Raw Feeding for Cats - Is it the Right Diet for Your Ragdoll?
Cat parents everywhere are looking for the best ways to keep their fur babies healthy and happy. It is well known that diet plays one of the most important roles in maintaining wellness, in both Ragdoll Cats and felines of every breed. Raw feeding is a popular choice for cats. This is a diet that we have personal experience with here at Pastel Ragdolls. In this article, we will dive deep into the subject of raw feeding for felines and outline everything you should know regarding its benefits, disadvantages and considerations.
Do Your Research on Feeding Raw
Raw feeding is not as simple as buying raw meat at your local grocery store and feeding it to your cat. It is an in-depth topic that requires research before jumping in, as there are many nutrient requirements that cats need met. Although this can make raw feeding seem intimidating, exploring the subject can help you feel confident and ready to begin!
What is a Raw Food Diet for Cats?
A raw food diet consists of uncooked, minimally processed ingredients, including raw muscle meats, organ meats, raw bones and added supplements to meet nutritional gaps. Raw cat food will frequently include eggs and sardines to provide needed taurine and omega-3s. A raw diet mimics what felines naturally eat in the wild. Since cats are obligate carnivores, their digestive systems are designed to process animal tissue, organs and bones – they actually greatly benefit from these species-appropriate ingredients.
Can You Feed a Ragdoll Cat Raw?
A raw diet is an excellent choice for most Ragdoll cats since it promotes lean muscle mass and offers many other health benefits. However, keep in mind that individual preferences and food tolerances may vary between Ragdolls. After transitioning your Ragdoll to raw, it’s always best to monitor them for a few weeks to determine how well they tolerate the diet.
Ragdoll Cat Fed a Raw Food Diet
Benefits of a Raw Food Diet
Diet plays an incredibly important role in preventing Health Issues in the Ragdoll Breed. There are many pros to specifically feeding a raw food diet. Most cat owners see major health improvements in their feline after transitioning them to raw feeding.
Moisture Rich Diet: One of the most obvious advantages to feeding a raw food diet is that it has a very high moisture content. Hydration is incredibly important in keeping cats healthy, especially when it comes to long-term kidney and urinary tract health.
Improved Digestion: Cats fed a raw diet typically produce much smaller, firmer and healthier stools. As an added bonus, their stools also tend to be virtually odorless.
Shinier Coat: The inclusion of whole animal fats in a raw food diets often improves a cat’s skin condition and coat texture. Many cat owners who feed raw notice prettier and softer coats.
Increased Energy Level: A raw food diet provides a stable source of energy for cats. Since it is minimally processed, fresh and bioavailable, it can lead to increased energy and an improved feline mood.
Healthier Teeth and Gums: Cats on raw food typically experience less gum inflammation and fewer dental issues. A raw feline diet correlates with fresher breath since there is less tartar buildup.
Lean Muscle Mass: Due to the Size of Ragdoll Cats, a raw food diet can be beneficial to preventing obesity. Cats fed a raw food diet are found to have healthier and leaner body composition.
Clearer Eyes: Cats fed raw often experience reduced tear staining and eye gunk. This may be due to the absence of certain fillers that are found in most kibbles and wet cat foods.
Disadvantages of a Raw Food Diet
Raw Feeding also has some drawbacks to consider. Before deciding on a raw food diet for your cat, it’s important to weigh both the pros and the cons.
More Expensive: A raw food diet is typically going to be pricier than a standard wet/dry feline diet due to higher quality ingredients. However, the cost can be minimized if you choose to make your own.
Less Convenient: Feeding a cat raw requires more time, effort and attention to detail. You have to remember to thaw the food in advance and use safe handling procedures.
May Not be Right for Every Cat: While the majority of cats seem to thrive on raw diets, I have had a few that did not tolerate it well and frequently vomited (which did not improve over time). This led me to the conclusion that raw may not be the best choice for every cat. It’s best to monitor your cat to see if it’s the right fit for them.
Considerations When Feeding Your Cat Raw
There are many things to keep in mind while feeding raw. Be sure to take necessary precautions to ensure your cat’s safety while they are on a raw food diet.
Food Storage: While feeding raw, it’s essential to properly store the food. Raw pet food should be stored in the freezer and thawed for 24 hours in the fridge prior to feeding. In general, it should only be kept in fridge for 2-3 days to ensure it stays fresh and safe for consumption.
Proper Handling: To minimize contamination, we recommend using disposable utensils and paper plates/bowls when serving your cat raw food. Remember to frequently clean your kitchen surfaces and to wash your hands.
Monitored Feedings: Be sure to check in on your cat while they eat their raw food. If the whole meal isn’t finished, it’s recommended to discard any leftovers after 2 hours.
Transitioning Your Ragdoll to Raw Food
Changing your cat to a raw food diet can be a process, especially if they have never tried raw before. There are a couple different methods you can consider if you are transitioning your cat to raw feeding for the first time.
Gradual Approach: You can try a more gradual approach to raw feeding by slowly incorporating it into your kitty’s diet. You can also try lightly cooking the raw food at first, searing it less and less over time. If you are going to sear the raw food, please confirm that it does not contain any bone.
Hunger Method: Please only consider this method if your cat is healthy and showing no signs of any illnesses. When raw food is the only available option to a cat, they will usually “give in” and start eating it within 2-3 days. After getting used to raw, they typically love it and thrive. This is often the best method for stubborn, picky eaters. If you choose this method, be sure to carefully monitor your cat throughout the transition and consult a vet if any concerns arise.
What do Pastel Ragdolls Cats Eat?
At Pastel Ragdolls Cattery, some of our adult breeding cats eat a raw diet, while others eat traditional wet + dry cat food. We tailor the diet to each cat’s individual needs. We typically favor a raw food diet for our Ragdolls that are more prone to loose stools or who have more sensitive GI systems. It’s all about finding what works best for each individual cat.
Premade Raw Cat Food | Enjoy the Convenience
The easiest way to feed your Ragdoll raw is to order premade raw food that is shipped directly to your doorstep. This option is very convenient and saves a lot of time, but it tends to be more expensive than making your own. We have personally had good experiences with the following companies.
Darwin’s: Our preferred premade raw pet food company is Darwin’s. They currently offer raw cat food in chicken & duck, turkey, beef and chicken. Their recipes are balanced to meet AAFCO’s guidelines, so they do not require any added supplements.
Raw Feeding Miami: Another great option for premade raw cat food is Raw Feeding Miami. However, keep in mind that their premade grinds are not balanced to AAFCO’s guidelines and do not contain any added supplements, so you will need to add supplements to cover nutritional gaps.
Make Your Own Raw Cat Food | Save Money
If you are interested in feeding your cat raw, but also want to save money, then learning how to make your own raw cat food is an excellent option. There are hundreds of raw food recipes for cats all over the internet! Some don’t even require a Meat Grinder.
Easy At-Home Raw Food Recipes
We have included a video for an easy DIY raw cat food recipe. This one is simple and doesn’t involve a meat grinder, but feel free to search for a recipe that fits your individual needs and requirements.
Make an Informed Decision for Your Ragdoll
There are clearly both pros and cons to feeding your cat a raw food diet. Ultimately, it depends on what works best for your own Ragdoll cat and lifestyle. If you do attempt to feed your cat raw, be sure to do adequate research beforehand. Happy feeding!