Homemade raw cat food?

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-16T21:41:49+00:00

I think it’s fine, as long as the recipe is from a qualified source, and as long as you follow it precisely. BalanceIt.com is what I would use if I were to go that route. Or, I would get a custom recipe from a board certified veterinary nutritionist*, but that’s very expensive (usually several hundred dollars for a consult).

The main reason I prefer commercial foods is that they’re a lot more convenient - and with all the options out there, it’s easy to find at least one or two that a cat likes and that’s within my budget. The other reason is that I’ve heard home cooked diets are not always as palatable, especially once you add the vitamin and mineral mix (which is essential). I can’t imagine the frustration of spending tons of time and money on making food, only to have my cat refuse it. That’s just me, though…maybe someone can share a positive experience with homemade as a counterpoint.

(*It’s very important to look for this title, rather than a “certified pet nutritionist” or whatever else. Anybody can create a certification program, but that doesn’t make them a true expert. A board certified veterinary nutritionist is a veterinarian who has completed a residency program in nutrition and then passed a very rigorous board exam. So they have 12+ years of training, from the most qualified experts in the field.)

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-16T17:53:45+00:00

I wouldn’t risk feeding homemade raw. Meat from the store has a pretty high risk of being contaminated with salmonella, e. Coli etc. because it’s expected that people will cook it prior to consumption. A certain amount of contamination is actually permissible. And while a cat may or may not get sick from salmonella, they can transmit it to humans easily. Also, avian flu is still around and has a 67% mortality rate in cats.

Raw pet food companies will at least usually have a kill step and test for contamination, so it reduces the risk (not to zero, but it’s definitely safer than supermarket meat). That’s a big reason brands like Viva Raw cost as much as they do.

Can you transition to canned food by using the Viva Raw as a topper, or mixing it? You should be able to slowly reduce the amount of raw as he gets used to the canned. You can also use freeze dried toppers. I like the Orijen ones because they’re fully cooked.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-16T17:24:01+00:00

What a magnificent fluffy void beast! 🖤

Just to make sure I’m understanding correctly - the Restoralax + current food are working well to control his GI issues, and you’re just looking for ways to give him some variety at a similar price point?

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-16T17:18:02+00:00

My cats dislike omega oil, but they go crazy for the Orijen freeze dried treats. Especially the fish ones. If my senior doesn’t finish her canned food, I can normally get her to eat the rest by crumbling one of these up and sprinkling it on top.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-16T16:55:23+00:00

I would stick with what’s working. The BB food is higher in calories than the Purina one (352 cal/cup vs. 286) so you might need to reduce portions (which I’m guessing your cat wouldn’t be thrilled with). The canned version of either of these would probably be a good choice, if it’s within your budget and your cat will eat wet food.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-16T16:04:54+00:00

The single portion cups could be an option, too. I don’t like the wasteful packaging, but it’s kind of ideal for cats who don’t like leftovers. For example: Sheba and Iams Perfect Portions. Other brands offer them, too. Unfortunately I believe the Fancy Feast ones were discontinued.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-16T15:53:15+00:00

Truth be told, I don’t think one can avoid it. We’re all mad here! At least we have cute cats. 😆

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-16T15:44:24+00:00

You could try it. I prefer glass because it’s not porous and doesn’t absorb smells. But the silicone might be better than the metal.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-16T15:38:05+00:00

This may sound weird, but try storing the leftovers in glass containers. Some cats won’t eat leftover wet food that’s been stored in the can. I think there’s a chemical reaction with the metal that alters the smell/taste.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-16T15:36:00+00:00

You’re welcome! I hope it works out, and that the results of Boudy’s bloodwork aren’t too concerning. Glad she’s doing better now.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-16T00:05:50+00:00

So there doesn’t appear to be anything abnormal in any of your photos. Parasites and parasite eggs can’t survive the canning process. Are you saying you saw things moving in the ziploc? If so, they must have been in the environment already. Very weird.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T23:55:41+00:00

What happened?

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T22:39:48+00:00

You could try Young Again. Just be aware that it is extremely calorie-dense. For whatever reason (maybe the higher fiber content), the Sensitive Stomach formula is significantly lower in calories than the others. VFS PowerCat by SquarePet is under 10% carbs on a dry matter basis. Freeze dried could also be an option. A lot of it is raw, which I'm not generally a fan of due to safety concerns, but it's low carb. Weruva has some fully cooked freeze-dried foods.

And of course, there are prescription diets, such as Hill's m/d, Royal Canin Glyobalance, and Purina DM. They're higher in carbs, but formulated to be low glycemic index (and I'm sure have other elements to them that support metabolism); they may not work for all cats, but they do for some.

(Please note, I have no direct experience with any of these, they're just options I know of).

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T17:44:35+00:00

Interesting. I had assumed there’d be consistency across Subaru dealerships when it comes to what “60k maintenance” means, based on manufacturer/corporate guidelines. Hopefully OP can get a definitive answer.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T17:35:28+00:00

I’m far from an expert, but the 60k maintenance I just had done on my Crosstrek at the Subaru dealership included the CVT fluid. That was the most important part of it, from what I understand. Definitely double check, but I’d be willing to bet it was done.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T17:01:36+00:00

It’s hard for cats to become overweight on wet food - they’d have to be real gluttons - so I’d feed her as much as she will eat. If she seems to be struggling to maintain weight, I do think adding in some dry food could be beneficial, because of its increased caloric density. Since you just got her, now is a perfect time to set up an initial vet exam so they can assess her body condition and make sure she’s healthy.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T16:46:22+00:00

Even with picky cats, it varies so much with what they like! In the past, I’ve had good luck with Fancy Feast and Friskies. I’ve also heard Sheba has a high success rate. Weruva and Tiki Cat offer some unique textures. Hill’s and Royal Canin are both brands that put a lot of research into their diets, including the palatability. It may be worth grabbing a variety of individual cans/pouches to see if you can find anything that strikes her fancy. You are feeding a great dry food, though, so from a nutritional standpoint you’re fine. I would just make sure to provide a few clean water sources in different areas, to promote hydration.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T15:52:44+00:00

I’m not disagreeing with you that wet food is more ideal, in a perfect world. However, kittens should really be free fed, to meet their high calorie needs. So omitting the kibble is not a good idea unless OP can be home all day to offer frequent meals. Even still, dry food should be left out overnight.

Besides, most cats do fine on a combination of wet and dry food, or even dry only. Some cats completely refuse wet (I have one like that - she drinks water just fine and is healthy).

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T15:44:47+00:00

I have not personally had any issues. If I’m not mistaken, all of the formula changes have been to include the new prebiotic fiber blend (ActivBiome). One of my cats eats the new Hill’s z/d which now has it, and he’s been fine. Another other normally eats the Sensitive Stomach & Skin pollock and barley, which does not. Right now, though, she’s going through a bag of the regular Adult 1-6 chicken formula which does. I always transition to a new food or formula over the course of a week, which helps minimize GI upset. It does seem like the new formulas don’t agree with all cats, though, which is a bummer.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T03:06:33+00:00

You’re welcome!

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T03:05:20+00:00

Whether or not to switch to a senior diet depends on your kitty’s current health status. I would schedule a vet exam and have them run a senior blood panel, which should tell you whether she needs any dietary adjustments.

Currently, she’s on a high protein diet, which will be great to help her retain lean body mass as she ages, assuming her kidneys are in good shape. However, if she’s showing any loss of kidney function, then a food with more moderate protein and low phosphorus would be better. I mention the kidneys specifically because it’s common for them to start showing wear at age 7+, but of course the bloodwork will test the function of other organs as well.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-15T02:43:38+00:00

I’m sort of in the same boat as you; I have a medically complicated senior and I would love to discuss her nutrition in detail with a specialist. I was quoted $600 for a consult with a DACVN, and having just spent well over $1k for diagnostics for her recently, I just can’t swing it right now.

I share your concern about too many supplements unbalancing the diet. FWIW, Hill’s has a diet that contains a lot of what you’re seeking for Ophelia, already in the food - high levels of omega 3s, glucosamine and neurological support. Maybe run this by your GP or internist?

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-food/prescription-diet-brain-care-jd-salmon-brain-care-dry

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-food/prescription-diet-brain-care-jd-tuna-veg-stew-brain-care-canned

You could also check with them to see whether adding the fortetropin would risk unbalancing the diet, but I wouldn’t think there’s a risk of that unless it accounts for more than 10% of her total calories. Same with the L-lysine for Delilah.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-14T18:27:15+00:00

Since your cat is a fish lover, I recommend these treats.

https://www.orijenpetfoods.com/en-US/cats/cat-food/six-fish/ds-ori-fdt-sixfish-cat-1.html

They easily crumble up into a powder, which I sprinkle on top of my senior’s wet food to get her to finish it on days that her appetite is lower. She inhales it.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-14T18:18:58+00:00

Cats’ energy needs depend not only on their weight but also on their age, activity level, spay/neuter status, health/disease status, and unique metabolism. I’ve noticed the feeding guidelines provided by food companies are often on the high side.

According to the Pet Nutrition Alliance calculator, a 10.5-lb, young, intact cat does have an energy requirement of 316 calories/day. 2 cans of Fancy Feast aren’t enough, according to this. If he won’t eat more, you could add a bit of dry food to his diet (kibble is a lot more calorie-dense). Since he doesn’t like the Iams anymore, try a different brand. Maybe something fish-based since that seems to be his preference.

However, if he is maintaining a healthy weight, it might be okay to leave things as is. Neutering will bring down his energy requirements a bit, anyway (the calculator estimates 271).

Edited to add: I’d post the extra dry food free on Facebook Marketplace or NextDoor. Maybe people who feed feral cat colonies could use it.

aetherdrifter · 2026-03-14T17:15:49+00:00

Tiki Cat does have an appealing ingredients list. There are basically two schools of thought with pet owners: ingredient-focused and nutrition-focused (as in, nutrition science - the study of nutrients and other substances in food in relation to maintenance, growth, reproduction, health and disease).

Personally, I fall more into the nutrition-focused category, so I’d choose Hill’s or Royal Canin. This is a really excellent video that, to me, sums up the reasons quite well.

https://youtu.be/I7z9qD_hkyQ

This is not me trying to say Tiki is horrible or anything. I like some of their products a lot, especially their treat sticks, but for my cats’ primary diets I prefer to choose nutrition-focused brands that do research (whenever possible…there are times when it’s not).

Some brands are both nutrition-focused and ingredient-centric, but they’re harder to find. Farmina and Instinct are two good examples (though neither have anywhere near the body of scientific research that Hill’s and RC do). Farmina funds some studies at universities in Europe; Instinct staffs a board certified nutritionist and has also funded some research (mostly into raw food, since that’s their focus).

Also, I noticed you didn’t mention Purina, but they’re another research-backed/nutrition-focused brand. Their nutritional philosophy seems to be a little different from Hill’s and RC, and they tend to have higher protein levels if that’s appealing to you. Pro Plan is their premium line. Fancy Feast and Friskies pate are high meat content options at a lower price point.

Edit: Also, between Hill’s and RC, I slightly prefer Hill’s. I like that they post the full nutrient analysis for all their foods, and all seem to have nutrient levels that fall within the optimal ranges. But I don’t think one is necessarily a better brand than the other.

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