Transitioning your cat to a raw food diet can be a gradual process to ensure their acceptance and comfort with the new diet. Here are some steps you should take:
-
Start Slowly: Begin by mixing a small amount of raw food with your cat’s current diet. Start with a ratio of 90% current food to 10% raw food. Gradually increase the proportion of raw food over several days to allow your cat’s digestive system to adjust.
-
Observe Reactions: Monitor your cat’s reaction to the new diet closely. Look for signs of interest, such as sniffing or licking the food, as well as any signs of reluctance or aversion.
-
Be Patient: Some cats may take longer to adjust to a new diet than others. Be patient and give your cat time to become accustomed to the raw food. It may take several weeks for them to fully transition.
-
Offer Variety: Introduce a variety of raw proteins to your cat’s diet to ensure they receive a balanced nutrition. Offer options such as chicken, turkey, beef, and fish. You can also include organ meats such as liver, kidney, and heart for added nutrients.
-
Mix in Treats: Incorporate small pieces of freeze-dried or air-dried raw treats into your cat’s diet to make the transition more appealing. These treats can be sprinkled on top of their regular food or offered separately as rewards.
-
Provide Fresh Water: Make sure your cat has access to fresh water at all times, especially when transitioning to a raw food diet. Hydration is essential for maintaining their overall health and well-being.
-
Don’t Starve Your Cat: We can’t adopt the same ‘he will eat when he’s hungry’ attitude with cats as we can for dogs. Starving a cat isn’t good for them at all. If a cat doesn’t eat they start to break down their own body protein which is dangerous so please don’t be tough, just persistent.
-
How much to feed: When determining how much to feed a cat on a raw diet, a general guideline is to aim for about 2-4% of the cat’s body weight per day. This can vary based on factors such as the cat’s age, weight, activity level, metabolism, and overall health.
Here’s a breakdown:
-
Adult Cats: For adult cats, feeding around 2-3% of their body weight per day is typically appropriate.
-
Kittens: Kittens have higher energy requirements and may need to be fed a higher percentage of their body weight, usually around 4-5%. However, it’s essential to monitor their growth and adjust their food intake accordingly.
-
Senior Cats or Less Active Cats: Senior cats or those with lower activity levels may require a lower percentage of their body weight, closer to 2%.
It’s important to monitor your cat’s body condition and adjust their food intake accordingly. If your cat is gaining or losing weight unintentionally, you may need to adjust the portion sizes accordingly.
-
By following these steps and being patient and persistent, you can help your cat transition to a raw food diet successfully. Keep in mind that every cat is unique, so it may take some trial and error to find the right approach for your feline friend.