Here's Why Raw Cat Food Is The Best Diet for Your Cat

Here's Why Raw Cat Food Is The Best Diet for Your Cat

When it comes to nourishing our pets, relying solely on marketing claims is not the ideal approach. This is particularly true for cats, which are recognized as obligate carnivores, relying on animal-based nutrients for optimal health. Unlike humans, cats don't require cooked or processed meals with fancy sauces; they thrive on raw food. Advocates of raw cat food argue that feeding commercially produced canned or dry cat food deprives them of the natural nutrients found in raw prey, which aligns with their biological design. This article explores the enlightening findings of the Pottenger Cat Study and sheds light on the benefits of incorporating raw cat food into their diet.

Pottenger's Cats:

 Francis M. Pottenger, Jr., conducted the Pottenger Cat Study between 1932 and 1942 to examine the effects of heat on the nutrient value of raw food. Pottenger observed that cats fed a diet of sautéed meat experienced various health issues, while a separate group of cats fed a diet of raw meat appeared healthier. Over a ten-year period, Pottenger studied around 900 cats from three generations. The results of the study revealed compelling evidence in favor of raw food diets for cats.

Meat Study:

 One group of cats was fed a diet consisting of one-third cooked meat, one-third milk, and cod-liver oil, while another group was fed a diet of one-third raw meat, one-third milk, and cod-liver oil. The cats on the all-raw diet exhibited better health, while those on the cooked meat diet developed chronic diseases and decreased vitality with each generation. By the third generation, the cats experienced severe health issues, including blindness, weakness, and shortened lifespans. The cats' overall well-being deteriorated, accompanied by an increase in skin diseases, allergies, and parasites.

Milk Study:

 In a separate study, various groups of cats were fed different types of milk, including raw, pasteurized, evaporated, and sweet condensed. The cats on raw milk remained the healthiest, while the others displayed varying degrees of health problems.

Conclusion:

 While Pottenger's experiments didn't directly compare raw cat food diets to commercially available canned or dry kibbles, several important conclusions can be drawn. Cooking meat can destroy essential nutrients, such as amino acids, while cats thrive on raw meat. If preparing raw cat food meals at home, it's crucial to ensure the inclusion of vital amino acids like taurine, which may be heat-sensitive. While choosing pre-packaged raw cat food options, look for reliable sources of free-range meat and consider adding probiotics to support intestinal health.

It's essential to handle raw cat food with care due to potential bacterial contamination. Separate raw meat from other foods, wash hands before and after handling raw food, and clean surfaces and utensils thoroughly. Reheated raw cat food should be consumed or discarded within 30 minutes of feeding to minimize the risk of bacterial growth.

For those unable to prepare raw cat food from scratch, ready-made products are now available. Frozen complete raw cat food meals or mixes that require the addition of meat can be convenient options. However, ensure that the necessary amino acids, such as taurine, are included in the mix. If not, consider adding organ meat from the same animal source to ensure your cat receives these essential nutrients.

By incorporating raw cat food into their diet, cat owners have the opportunity to enhance their feline companions' overall health and well-being through natural and biologically appropriate nutrition.