Raw Stories

We heard the benefits of raw feeding, and glowing recommendations of Raw Essentials, so we started feeding raw almost as soon as we adopted our cats. We got Beckett, close to her first birthday. Since we switched her to a raw diet, her coat has gotten more glossy and super soft, like velvet. Our second cat, Lanie was a skinny little kitten when we got her. She was keen on food but would always leave behind a little of her kitten kibble. We started giving her some raw food, and she took to it like a fish to water! She scoffed it down and never left any behind, and gained a good amount of weight quite fast and steadily - she now is maintaining a healthy weight.

Fluffy was diagnosed with diabetes in 2021. We had him on a prescription diet and twice daily insulin shots, and at one point he reached the maximum dosage. A friend suggested I try to Raw Essentials, and with the support of their in house vet he slowly he started to stabilise. He is now 1 month insulin free. His daily blood test shows he is stable. He has a lovely coat and is a happier cat overall. Thanks Raw Essentials! - Sharyn

Khan & Cassandra

This is my old boy Khan. He’s coming up 15 years old. I adopted him when he was much younger. He would gulp his kibble down and then spew everywhere. He was also constantly thirsty and drinking water - which seemed like forever!

Since changing him to a raw diet many years ago he hasn’t spewed once and rather gulping it down he has to chew and work through the meat and bone. His teeth and fur look amazing for his age!

Jasper & Paula

Jasper was a 4-year-old rescue cat that we adopted in 2008. He felt at home straight away and fitted in happily with our other two kittens, also recently adopted from the same place. Jasper was fine on a diet of biscuits and tinned for awhile but, in 2010, he developed asthma and was a regular visitor to the vets, including frantic 1am visits.

We persevered with various medications for awhile but we wanted a different approach. So, I researched raw feeding and made the change. He swapped over without fuss and loved it all! I stopped his medication and it wasn't long before he stopped having attacks. Jasper stayed on the raw diet for five years without a single asthma attack and was medication free before he passed in 2017.

I know he appreciated feeling better without regular asthma attacks... you could just tell. I am very grateful that Raw Essentials were available, so I could make that choice for him.

Morty & Emily

When we first got Morty, he was very sick with calicivirus, a cat flu that affected his eyes, nose and overall breathing. He wasn’t eating or drinking, so I had to syringe water and a type of meat paste into his mouth each day. As a kitten he was constantly on antibiotics from the vet due to respiratory infections and any type of food he ate upset his digestive system so much that he was constantly suffering from vomiting and diarrhea.

One day I came across Raw Essentials, and after speaking to the very knowledgeable staff and communicating with their supportive team vet, we got Morty onto a gut healing protocol. This consisted mostly of bone broth with gently cooked meats before gradually moving onto raw mince cubes over time.

Within a week or so of following the protocol, Morty was a different cat. He was toileting normally and overall seemed much happier. Now 2 years on, Morty is so much healthier, has no issues with his digestion and although his calicivirus will be a lifelong condition, he very rarely has a flare up. If he does, he recovers much more quickly.

Thank you Raw Essentials for making such a huge difference to Morty’s health and quality of life!

Everest & Chantel

We got our sweet Everest when she was just 7 weeks old. She had quite a sensitive stomach as a kitten...most of the food we tried her on didn't agree with her and would go straight through her. Finally, we decided to try her on a Raw Essentials diet. We wish we'd found it sooner! As soon as we started her on the raw diet, we noticed a huge difference. Her fur is so soft, her breath doesn’t smell and best of all, it doesn't upset her tummy. She loves the variety she gets through the diet and has so much energy in her now. We still continue to see the difference in her every day, we're so happy we switched her to raw. Thank you to the staff at Hobsonville for all their help and advice in getting us started!

Cheddar & Don

When I got Cheddar, she was totally disinterested in food. She had low energy, and would spend most of her time sleeping. Her coat was also dull, and there were shaggy areas that would mat easily, making it difficult to clean.

She has been on Raw Essentials since February and the change in her appearance, manner and appetite was almost instant.

Her coat is lush and her shaggy fur is now soft and beautiful. She has loads more energy - playing and exploring all day. She loves her food, screaming at me for dinner and waking me at 5:30am demanding breakfast.

Basically, she is like a new cat and its great.

I'm fully converted to the raw diet and have seen great results first hand with a furry little monster that means the world to me.

Bandit & Katie

Our cat Bandit had been struggling with inflammatory bowel disease for a few years and was gradually losing weight and his spark. The vet recommended feeding him a special diet of hypoallergenic biscuits to try and help with the vomiting and gut issues. The vomiting stopped on the biscuits but the weight loss did not. He was barely eating and he seemed miserable.
We decided to look into other options and found our way to Raw Essentials for help.
On their advice, we started him off on the gut healing protocol with bone broth and poached meats. Our boy was in heaven getting real meat after those awful biscuits!
Fast forward a few years and the IBD is no longer a problem. He is such a happy boy, and he absolutely inhales his meat at every meal. His coat is lovely and shiny and he has gained some weight back.
We are so glad we gave Raw Essentials a go, thank you!

Phoenix & Kylie

Phoenix came into my life as a rescue cat about three years ago, and he is now around 5 years old. When I adopted him, he was suffering from urinary tract issues. After multiple relapses and emergency trips to the vets, he was precribed a 100% biscuit diet. At this point I decided enough was enough, and researched his condition and how to keep him alive and healthy for myself. Then I found Raw Essentials. The concept is great for me as I am a vegan and I love keeping my beloved pet as naturally as I can - close to an animal’s nature. The team at Raw Essentials helped me find a diet that suited him, and we haven't looked back. He has now been on the raw diet for over a year and has still not relapsed, which makes me (and him) so happy!

Harley & Megan

Harley is our crazy tortoiseshell cat who didn't have the easiest start to life. This little girl had been waiting all alone at the pet store for three months - so we abandoned our plans for an SPCA adoption and took her home to join the family! 10 months in she developed cystitis. Our vet recommended more meat to help with water intake, so we stopped feeding biscuits and fed her meat only - including supermarket cat meat.

Harley rallied, but fast-forward a year and she was diagnosed with feline leprosy. She had 13 lumps surgically removed and looked like 'franked-kitty'. Her changes of survival didn't look so good either. Months of treatment later, she was still with us but had allergies. Itchy scars made her scratch continuously and her fur fell out.

Our friends who'd recently started their dogs on Raw Essentials recommended switching Harley - as they thought her allergies could be related to fillers like wheat that can be found in supermarket cat meats. After very little convincing with the Power Mix, Harley quickly adapted to her new diet. Her skin was no longer irritated and she stopped scratching - finally giving her scars time to heal. Her fur grew back so soft and shiny! She now loves feeding time and you can see she's a happier, healthier cat. I'm so glad we made the switch.

Tiger & Rebekah

Our Tiger is a very healthy (and 8kg!) tom cat that still lives his best life at 12 years old. Unfortunately, he had some rough times in his life resulting in injuries and surgeries. The vet suggested better quality kibble and supplements for him. I wasn't so sure about this plan though but my local cafe in Hamilton happened to be next door to Raw Essentials. So, I popped in to talk to the staff about Tiger.

I was 100% convinced this was the best plan for Tiger and he has now been on a raw diet since the end of 2019. One of the greatest things, about the change, is that you would never know the injuries he's experienced in the past. His coat is so shiny and smooth now and there are no more furballs that we have to clean up. His energy levels never cease to surprise me even for his age, he often acts like a kitten! He has the brightest eyes now and I just know its a sign of good health. We put this 100% down to his diet. Tiger will always let us know when its time to get up in the morning, as he will meow louder until he gets served his breakfast. At dinner we also add some of the Raw Essentials Power Mix and Bone Broth to his minces for the extra goodness.

Recently we also got a new furry puppy sibling for Tiger, and it was a no brainer that he would be on a raw diet too. When feeding the puppy, Tiger is right there trying to eat his food too. We can't recommend a raw diet more. Thank you Raw Essentials!