What is the raw diet? Should you subject your cat to a raw food diet only? Are there any good packaged raw foods for cats? How about homemade recipes?
Cats are obligate carnivores.
This means that they get their primary nutrition from meat. They MUST eat meat.
Unlike dogs or humans, felines can’t eat veggie-only food since their bodies cannot break down the toxins, the grains, or the fibers in many vegetarian food items.
Feeding your feline furball with table scraps or other types of pet food that aren’t specially manufactured for cats will result in a variety of health-related issues that could even cause death.
High-quality cat food comes in freeze-dried, canned, or wet food packages and it offers all the necessary nutrition, including Vitamin A, C, taurine, and protein.
So What About A Raw Diet?
If you can supply fresh, raw meat to your kitty, then you should most definitely opt for a raw diet.
Providing homemade cat food is likely the most natural way you can feed your cat. We have a large, comprehensive article on how to make homemade cat food, including recipes for the best raw diets. I recommend you read that article if you are interested in homemade.
However, there are pre-packaged, “commercial” options that you can supplement with, and that’s what we will be focused on here.
Cats can eat a large variety of meat products, including chicken, duck, poultry, lamb, turkey, beef, pork, fish, mice, rabbit, venison, and so on. A raw diet is great for cats of all breeds and ages, apart from newborn kittens, as they have special dietary needs.
As long as you’re giving your kitty boneless, fresh meat, you won’t have any problems. Felines don’t like frozen or cold food, so make sure it’s properly warmed. Be careful when using microwaves since they can cause intense hot spots that can badly burn your kitty. Do your best to leave it out to warm up to room temperature without a microwave.
Also, try to stay away from actual bones when it comes to your cat’s meals. There’s always a risk they could swallow a fragment and choke. Although you’ll see in our homemade food article that grinding bones and including them can be very beneficial
Rating & Reviewing The Best (Packaged) Raw Foods For Cats
Of course, you can always purchase raw meat at your local meat store and serve it to your kitty, but if you don’t have enough time to debone and slice it, or if you’re feeling too lazy, you can simply opt for specially manufactured packaged raw food for your feline pet.
Our review process is unbiased and based on extensive research. If you buy through the links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Our review process is unbiased and based on extensive research. If you buy through the links on our site, we may earn a commission.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
#1. Stella and Chewy’s
- All Ages
- Organic Meat
- Well-balanced
- Suitable for sensitie stomachs
Stella and Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose Dinner is a freeze-dried raw food for felines.
The 12 oz. package contains organic poultry meat with no antibiotics, hormones, artificial preservatives, colorings, glutens, or grains. This all-natural recipe includes various vitamins and minerals. It is suitable for felines with sensitive digestive systems and offers your kitty all the essential nutrition it needs.
The formula is suitable for cats of all breeds and ages and focuses solely on all of the necessities a proper raw diet should include, like taurine, protein, fats, and vitamins.
The best way to serve this meal is by mixing it up with some warm water and slowly transitioning from your cat’s current food to the Duck Duck Goose Dinner by serving your furball with a mixture of the two food items.
>> Click here to read more reviews and see today’s best price on Chewy.com <<
#2. Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Mixers
- Excellent nutrient profile
- Quality ingredients
- Well-balanced
- Good for kitty’s coat
Nature’s Variety offers tons of high-quality cat food items, but their Instinct Raw Boost formula is a real winner.
High on protein, vitamins, minerals, fats, Omega 3 and Omega 6 acids, antioxidants, and probiotics, this meal is definitely among the top raw foods for kitties. It offers a well-balanced meal suitable for all ages and meets all of the indoor cat’s dietary requirements.
The product stimulates the digestive and immune systems and lacks artificial coloring, preservatives, wheat, soy, corn, grains, and gluten.
This delicious dry cat food provides healthy and beneficial nourishment to your furball and stimulates your cat’s fur’s natural shine and softness.
>> Click here to read more reviews and see today’s best price on Chewy.com <<
#3. Wellness TruFood Wet Raw Food
- All-natural meat
- Wet food to help prevent dehydration
- Good nutrient profile
Wellness’ cat food items are among the top best-selling and nutritional foods on the market. Their Wet Raw Cat Food is among the best raw foods for your kitty.
The package includes 24 wet meals of 3 ounces each with a well-balanced formula based on meat and vegetable products.
The ingredients include all-natural meat, some veg, vitamins, minerals, and lots of proteins. This balanced and grain-free formula offers all of the essential nutrition to sustain your cat’s everyday dietary needs.
If you’re looking for a premium wet raw food for your feline pet, you should opt for Wellness’ product!
>> Click here to read more reviews and see today’s best price on Amazon.com <<
Apart from packaged raw foods, you can always go for a homemade raw meal for your cat, as we mentioned.
I highly recommend reading this article we wrote if you’d like a primer on how to move to homemade food.
I was just wondering what you thought about Primal raw cat food? ?? Thanks alot wayne
Primal is fantastic! One of the best.
Hi I have a five year old cat female who 3 years ago had surgery for stones just this past August had another surgery for stones but this time she had a tough time recovering was loosing weight had to put in a feeding tube in finally after she gained weight dr did biopsy several came up with IBD. Vet has her on Royal Cain renal support hydrolyzed protein. After several months she is not liking the food. The Vet is telling me there are no high quality dry foods out there. I disagree. She also has been on steroids for about 3 months. I am wondering about this. She doesn’t gain any weight. Like to know your input. Thank You
Hey Pam –
We don’t recommend any Royal Canin food. We are about to write an article on the best food for renal issues. For now, check out our best cat food page here to find something better. Royal Canin foods typically contain way too many carbs/grains, not enough protein, and use lower quality protein sources.