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Benefits of a Raw Diet for Cats

Yes, this is mostly a dog blog but I know many of you have kitties too and sometimes cats get overlooked!

If you already feed your cat a raw diet or if you have any questions about raw feeding, please leave a note in the comments.

Benefits of a raw diet for cats

1. A raw diet provides more moisture for cats.

I recently learned that cats typically do not drink a lot of water (like dogs do) so they depend on getting enough moisture from their food. The problem is, many cat owners feed their cats dry cat food and the cats don’t get enough water.

I learned this the hard way because one of my cats was having some issues with his bladder while on a mostly dry diet. If a cat doesn’t get enough water, it can lead to kidney and bladder problems down the road, especially for male cats.

Benefits of a raw diet for cats

Luckily, all we had to do was provide more water in Beamer’s diet through canned and raw food vs. kibble. It’s amazing what a difference this made! (And Beamer much prefers raw food to dry anyway!)

2. Cats are true carnivores.

Some veterinarians and other experts will say dogs are carnivores, and some will say dogs are omnivores.

But cats … it’s no question they are true carnivores!

Benefits of a raw diet for cats

Cats do not need all the carbohydrates found in many commercial foods, according to Balanced Blends. Their digestive systems are not designed to process high amounts of grains, and they do best with a high-protein diet.

I really appreciate how the raw diets for cats from Balanced Blends contain only meat, bones, eggs and minerals. It’s not that fruits and veggies are necessarily bad for cats, but they don’t need them.

3. Feeding a cat a raw diet is not as expensive as feeding most dogs a raw diet.

Let’s face it, cost is one of the reasons more pet owners do not feed raw diets. It’s generally more expensive to feed healthy, fresh food.

I hear about this barrier every time I write about raw feeding, and I completely understand.

At least with cats (and small dogs) you’re not buying as much food because they simply don’t eat as much! Yes, feeding your cat a raw diet is more expensive than feeding dry food, but it’s not as significantly higher like it is for, say, an 80-pound Lab. 

There are many raw cat food brands to choose from (or you can make your own!).

4. Easier weight management.

When you feed your cat a raw diet high in protein (vs. carbs), it’s easier to help him maintain a healthy weight. (Raw feeders are also less likely to “free feed” their cats. Instead, they’re more likely to feed fixed amounts twice per day.)

Unfortunately, many indoor cats in particular are very overweight in the United States. We all know that obesity is linked to all sorts of health issues whether you’re a cat or a dog or a person. It doesn’t take a veterinarian to figure out that fit, lean cats are generally healthier and more likely to live longer.

Benefits of a raw diet for cats

5. Better overall health.

I believe a raw diet is the healthiest option for most cats. People who feed their cats a raw diet, as well as vets who support raw diets, often report their cats have healthier coats, smaller stools, healthier teeth, less shedding (fewer hairballs!), more energy and less allergies.

And while we can’t control everything, feeding your cat a high-quality, balanced raw diet should hopefully mean less overall visits to the vet. Ideally, this will end up saving you money on vet bills over time.

Are you interested in feeding your dog or cat a raw diet?

What questions do you have?

Let me know in the comments!