Are you looking to start your kitten off with, or transition your older cat to a raw food diet? Are you not sure how much you should be feeding them? Well thankfully you’ve come to the right place. I have designed a simple to use and straightforward calculator to help you quickly ascertain the optimal amounts – for your cat.
Disclaimer: This calculator should be used as a rough guide. Each kitten or cat requires a different amount of nutrition depending on multiple factors including breed, size, activity levels, health status and genetic factors.
How Much Raw Meat Do Cats Need?
Cats require between 2-2.5% of their current body weight in raw food per day. However, kittens require as much as 5% of their current body weight in raw food per day.
In other words, older cats require less food.
Their metabolisms slow down and they are generally less active – resulting in a lower requirement for calories.
How To Transition Your Cat Over To Raw Food
Transitioning your cat over to raw food requires a slow and gradual introduction and replacement of their exiting food.
You should start by placing a small bowl of raw food next to their current food (during mealtimes.)
This will allow them to smell and get used to the raw food.
You’ll want to do this for the next 3-5 meals.
Next, you will want to layer some raw food in between their current food, so they can get used to the taste and texture.
In the days that follow, work up the amount of raw food while reducing the amount of their existing food.
Over the course of a week, or so, your cat should have transitioned over to their new raw food diet.
Consistency is essential here.
However, if you find that your cat begins to leave their food you may need to slow down or revert to their former food (as least partially).
For kittens, no transition is generally needed.
What Does An Optimal Raw Food Diet Look For A Cat?
An optimal raw diet for a cat should include muscle meats, ground bone and offal. Chicken, fish and eggs are common staples in this diet.
And of course, plenty of fresh, clean drinking water.
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I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.