The Benefits Of A Raw Diet For Cats

Unlocking the Secrets to Optimal Feline Health: The Benefits of Raw Feeding for Cats

As a leading advocate for feline nutrition, Raw Essentials are passionate about the benefits of a species appropriate raw diet for cats. We understand that choosing the best diet for your cat can be overwhelming, especially with the wide range of food options available. However, our commitment to promoting raw food is backed by science, a team of cat nutrition support experts and a portfolio of feline raw feeding success stories.

Understanding Raw Feeding: A Return to Feline Nature

Cats are hypercarnivores, meaning their bodies are uniquely designed to thrive on a diet rich in animal-based proteins. They require a vast array of amino acids, found exclusively in meat proteins, to build and maintain vital tissues like muscle, skin, fur, and even hormones. They can’t utilise plant proteins to meet their needs.

Cats have no requirement for carbohydrates. In fact when their diet is diluted by carbohydrates they are driven to keep eating until they get enough protein. Obesity is a major player in the diseases of cats.

As evolved desert dwellers cats lack a strong thirst drive, relying primarily on their food for hydration. A raw diet is naturally higher in moisture. This added hydration has many benefits to your cat’s overall health and well-being. A raw diet naturally contains plenty of moisture, which is very beneficial to your cat’s health and wellbeing.

Cats are designed to eat prey….

At Raw Essentials, we aim to replicate this natural diet as closely as possible, ensuring that our raw food products support your cat’s well-being in the same way their wild counterparts are nourished.

The common diseases of cats are readily related to diet - including type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, cystitis, kidney disease, hyperthyroid, obesity and dental disease

The Science Behind Why Raw Feeding Is Great For Cats Health

1. Supports Strong Bones & Healthy Joints: Raw meaty bones are naturally rich in calcium & phosphorus in the ideal combination needed for bone health, repair, and growth.
2. Improves Dental Health: Cats have evolved with specialized teeth that are perfectly adapted for a carnivorous diet. Raw meaty bones act as nature’s toothbrush. Cat’s teeth are designed to rip, tear and crunch their food into swallowable chunks. Their scissor-like jaw is not designed to grind food. Giving your cat raw meaty bones or meat chunks to chew on helps to prevent and remove tartar build-up. A raw diet does not contain carbohydrates so is naturally low in sugars which bacteria in the mouth thrive on. can feed bacteria in the mouth.
3. Improved Digestive Health: Cats' digestive systems are adapted to handle raw food, leading to better digestion and nutrient absorption. The natural enzymes found in raw meat aid in breaking down food, which can help reduce gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting. Additionally, the high moisture content in raw food supports urinary tract health by promoting hydration.
4. Helps Cat's Maintain A Healthy Weight: Cats use protein rather than carbohydrates as their primary energy source so they thrive on good levels of high quality protein in their diet. If fed a diet high in carbohydrates such as biscuits they will attempt to meet their protein needs by overeating carbohydrates.
5. Healthier Skin and Coat: Raw food nourishes your pet's skin from within. Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, it supports your cat's skin's natural barrier, and helps helping to combat dryness, flakiness, and irritation.
6. Supports Urinary Health: Supports urinary health raw diet contains high moisture levels that will keep the urinary tract healthy by ensuring promoting the correct pH in the bladder and a good flow of urine. A raw diet supports the health of the urinary tract through good moisture levels and promotion of acidic urine. Optimal gut health aids the production of neurotransmitters which may alleviate anxiety.

Preventive nutrition is the key to keeping your cat healthy

Making the Transition to Raw Feeding

Transitioning your cat to a raw food diet doesn't have to be hard. Start with a mix of a similar prey source or flavour that your cat is used to eating. Make sure your cat is consistently eating at set meal times. Stop feeding all processed food and introduce one of our cat favourite mixes such as Lamb, Chicken & Heart or Beef, Wallaby & Heart alongside a whole meaty fillet or boneless meat cube option such as Veal Fillets or Beef Meat Cubes. Consult our team of trained nutrition advisors online or at one of our 16 retail stores for more personalised support to transition your cat to a balanced raw diet including a free personalised feeding plan. Want to read more about tips for transitioning cats to a raw diet check out our full blog here.

Conclusion

Raw feeding is not just a trend; it’s a scientifically backed approach to feline nutrition that honors your cat’s evolutionary dietary needs. By choosing raw food, you’re investing in your cat’s long term health, vitality, and happiness. At Raw Essentials, we’re here to guide you every step of the way and to support you in providing the best possible nutrition for your beloved feline companion.

Embrace the power of raw feeding and watch your cat thrive like never before. For more information and expert advice on raw feeding, visit the Raw Education section of our website or contact our knowledgeable team today.