Cooked bones on the other hand, can cause problems and should never be fed to your cat. Backed by research, veterinarians are therefore more likely to trust and recommend commercial pet foods, which can make it difficult to know what is best for your cat. Some cats can be ‘fussy eaters’, which can develop when they are fed the same food (such as raw chicken) over a long period. If you wouldn't eat it, don't give it to your pet. We hope you are now feeling a little less concerned about the safety of feeding your cats raw meat. You can start by feeding in small quantities and slowly graduating to large amounts according to their age. Thanks. If you are introducing beef in your cats diet for the first time, then it should be in tiny amounts. Beef organs can also be given to cats, but in small quantities. While beef is healthy for cats to consume, raw beef can lead to the same health complications in cats that it can in humans. They have to have protein from meat for a strong heart, good vision, and a healthy reproductive system. A cat’s natural diet includes meat and small amounts of vegetables. Great tips! Also, cats are fierce predators and in their natural habitat they eat only raw meat. Cats most probably will enjoy beef in their bowls. Why we need to buy a Scratching Post for Cats. Wash your hands after handling raw meat or anything (bowls, surfaces etc.) Chicken flesh on its own is unlikely to cause your cat any harm—after all, they are carnivores whose bodies are designed to process uncooked meat—but the chicken we buy at supermarkets is often so contaminated that it poses a serious poisoning risk for our cats. Choosing a cat food can be overwhelming, especially when we have to worry about commercial pet food recalls. Do not worry, the cat likes to eat raw meat. I am not against a raw food diet, just a bit squeamish! You can even feed the leanest available beef and not worry about less nutrition. Two of them loved it, the other wouldn't even go near it! But, raw beef meat should be given in small amounts and should be always fresh. The mom gives us a little raw food, but it’s mostly the already prepared kind; she doesn’t want to make it herself. Raw beef should be always fresh and not stale. Stale meat can cause digestive problems in cats. It is possible to feed cats on a raw diet which may be based on chicken or another meat. Copyright © 2021 Pawesome Cats - All Rights Reserved. Ground meat has more surface area to attract bacteria and other nasties. The diet for cats has evolved and they do not require grains in their diet chart. Can Dogs Eat Raw Meat? What Personality Makes The Tuxedo Cat Breed Different? Can cats eat raw chicken and other meats? The answer: no, cats should not eat any quantity of raw chicken. Cats are obligate carnivores. Top 12 Sounds That Cats Make, And What They Mean Exactly, Why Do Cats Sleep So Much? Cats' bodies are designed to absorb nutrients best from animal proteins, which is why they dine on a range of meats but seldom crave veggies. "Cats can eat raw meat and not get sick" is not the same as "cats can eat raw meat and will never get sick from it". If you plan to feed a homemade raw food diet, do your research, follow a recipe from a trusted source e.g. Keep the cats health in mind before spoiling them with meat. Most pet owners would want to know the answer to just one question, can cats eat beef? But she’s not great about feeding herself either – she just tosses a frozen dinner in the microwave and give us canned food. Should dogs eat raw meat, though? A diet consisting of raw meat, fruits and vegetables may seem to resemble the diet of wild dogs, but it’s important to note that they have a much shorter life expectancy than domesticated dogs. They become brittle during cooking, which mean they’re likely to splinter once swallowed and may cause internal damage. Thank you for the in depth information as always. What are the safety concerns that make most veterinarians hesitant or even opposed to recommending a raw food diet for cats? You can even try out commercial beef cat food instead of fresh grounded beef. She's trying to figure out that piece of the puzzle first. Yes, cats can eat beef. Image: US Department of Agriculture via Flickr. I appreciate that you address the concerns and safety issues instead of just talking about the pros. Ground fresh beef is a good source of protein. In recent times with the Paleo or low-carbohydrate diets it is even more popular and thus you can find these almost anywhere. Granted, she gives us the best, premium, carageenan and grain-free food, but still… she’s kind of lazy! If you’re feeding ground meat, be sure to grind it yourself to reduce the risk of bacteria. Chicken, fish and meat is a Cats top favorite and a better healthy food. Can Cats Eat Beef Jerky? It a truth that cats have evolved to assimilate uncooked meat. Raw meat will help cats stay fit so if you have an overweight cat a raw diet will balance their weight. I love how you address the most common concerns about raw feeding with factual data instead of just opinion. mouse or bird), raw bones and all. For a safer approach it is better to cook your meat and a temperature of at least 145 F for the meat or 165 F for ground beef should be sufficient. If he likes it you can gradually introduce more of it. These tasty snacks were created for humans and not designed with cats in mind. She thinks she’s not informed enough. The problem here isn’t with the raw food diet, it’s often because the cat owner wasn’t well-informed enough to ensure their cat’s diet was nutritionally balanced. People don't know a lot of those things. Fat can lead to obesity in cats, but if your cat is already obese cut down on fat rich beef and feed him lean meat. Slightly saute the ground beef and allow it to cool before serving it in a bowl. I have dabbled with some raw treats for the huskies. Good write up – lots of times we get dehydrated foods, it's easier and momma puts nutritional additions in! You can save the extra beef for feeding the next day.Beef is an affordable and protein rich option for your pet cat. Intestinal parasites such as roundworm, hookworm or tapeworm are also cited as a safety concern when feeding raw to cats. This post is very helpful, thank you. One fresh, raw and unseasoned steak is the best choice for your cat. In the wild, wolves and dogs eat raw meat without much problem. A small amount of beef contains a sizeable amount of fat required for a healthy cat. Before we switched our cats to a raw food diet we did a lot of research. In the wild, cats kill animals and eat most of the carcass. I think as long as the food is pure, not processed, has adequate nutrients, is fresh, and your cat enjoys it then raw or cooked are pretty equal choices. It's not actually good for the cat, it's pandering to silly humans. that has come in contact with raw meat. Make sure the raw beef you feed to your cat is suitable for humans to consume as human-grade meat will be fresh and free of diseases. Wash chopping boards, surfaces, knives and bowls with hot soapy water and disinfectant to make sure there are no germs. Feline bodies are able to thrive on most meats like beef.The verdict is beef can be fed to cats. A mix of 1 tablespoon bleach to 4 cups water is an effective disinfectant. They are capable of identifying foods that are not fresh and avoid eating stale foods making them fussy eaters. However, there are food safety concerns to both pet and owner, which will be discussed in more detail below. In the wild cats would eat raw meat, not cooked meat, but this needs to be really fresh. Meat that … Cats who are feral or avid mousers consume raw meat on a regular basis with few ill effects. A lot of pet owners love feeding natural foods for their cats. Do Cats Eat Roaches and It is Safe for Them? Common meats like beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb can sometimes trigger food allergies in cats but uncommon proteins like game meats (think duck, … The answer here is yes, if you feed them in small doses initially.Cats are carnivores and love eating meat. You can start by placing the ground beef in a small bowl and allow him to decide whether to eat or not. But she gives us the best canned food. Let’s find out. My cats prefer turkey and fish. Cats are meat eaters, plain and simple. It should be cooked to 165 F before being served. I do not shame someone for doing one over the other, it is a personal choice and there is already enough confusion and anger on the subject! With lot of heart-warming. But, it is important to be aware of the potential safety concerns – bacteria, parasites, bones and nutritional deficiencies – so that you can take the necessary precautions and prepare your cat’s raw food safely. How can we ensure that the raw food we feed our cats is prepared with safety in mind? Feline bodies are able to thrive on most meats like beef. They can be tempted to eat by slightly warming their food, offering foods that are tasty (due to high levels of protein or fat) or have a strong odour, and by offering variety, including new and different foods. This is a FANTASTIC article! Cats are obligate carnivores. Fluffy cat is eating a large piece of beef meat. Beef or lamb liver can be fed to cats but only in small quantities. Beef or lamb heart and kidney. Never try to speed up thawing times by leaving frozen meat out at room temperature or microwaving it. It is also important to note that cats have extremely efficient and very acidic digestive systems. It can cause diarrhea, indigestion, heartburns and various other ailments. Permethrin Poisoning in Cats: What You Need to Know, Cat Scooting: What it Means and What to Do, High Blood Pressure in Cats: Signs and Treatment. Too much fat can also harm your cats health. You’ve probably heard that toxoplasmosis (from venison, pork and lamb) and trichinosis (from pork and game animals) can be present in raw meats. I try to limit the amount of fish due to mercury and the toxic pollutants in water. Many veterinarians are hesitant to recommend a raw food diet because of safety fears or lack of knowledge about raw food diets for cats. Cats can chew and digest small raw bones with no problems, and bones actually contain beneficial nutrients including calcium. Dogs have a digestive system that is designed to help them digest their prey quickly and efficiently. The cheaper cuts are chewier, and your cat has to work harder to chew it, which is good for the teeth and gums. Can My Cat Eat Raw Meat or Fish? Small amounts of cooked pork are safe, even nutritious, treats for healthy adult cats, but raw pork is a health hazard, and cats should not be allowed to eat any amount of it. It’s not a good idea though, corned beef is cured in rock salt and sugar and will potentially cause stomach upset, if not worse. When you come down to it and do research, dogs and cats are designed to eat living foods. Salmonella and e-coli are usually the biggest concerns when it comes to bacteria. Cats living in the wild chase and kill small prey such as rodents, mice, squirrels, rabbits, reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects and small fish. Feeding raw might seem complicated at first, but once you get into a routine it’ll become second nature. Beef organs can also be given to cats, but in small quantities. They need meat every day to stay healthy, and ground beef can be one of these meats. They will love to eat them the whole day as they are carnivores in nature and thrive on animal meat. This will enable your feline friend’s body to get adjusted to the new food and gives you ample time to check if the meat is causing any health problems. Great tips! You don’t want to run that risk. Ground beef is easy to prepare, cheap and is easily digested by cats. a holistic vet who specialises in raw food nutrition, and take the time to get the balance right. It takes a lot more Salmonella to cause harm to a cat than it does to cause harm to a human. Raw or spoiled meat could make your cat sick. Other owners choose a raw diet. Stale meat can cause digestive problems in cats. They also have stronger stomach acids so they can break down foods that we could never safely eat. I know I did everything right the right measurements and they only thing I can think that would cause problems would be that most of the meats were chicken and I only think that because someone said chicken just isn’t that great. Any kind of meat you eat attracts the attention of your feline friend. Just because your vet doesn’t agree with feeding raw, doesn’t mean you should abandon the idea. Thaw frozen raw meat properly, by defrosting it slowly in the fridge. Yes, dogs can eat raw meat. Everyone knows that proper nutrition is essential to a cat's well-being. Beef organ meat can also be used, although organ meat should only make up a small portion of a cat's diet. At the same time, there isn’t the same amount of research into raw food diets for cats as there is into commercial pet food brands. The potential safety issues are one reason I haven't tried raw feeding my dogs. People also can eat raw meat and not get sick, however all it takes is one contaminated piece of meat - which you would not be able to tell until after you've eaten it - to ruin your week, or worse. Ground beef is cheap, easy to prepare and easy for cats to digest. Cat knows when to stop eating. I was surprised to find out that Salmonella bacteria is a part of the normal healthy gut flora of cats and many other animals (but not humans). Feeding raw food for cats is our way of getting as close as is practical to a diet that they evolved to eat. You can do that now and then and get by, but you would never raise your child on an exclusive diet of meal replacement bars. Cats are also interested in fresh foods that include meat, fish, chicken and even turkey. Ive had my dogs on a raw diet for a week now and since day one they’ve had diarrhea and one of them had a little blood only once. The following chart compares one ounce (28 g) of raw liver from cattle, raw kidney from cattle, and raw, grass fed beef (Source: nutritiondata.self.com): As you can see, skeletal muscle is relatively higher in calories and fat per ounce, but is good source of omega-3 fatty acids and calcium. You don’t know where or for how long it’s been sitting around unless you grind it yourself. Serve raw food to your pets in stainless steel or glass bowls rather than plastic, which can harbour bacteria. He never overeat. Commercial raw food will be nutritionally balanced so it may be an easier option for some people. Ultimately, we would not feed our cats a raw meat based diet, if we did not believe it was safe for cats to eat raw meat! I am not sure if raw feeding is right for my pets (and me), but I know a lot of people think it is the only way to go. However, avoid raw cabbage since it can make them gassy and as Catster.com notes, has “anion known as thiocyanate, which can impair thyroid function, but it is highly unlikely that cats would ever deign to eat enough raw cabbage to do them any harm.” Can cats eat carrots, potatoes, turnips or onions. Your cat will enjoy the ground beef without any spices and with all its natural flavors. Yes, we knew cats can eat raw meat. Alternatively, you can run used items through the dishwasher. Ground beef must be cooked to 165 F. The other is that one of my dogs is a Therapy Dog and the organization she's registered with doesn't allow a raw diet due to the potential of transmitting bacteria. It is safe to feed raw meat to your cat if you take safety precautions. Because cats are obligate carnivores who have evolved to eat mostly whole prey animals, pig flesh in and of itself is generally considered safe for cats in moderation. Let’s Find Out. Remember too, you don’t have to prepare raw food from scratch; there are many good quality pre-packaged commercial raw food options available for you to choose from. Beef is rich in vitamins and minerals like Vitamin B, E, K, and D. They are also rich in minerals such as zinc, iron and selenium. They’re meant to eat unprocessed, raw, healthful foods. Remember though, in the wild a cat will eat the entire prey animal (e.g. Cats In Care will guide you to know how to care for cat. Wonderful! The concern lies in the bacteria that may exist in raw meats. Purrs. Mom Paula is about like Summer's mom. They often talk about the dangers of raw food and of seeing feline patients who are malnourished as a result of being feed a raw food diet. Therefore, they’re often loaded with sodium, seasonings, and preservatives; ingredients fine for human consumption, but not for cats. You can even try out commercial beef cat food instead of fresh grounded beef.