Over 60% of cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, and diet plays a huge role in that statistic. Many cat owners are turning to raw feeding cats as a way to improve health, boost energy, and restore natural eating habits. The benefits can be impressive, but the risks are just as real if it’s done wrong.

This post breaks down the exact dos and don’ts to follow so you can give your cat a safe, balanced, and nutrient-rich diet. Follow these steps to protect their health and get real results.

Do: Prioritize a Balanced Diet

Feeding raw doesn’t mean tossing your cat a chicken leg and calling it a day. A raw cat diet needs to be balanced across protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals to keep your cat healthy long term. Cats are obligate carnivores, yes, but that doesn’t mean they can thrive on muscle meat alone.

Deficiencies in key nutrients like taurine, calcium, or vitamin A can cause problems you won’t see right away. Over time, though, these gaps can lead to vision loss, heart disease, or brittle bones. According to a 2023 review by the University of Georgia, cats with imbalanced diets often show long-term issues in bone development and organ health.

Working with a vet experienced in feline nutrition advice is usually the safest bet. If that’s not possible, use supplements that cover known gaps. For example, Lithothamnium algae is rich in natural calcium and trace minerals, more or less what cats would get from prey bones in the wild.

Some important nutrients to account for in a balanced raw cat diet include:

  • Taurine for heart and eye health
  • Calcium and phosphorus for bone structure
  • Vitamin A from organ meats
  • Omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat
  • B-vitamins for energy and metabolism

Don’t: Feed Just Meat

Muscle meat alone seems like enough on paper; it’s rich in protein and easy to get. Yet this kind of feeding leaves out major parts of what cats actually need. A raw diet built only around meat can miss out on taurine, calcium, and fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, and E.

Cats in the wild don’t just eat meat. They eat organs, bones, and everything in between. Feeding only chicken breast, for instance, can cause calcium deficiency, which often leads to weak bones or even fractures.

To get it right, include the right ratios. A general starting point for homemade raw meals looks like this:

  • 80% muscle meat
  • 10% bone (ground or whole)
  • 5% liver
  • 5% other secreting organs (like kidney or spleen)

Do: Include Digestive Support

Switching to raw feeding can throw your cat’s gut off for a bit. Their digestive system is built for meat, sure, but it still needs time to adapt to new textures, bacteria, and enzymes in raw meals. This is especially true for cats switching from dry or canned food.

One way to ease the transition is by supporting the gut directly. Our Feline Comfort Plus, for instance, offers a mix of probiotics and prebiotics that restore gut bacteria and support healthy digestion. This kind of supplement often helps with loose stools, gassiness, or discomfort during the change.

Some types of digestive support to look for during the switch include:

  • Probiotics to introduce healthy gut bacteria
  • Prebiotics to feed existing microbiota
  • Slippery elm to soothe the stomach lining
  • Digestive enzymes to help break down protein and fat

Don’t: Ignore Pathogen Risks

Feeding raw does come with some risk, mainly due to bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. These aren’t just dangerous for cats; they can also infect people, especially kids or anyone with a weaker immune system.

Most cats can handle some bacteria thanks to their short digestive tract and strong stomach acid. Still, the risk tends to go up when meat isn’t stored or handled properly. According to the CDC, raw pet foods have been linked to outbreaks of salmonellosis in both pets and people.

You can lower the risk by sticking to safe raw feeding practices like:

  • Freezing meat at -18°C for at least 72 hours before serving
  • Thawing in the fridge, never on the counter
  • Cleaning all surfaces and utensils with hot soapy water
  • Washing your hands after handling raw meat
  • Feeding in a designated area that’s easy to clean

Do: Source High-Quality Ingredients

Cats deserve better than expired chicken from the discount bin. What goes into your cat’s bowl really does affect how well they do on a raw diet. Low-grade meat can carry more bacteria, have added salt or preservatives, or be less nutrient-dense overall.

Whenever possible, use human-grade meats from suppliers that follow proper storage, hygiene, and traceability rules. Companies like Vitality Science focus on purity and avoid using fillers or synthetic additives in our supplements and food products. This kind of transparency often helps you avoid guessing what’s really in the food.

Don’t: Forget Hydration

Even though raw food has more moisture than kibble, some cats still fall behind on their daily water needs. This happens a lot more in older cats or ones that used to be dry-fed and never built strong drinking habits.

You’ll notice signs like small, dry stools or reduced urine output. In some cases, dehydration can make existing health issues worse, especially kidney function or urinary tract problems. Easy-Go New is one product that supports hydration while helping digestion through natural plant-based ingredients.

A few hydration boosts you can try include:

  • Adding water or bone broth to meals
  • Using a cat water fountain to encourage drinking
  • Offering wet meals during the hottest parts of the day
  • Placing multiple water bowls around the house

Hydration tends to be one of the most overlooked raw feeding benefits. It doesn’t need to be.

Get Expert Support for Raw Feeding Cats

Following these dos and don’ts helps ensure your raw feeding cats plan supports their health, energy, and longevity. By balancing nutrition, practicing safe handling, and monitoring your cat’s response, you set the stage for long-term benefits.

Vitality Science stands out with pure, filler-free supplements formulated for maximum bioavailability, vet-tested safety, and over 20 years of proven results. Our formulas are trusted by cat owners who demand only the best. Check out our product range today to make raw feeding safer, easier, and more effective for your cat.