Homemade Cat Food - How To Make Your Own Cat Food Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What should the first 3 ingredients in cat food be? ›

#1 Scan the First 3 Ingredients

To ensure that your cat gets enough good sources of protein – think chicken, beef, fish and lamb -- check the first three ingredients on the label. Pet food labels list ingredients in order of the weight of the ingredient, starting with the heaviest.

The European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) set out recommended guidelines for pet food to ensure a balanced diet. A 'complete diet' can only be classed as a complete diet if it meets the requirements for vitamins, minerals and nutrients within it's food.

Oats contain more protein than other grains, such as rice and wheat. However, it also contains a high amount of carbohydrates, so cats shouldn't have a diet that incorporates a lot of oatmeal.

According to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), there's no evidence that raw diets are healthier than commercial or homemade diets created by board-certified veterinary nutritionists.

Cooking with heat can cause the meat to lose nutrients, which is why raw feeding is considered to be very beneficial. However, if you are concerned about feeding your cat uncooked meat because of the potential for bacteria, Lisa A. Pierson, DVM and owner of CatInfo.org advises that you can also partially cook the meat.

The cost of homemade cat food ranges between $0.90–1.52 per day depending on the recipe. I compared the cost of the best in each category of commercial cat food. And you could save thousands per year making cat food at home. It will take more time to make your cat's food at home.

Cats are 'obligate carnivores', which in simple terms, means they need to eat meat to get all the nutrients they require to stay healthy (such as Taurine and Arginine). Without these vital nutrients they are at risk of becoming extremely ill. Thankfully, most commercial cat foods contain all the nutrients a cat needs.

In general, for healthy adult cats, the best option is a canned food with a protein content of 40% or higher (greater than 10% if the can is greater than 78% water) and a carbohydrate content of 10% or less.

What is the healthiest meat for cats? ›

Cats are meat eaters, plain and simple. They have to have protein from meat for a strong heart, good vision, and a healthy reproductive system. Cooked beef, chicken, turkey, and small amounts of lean deli meats are a great way to give them that. Raw or spoiled meat could make your cat sick.

Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight Adult Roasted Vegetable and Chicken Medley and Nulo Freestyle Adult Trim Salmon and Lentils Recipe are two of our top picks because they contain key ingredients to help cats feel full and burn fat.

Whether you're feeding a cat or a kitten, “Cats need animal-based protein as part of their main diet,” explains Purina Nutritionist Karina Carbo-Johnson, MS. Some protein-rich foods cats like to eat include: A variety of fish, such as salmon, trout, tuna and whitefish. Poultry like chicken, turkey and pheasant.

Loss of appetite is one of the key clues that something is wrong. So be sure to pay attention if your cat suddenly stops eating. A number of different conditions may be responsible, including infections, kidney failure, pancreatitis, intestinal problems, and cancer.

Look for foods in which meat, meat byproducts, or seafood are listed among the first few ingredients, as this indicates the food probably contains enough animal-source ingredients to supply essential amino acids and fatty acids.

Wheat, soy and corn can be allergens and have a high chance of being genetically modified (GMO). They have not been studied for their affects on cats and should be avoided. Avoid gluten as an ingredient as it's not digestible and has been known to be a serious contaminant.

Carnivorous animals like cats will find foods high in meat easier to digest and absorb. Grain free foods, when available. When grains are used, look for high quality whole grains such as “whole brown rice.” • Whole fruits and vegetables, especially as replacement for grains in food, high up on the ingredients list.

Dinner means a minimum of 25% of the named ingredient must be in the diet (not including water). This is the “Dinner” or “25% rule.” Chicken can be anywhere between 25% & 94%. Simply by changing the phrase Chicken Cat Food to Chicken Cat Dinner, you may decrease the amount of chicken in the diet by as much as 70%.