Cats that have become very addicted to the carbohydrates in low quality kibble or canned cat food may take the longest time to transition to an all raw diet. These cats require a bit more determination and effort on your part to help them make the switch. All it takes is determination and some patience on your part, along with as much time as your cat needs to accept a raw diet for cats.
It can be difficult to switch a cat's diet. Unlike dogs who are curious about potential food sources, cats often imprint on the specific smell, taste and texture of the food they are accustomed to eating.
Some cats will accept raw as if they’ve just been waiting their whole lives for what they really should have been eating all along. The transition to a cat raw diet is relatively quick and easy for these cats. Other cats may take longer to make the switch, and still other cats may take even longer, particularly if they’re older or more set in their ways.
Transition from Dry Cat Food
Cats that have been on a dry cat food might need a gradual weaning which involves allowing the cat to eat small amounts of dry cat food. Allow your cat to eat small amounts of kibble for short periods of time each day for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Once your cat has eaten what's offered, pick up the bowl and removed it out of reach. Allow several feeding periods like this daily rather than free feeding the dry cat food,
This will help break the cycle of your cat’s addiction to the starchy grain based carbohydrates found in most dry cat food. Give 1 tablespoon of raw meat 2x a day and transition over a period of 2-4 weeks or longer if necessary. Remove all remaining raw food after 30 minutes and discard leftovers. It is not advisable to allow the cat to go without food as it can cause liver problems.
Transition from Moist Cat Food
Cats already eating a wet food generally accept the raw meat more readily. Offer 1 teaspoon of raw ground chicken into the canned cat food your cat currently eats and gradually reduce the amount of canned cat food and increase the amount of raw food.
Prepackaged Raw Diet for Cats
A wide range of commercial frozen raw foods are available either in a formula of raw meat, grains, and fresh vegetables that are 100 percent nutritionally complete, or as pure raw meat designed to be added as a supplement to other types of food. The brands include Bravo, Nature's Variety, Steve's Real Food, Prima and Rad Cat. Rabbit and venision are popular with cats as well as poultry.
For more information:
More Tips To Switch a Finicky Feline to a Raw Diet
Making Cat Food by Lisa A. Pierson, DVM
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