Feeding Raw to Cats

Raw feeding is the practice of feeding domestic dogs and cats a diet consisting primarily of uncooked meat and bones.^[1] Supporters of raw feeding believe the natural diet of an animal in the wild is its most ideal diet and try to mimic a similar diet for their domestic companions. They are commonly opposed to commercial pet foods, which they consider poor substitutes for raw feed. Opponents believe the risk of food-borne illnesses posed by the handling and feeding of raw meats would outweigh the purported benefits, and no scientific studies have been done to support the numerous beneficial claims.^[1]

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Safety Concerns

With the increased popularity of raw diets, the risks associated with feeding raw for pets as well as humans have been evaluated. A post-mortem study conducted on two cats from the same household who were fed raw beef-based diets isolated salmonella in the bodies of the two cats, as well as in the raw beef they were fed, concluding that feeding raw diets may result in clinical salmonellosis^[2]. However, another study found cases of human salmonella associated with dry dog and cat food over a period of three years that eventually led to the closure of a plant and a recall of 105 brands of dry pet food, suggesting that proper handling and storage of food is the best way to prevent Salmonella infection.^[3] It has also been found that there is a higher risk of salmonella infection associated with homemade raw diets when compared to commercial raw food or extruded foods.^[4]

To further eliminate any risks associated with raw food, it is possible to cook the food. Freezing or freeze-drying raw meat does not kill all pathogens and meat that is destined to enter the human food chain is equally susceptible to infection by pathogens as meat used in pet food.^[4] A study was conducted using adult cats and indicated cooking raw meats before feeding did not affect the apparent total tract energy or macronutrient digestibility, and that cooking these diets could decrease the risk of microbial contamination associated with feeding raw.^[5]

Nutritional balance[edit]

Further information: Pet food § Labeling and regulation

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) provides standards that guides many commercial pet food companies. This a level of supervision that does not occur with homemade food and this can predispose them to a variety of deficiencies and imbalances. One study analyzed the nutritional content of three homemade diets (BARF, Ultimate and Volhard) and two commercial raw food diets (Steve's Real Food and Sojourner Farms) and compared it to the AAFCO standards, showing nutritional imbalances in the homemade diets.[15] Three of the diets had abnormal calcium-to-phosphorus ratios which can lead to hyperparathyroidism and fibrous osteodystrophy in puppies.[16] Another study analyzed 95 homemade BARF diets and found that 60% of these diets had an imbalance in either one, or a combination of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, iodine, zinc, copper, and vitamin A.^[6]

In animal nutrition

Taurine is an essential dietary requirement for feline health, since house cats (and all members of the cat family) cannot synthesize the compound^[7]. The absence of taurine causes a cat's retina to slowly degenerate, causing eye problems and (eventually) irreversible blindness – a condition known as central retinal degeneration (CRD)^[8], as well as hair loss and tooth decay. Decreased plasma taurine concentration has been demonstrated to be associated with feline dilated cardiomyopathy.^[9] Unlike CRD, the condition is reversible with supplementation. Taurine is now a requirement of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and any dry or wet food product labeled approved by the AAFCO should have a minimum of 0.1% taurine in dry food and 0.2% in wet food. The availability of taurine is effected depending on how the food is prepared, with raw diets retaining the most taurine, and baking or boiling resulting in the greatest taurine loss.^[10]

Research suggests taurine is essential to the normal development of passerine birds. Many passerines seek out taurine-rich spiders to feed their young, particularly just after hatching. Researchers compared the behaviors and development of birds fed a taurine-supplemented diet to a control diet and found the juveniles fed taurine-rich diets as neonates were much larger risk takers and more adept at spatial learning tasks.

The availability of taurine is effected depending on how the food is prepared, with raw diets retaining the most taurine, and baking or boiling resulting in the greatest taurine loss.^[10]

Commercial cat food

Most store-bought cat food comes in either dry form, also known in the US as kibble, or wet canned form. Some manufacturers sell frozen raw diets and premix products to cater to owners who feed raw.

Dry food

Dry (extruded) cat food example Dry food (8–10% moisture) is generally made by extrusion cooking under high heat and pressure. Fat may then be sprayed on the food to increase palatability, and other minor ingredients, such as heat-sensitive vitamins, which would be destroyed in the extrusion process, may be added. Dry food is most often packed in multi-wall paper bags, sometimes with a plastic film layer; similar bag styles with film laminates or coextrusions are also used.

Wet food

Wet (canned) cat food example (Fish flakes in jelly) In the United States, canned or wet food (75–78% moisture) generally comes in aluminum or steel cans in 3 oz (85 g), 5.5 oz (156 g), and 13 oz (369 g) sizes. It is also sold in foil pouch form.

Vegetarian or vegan food

Even though cats are obligate carnivores, there are vegetarian and vegan cat foods available. Vegetarian cat food must be fortified with nutrients such as taurine and arachidonic acid that cats cannot synthesize from plant materials. Some vegetarian cat food brands in the USA are labeled by their manufacturers as meeting AAFCO's Cat Food Nutrient Profile.

Raw food

Raw feeding is providing uncooked ingredients to your cat. Most of the diet will be comprised of animal-based ingredients, though fruits, vegetables and supplements are often added. Commercial raw diets are mainly sold in three format: fresh, frozen and freeze-dried. Thawing and rehydration are necessary before feeding frozen and freeze-dried diets respectively. Many available commercial diets are AAFCO certified in meeting the nutrient requirements of the cat. Some diets may be formulated for all life stages or they can also be AAFCO certified for adult maintenance or growth and gestation/lactation. Many people feed their cats raw believing that it mimics the prey diet that wild cats would consume. Firm believers in raw diets report that it brings health benefits like shiny coat, cleaner teeth, improved immunity, energy and body odors to their cats, although no scientific evidence exists to prove these claims.

Commercial raw diets can undergo High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP), a process which kills bacteria and pathogens, including salmonella, using high water pressure. This technique is USDAapproved and allows raw food to remain uncooked while greatly improving its safety and shelf-life. However, every year, many commercial raw pet diets get recalled due to various bacterial contamination, therefore implying that feeding raw comes with a risk.

Cat food

Raw feeding this one could use a lot of work

Pascalization

In recent years, HPP has also been used in the processing of raw pet food. Most commercial frozen and freeze-dried raw diets now go through post-packaging HPP treatment to destroy potential bacteria and viruses contaminants, with salmonella being one of the biggest concerns.^[11]

Homemade food

Further information: Raw feeding

Many pet owners feed cats homemade diets. These diets generally consist of some form of cooked or raw meat, bone, vegetables, and supplements, such as taurine and multivitamins.^[1]

Raw feeding from Pet food

Raw food

Raw feeding is providing uncooked ingredients to your cat.^[14] Most of the diet will be comprised of animal-based ingredients, though fruits, vegetables and supplements are often added.^[14] . Commercial raw diets are mainly sold in three format: fresh, frozen and freeze-dried. ^[14] Thawing and rehydration are necessary before feeding frozen and freeze-dried diets respectively. Many available commercial diets are AAFCO certified in meeting the nutrient requirements of the cat.^[14] Some diets may be formulated for all life stages or they can also be AAFCO certified for adult maintenance or growth and gestation/lactation.^[14] Many people feed their cats raw believing that it mimics the prey diet that wild cats would consume. Firm believers in raw diets report that it brings health benefits like shiny coat, cleaner teeth, improved immunity, energy and body odors to their cats, although no scientific evidence exists to prove these claims. ^[14]

Commercial raw diets can undergo High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP), a process which kills bacteria and pathogens, including salmonella, using high water pressure. ^[15] This technique is USDA approved and allows raw food to remain uncooked while greatly improving its safety and shelf-life.[15] However, every year, many commercial raw pet diets get recalled due to various bacterial contamination, therefore implying that feeding raw comes with a risk.^[8]

Raw Feeding

Main article: Raw feeding

Many pet owners feed cats homemade diets. These diets generally consist of some form of cooked or raw meat, bone, vegetables, and supplements, such as taurine and Multivitamins.^[12] Homemade diets either follow a recipe, such as the BARF diet which provides a series of options for the pet owner to make, or rely on the constant rotation of ingredients to meet nutrient requirements.^[12] A study was conducted that analyzed 95 homemade BARF diets and found that 60% of these were nutritionally imbalanced in either one or a combination of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, iodine, zinc, copper, or vitamin A content.^[13]

Hunting and Feeding

Domestic cats select food based on its temperature, smell and texture; they dislike chilled foods and respond most strongly to moist foods rich in amino acids, which are similar to meat.[94][156] Feeding a raw diet to your cat may help satisfy these preferences and may attract the pickiest of eaters. ^[1]Cats may reject novel flavors (a response termed neophobia) and learn quickly to avoid foods that have tasted unpleasant in the past.[156] They may also avoid sugary foods and milk. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant; the sugars in milk are not easily digested and may cause soft stools or diarrhea.[156][188]They can also develop odd eating habits. Some cats like to eat or chew on other things, most commonly wool, but also plastic, cables, paper, string, aluminum foil, or even coal. This condition, pica, can threaten their health, depending on the amount and toxicity of the items eaten.[189][190]

Diet and nutrition

Further information: cat food

See also: pet food

Veterinarians commonly recommend commercial cat foods that are formulated to address the specific nutritional requirements of cats although an increasing number of owners are opting for home-prepared cooked or raw diets.

Although cats are obligate carnivores, vegetarian and vegan cat food are preferred by owners uncomfortable with feeding animal products to their pets. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine has come out against vegetarian cat and dog food for health reasons. Cats require high levels of Taurine in their diet. Taurine is an organic acid found in animal tissues. It is a major constituent of bile and can be found in the large intestine. Taurine has many biological roles such as conjugation of bile acids, antioxidation, membrane stabilization and modulation of calcium signaling. It is essential for cardiovascular function in cats, and development and function of skeletal muscle, the retina and the central nervous system. Although meat protein can be substituted with vegetable proteins, vegetable proteins don't provide sufficient amino acids which are vital for a cats body to function.^[7]^[8]

Cats can be selective eaters. Although it is extremely rare for a cat to deliberately starve itself to the point of injury, in obese cats, the sudden loss of weight can cause a fatal condition called Feline Hepatic Lipidosis, a liver dysfunction which causes pathological loss of appetite and reinforces the starvation, which can lead to death within as little as 48 hours.

Pica is a condition in which animals chew or eat unusual things such as fabric, plastic or wool. In cats, this is mostly harmless as they do not digest most of it, but can be fatal or require surgical removal if a large amount of foreign material is ingested (for example, an entire sock). It tends to occur more often in Burmese, Oriental, Siamese and breeds with these in their ancestry.

Raw feeding is the practice of providing diets of uncooked meat, bones, vegetables, fish, and insects to your pet. ^[2] The majority of these diets consist predominantly of raw meat, and are either made following a recipe or by alternating feed ingredients to meet nutrient requirements. ^[1] There are many opposing views in regards to raw feeding, as supports believe it is the most ideal diet due to its similarities to the natural diet of animals in the wild^[1], while opposers cite the risk of food-borne illnesses and of handling raw meats as major reasons to avoid feeding raw. ^[2]

Taurine

The cat lacks the enzyme necessary to produce taurine and must therefore acquire it from its diet. A taurine deficiency in cats can lead to retinal degeneration and eventually blindness. Other effects of a diet lacking in this essential amino acid are dilated cardiomyopathy and reproductive failure in females.^[14]

The availability of taurine is effected depending on how the food is prepared, with raw diets retaining the most taurine, and baking or boiling resulting in the greatest taurine loss.^[15]

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^ ^a ^b ^c Freeman, Lisa M.; Chandler, Marjorie L.; Hamper, Beth A.; Weeth, Lisa P. (2013-11-21). "Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets for dogs and cats". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 243 (11): 1549–1558. doi:10.2460/javma.243.11.1549. ISSN 0003-1488.
^ Stiver, Shane L.; Frazier, Kendall S.; Mauel, Michael J.; Styer, Eloise L. "Septicemic Salmonellosis in Two Cats Fed a Raw-Meat Diet". Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. 39 (6): 538–542. doi:10.5326/0390538.
^ Behravesh, Casey Barton; Ferraro, Aimee; Deasy, Marshall; Dato, Virginia; Moll, Mària; Sandt, Carol; Rea, Nancy K.; Rickert, Regan; Marriott, Chandra (2010-09-01). "Human Salmonella Infections Linked to Contaminated Dry Dog and Cat Food, 2006–2008". Pediatrics. 126 (3): 477–483. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-3273. ISSN 0031-4005. PMID 20696725.
^ ^a ^b Freeman, Lisa M.; Chandler, Marjorie L.; Hamper, Beth A.; Weeth, Lisa P. (2013-11-21). "Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets for dogs and cats". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 243 (11): 1549–1558. doi:10.2460/javma.243.11.1549. ISSN 0003-1488.
^ Kerr, K. R.; Boler, B. M. Vester; Morris, C. L.; Liu, K. J.; Swanson, K. S. (2012-02-01). "Apparent total tract energy and macronutrient digestibility and fecal fermentative end-product concentrations of domestic cats fed extruded, raw beef-based, and cooked beef-based diets". Journal of Animal Science. 90 (2): 515–522. doi:10.2527/jas.2010-3266. ISSN 1525-3163.
^ Dillitzer, Natalie., Becker, Nicola., Kienzle, Ellen. (2011). "Intake of minerals, trace elements and vitamins in bone and raw food rations in adult dogs". British Journal of Nutrition. 106: s53–s56 – via PRIMO.
^ KNOPF, Karen (2011). "Taurine - An Essential Nutrient for the Cat" (PDF). Journal of Nutrition. 108: 773–778 – via Primo.
^ ^a ^b Jacobson, Samuel G.; Kemp, Colin M.; Borruat, François-Xavier; Chaitin, Michael H.; Faulkner, David J. (1987-10-01). "Rhodopsin topography and rod-mediated function in cats with the retinal degeneration of taurine deficiency". Experimental Eye Research. 45 (4): 481–490. doi:10.1016/S0014-4835(87)80059-3.
^ Sisson, D. David; Knight, David H.; Helinski, Cecelia; Fox, Philip R.; Bond, Betsy R.; Harpster, Neil K.; Moise, N. Sydney; Kaplan, Paul M.; Bonagura, John D. (1991-07-01). "Plasma Taurine Concentrations and M-mode Echocardiographic Measures in Healthy Cats and in Cats with Dilated Cardiomyopathy". Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 5 (4): 232–238. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.1991.tb00954.x. ISSN 1939-1676.
^ ^a ^b Spitze, A. R.; Wong, D. L.; Rogers, Q. R.; Fascetti, A. J. (2003-08-01). "Taurine concentrations in animal feed ingredients; cooking influences taurine content". Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. 87 (7–8): 251–262. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0396.2003.00434.x. ISSN 1439-0396.
^ Higgins, Kevin (2010). "Fresh, Safe Food for Fido". Food Engineering. 82: 17–18 – via PRIMO.
^ ^a ^b Freeman, Lisa M.; Chandler, Marjorie L.; Hamper, Beth A.; Weeth, Lisa P (2013-11-21). "Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets for dogs and cats". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 243 (11): 1549–1558.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Dillitzer, Natalie; Becker, Nicola; Kienzle, Ellen (2011/10). "Intake of minerals, trace elements and vitamins in bone and raw food rations in adult dogs". British Journal of Nutrition. 106 (S1): S53–S56. doi:10.1017/S0007114511002765. ISSN 1475-2662. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
^ Hayes, K. C., Carey, R. E., & Schmidt, S. Y. (1975). Retinal Degeneration Associated with Taurine Deficiency in the Cat. Science, 188(4191), 949–951.
^ Spitze, A. R., Wong, D. L., Rogers, Q. R., & Fascetti, A. J. (2003). Taurine concentrations in animal feed ingredients; cooking influences taurine content. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 87(7–8), 251–262. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0396.2003.00434.x

[:1-1] Freeman, Lisa M.; Chandler, Marjorie L.; Hamper, Beth A.; Weeth, Lisa P. (2013-11-21). "Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets for dogs and cats". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 243 (11): 1549–1558. doi:10.2460/javma.243.11.1549. ISSN 0003-1488.

[2] Stiver, Shane L.; Frazier, Kendall S.; Mauel, Michael J.; Styer, Eloise L. "Septicemic Salmonellosis in Two Cats Fed a Raw-Meat Diet". Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. 39 (6): 538–542. doi:10.5326/0390538.

[3] Behravesh, Casey Barton; Ferraro, Aimee; Deasy, Marshall; Dato, Virginia; Moll, Mària; Sandt, Carol; Rea, Nancy K.; Rickert, Regan; Marriott, Chandra (2010-09-01). "Human Salmonella Infections Linked to Contaminated Dry Dog and Cat Food, 2006–2008". Pediatrics. 126 (3): 477–483. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-3273. ISSN 0031-4005. PMID 20696725.

[:0-4] Freeman, Lisa M.; Chandler, Marjorie L.; Hamper, Beth A.; Weeth, Lisa P. (2013-11-21). "Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets for dogs and cats". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 243 (11): 1549–1558. doi:10.2460/javma.243.11.1549. ISSN 0003-1488.

[5] Kerr, K. R.; Boler, B. M. Vester; Morris, C. L.; Liu, K. J.; Swanson, K. S. (2012-02-01). "Apparent total tract energy and macronutrient digestibility and fecal fermentative end-product concentrations of domestic cats fed extruded, raw beef-based, and cooked beef-based diets". Journal of Animal Science. 90 (2): 515–522. doi:10.2527/jas.2010-3266. ISSN 1525-3163.

[6] Dillitzer, Natalie., Becker, Nicola., Kienzle, Ellen. (2011). "Intake of minerals, trace elements and vitamins in bone and raw food rations in adult dogs". British Journal of Nutrition. 106: s53–s56 – via PRIMO.

[7] KNOPF, Karen (2011). "Taurine - An Essential Nutrient for the Cat" (PDF). Journal of Nutrition. 108: 773–778 – via Primo.

[:3-8] Jacobson, Samuel G.; Kemp, Colin M.; Borruat, François-Xavier; Chaitin, Michael H.; Faulkner, David J. (1987-10-01). "Rhodopsin topography and rod-mediated function in cats with the retinal degeneration of taurine deficiency". Experimental Eye Research. 45 (4): 481–490. doi:10.1016/S0014-4835(87)80059-3.

[9] Sisson, D. David; Knight, David H.; Helinski, Cecelia; Fox, Philip R.; Bond, Betsy R.; Harpster, Neil K.; Moise, N. Sydney; Kaplan, Paul M.; Bonagura, John D. (1991-07-01). "Plasma Taurine Concentrations and M-mode Echocardiographic Measures in Healthy Cats and in Cats with Dilated Cardiomyopathy". Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 5 (4): 232–238. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.1991.tb00954.x. ISSN 1939-1676.

[:2-10] Spitze, A. R.; Wong, D. L.; Rogers, Q. R.; Fascetti, A. J. (2003-08-01). "Taurine concentrations in animal feed ingredients; cooking influences taurine content". Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. 87 (7–8): 251–262. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0396.2003.00434.x. ISSN 1439-0396.

[11] Higgins, Kevin (2010). "Fresh, Safe Food for Fido". Food Engineering. 82: 17–18 – via PRIMO.

[:8-12] Freeman, Lisa M.; Chandler, Marjorie L.; Hamper, Beth A.; Weeth, Lisa P (2013-11-21). "Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets for dogs and cats". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 243 (11): 1549–1558.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[13] Dillitzer, Natalie; Becker, Nicola; Kienzle, Ellen (2011/10). "Intake of minerals, trace elements and vitamins in bone and raw food rations in adult dogs". British Journal of Nutrition. 106 (S1): S53–S56. doi:10.1017/S0007114511002765. ISSN 1475-2662. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

[14] Hayes, K. C., Carey, R. E., & Schmidt, S. Y. (1975). Retinal Degeneration Associated with Taurine Deficiency in the Cat. Science, 188(4191), 949–951.

[15] Spitze, A. R., Wong, D. L., Rogers, Q. R., & Fascetti, A. J. (2003). Taurine concentrations in animal feed ingredients; cooking influences taurine content. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 87(7–8), 251–262. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0396.2003.00434.x

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