What Raw Meats Are Safe To Feed Cats?

Knowing what to feed your cat can be difficult. With so many options, one huge challenge can be figuring out whether you can feed your beloved feline raw meat.

Raw meat contains all-natural ingredients that are unprocessed. This is good for pet owners who fear they don’t know what processed cat food products contain. A cat raw diet is a great source of protein, with low carbs, to provide the consumer with all the strength and nutrients it needs to live a healthy life.

Although raw meat diets can be nutritionally beneficial, this begs the question, is raw meat safe for cats? And if so, what raw meats are safe to feed cats? This article will provide you with all the information you need to decide whether your cat should be eating raw meat.

Is Eating Raw Meat Safe for Cats?

The idea of feeding raw meat to your beloved feline can seem daunting. Believe me, you want nothing but the best for your pet. With that said, raw meat is perfectly safe to feed your cat as long as the meat is cleaned and prepped properly prior to consumption.

Rather than feeding your cat their regular dry or wet canned food, a raw meat diet simply consists of feeding them uncooked meat instead. Raw meat is also great because it closely parallels to the diet the cat would have eaten if they lived out in the wild.

The reason cats can consume raw meat is thanks to cats’ short, acidic stomachs. This is great news for you and your cat because raw meat can provide many health benefits.

This includes improvements in:

• Skin Health
• Coat Health
• Joints and Bones
• Digestion
• Oral Health
• Water Consumption

Diving deeper into the types of raw meat diet types, various raw meat types include:

• Muscle Meat
• Organ Meat
• Bones

What Types of Raw Meats Can Cats Eat?

Now that you know raw meats are perfectly safe to feed your cat, it’s time to better understand the different types of raw meats your cat can eat and enjoy! Some of these raw meat options include chicken, salmon, duck, and lamb. Read below to better understand the specific benefits each of these raw meat options can provide to your cat.

Chicken

Chicken is a great raw meat for cats because it is high in essential nutrients like protein, phosphorus, and vitamins B6 and B12. Since chicken is rich in protein, it will provide your feline with the extra muscle strength and repair it needs to live a strong, happy life.

Salmon

Salmon is another raw meat option for your cat that is rich in omega-three fatty acids. Fatty acids help protect your cat’s skin and coat health from any preventable damage. Salmon is also known to help with the immune system.

Other essential nutrients that are found in salmon include potassium, B vitamins, selenium, and niacin. It is important to note that although salmon contains lots of great nutrients, it should not be the only source of raw meat given to your cat. Consider feeding salmon to your cat as a treat only for special occasions (not a daily meal).

Duck

Duck is an excellent source of protein that includes many essential nutrients for your cat like zinc, iron, and B vitamins,

Lamb

Lamb is another great raw meat option to consider feeding your cat. Lamb contains lots of nutrients such as iron and vitamin B12. These nutrients are essential to help transport oxygen throughout the bloodstream and with brain development.

Can My Cat Benefit From Eating Raw Meat?

The short answer is yes! Raw meat is a great source of natural nutrients for your cat. Although it is essential to take all the necessary cleaning and prep precautions, especially as to not cross-contaminate and risk exposing you and others in your household to harmful bacteria, raw meat is safe for your cat to eat.

As listed above, chicken, salmon, duck, and lamb are all great raw meat options for your cat. Each type of raw meat provides its own unique benefits and different sources of nutrients. For instance, chicken and duck are great sources of protein. This is perfect for cats as cats need a protein-rich diet that is rather low in carbs.

However, with salmon (and most other raw fish alternatives) it is vital to understand that this will not provide your cat with enough nutrients to live a sustainable diet. Thus, consider salmon and other raw fish like special treats, and only feed your cat these on occasion while choosing more protein-dense meats for your cat like chicken and lamb.

Your cat can live a healthier, happier life by incorporating raw meat into its diet. Although each cat is unique, most cats will thrive off of clean, well-prepared raw meat diets. Let your feline indulge in a more natural diet that will have them embracing their “wild” side with these tasty, safe raw meat options provided above.

BIO: Melissa Smith is a passionate dog and cat lover, part time pet-sitter and writes for Raw and Fresh on all things pet-related. A former dog trainer and walker, she’s spent over a decade professionally learning a thing or two about our canine and feline buddies.