn more, you may want to speak to your vet or get expert advice. Be sure to explore your options to make the best decision for your precious cat. Have you ever tried a raw diet for your cat? Share this blog so we can continue learning and teaching about this subject!
