Making homemade cat food can be a rewarding way to customize your feline companion’s diet and ensure they receive optimal nutrition. However, this process requires careful research and a commitment to creating a balanced meal plan. This guide delves into the nuances of preparing homemade cat food, offering insights into recipe selection, nutritional considerations, and practical recipes to try.
Understanding Homemade Cat Food Recipes
Before embarking on the journey of preparing homemade cat food, it’s crucial to understand that not all recipes are created equal. Many online recipes may lack essential nutrients or present them in an imbalanced ratio, potentially harming your cat’s health.
When evaluating homemade cat food recipes, consider the following red flags:
- Lack of expert formulation: Recipes not developed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist or a specialist in veterinary nutrition may be incomplete.
- Absence of nutritional information: Recipes that do not provide nutrient values or align with AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) minimums should be approached with caution.
- Overly simplistic recipes: If a recipe doesn’t suggest the use of supplements or a variety of ingredients, it might not meet all of your cat’s nutritional needs.
- No portioning or calorie guidance: A balanced recipe should offer instructions on portion sizes and estimated calorie content.
- Designation for supplemental feeding only: Recipes explicitly stated as supplemental should not form the basis of your cat’s regular diet.
It is strongly advised against creating homemade cat food without a well-researched recipe, as achieving the correct balance of trace nutrients can be challenging.
The Importance of Premix Supplements
Replicating a wild feline diet with precise ratios of muscle meat, organs, and bone can be complex. Different animal organs have varying nutrient profiles; for instance, liver from duck and ruminants is richer in vitamin A than chicken or pork liver, but it may lack sufficient copper.
To address these nutritional complexities, many cat owners opt for premix supplements, also known as meal completers. These are designed to supplement fresh meat, filling in potential nutritional gaps. However, careful selection and veterinary consultation are still necessary.
When choosing a premix supplement, consider these factors:
- Veterinary Nutritionist Formulation: Prioritize premixes developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists for the highest standard of nutritional expertise.
- Complete and Balanced Nutrition: Ensure the premix is formulated to meet AAFCO or FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) nutrient requirements.
- Specialized Formulas: Some brands offer formulas tailored to different life stages or specific health concerns, such as kidney health in senior cats.
- Diet Type Compatibility: Select a premix designed for the type of diet you intend to feed, whether it’s ground meat with bone or a mixture of meat and organs.
Five Sample Homemade Cat Food Recipes
The following recipes offer a starting point for preparing homemade cat food. They incorporate premix supplements or a variety of ingredients and individual supplements to achieve nutritional balance. It is essential to consult with a veterinary nutritionist to adapt these recipes to your cat’s specific needs.
1. Raw Ground Rabbit Recipe (using Alnutrin for Meat & Bone)
This recipe utilizes Alnutrin’s Meat & Bone premix, designed for use with whole rabbit or chicken, including bone and organs.
Ingredients:
- 1 pack (4g) Alnutrin for Meat & Bone
- ¼ cup (60g) water
- 1 lb (454g) ground raw rabbit meat & bones
Instructions:
- Prepare the rabbit meat, bones, and organs by cutting and grinding them.
- Whisk together the Alnutrin and water in a small bowl.
- Stir the Alnutrin mixture into the ground rabbit.
- Divide into portions and freeze.
2. Turkey Breast and Sweet Potato Recipe (using Balance It® Carnivore Blend® premix)
This recipe was developed using the Balance.it recipe builder, focusing on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate option.
Ingredients:
- 3 ⅜ oz. (96g) Turkey breast, meat only, cooked
- 1 ⅝ tsp (7g) Canola oil
- ⅖ ml (0.37g) Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet Liquid
- ⅖ cup (63g) Sweet potato, baked
- ⅛ tsp (0.75g) Morton Iodized Salt
- ¾ tsp (3.07g) Balance IT Carnivore Blend
Instructions:
- Roast the turkey breast and bake the sweet potato until tender.
- Weigh out the required portions of turkey and sweet potato.
- Finely chop the turkey breast.
- Combine the sweet potato and turkey in a mixing bowl.
- Add the supplements and mix thoroughly.
- Divide into meals, serving one immediately and refrigerating leftovers.
3. Cooked Meat Recipe (using EZComplete Fur Cats)
This recipe from Food Fur Life uses EZComplete Fur Cats, requiring only boneless meat and water. It can be served raw or cooked.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. (907g) ground meat, cooked
- ½ cup (53.3g) EZComplete Fur Cats
- 1 ½ cups (12 oz.) water
Instructions:
- Cook the ground meat in a slow cooker with water.
- Let the meat cool, then shred or finely chop it.
- Stir in the EZComplete until fully mixed.
- Divide the mixture into portions, ensuring even distribution of cooking juices.
- Refrigerate or freeze in airtight containers.
4. Ground Chicken Thigh with Bone and Organs Recipe (from Feline Nutrition Foundation)
This recipe from the Feline Nutrition Foundation involves preparing raw meat with bone, organs, and supplements for a more involved homemade diet.
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:
- Prepare the chicken thighs, meat, and organs by removing skin/bone from portions and rinsing.
- Grind the meat, organs, and salmon oil capsules.
- Whisk together egg yolk and other supplements in a small bowl.
- Pour the supplement mixture over the ground ingredients and mix well.
- Portion and freeze the mixture.
5. Prey Model Raw Diet Recipe (from Little Carnivore)
The Prey Model Raw (PMR) diet follows an 80% meat, 10% bone, 10% organ ratio, often with added supplements (PMR+). This recipe offers a sample formulation.
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 ingredients into 1-inch pieces and crush bones if necessary for grinding.
- Grind ingredients together or separately, weighing out appropriate amounts.
- Use The Little Carnivore calculator and your cat’s body weight to determine feeding amounts and supplement dosages.
- Portion and freeze the mixture.
- Measure and mix recommended supplements with thawed food just before serving.
Essential Supplies for Homemade Cat Food
Preparing homemade cat food often involves specialized equipment. A high-quality meat grinder is essential for processing meat, bones, and organs. Additionally, investing in reputable premix supplements, such as those from Balance.it, EZComplete, or Alnutrin, can simplify the process of ensuring nutritional completeness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is homemade cat food safe?
Homemade cat food can be safe when prepared with proper precautions to prevent foodborne illnesses, especially when handling raw meat. Thorough cleaning of surfaces and utensils, as well as diligent handwashing, are critical.
How much does homemade cat food cost?
The cost of homemade cat food varies significantly based on ingredient choices, the amount fed, and whether the diet is raw or cooked.
Is raw cat food better than cooked?
While raw cat food is considered highly biologically appropriate by many nutritionists, it carries a risk of bacterial contamination. Cooked options can mitigate this risk. The best choice depends on individual circumstances and veterinary advice.
How much should I feed my cat?
An average adult cat typically requires around 200 calories per day, which translates to approximately 6 ounces of homemade food. However, calorie content can vary. Consult your veterinarian and use online calorie calculators to determine your cat’s specific needs.
