Should I give Cats Can Food Or Raw Food?

One of the hot-button topics when it comes to feeding our feline friends, is whether canned food or a raw diet may be superior. Whether you are a new cat owner or an experienced one, providing the healthiest nutrition for your fur baby is always at the top of most lists. Well, let us discuss some of the ups and downsides to help you make a wise choice.

The Basics of Feline Nutrition

What Does My Cat Need To Be Healthy? Before we begin the canned vs raw comparison, it is important to understand what your cat needs in order for them to stay healthy. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need a diet that is high in meat. They are not capable of living on a vegan or vegetarian diet like dogs can. This essential nutrient group includes taurine, arachidonic acid (a necessary omega-6 fatty acid found primarily in animals), and vitamin A. Your cat is made to obtain these types of nutrients from the bodies of their prey.

The Case for Canned Food

One of the more popular types is canned cat food, which we will be discussing in this article. So, why could this actually be the ideal thing for your kitty?

Pros:

Another disadvantage is their low thirst drive which means they tend not to drink enough water and hence suffer from dehydration. Wet food is approximately 70-80% moisture so they are taking in more water that way.

• Portability: Easy to store, measure, and serve. There are so many different flavors and formulations available to fit any type of diet you might be following.
• Taste: Wet food is more appealing to most cats than dry. Canned food may be more appealing if you have an ass eater.
• Provides Nutrients and Hydration to Your Cat: High-quality canned food is nutrient-rich for their proper health benefits.

Cons:

• Prices: The price to buy canned food is usually higher than a dry or raw meat diet. Which can be a lot if you have multiple cats.
• Storage after opening: once the can is opened, keep it refrigerated and use it within a few days to prevent spoilage.
• Dental Health: Wet cat food is definitely good for making sure your kitty stays well hydrated, but it does little to help maintain oral health which dry cat kibble would. Cats only eating wet food might require more help with their oral health.

The Case for Raw Food

Feeding your cat a raw food diet, or simply feeding it regular bones will typically have the same effect. This is why some cat owners swear by this method.

Pros:

• Similar to the wild diet: It is a good replacement for what cats would eat in nature. This will be great for the health and metabolism of that child.
• Chewing: Eating raw meat and bone chunks to keep your teeth clean.
• More Control Over Ingredients: When you make your own cat food, you know exactly what goes into it. This is especially important for those kitties out there with food-related sensitivities or allergies.
• Nutrition Rich: Natural raw food that is not cooked, loses its nutritional value.

Cons:

• Risk of Pathogens: Research studies confirmed raw meat can carry dangerous bacteria, for example, Salmonella and E. coli that may create additional diseases. Preserving raw food is essential so that contamination does not occur.
• Balanced Raw Diet: Balancing a raw diet can be quite difficult. Not getting enough in your diet can be one reason for supplement deficiency.
• Wasted Time: Making raw food takes a lot more time than just popping open the can. It also means being dedicated to meal-prepping regularly and practicing safe food-handling habits.
• Price: As we already mentioned, the price of good raw materials is high. Especially if you want to buy organic or a special meat type.

How to Choose the Best Food for Your Cat

Canned food or raw, which is better. The answer is not always black or white and will depend on what your cat requires, whether you are comfortable with preparing food this way in terms of safe raw handling if it suits your lifestyle & sometimes how involved the diet needs to be due to a specific health issue.

• Take Care of Your Cat’s Health: If your kitty has any health problems, such as kidney or diabetes issues ask your vet before changing its diet. Canned food can provide adequate humidity and diet without draining out the digestive fluid of some cats, while others are good enough to not need moisture content.
• Evaluate Your Lifestyle: Do you have time to prepare raw meals? Are you good with raw meat? Otherwise, canned food could be the better choice for you.
• Budget: Raw food can be expensive but this comes in bulk, you buy from neighboring farmers. In the same way high quality, canned bad carriages are expensive so it is important to find a balance that works for you.
• Test and Witness: Finally, you might need to test the two options out to figure out which works best or worst for your kitty. Observe closely their well-being, coat, and energy levels as well as the stools to determine how they are reacting to their diet.

A Balanced Approach

A combination diet might be the perfect solution for many cat owners. It can provide the best of both worlds, raw food benefits & canned dog food. That way your cat can have the hydration and convenience of canned food, along with the dental care AND nutritional benefits that raw foods provide.

A Simple Feeding Schedule For You to Consider

• Morning: Canned food meal to kick off the day with some moisture.
• Afternoon Snack: A small raw food treat like a chicken wing or gizzard for dental care
• Dinner: More canned food, or a proper raw meal.

This also helps ensure that your cat has a varied diet and is less likely to suffer from nutrient deficiency.

Practical Advice for What to Feed Your Cat

• Ease the transition: if transitioning from dry food to canned or raw, do so slowly Gradually increase the proportion of the new food mixed with your dog’s old diet over time. This can help avoid an upset stomach.
• Hygiene: Whether you are dealing with raw or canned food, cleanliness is the key. Disinfect Your Hands, Utensils, and Feeding Bowls Keep perishable foods at proper storage temperatures and follow safe handling instructions.
• Estimate Pounds: Cats, especially indoor cats are often overweight. Work with your veterinarian to determine how much food is appropriate, and make sure you are weighing the amount at each meal as advised by the vet in order to avoid obesity.
• Supplements: If you are feeding raw then optional after checking consumption of cat for required nutrients. Ask your vet or a pet nutritionist for use.

The answer is not a simple canned food or raw food proposition. Each has its benefits and possible pitfalls. The Tippy TopDo your research, then take into account the specific compatibility of your cat together with your lifestyle and capacity to provide a diet by all means safe. If you are aware of the positive and negative features of feeding raw meat for cats irrespectively to dry, wet, or home-made food assortments that have not been cooked before, would it seem difficult to find a strategy? At the end of the day, so long as your cat is kept healthy and active – more power to you!