How to Make Homemade Cat Food: A Guide for Cat Lovers

How to Make Homemade Cat Food – Do you love your cat and want to feed him the best food possible? Do you want to save money and avoid the additives and preservatives that are often found in commercial cat food? Do you want to have more control over what your cat eats and how it affects his health and well-being? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might want to consider making homemade cat food.

Homemade cat food is a way of feeding your cat with natural and fresh ingredients that you prepare yourself. Homemade cat food can have many benefits for your cat, such as:

Improving his digestion and reducing his risk of allergies, obesity, diabetes, and kidney disease
Enhancing his coat, skin, teeth, and eyes
Boosting his immune system and preventing infections
Increasing his energy and vitality
Satisfying his taste buds and appetite

However, making homemade cat food is not as easy as it sounds. You need to follow some guidelines and precautions to ensure that your cat gets a balanced and complete diet that meets his nutritional needs. You also need to consult your vet before switching your cat to a homemade diet, especially if he has any medical conditions or special requirements.

In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about how to make homemade cat food, such as:

What ingredients to use and avoid
How to prepare and store homemade cat food
How to transition your cat to a homemade diet
How to supplement your cat’s diet with vitamins and minerals
How to monitor your cat’s health and weight

Table of Contents

What ingredients to use and avoid

The first step to making homemade cat food is to choose the right ingredients. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they need meat to survive and thrive. Meat provides them with protein, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for their health and growth. Therefore, the main ingredient of homemade cat food should be meat, preferably from lean sources, such as chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, or rabbit.

However, meat alone is not enough to provide a balanced and complete diet for your cat. You also need to add some other ingredients, such as:

Organs

Organs are rich in nutrients, such as iron, zinc, copper, and vitamin A, that are vital for your cat’s health. You should include about 10% of organs in your homemade cat food, preferably from the same animal as the meat. The best organs to use are liver, heart, and kidney, but you can also use spleen, gizzard, or lung.

Bones

Bones are a natural source of calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals that are important for your cat’s bones, teeth, and muscles. You should include about 10% of bones in your homemade cat food, preferably from the same animal as the meat. The best bones to use are small, soft, and edible, such as chicken necks, wings, or backs, or turkey necks. You can also use ground or powdered bones, but make sure they are from a reputable source and free of contaminants.

Vegetables

Vegetables are a good source of fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that can benefit your cat’s digestion, immunity, and overall health. You should include about 5% of vegetables in your homemade cat food, preferably from a variety of colors and types. The best vegetables to use are leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, or parsley, or non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, or zucchini. You can also use some fruits, such as blueberries, cranberries, or apples, but in moderation, as they are high in sugar.

Eggs

Eggs are a complete protein, which means that they contain all the essential amino acids that your cat needs. They also provide some healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals that can enhance your cat’s coat, skin, and eyes. You can include one or two eggs per week in your homemade cat food, preferably raw or lightly cooked, and with the shell, as it is a good source of calcium.

Dairy

Dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese, or cottage cheese, are a good source of calcium, protein, and probiotics that can support your cat’s bones, muscles, and gut health. However, some cats may be lactose intolerant, which means that they cannot digest the sugar in milk, and may experience diarrhea, vomiting, or gas. Therefore, you should only include small amounts of dairy products in your homemade cat food, preferably low-fat and unsweetened, and only if your cat tolerates them well.

While choosing the right ingredients for your homemade cat food, you also need to avoid some ingredients that can be harmful or toxic for your cat, such as:

Onions, garlic, and chives: These vegetables contain a substance called thiosulphate, which can damage your cat’s red blood cells and cause anemia, weakness, and breathlessness.
Grapes, raisins, and currants: These fruits contain a substance that can cause kidney failure in cats, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and death.
Chocolate, coffee, and tea: These products contain caffeine and theobromine, which can stimulate your cat’s nervous system and cause tremors, seizures, heart problems, and death.
Alcohol, yeast, and hops: These substances can affect your cat’s liver and brain, and cause vomiting, diarrhea, disorientation, coma, and death.
Xylitol: This is a sugar substitute that is often found in sugar-free gum, candy, or baked goods. It can cause a sudden drop in your cat’s blood sugar and lead to hypoglycemia, seizures, liver failure, and death.
Raw fish: This can contain bacteria, parasites, or mercury, which can cause food poisoning, intestinal worms, or neurological problems in your cat. It can also contain an enzyme that can destroy your cat’s vitamin B1, leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and death.
Raw eggs: These can contain salmonella or E. coli, which can cause food poisoning, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever in your cat. They can also contain avidin, which can interfere with your cat’s absorption of biotin, leading to skin and coat problems.
Cooked bones: These can splinter and cause choking, intestinal blockage, or perforation in your cat. They can also damage your cat’s teeth and gums.

How to prepare and store homemade cat food

The second step to making homemade cat food is to prepare and store it properly. You need to follow some hygiene and safety rules to ensure that your cat food is fresh, clean, and safe. You also need to measure and portion your cat food according to your cat’s needs. Here are some tips on how to prepare and store homemade cat food:

Wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces before and after handling raw meat, organs, or bones, and use separate cutting boards and knives for each ingredient.
Cut the meat, organs, and bones into small pieces that are easy for your cat to chew and swallow, or grind them with a food processor or a meat grinder.
Cook the meat, organs, and bones lightly, or leave them raw, depending on your preference and your cat’s tolerance. Some experts recommend cooking them to kill any bacteria or parasites, while others recommend leaving them raw to preserve their nutrients and enzymes. If you cook them, make sure they are not overcooked or charred, as this can reduce their nutritional value and create harmful substances. You can also add some water or broth to the cooking process to retain some moisture and flavor.
Steam or puree the vegetables and fruits, or leave them raw, depending on your preference and your cat’s tolerance. Some experts recommend steaming or pureeing them to make them more digestible and palatable for your cat, while others recommend leaving them raw to preserve their nutrients and enzymes. If you steam or puree them, make sure they are not overcooked or mushy, as this can reduce their nutritional value and texture.
Mix the meat, organs, bones, vegetables, fruits, eggs, and dairy products in a large bowl, and stir well to combine them evenly. You can also add some supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, or taurine, to ensure that your cat food is balanced and complete. You can consult your vet or a nutritionist for the appropriate amounts and types of supplements for your cat.
Divide the cat food into daily portions, according to your cat’s weight, age, and activity level. You can use a kitchen scale or a measuring cup to measure the portions accurately.
Store the cat food in airtight containers or freezer bags, and label them with the date and the ingredients. You can keep the cat food in the refrigerator for up to three days, or in the freezer for up to three months. You can also use ice cube trays or muffin tins to freeze the cat food in smaller portions, and then transfer them to freezer bags.
Thaw the cat food in the refrigerator overnight, or in the microwave for a few minutes, before serving it to your cat. You can also warm the cat food slightly, but make sure it is not too hot or too cold, as this can affect your cat’s taste and digestion. You can also add some water or broth to the cat food to make it more moist and palatable.

How to transition your cat to a homemade diet

The third step to making homemade cat food is to transition your cat to a homemade diet gradually and carefully. You need to consider your cat’s preferences and habits, and avoid any sudden or drastic changes that can cause stress, rejection, or digestive problems. You also need to monitor your cat’s reaction and behavior, and adjust the diet accordingly. Here are some tips on how to transition your cat to a homemade diet:

Start by introducing a small amount of homemade cat food to your cat’s current diet, and increase the amount gradually over a period of two to four weeks, until you replace the entire diet with homemade cat food. You can mix the homemade cat food with the commercial cat food, or offer them separately, depending on your cat’s preference.
Offer the homemade cat food to your cat at the same time and place as you normally feed him, and use the same bowl and utensils. You can also offer the homemade cat food to your cat as a treat or a reward, to make him associate it with something positive and enjoyable.
Observe your cat’s appetite, weight, and stool, and look for any signs of acceptance or rejection, such as licking, chewing, swallowing, or spitting out. You can also look for any signs of satisfaction or dissatisfaction, such as purring, meowing, or begging. You can also look for any signs of health or illness, such as energy, coat, skin, eyes, or breath.
If your cat accepts and enjoys the homemade cat food, you can continue with the transition and increase the amount and variety of homemade cat food. You can also experiment with different ingredients, flavors, and textures, to find out what your cat likes and dislikes.
If your cat rejects or dislikes the homemade cat food, you can try to make some changes to the homemade cat food, such as adding some water or broth, warming it slightly, or changing the meat, organs, bones, vegetables, fruits, eggs, or dairy products. You can also try to make the transition slower and more gradual, or stop the transition and consult your vet or a nutritionist for advice.

How to supplement your cat’s diet with vitamins and minerals

The fourth step to making homemade cat food is to supplement your cat’s diet with vitamins and minerals, to ensure that your cat gets a balanced and complete diet that meets his nutritional needs. You need to consider your cat’s age, size, and activity level, and follow the recommendations of your vet or a nutritionist, to determine the appropriate amounts and types of supplements for your cat. You also need to choose high-quality and natural supplements, that are suitable for cats and free of any additives or preservatives. Here are some examples of vitamins and minerals that you may need to supplement your cat’s diet with:

Taurine

This is an essential amino acid that your cat cannot synthesize by himself, and that he needs for his heart, eyes, brain, and immune system. Taurine is found in meat, especially in the heart and liver, but it can be destroyed by cooking or freezing. Therefore, you may need to supplement your cat’s diet with taurine, especially if you feed him cooked or frozen meat. You can use taurine powder or capsules, and add them to your cat’s food, according to the dosage instructions on the label.

Calcium

This is a mineral that your cat needs for his bones, teeth, and muscles. Calcium is found in bones, eggs, and dairy products, but it needs to be balanced with phosphorus, which is also found in meat and organs. The ideal ratio of calcium to phosphorus for your cat is 1.2:1. Therefore, you may need to supplement your cat’s diet with calcium, especially if you feed him meat and organs without bones, or if you use ground or powdered bones, which may not provide enough calcium. You can use calcium carbonate or calcium citrate powder, and add them to your cat’s food, according to the dosage instructions on the label.

Vitamin A

This is a vitamin that your cat needs for his vision, skin, and immune system. Vitamin A is found in liver, eggs, and dairy products, but it can be toxic if given in excess. Therefore, you may need to supplement your cat’s diet with vitamin A, especially if you feed him meat and organs without liver, or if you use liver from a different animal than the meat. You can use vitamin A oil or capsules, and add them to your cat’s food, according to the dosage instructions on the label.

Vitamin B

This is a group of vitamins that your cat needs for his metabolism, nervous system, and blood. Vitamin B is found in meat, organs, eggs, and dairy products, but it can be destroyed by cooking or freezing. Therefore, you may need to supplement your cat’s diet with vitamin B, especially if you feed him cooked or frozen food, or if you use meat and organs from a different animal than the eggs and dairy products. You can use vitamin B complex powder or capsules, and add them to your cat’s food, according to the dosage instructions on the label.

Vitamin E

This is a vitamin that your cat needs for his skin, coat, and immune system. Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens, but it can be destroyed by cooking or freezing. Therefore, you may need to supplement your cat’s diet with vitamin E, especially if you feed him cooked or frozen food, or if you use vegetable oils that are not fresh or cold-pressed. You can use vitamin E oil or capsules, and add them to your cat’s food, according to the dosage instructions on the label.

How to monitor your cat’s health and weight

The fifth and final step to making homemade cat food is to monitor your cat’s health and weight, to ensure that your cat is thriving and benefiting from his homemade diet. You need to check your cat’s physical and behavioral signs, and compare them with his previous condition and his ideal standard. You also need to weigh your cat regularly, and adjust his diet accordingly. Here are some tips on how to monitor your cat’s health and weight:

Check your cat’s coat, skin, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, and gums, and look for any signs of health or illness, such as shine, smoothness, clarity, cleanliness, moisture, or color. You can also feel your cat’s body, and look for any signs of health or illness, such as temperature, pulse, breathing, hydration, or lumps. You can also observe your cat’s behavior, and look for any signs of health or illness, such as energy, appetite, thirst, litter box habits, or mood.
Compare your cat’s physical and behavioral signs with his previous condition and his ideal standard, and look for any changes or improvements. You can use a chart or a journal to record your cat’s signs and changes, and to track his progress and results. You can also use a rating system or a scale to measure your cat’s signs and changes, and to evaluate his health and well-being.
Weigh your cat regularly, preferably once a week, and record his weight. You can use a kitchen scale or a bathroom scale, and make sure it is accurate and consistent. You can also measure your cat’s body condition score, which is a way of assessing your cat’s weight and body fat, based on his appearance and feel. You can use a chart or a guide to determine your cat’s body condition score, and to compare it with his ideal score.
Adjust your cat’s diet accordingly, based on his weight and body condition score. You can increase or decrease the amount or the frequency of his food, or change the ingredients or the supplements, to help him reach and maintain his optimal weight and body condition. You can also consult your vet or a nutritionist for advice and guidance, and to monitor your cat’s health and weight.

Conclusion

Making homemade cat food is a way of feeding your cat with natural and fresh ingredients that you prepare yourself. Homemade cat food can have many benefits for your cat, such as improving his digestion, enhancing his coat, boosting his immune system, increasing his energy, and satisfying his taste buds.

Facebook X Pinterest LinkedIn

How to Make Homemade Cat Food: A Guide for Cat Lovers