Making your own cat food can be a rewarding way to cater to your cat’s specific dietary needs and show them some extra love. However, it’s a decision that requires careful consideration, research, and a commitment to providing a complete and balanced diet. This guide will walk you through the process of learning How To Make My Own Cat Food safely and effectively, ensuring your feline friend gets the nutrition they need.
It’s essential to consult with your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist before making any significant changes to your cat’s diet, especially when switching to homemade food. They can help you identify any potential risks or nutritional deficiencies and guide you in creating a tailored diet plan.
Assessing Homemade Cat Food Recipes: What to Look For
Not all homemade cat food recipes are created equal. Many online recipes may lack essential nutrients or have an improper balance, potentially harming your cat’s health. When researching recipes for how to make my own cat food, be critical and look for these key indicators of a well-formulated diet:
- Expert Formulation: The recipe should be developed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist or an expert in veterinary nutrition. This ensures that the recipe adheres to scientific principles and considers your cat’s specific nutritional requirements.
- Nutrient Values: The recipe should mention specific nutrient values and appear to be formulated in accordance with AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) minimums or FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) guidelines. These organizations set standards for pet food nutrition.
- Complete Ingredients: Avoid overly simplistic recipes. A balanced diet requires a variety of ingredients or the inclusion of specific supplements to meet minimum nutrient requirements.
- Portioning Guidelines: A good recipe will provide instructions for portioning the food according to your cat’s individual needs, along with estimates of calorie content. This helps you ensure that your cat is getting the right amount of food for their age, weight, and activity level.
- Complete and Balanced Declaration: Be wary of recipes that specify the food is intended for supplemental feeding only. You’re aiming for a complete and balanced diet that can serve as your cat’s primary food source.
Unless you possess expertise in veterinary nutrition, it’s best to follow a well-researched recipe. Achieving the necessary amounts of trace nutrients can be challenging without careful ingredient selection and potentially, the use of supplements.
The Role of Premix Supplements in Homemade Cat Food
Replicating a wild feline diet using specific ratios of muscle meat, organs, and bone is possible but can be complex. These diets often require multiple animal sources for muscle meat and organs to avoid nutrient imbalances. For instance, liver from duck and ruminants is richer in vitamin A compared to chicken and pork. Relying solely on chicken and pork liver could lead to copper deficiency.
To simplify the process and minimize nutritional risks, many cat owners incorporate supplements into their homemade cat food.
Homemade cat food premix supplements, also known as meal completers, are designed to fill nutritional gaps when mixed with fresh meat. However, they are not a perfect solution. Thorough research and consultation with your veterinarian are crucial to finding the product that best suits your cat’s needs and your homemade diet plan.
Consider these factors when choosing a homemade diet premix:
- Veterinary Nutritionist Formulation: Prioritize premixes formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. While a veterinarian’s involvement is a good start, a nutritionist’s expertise is invaluable.
- Complete and Balanced Nutrition: Carefully read the product label to determine whether the premix is formulated according to AAFCO or FEDIAF nutrient requirements. Some products may only be intended for supplemental feeding, while others require the addition of eggs, liver, or other ingredients to achieve complete nutrition.
- Specialized Formulas: Some companies offer premixes tailored to different life stages or specific dietary requirements. For example, a formula for senior cats might have lower phosphorus levels to support kidney health.
- Diet Type Compatibility: Ensure the premix is compatible with the type of diet you plan to feed. Many meal completers are designed to be mixed with ground or chopped meat and may contain higher levels of calcium than premixes intended for use with a mixture of ground meat and bone.
5 Sample Recipes for Homemade Cat Food
Note: The following recipes are examples and should not be used as a substitute for consulting with a veterinary nutritionist to tailor a diet to your cat’s specific needs.
1. Turkey Breast and Sweet Potato Recipe (using Balance It® Carnivore Blend® premix)
Ingredients:
- 3 ⅜ oz. (96g) Cooked turkey breast, meat only
- 1 ⅝ tsp (7g) Canola oil
- ⅖ ml (0.37g) Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet Liquid
- 5/16 cup (63g) Baked sweet potato
- ⅛ tsp (0.75g) Morton Iodized Salt
- ¾ tsp (3.07g) Balance IT Carnivore Blend
Instructions:
- Roast the turkey breast at 350℉ until it reaches an internal temperature of 165℉.
- Bake the sweet potato with the turkey until the flesh is tender.
- Scoop the flesh from the sweet potato out of the skin and weigh out the desired portion.
- Finely chop the turkey breast then weigh out the amount needed.
- Combine the sweet potato and turkey in a mixing bowl.
- Add the supplements and stir well to combine.
- Divide into the desired number of meals, feeding one immediately.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
2. Raw Ground Rabbit Recipe (using Alnutrin for Meat & Bone)
Ingredients:
- 1 pack (4g) Alnutrin for Meat & Bone
- ¼ cup (60g) water
- 1 lbs (454g) ground raw rabbit meat & bones
Instructions:
- Cut the meat off the rabbit carcass and chop it into 1-inch pieces.
- Chop or crush the bones into pieces small enough to feed through your meat grinder.
- Grind the meat, bones, and organs into a bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Alnutrin and water.
- Stir the mixture into the ground rabbit then divide into portions and freeze.
3. Cooked Meat Recipe (using EZComplete Fur Cats)
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. (907g) ground meat, cooked
- ½ cup (53.3g) EZComplete Fur Cats
- 1 ½ cups (12 oz.) water
Instructions:
- Place the ground meat in a slow cooker.
- Add ¼ cup of water per pound of meat then cover the cooker with the lid.
- Cook on low heat for 4-6 hours until the meat is cooked through.
- Let the meat cool then shred or finely chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- Stir in the EZComplete until it is thoroughly mixed in.
- Divide the mixture into individual portions—try to divide the cooking juices as evenly as possible.
- Refrigerate or freeze the portions in airtight containers and feed as desired.
4. Prey Model Raw Diet Recipe (from Little Carnivore)
Ingredients:
- 220g white meat (e.g. chicken, turkey, rabbit)
- 220g red meat (e.g. beef, lamb, duck, veal)
- 100g chicken hearts (or other heart)
- 100g gizzards, tongue, or lung
- 100g chicken, duck, or turkey neck
- 100g chicken wings or quail bones
- 15g chicken livers
- 15g beef livers
- 70g other organs (e.g. kidney, spleen, brain)
- 30g whole sardines in water
- 30g anchovies
Supplements:
- Chelated manganese
- Kelp powder (iodine)
- Psyllium husk (fiber)
- Vitamin E
- B-complex vitamins
- Calcium (optional)
- Zinc (optional)
- Taurine (optional)
- Iron (optional)
Instructions:
- Chop the ingredients into 1-inch pieces and crush the bones, if needed, to feed them through your meat grinder.
- Grind the ingredients together in the appropriate ratio OR grind all ingredients separately and weigh out the appropriate amount.
- To determine feeding amount and supplement dosages, use The Little Carnivore calculator and your cat’s body weight.
- Divide the ground mixture into the appropriate portions and freeze in airtight containers.
- At mealtime, measure out the recommended supplements and mix with the thawed food just before serving.
5. Ground Chicken Thigh with Bone and Organs Recipe (from Feline Nutrition Foundation)
Ingredients:
- 5 lbs. (2.27kg) chicken thighs with skin and bone
- 7 oz (200g) raw chicken liver
- 14 oz (400g) raw chicken heart
- 8 oz. water
- 4 raw egg yolks
- 2000 mg taurine
- 4000 mg wild salmon oil capsules
- 200 mg Vitamin B Complex
- 200 IU Vitamin E
- 1 ½ tsp (8.4g) Lite Iodized Salt
- 4 tsp (8g) psyllium husk powder
Instructions:
- Remove the skin from half the chicken thighs and the bone from 20-25% of them.
- Weigh out 4.5 pounds from the remaining chicken and rinse it well.
- Cut the chicken meat and organs into 1-inch pieces and crush the bones as much as you can.
- Feed these ingredients through your meat grinder along with the salmon oil capsules.
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk together with the other supplements.
- Pour the slurry over the ground ingredients and mix well.
- Portion the mixture into smaller containers and freeze.
Essential Supplies for Making Homemade Cat Food
Investing in the right equipment can significantly streamline the process of preparing homemade cat food. Here are some recommended supplies:
- Meat Grinder: A high-quality meat grinder is essential for grinding meat, bones, and organs. The Weston Butcher Series Electric Meat Grinder Commercial Grade 1HP Motor is a reliable option.
- Premix Supplements: Choose a premix supplement that meets your cat’s specific needs. Balance It Feline, EZComplete fur Cats, and Alnutrin for Meat & Bone are all reputable choices.
- Storage Containers: Airtight containers are necessary for storing prepared food in the refrigerator or freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Cat Food
Is homemade cat food safe?
When properly prepared and stored, homemade cat food can be perfectly safe. However, it’s crucial to take precautions to prevent foodborne illnesses, especially when working with raw meat. Thoroughly clean and disinfect all surfaces and cooking tools, wash your hands after preparing meals, and avoid allowing your cat to lick your face after eating.
How much does homemade cat food cost?
The cost of homemade cat food varies depending on the ingredients you use and whether you choose a cooked or raw diet.
Is raw cat food better than cooked?
Raw cat food is often considered the most biologically appropriate diet for cats, but it may not be suitable for every cat owner. Raw meat can contain bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. Research the different options and choose the one that best suits your cat’s needs and your comfort level.
How much should I feed my cat?
The average adult cat needs about 200 calories per day, or about 6 ounces of homemade food. The calorie content of the food will vary depending on the ingredients. Consult with your veterinarian and use online calorie calculators to determine your cat’s specific calorie requirements.
Conclusion: Is Making Cat Food at Home Right for You?
Learning how to make my own cat food can be a significant undertaking, but the potential benefits of tailoring your cat’s diet to their specific needs are undeniable. By following these guidelines, consulting with your veterinarian, and prioritizing safety and nutritional balance, you can create a homemade diet that supports your cat’s health and well-being. Remember to be patient, adaptable, and always prioritize your cat’s individual needs throughout the process.
