Animals are typically either carnivores or omnivores, with a select few being herbivores. Herbivore means that these animals can only eat plants like grass, hay, etc. This would be food, animals, like rabbits, eat. Omnivores are animals like dogs, turtles, and even humans! Omnivores are animals that can eat both meat and plant material. Cats, on the other hand, are carnivores. This means cats can only eat meat. This also begs the question if cats can even eat raw meat. Here we will answer a few questions about cats eating meat, such as, do cats prefer raw or cooked meat, and if kittens can even handle eating raw meat?
Do Cats Prefer Raw or Cooked Meat?
Of course, since humans have started cooking meat, humans cannot digest and eat raw meat. Today, eating raw meat would make a human ill. Though this isn’t exactly true for other animals, and this includes cats.
As you would know, like every human, every cat is different with its tastes and likes and dislikes. This is especially true for cats and the many different types of cats out there.
Outdoor and feral cats may eat whatever is easiest for them to find – especially so if it is a feral cat. They’ll eat any meat that has been left behind by humans, birds, and other small animals. This means that yes, they can eat raw meat and, in this instance, they might prefer it.
With house cats and indoor cats, they don’t have to worry about scavenging for food because they know their human owner will feed them. Some cats would prefer wet food over dry food, and some cats may even get bored of eating the same diet over and over again. So again, to answer this question, it is simply based on what your cat’s preferences are, and what their likes and dislikes are, when it comes to food.
What Type of Raw Meat Can Cats Eat?
Raw meat has become popular over the years with cat owners. This is because raw meat has good nutritional value and is good for the cat’s health. Here we will discuss some of the raw meats they should eat.
Chicken
Chicken is one of the most common meats out there a cat can consume.
It has a great deal of protein, vitamins like B6 and B12, phosphorous, niacin, and selenium. The extra protein in the chicken will aid in muscle maintenance for your cat and help repair and develop tissue. Chicken is also very good for your cat’s heart.
Salmon
Salmon contains omega-three fatty acids, which are essential for both cats and humans alike. It will help protect your cat’s skin and coat from damage, while also giving a boost to your cat’s immune system.
There are essential vitamins in salmon that also offer additional boosts in health benefits to your cat. Salmon is a great choice to feed your cat, though, your cat won’t be able to survive just off of salmon alone.
Lamb
Lamb is high in many nutrients, including heme-iron. Heme-iron is a type of iron that is easier for your cat’s body to absorb than other types of iron.
Iron is good for your cat because it helps carry oxygen throughout the bloodstream.
See Also: Can My Cat Eat Chicken Bones?
And: Why Does My Well Fed Cat Hunt?
How Much Raw Meat Should You Feed a Cat?
Since cats can eat raw meat, it is often questioned by people how much raw meat a cat can handle. It should be noted that there really isn’t a limit to how much raw meat a cat should eat, as it won’t exactly kill them if they get too much, but it should be based on other considerations.
How much you feed your cat raw meat depends upon the weight of your cat. Though you should only feed your cat raw meat 2 or 3% of its body weight. This means a 10-pound cat would get 1-3 ounces of raw meat per meal. This also depends on the cat as well, especially if your cat is overweight and needs to lose weight, it might be better for your cat to feed it less raw meat, if at all. Though if your cat is very active, you might have to give your cat a little more raw meat, so it can either maintain its weight or gain weight, so it ultimately depends. You should split it between meals and not feed your cat too much raw meat all of it at once.
Can Kittens Have Raw Meat?
People often wonder since cats, especially adult cats, can eat raw meat, if kittens could eat raw meat as well. This ultimately depends on a few different factors.
Of course, it is natural you’d want to feed your kitten raw meat because it is still growing its bones and joints. However, do not feed your kitten raw meat until it is at least 20 weeks old, if not a bit older than that. This is because their immune system isn’t strong enough yet to kill the pathogens that might exist in raw meat. This can include bones as well, because it can cause damage to your kitten’s stomach and intestinal tract because these bones might splinter.
The best thing for your kitten would be cooked meat or moist food. Cooked meat should be obvious since it’s cooked and the pathogens would be killed. Wet food is good for your kitten because it helps its urinary tract.
Of course, what your kitten should eat and how much it should eat comes down to a variety of factors such as breed, weight, and overall health. Always check with your veterinarian to figure out what type of diet would be good for your kitten.
Conclusion
We talked about cats eating raw meat and if they can even eat raw meat. Of course, yes, they can. Then we talked about what types of foods cats might prefer and the best types of raw meat a cat can eat. We also mentioned how much raw meat a cat should eat and if kittens can have it also. Overall, if you’re wondering about your cat’s diet, and you want to learn more, you should talk to your vet, or an animal nutritionist. We hope we answered your questions and cleared up any confusion!
Featured image: A Cat Eating Raw Meat
