Raw cat food for cats (BARF)

simplepeace · #21 02/08/10, 07:30 PM

Good suggestions by GoldenMom. I don't have the breakdown anywhere but the back of my mind now

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I buy whole chicken and cut it up for the dogs AND cats. I eat vey little meat but I do like chicken breast. So we all share.

The cats get: necks, wings, and the backs cut up the back to break the back/ribs (they are then easier for the cats to go for) I do this with turkey too. and rabbit when I can get it. I have never ground for them and have had them both since they were kittens.

They get proportionate amounts of organ meat (BABY fingernail sized pieces). And I feed all they will eat in one sitting. They are active indoor outdoor mousers. One is 3 1/2 years old and one is 9 months old. In decent weather they feed themselves rodents and rarely ask for a meal.

Since the wings tend to have so much bone I tend to feed just an "only meat meal" the day after every wing day. Hunks of pork, beef or lamb to get a good percentage "over time".

Especially for taurine I will feed only heart one day a week + with meals. Pork, lamb, beef, chicken, turkey, venison... anything I can get, but lots of heart. My cats are in great shape, and they LOVE their raw food. Though they would sell their souls for a few pieces of kibble - lol their version of kitty junk food.

Once a week I feed different types of canned fresh or frozen fish (more often if I have it). I especially look for fish with bone-in too. I also will offer a raw egg mixed with canned fish occasionally too - they think that is "ok" - not a fave. I have fish oli, but only give it about once a week.

I too, cut them up on one day (most of the time) and pre-bag enough for both cats to defrost every couple of days. Or a bag for dogs and cats all in one. I just cut different sized chunks.
I have been raw feeding for almost 8 years so I rarely give it much thought anymore, but at first I spent a lot of time researching & planning (I think that is why it is so easy now).

I don't feed bite sized pieces - think simple here

. When I have a hunk of meat I will cut strips up it, but leave all of it attached. I cut into it to make "fingers" or a "fringe" so they have something to grab and work off, instead of a solid square hunk - hopefully that made sense.
So nice when I took my cats in for checkups and the vet put her hands on them and said "Ah... nothing like the feel of a rawfed cat!" Who knew? They are solid, but not at all fat, and nice to have a vet who agrees with it.

Good luck!

Sparticle · #22 02/08/10, 09:37 PM

Thanks for the info guys!! I'm on it.

Macybaby · #23 02/08/10, 09:49 PM

raise rabbits - the breed like rabbits and the cats eat everything but the feet and skin. I'll take a culled rabbit, cut it open and toss it in the barn - the cats take turns and in a few days only the hide is left with the feet still attached.

During the summer my rabbits get most of their feed from weeds out of my lawn.

And if you want, you can butcher and cut up the rabbits for later use. They have to be the easiest animal to clean.

Cathy

Sparticle · #24 02/09/10, 11:37 AM

I'm a vegetarian and have no stomach for that. I can cut up meat if it's been prepared and my hunter friend used to do that for me. Now we've moved and don't know anyone here. I hope we can meet some nice friends one day who will trade prepared meat with us.

Oldcountryboy · #25 02/09/10, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparticle

They get mice when they go out and when they want to. They are members of my family and live inside when they want as well. When it's freezing outside and they have the option, they'd rather be in. Though they do go out every day - just not for very long sometimes. I'm sure if I was raised and lived only outside I'd be just fine, but I'm not used to it and neither are they. I'm not going to throw my 13 year old cat out and say "you're on your own now".

Woose!

I'm kiddiiiiiinnnnng!

I'm not really asking you to be mean to your cat, I'm just playing with you. People get very attached to their animals just as I do. My little rat terrior jumps in my lap as soon as I drive up the driveway, park, and open the door. Muddy paws and all. I can back my vehicle to the end of the driveway and then drive back up to the house and he'll act like I've been gone for weeks. He's so glad to see me.

Sparticle · #26 02/10/10, 09:55 AM

After a few years of being on here, I'm used to people saying things like that and being dead serious. :-)