Raw diet
A raw food diet can be beneficial for a Savannah cat, as it closely aligns with their natural instincts and dietary needs. Here’s a simple guideline to follow when feeding your Savannah cat a raw food diet:
- Variety is key: Include a wide range of protein sources such as raw muscle meat (beef, poultry, lamb), organ meats (liver, heart, kidney), and raw meaty bones (chicken wings or carcasses).
- Balance nutrients: Ensure a balanced diet by including supplements like taurine, omega-3 fatty acids, and a feline-specific multivitamin. Consult with a veterinarian or a pet nutritionist for proper guidance.
- Avoid toxic foods: Certain foods are harmful to cats, such as onions, garlic, grapes, chocolate, and caffeine. Stay away from these when preparing a raw diet.
- Quality and freshness: Choose high-quality, human-grade ingredients, and ensure freshness by properly storing and handling the raw food.
- Gradual transition: When transitioning your cat to a raw food diet, do it gradually to allow their digestive system to adjust. Start by mixing a small amount of raw food into their regular diet and increase the amount over time.
- Monitor your cat’s health: Keep an eye on your cat’s weight, energy levels, and overall well-being. If you notice any issues, consult with a veterinarian.
Remember, each cat is unique, and their dietary needs may vary. It’s always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian who is knowledgeable about raw diets to ensure your Savannah cat’s specific needs are being met. Enjoy nourishing your furry friend with a raw food diet
Simple Recipe for Raw Chicken
Required Equipment:
- Meat grinder
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients:
- 4.5 pounds of chicken thighs (75% bones and 50% skin)
- 7 oz of chicken liver
- 14 oz of chicken heart
- 1 cup of water
- 4 egg yolks
- 2,000 mg of taurine
- 8,000 mg of fish oil
- 800 IU of Vitamin E (d-alpha-Tocopherol)
- 1/2 cap of B complex
- 1/2 tsp of Lite Salt
Instructions:
- Start by removing at least half of the skin from the unfrozen, raw chicken thighs. If you want to reduce the fat content in your cat’s diet, you can remove all of the skin. If desired, you can also remove some of the bones. Make sure to rinse the meat thoroughly before proceeding.
- Using a meat grinder, grind the chicken thighs, hearts, and livers together.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the taurine, water, egg yolks, and any other preferred supplements. Mix well.
- Add the ground meat mixture to the mixing bowl and thoroughly combine all the ingredients.
- Portion out the food into desired serving sizes and freeze them for future use.
This simple raw chicken recipe provides a nutritious meal for your cat.
BARF Cat Food Recipe with Bone
To ensure a balanced and nutritious diet for your cat, homemade BARF cat food is a great option. Not only is it healthier, but it is also more cost-effective. The recipe consists of various essential elements such as meat, organs, bone, fat, egg yolks, water, and supplements. These ingredients work together to provide complete nutrition for your feline friend.
Here is a recipe that includes bone:
- 4 pounds of raw bone-in muscle meat (such as chicken thighs or chicken carcass)
- 14 ounces of raw chicken heart
- 7 ounces of raw chicken liver
If you are unable to find chicken heart, you can substitute it with 14 ounces of other organ meat such as liver, gizzards, hearts etc. Similarly, if you cannot find chicken liver, you can replace it with an additional 7 ounces of other organ meat such as liver, gizzards, hearts etc. The organ meat is needed for the taurine. You can skip the organ meat and just add 4000 mg of Taurine powder.
- 2 cups of water
- 4 raw egg yolks
- Feline supplements such as WildTrax (my favorite)
- 4000 mg of salmon oil
- 800 IU of Vitamin E
If you plan to freeze the food for more than a week or two, it is recommended to add an extra 4000 mg of Taurine to compensate for any nutrient loss.
Directions:
- Start by removing approximately half of the skin from the muscle meat. Chop the muscle meat into small pieces.
- In a food processor, grind the raw liver, heart, skin, and meaty bones until they form a fine mixture. Store this mixture in the refrigerator.
- In a mixing bowl, combine all the supplements and 2 cups of water.
- Gradually add the grounded meat/bone mixture to the mixing bowl and mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
By following this recipe, you can provide your cat with a nutritious and balanced BARF diet. Remember to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that this diet is suitable for your cat’s specific needs.
Raw Beef and Chicken Recipe (No Grinder Required)
- Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 pound chicken livers
- 1 pound chicken hearts
- 1 pound chicken wings with bones
- 2 pounds ground tuna (canned with no oil or salt)
- 1 pound sardines (canned with no oil or salt)
- 5 egg yolks
- 2700 mg taurine
- 230 UI or 200 mg Vit E as d-alpha Tocophelor (1/2 cap approximately)
- 2 tsp Lite Salt (this is a salt and potassium blend that contains 50% less sodium that regular salt)
- 500 mg B complex (1 cap)
If you do not want to do all the add supplements, you can use WildTrax Supplements instead. Just follow the package directions for you cats weight.
- Directions:
We love the simplicity of this recipe as there is no grinder or additional supplements required. Simply cut all the meat into small, bite-sized pieces, and then add in the tuna and sardines and mix thoroughly. Portion out a couple of servings and store the rest in the freezer.
Boneless Raw Food Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless protein (chicken, beef, turkey)
- 3 oz chicken hearts
- 1.5 oz chicken livers
- 6 oz chicken kidneys
- 1 teaspoon finely ground eggshells
- 4,000 mg salmon oil
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1,000 mg taurine
- 0.5 tsp. eggshell powder
- 1/2 cap B complex
- 50 UI or 33 mg of Vitamin E as d-alpha Tocopherol
- 1/3 tsp Lite Salt (this is a salt and potassium blend that contains 50% less sodium that regular salt)
If you do not want to do all the add supplements, you can use WildTrax Supplements instead. Just follow the package directions for you cats weight.
- Directions:
This completely balanced recipe is again quick and simple as there are no bones and thus no need for a grinder or blender, although a grinder does make the processing far easier. You’ll need to cut the raw meat up into small, bite-sized portions (larger is fine if you are grinding) and mix it all into a bowl. Mix in the salmon oil and egg yolk, and possibly a touch of water if needed. Lastly, add the eggshell powder and 1,000 mg of taurine.
Disclaimer for Raw Diets:
The information provided in this article on raw diets for cats is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition for your pet. Never disregard professional veterinary advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The use of any information provided here is solely at your own risk.
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