Cats, whether tiny kittens or mature felines, are obligate carnivores, meaning their dietary needs are fundamentally rooted in meat. This inherent biological requirement underscores the importance of a species-appropriate diet for their overall health and longevity. A high-quality diet, rich in essential nutrients, supports everything from energy levels to immune function and organ health.
Learn more about the optimal foods for your feline companion by reading our guide on what foods are best for cats.
Key Characteristics of Ideal Cat and Kitten Food
When selecting food for your cat or kitten, prioritize these essential qualities:
- Abundant High-Quality Proteins: Meat protein is the cornerstone of a cat’s diet, providing essential amino acids crucial for energy production and bodily functions. A deficiency in these can lead to serious health issues. Our raw food offerings ensure a minimum of 90% raw meat content.
- Dietary Variety: Offering a range of protein sources is vital to ensure your cat receives a comprehensive spectrum of essential fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals necessary for optimal well-being. Relying on a single protein source can inadvertently lead to nutritional gaps and deficiencies.
- Freshness for Optimal Digestion: Cats digest fresh ingredients more efficiently, leading to better nutrient absorption and consequently, reduced waste output.
- Grain and Filler-Free: Cats lack the necessary enzymes (amylase) in their saliva to effectively digest grains. While digestion may occur further down the gastrointestinal tract, a buildup of bacteria can contribute to inflammatory conditions like irritable bowel disease. As obligate carnivores, their systems are not designed for these ingredients.
- Enrichment with Bone: Including the correct type and quantity of bone is essential for maintaining healthy gums, teeth, and gut health. We utilize poultry bones, which are more easily digestible. Improper bone inclusion can lead to digestive upset, such as constipation.
The Advantages of a Raw Diet for Cats and Kittens
Transitioning to a raw food diet offers a multitude of benefits for your feline friend:
- Sustained Energy Levels: The high protein content fuels an active lifestyle, aiding in weight management and preventing excess fat accumulation.
- Optimal Macronutrient Balance: Raw diets typically feature a higher protein, moderate fat, and low carbohydrate profile, which helps cats efficiently store energy without accumulating excessive body fat.
- Enhanced Nutrient Absorption: Raw food is more easily assimilated by a cat’s system, maximizing nutrient utilization and minimizing waste.
- Reduced Waste Output: Improved digestion results in smaller, firmer, drier, and less odorous stools.
- Improved Dental Health: The low carbohydrate content prevents the conversion to sugars that can contribute to dental issues, promoting healthier teeth and gums.
- Enhanced Gut Health: Healthy teeth and gums are intrinsically linked to a robust digestive system.
- Lustrous Coat and Reduced Shedding: The presence of essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, along with key amino acids, supports healthy skin and coat production, minimizing excessive shedding.
- Strong Bones and Joints: The appropriate calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in raw food is critical for bone health, growth, and repair. Additionally, the inclusion of connective tissues supports healthy joint function.
- Increased Satiety: A nutritionally complete raw diet naturally satisfies a cat’s hunger, reducing the likelihood of constant begging for food.
Explore further benefits in our comprehensive guide on the benefits of raw cat food.
Kitten Nutrition: How Much Raw Food to Feed
Kittens are bundles of energy, requiring frequent, small meals to fuel their rapid growth and development into healthy adults.
Generally, kittens require approximately 8%-10% of their body weight in raw food daily. As they mature, around five months of age, this requirement slightly decreases to between 4%-8%, dropping further to 2%-3% by twelve months old. Our raw food kitten calculator offers a detailed daily feeding guide, though individual needs may vary. Always follow manufacturer guidelines if feeding kibble or other food types.
Kitten Feeding Chart by Weight and Age
| Kitten weight | Kitten age (grams per day) |
|---|---|
| 1-4 months | |
| 0.5 kg | 40g |
| 1kg | 80g |
| 1.5kg | 120g |
| 2kg | 160g |
| 2.5kg | 200g |
| 3kg | 240g |
| 3.5kg | 280g |
| 4kg | 320g |
| 4.5kg | 360g |
| 5kg | 400g |
| 5.5kg | 440g |
| 6kg | 480g |
| 6.5kg | 520g |
| 7kg | 560g |
| 7.5kg | 600g |
| 8kg | 640g |
| 8.5kg | 680g |
| 9kg | 720g |
| 9.5kg | 760g |
| 10kg | 800g |
| 10.5kg | 840g |
| 11kg | 880g |
| 11.5kg | 920g |
| 12kg | 960g |
| 12.5kg | 1000g |
| 13kg | 1040g |
| 13.5kg | 1080g |
| 14kg | 1120g |
Note: These amounts are a guide; your kitten may require more or less.
Adult Cat Nutrition: How Much Raw Food to Feed
Cats are considered adults at 12 months of age, though larger breeds may continue developing until around two years old. Adult cats typically require 2%-3% of their body weight in food daily. For instance, a 2kg cat would need approximately 50g of food per day. Senior cats, being less active, may require slightly less.
Adult Cat Feeding Chart by Weight
| Cat weight | Amount per day (grams) |
|---|---|
| 0.5kg | 13g |
| 1kg | 25g |
| 1.5kg | 38g |
| 2kg | 50g |
| 2.5kg | 63g |
| 3kg | 75g |
| 3.5kg | 88g |
| 4kg | 100g |
| 4.5kg | 113g |
| 5kg | 125g |
| 5.5kg | 138g |
| 6kg | 150g |
| 6.5kg | 163g |
| 7kg | 175g |
| 7.5kg | 188g |
| 8kg | 200g |
| 8.5kg | 213g |
| 9kg | 225g |
| 9.5kg | 238g |
| 10kg | 250g |
| 10.5kg | 263g |
| 11kg | 275g |
| 11.5kg | 288g |
| 12kg | 300g |
| 12.5kg | 313g |
| 13kg | 325g |
| 13.5kg | 338g |
| 14kg | 350g |
Factors Influencing Daily Food Intake
Beyond weight, several factors influence a cat’s daily food requirements:
- Breed: Larger breeds naturally require more food than smaller ones.
- Age: As cats age into their senior years, their metabolic rate may slow, reducing their caloric needs.
- Activity Level: Highly active cats burn more calories and may need a slightly larger food intake compared to sedentary counterparts.
- Season: Some cats tend to eat less during warmer months due to reduced energy expenditure on thermoregulation.
- Residency Status: Outdoor cats may hunt for their own food and expend more energy, potentially influencing their dietary needs, especially during colder months.
- Neutering Status: Neutered cats may have a slightly lower metabolism, requiring less food.
Managing Weight in Cats
For Overweight Cats: Gradual weight reduction is crucial to prevent health complications. Start by decreasing their daily food intake by 2%-5% weekly. Monitor their weight and adjust the intake accordingly until they reach their ideal body condition. Concurrently, conduct regular body condition score checks. A raw diet’s natural satiety can help prevent overeating driven by nutrient deficiencies.
For Underweight Cats: Slowly increase their daily food allowance by 2%-5% each week, monitoring their weight gain. Body condition scoring can complement this process. Our raw cat food, composed of a minimum of 90% meat, offal, and bone, provides the essential nutrients for maintaining optimal body condition without contributing to excess weight from carbohydrates.
Feeding Senior Cats
Cats are considered senior around 11-12 years old and can live up to 20 years. As they age, their activity levels may decrease, potentially reducing their food requirements. However, maintaining a high-quality, balanced diet remains paramount for their continued health.
Signs of Appropriate Feeding
A cat receiving the correct amount of food will maintain an optimal weight for their breed. This can be assessed by weighing them or through a visual and tactile body condition score check. You should be able to feel your cat’s ribs and spine without them feeling overly bony or obscured by fat. A visible waistline and an upward tuck of the abdomen behind the ribs are also indicators of a healthy weight. A well-fed cat will generally be content and less prone to excessive begging.
Feeding Frequency for Kittens and Adult Cats
Kitten Feeding Schedule
Kittens require frequent, small meals due to their high energy expenditure and small stomachs.
| Kittens age | Number of meals a day | Example feeding times | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-4 months | 4-5 | 6-7 am, 10-11 am, 2-3 pm, 6-7 pm | Small stomachs necessitate frequent, smaller meals for optimal digestion. |
| 4-6 months | 3 | 6-7 am, 12-1 pm, 6-7 pm | As they grow, kittens can consume more per meal, allowing for fewer feedings. |
| 6-12 months | 2 | 6-7 am, 6-7 pm | Most cats thrive on two balanced raw meals per day. |
| 12 months + | 2 | 6-7 am, 6-7 pm | Cats typically reach maturity at 12 months and can receive adequate nutrition from two meals. |
The maximum time between kitten feeds should be 6 hours for 4 meals/day, 8 hours for 3 meals/day, and 12 hours for 2 meals/day.
Adult Cat Feeding Schedule
Healthy adult cats generally do well on two meals a day, spaced approximately 12 hours apart. Some cats may prefer more frequent, smaller meals. Specific health conditions may necessitate a different feeding schedule as advised by a veterinarian. Cats naturally hunt at dawn and dusk, so aligning feeding times with these periods can be beneficial.
Ideal Feeding Schedule for Cats (2 Meals/Day)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6 am | Breakfast |
| 7 am – 5 pm | Rest, play, social interaction, grooming |
| 6 pm | Evening Meal |
Bella & Duke Raw Cat and Kitten Food
Our raw cat food is meticulously formulated based on a deep understanding of feline evolutionary dietary needs. As obligate carnivores, cats derive essential nutrients for growth, development, and vitality from meat. Our recipes feature high-quality protein, bone, and offal, completely free from grains and fillers. The food is flash-frozen to preserve vital nutrients that can be diminished through cooking processes.
Our Kitten and Cat Food Ranges
We offer a variety of complete and balanced raw meals suitable for both kittens and adult cats, sharing the same nutritional profile. These meals provide the essential macronutrient balance—high-quality proteins, moderate fats, and low carbohydrates—necessary for maintaining vital bodily functions across all feline life stages. The inclusion of raw bone ensures the correct calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, crucial for bone development in kittens and bone health and repair in adult cats.
Expert Tips for Transitioning to a Raw Diet
Switching your cat to a raw food diet can be a smooth process with the right approach:
- Patience is Key: Cats can be naturally wary of new foods due to their survival instincts. Allow them time to adjust; they may not accept raw food immediately.
- Gradual Introduction: If your cat is hesitant, try mixing a small amount of raw food with their current food for the next meal.
- Serve at Room Temperature: Cats prefer their food at room temperature. Remove it from the refrigerator in advance of feeding.
- Provide a Clear View: Cats feel more secure eating in an environment where they have a 360-degree view. A flat feeding board can enhance this sense of security.
- Quiet Feeding Location: Place the feeding board in a calm area, free from distractions like children or other pets.
- Separation of Amenities: Keep water bowls and litter trays separate from the feeding area.
- Enhance Palatability: Adding a little bone broth to the raw food can entice your cat with an irresistible aroma and taste.
