Switching Cats to Raw Diet?

A raw diet is great if executed properly. Don't attempt it until you've researched extensively. It's very easy to throw the diet off balance if you don't know what you're doing. It would be best if you could find a vet who specializes in raw feeding to guide you. The prepackaged diets are good but you'd also need to supplement with raw meaty bones and some organ meat I'd think. Here's a really good website on raw feeding, written by a vet who specializes in it. It covers pretty much everything.

http://www.catinfo.org/makingcatfood.htm

Would be very interested to know Tema's qualifications as a "cat expert". I haven't been impressed yet.

It can be very confusing to try and grasp everything from different individuals. I use to work as a vet technician in arizona. There is several individuals out there with stories almost like yours. I personally have recently researched all the foods once again as a nutritional advocate.. Taste of the Wild is a good choice of food. I would actually like to suggest another cat food that you should compare with. Blue Buffalo. Its an all natural diet. I have to agree with the other postings, please stay away from the raw diets. If you by chance don't get the exact amounts of nutrients and such in the food you could harm your pet more so than doing good. An all-canned diet consists of more water than that of the dry which is also not a good thing. A combination of the two is an excellent choice. I defintely would recommend checking into brushing your cats teeth as well more so with canned food involved versus dry only. Feel free to email me at angel0heart at yahoo dot com if you have any questions. I'm always researching and keeping myself up-to-date on the different foods that are available, so I can help people out!!! take care

I don't know about switching cats to the raw diet but 2 weeks ago I switched my bulldog to a raw diet(bravo pre-mix) he has major allergy issues and I could never find a dry food that he wasn't allergic to. So far he is doing excellent on the food and acts like a totally different dog. He will be 6 this month and is acting like a puppy again! I did notice on the bravo package that it says that cats can eat it. The only bad thing about the bravo is it is really expensive...For 2 weeks of food for my 55 pounds bulldog it cost right at $100 but so far it has been worth it not seeing him scratch his self half to death.

Healthy dry kibble is an oxymoron. Dry food isn't healthy-period

Dogs are omnivores cats are carnivores. They are different. Dogs can eat cat food. cats should not eat dog food

Canned foods can be left out all day

You would need a grinder to make your own cat food. try catinfo.org for rrecipes

Try nature's variety for pre made raw for both

It is not right to get a dog when the cat is already there and has not been around dogs before. If you have had a previous dog with your cat then that is different. Is it worth the risk to change your cat forever?

Raw Food Diet Program : http://www.rawfoodhappys.com/Help

This is definitely not a good idea. As you have probably found out through your research, that cats have VERY sensitive liver and kidney systems - you should think long and hard before proceeding this way. Cats do not respond well to diet changes, and there's a good chance a change like this could lead to your cats refusal of food. Also, raw meat can be dangerous since it can contain many parasites, and other dangerous microorganisms. The raw meat you would purchase at a store is NOT the same as meat a cat would hunt down himself on a farm, and eat straight away. Be aware that the processing of raw meat is unsanitary, and rife with contamination of various sorts. The next bad news I must deliver is that your puppy WILL most certainly eat kitty's food. Kitty will become intimidated and taunted by the dog every time his food is presented, or he wished to eat. It is likely he will develop food anxiety and instinctively stop eating. When your kitty stops eating (which usually happens suddenly, and the owner doesn't notice right away), he is likely to develop fatty liver disease - it's very ugly. As a self-proclaimed cat expert, I highly recommend against taking this action. Your cat will suffer for your own desires in the end. If he's enjoying a healthy food right now, then why rock the boat? It simply isn't worth it. Just my two cents for what it's worth.

You don't say what you feed them now. For what purpose are you changing their diet? Yours? Or for their welfare to due health issues? I would never change an animals diet unless it was health related! If they are doing fine, why change. This can cause serious health issues if they are fed a good diet now.

If you insist on changing their diet, do it gradually, not spontaneously! You don't want to shock their system and cause digestive issues. I fed my cats in a separate room from the dog. The dog is not allowed in this room. And she knows it!

Not what you wanted to hear, sorry! Experience is my teacher!

Did you tested Eating for Energy (120 raw food diet recipes) technique? Try on this website : http://stayeatingraw.com/Tutor . This will probably save yourself!

Use silken tofu rather than cream for some recipes such as this dairy-free chocolate mousse.

At the addition of the week, prepare a big container of salad to maintain in the fridge. If the salad is made, you're more likely to obtain greens with your dinner.