Companion Animals

Raw Feeding for Cats: Welfare and Safety Considerations

Raw meat-based diets for cats are advocated by some owners but carry nutritional, microbiological, and safety risks requiring careful consideration.

Key Facts

Cats as obligate carnivores are adapted to high-protein diets
Taurine deficiency from poorly balanced diets causes dilated cardiomyopathy
Commercial cat foods are formulated to meet FEDIAF or AAFCO nutritional standards
Raw diets can harbour Salmonella and other zoonotic pathogens
Freeze-dried raw products reduce but do not eliminate pathogen risk

Welfare Considerations

Homemade raw diets are frequently nutritionally incomplete, causing taurine, calcium, and other deficiency diseases with serious welfare consequences. The risk of zoonotic infection in immunocompromised household members must be weighed against claimed dietary benefits. Commercially prepared complete raw diets that meet nutritional standards are preferable to home preparation.

What You Can Do

Ensure any raw diet meets minimum nutritional standards for cats
Never feed raw fish as a primary food due to thiamine deficiency risk
Consult a veterinary nutritionist about raw diet formulation
Practice strict hygiene when handling and preparing raw cat food