1st May 2006

How do I give my cat a natural diet?

Read more: Cats Food | Comments (0)

Question:

My family and I try to eat a healthy diet and we want to do the same for our cat. I would prefer not to feed my cat tinned or dry food. How do I give my cat a natural diet?

Answer:

Cats are obligate carnivores and require animal-derived foods to survive. A balanced diet of fresh food and water is a suitable diet for your cat. A cat hunting for food eats its meat fresh and raw, including the bone, bowel contents, skin, fur or feathers. A home-made diet would include raw meat and offal that has been passed for human consumption, (eg chicken, rabbit, fish, liver etc, finely chopped or grated) or lightly cooked vegetables and herbs, cooked cereals, egg, and sprouted grains or pulses. You can blend the ingredients in a food processor if your cat is picky. A good quality supplement that doesn't contain artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives and is formulated for cats may be indicated. It is important that you do not over supplement with vitamins and minerals or feed liver more than once a week. Your holistic vet can give you more information. There are also a number of books available on feeding your cat a natural diet.