Homemade Meals for Cats
"Diva has no objections to being served homemade meals." |
To achieve a proper balance of proportions, follow the recipes and provide a variety of ingredients to meet your pet's nutritional needs. Cats particularly need high levels of meat protein and do best when fed a variety of meats over the course of a week. Raw meat is beneficial because cooking can destroy some of the essential minerals, for example, the taurine needed by cats. When food is cooked, it's important to add these elements in supplement form. A dog's diet is a little more forgiving, but it's important to remember that each animal is an individual and what works for one may not work for another. Discuss any diet changes with your veterinarian first.
Basic Cat Food Recipe
| % of Vol. |
Ingredient |
Volume |
kcal |
|
| 80% |
Ground turkey, raw |
2 cups (16 oz.) |
16 x 55 = 880 |
| 20% |
Leafy green vegetables |
½ cup, finely chopped |
1 x 25 = 25 |
|
Chicken liver, raw |
1 ½ oz., minced |
1.5 x 55 = 82 |
|
Fish oil |
2 capsules or 1 teaspoon |
1 x 45 = 45 |
|
Calcium carbonate |
1 ½ teaspoons |
|
|
Taurine |
(250 mg. daily in preparation 1*) |
|
|
Kosher salt |
pinch |
|
Total 100% |
|
3 ½ cups |
1,000 kcal approx. |
| Meat Substitutes: |
|
|
|
Ground beef, lean, raw |
2 ½ cups |
|
|
Rabbit, lean, raw |
3 cups |
|
|
Salmon, canned or fresh* |
*Feeding uncooked fish is not recommended. Take care to limit the amount of fish to occasional servings weekly. |
Preparation 1 - Cooked Meat Meal:
Combine meat, liver and veggies in a covered pan and cook at low temperature to protect nutrients. Stir occasionally to blend flavors. Do not overcook. Cool and add supplements. (*Taurine must be added to the recipe when the meat is cooked as heat destroys taurine. Recommended daily dose of taurine is 250mg daily.) Divide entire food mixture into 10 parts, each one meal for an 8-lb. cat.
Preparation 2 - Raw Meat Meal:
Steam vegetables and finely chop. Mince the raw liver and meat, and combine with vegetables. Add supplements. Divide whole mixture into 10 parts, each one meal for an 8-lb. cat. Addition of taurine is not required when feeding meats raw.
Calcium Note:
We recommend Animal Essentials Calcium, which is high in bio-availability and low in phosphorus. When using this product, only one teaspoon is required. Calcium carbonate is unnecessary if bones are included in the diet. Follow raw meat safety recommendations when choosing meats and preparation.
Additional recommended daily supplements:
- A balanced multi-vitamin with vitamin B-complex
- A balanced antioxidant with vitamins A, C and E
- Kelp, a rich source of vitamins, minerals and trace elements
- Egg yolk or nutritional yeast (not brewer's yeast) for natural vitamin B-complex
Use supplements created for animals when possible; species specific is best. Avoid those with added dextrose, sugar or artificial flavoring.
NOTE: These recipes are used with permission from The Pet Lover's Guide to Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats by Barbara Fougère, BVSc. They meet the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) guidelines. Modifications have been made to the original recipes to clarify preparation. The recipes and information are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to replace professional advice from your veterinarian. Any questions about your animal's health should be directed to a professional animal health care provider.
|
