Prepping Raw Diet for Cats and Dogs 

Before you make the big switch, it is essential to learn about the different types of raw foods available on the market. Typically, they are available in two different types. These include:  

Let’s take a look at both in more detail.  

Frozen Raw Food 

Frozen raw food is exactly as it sounds. It does not contain any form of chemicals or preservatives. It is a pure raw meal that must be thawed before serving. Other than that, no additional prep work is required. It enriches your fur babies with nutrition, allowing them to attain all the benefits of raw food. But since it is purely raw, this form of diet is more likely to be contaminated with bacterial growth.  

Frozen and Dried Raw Food 

Frozen and dried raw food contains the same nutrition as raw food. The only difference is that it goes under processing with or without heat application to eliminate moisture. However, the heat application is different from cooking or baking. Sometimes, you may have to rehydrate the meal before serving it. The advantage of frozen and dried raw food is that it is easier to store and has little chance of bacterial growth.  

But when you purchase from a top-quality brand, they ensure that the raw food they provide undergoes testing for bacterial growth. But even if it does contain some form of bacteria, it won’t be harmful to your cats and dogs as their stomach has a pH range of 1-2. Salmonella and other harmful bacteria require a much higher pH to survive. As a pet parent, you won’t be to worry about your pup or kitty catching salmonella from raw food.  

Storing Raw Food 

While kibble can easily sit in a storage room for prolonged periods even after being opened, the same practices cannot be applied to raw food.  

Frozen raw food should always be stored in the freezer. To thaw it, you must put it in the refrigerator, which can then be fed directly from the fridge for the next 4 to 5 days. But be sure not to leave the food for a long time in the fridge, or it will go bad.  

As for frozen and dried raw food for pets, it has a much larger shelf-life and can easily be stored in a cool and dry place for almost a year. However, it can only be stored for this long if left unopen. Once you open a pack, it should be consumed within the next 30 days.  

Transitioning to a Raw Diet 

The transition process is different for every cat and dog. While some fur babies take an instant liking to raw foods, others require more time to adapt to the new changes. Typically, it is recommended to start slow by introducing small quantities of raw meat to your pet’s diet. Once your cats and dogs get used to it, you can gradually increase the amount till they are on a fully raw diet.  

If you’re unsure ​​how to start, consider introducing frozen and dried raw treats. Once they take a liking, you can slowly add raw meat and bones to their meals. Typically, it takes about four weeks for your cats and dogs to adapt to raw meals, but some might take a little longer.  

As for the quantity, it is best to use your pet’s weight as the metric. Experts recommend feeding 2 to 3% of the pet’s weight daily. The keyword here is daily, so it won’t be 2 to 3% of the weight per meal, but per day.  

But for kittens and puppies, the proportions are higher as growing fur babies need more food than adults. For pups and kitties, you should feed them approximately 5% of their total body weight.  

BARF Diet: Cats vs. Dogs 

Though the underlying raw diet for cats and dogs is typically the same, there are a few changes between both. Today, the most followed raw diet is called a BARF diet.  

BARF or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food for cats and dogs differs regarding the supplementary elements.  

It contains:  

For cats, it is better to offer ground bones as they do not like to chew on them like dogs. That is one of the major differences between both diets. But there’s more.  

For cats, the raw diet is supplemented by egg yolks, fish oil, vitamin B complex, vitamin E, and taurine. On the other hand, dogs can have fresh fruits and vegetables to get their dose of vitamins. Some other supplements, such as probiotics, may also be added to ensure zero digestion issues.  

While your feline may be able to eat some fruits and vegetables, their stomach isn’t designed to process such foods. However, you might introduce some herbal supplements for health concerns. But you can also give them fruits and vegetables occasionally as a treat.  

Regardless of which supplements you add, the major portion of the diet is made up of muscle meat. More specifically, 70% of the diet constitutes muscle meat with 10% bone and 10% organ meat.  

The remaining 10% is for supplements, which in the case of dogs are fruits and vegetables, while for cats, they can be fish oil, egg yolks, etc.  

The meals may contain minced meat, boneless chunks of meat, meaty bones, whole bones, or ground bones. Depending on the manufacturer, you can get a full meal, pre-packaged and delivered to your doorstep.  

Benefits of Raw Diet 

Besides being completely natural and packed with nutrition, there are countless other benefits of raw food for pets.  

For starters, it strengthens the immune system and allows your furry friends to fight intrusions from viruses and diseases more effectively, making them less likely to fall sick. And when most of the nutrients from the diet are absorbed into their bodies, they tend to pass stool less frequently in smaller quantities, making bathroom visits less dreadful for you. 

But the best part is that they also improve your pet’s oral hygiene. Most pet parents opt for kibble, thinking it won’t damage their pet’s teeth. But the crunchy bits of dry food can stick to teeth, eventually turning into tartar, which, if not cleaned in time, can turn into gingivitis. But having dental surgeries is not recommended for fur babies. The good news is that raw meat and bones can clean teeth and maintain oral hygiene.  

A raw diet also reduces skin and fur problems. If your pets tend to shed more than usual, switching to a raw diet can help. It improves fur quality and prevents conditions such as eczema. Additionally, raw food is naturally hydrating and ensures your cats and dogs get enough moisture in their bodies. Of course, if you opt for frozen and dried raw meat, your pets might drink more water if the meat is not rehydrated before meals.  

Above all else, a raw diet ensures that your pets live a longer and healthier life with more energy and vitality. The essential nutrients of the diet ensure your dogs don’t suffer from painful conditions, such as arthritis, which may affect their mobility.  

The Ultimate Diet for Cats and Dogs 

After looking at all the benefits of a raw diet, you can probably understand why it is considered the ultimate diet for cats and dogs. Both felines and canines require meat and bony diets that fills them with raw power and nutrition.