Raw meat that is cleaned properly can be a great option to feed your cat. Most raw meats, such as chicken, lamb, duck, and salmon, are high in protein and other essential nutrients that allow your cat to live a happier, healthier life.
Cats’ stomachs are especially complimentary to consuming raw meat because of their short, acidic stomachs. Consuming raw meat also helps bring out your cat’s inner “wild” side. This is because your cat’s ancestors likely ate raw meat so your beloved feline eating raw meat will mimic this act- almost as if they caught their food themselves!
Now that you know that feeding raw meat to your cat is perfectly safe (as long as the meat is prepped properly), read below to better understand all the health benefits your cat can gain from eating a raw food diet.
Improved Dental Health
Taking care of your dental well-being is just as important for a cat as it is for you or me. That’s why improved dental health is a great benefit of a raw food diet.
Have you ever wondered why cats in the wild tend to not have any dental problems, but your house cat always gets a pesky bad tooth? That’s likely attributed to the different diet a wild cat eats compared to a cat that doesn’t consume a raw meat diet.
Chewing on raw bones, meats, tissue, skin and fur helps cats clean their teeth while also satisfying their hunger. Not only is a raw food diet natural for your cat’s digestive health, but it’s a great natural tooth cleaning mechanism that is sure to keep your cat’s teeth clean and healthy.
Helps with Digestion
Cats are unique in that they thrive off of protein-rich diets. Their specific digestive tracts work great with meat-centric diets. As a result, switching your cat to a raw food diet is great for satisfying your cat’s natural digestive system.
Physiologically, this works because cats’ digestive tracts are both short and acidic, making their ability to process this raw food rather quickly (in as little as half a day!). This fast absorption gives the raw meat bacteria no time to multiply within your cat’s stomach, lessening your cat’s chance of getting food poisoning.
Even better, cats require barely any carbohydrates in their diet. This is great, especially considering much raw meat is high in protein and low in carbs.
Increased Energy Levels
Have you noticed your cat has been a little lazy or tired? Want your cat to have a little more energy to go about their day?
Eating a raw food diet has been observed to increase cats’ energy levels! This is because cats are especially good at using protein and thus thrive off a protein-dense diet. Since raw meat (like chicken or lamb) is high in protein, this means this energy from protein is more accessible if eating more raw foods that are high in protein compared to processed commercial cat food products.
Improved Coat Health
It has also been observed that switching your beloved feline to a raw food diet helps with your cat’s coat by making it look and feel softer and silkier. This is because many raw food diets are high in fatty acids which positively help promote healthy skin and coat health for your cat.
Many cat owners have also noticed that switching your cat to a raw food diet will generate fewer hairballs because of their improved coat health. So no more gross hairballs lying around your house!
Helps with Weight Loss
Does your cat need to lose a little weight?
If you’ve noticed that your cat is overweight, raw food diets have been shown to assist in weight loss for cats. This is because cats often overeat when given improper food that is not rich in protein and essential nutrients. Thus, they overeat to compensate for this lacking necessary nutrient they need to survive and thrive.
When given raw food like chicken that is high in protein, your cat will likely feel satisfied after eating its appropriate portion as most, if not all, of its nutritional value will have been consumed by this raw food meal. Thus, the cat will have no need to overeat because their nutritional needs are met so they are not hungry/ don’t want to eat anymore.
Why a Raw Food Diet is Great for Your Cat
As long as the raw food you give to your cat is cleaned and well prepared (ensuring not to cross-contaminate and expose you or your family members), a raw food diet provides many benefits for your cat. From increased energy levels, weight loss, improved coat and dental health, and improvements in their digestive function, it’s no wonder cats thrive on natural raw meat diets.
If you are considering switching your cat’s diet from cooked to raw, remember these benefits above- your feline will feel and look happy and healthy thanks to a raw food diet.
BIO: Melissa Smith is a passionate dog and cat lover, part time pet-sitter and writes for Raw and Fresh on all things pet-related. A former dog trainer and walker, she’s spent over a decade professionally learning a thing or two about our canine and feline buddies.
