Benefits & How to Make the Switch
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their bodies are designed to get the majority of their nutrition from animal-based foods.
That doesn’t mean every cat eating kibble is unhealthy, or that every raw diet is automatically better. But it does make us question whether the food we’re feeding our cats is giving them what they need in a form that makes sense for their biology.
At Poochie Moochie, we’re big believers in looking at the whole picture when it comes to nutrition: the ingredients, the quality of the food, how it’s processed, moisture content, and whether the diet is appropriate for the animal eating it.
So, what are the potential benefits of feeding raw, and how do you actually convince a cat that their new food is worth eating? Because anyone who’s lived with a cat knows they can have very strong opinions about dinner.
Why Consider Raw Food for Cats?
Commercial pet foods are formulated to provide the nutrients cats need, and a properly formulated commercial diet can absolutely be complete and balanced.
The difference is that most processed pet foods are designed with convenience and shelf stability in mind. Dry food, in particular, is highly processed and contains very little moisture.
Think about processed foods for people. We know that convenience foods aren’t necessarily the same thing as the foods we would choose if we were starting with fresh ingredients. They’re convenient, they’re easy to store, and they last a long time.
Pet food is no different.
At Poochie Moochie, we like to consider what we’re feeding our pets beyond simply asking whether it meets minimum nutritional requirements.
Does it provide appropriate nutrition for the species?
How much moisture does it contain?
What are the main ingredients?
How heavily has it been processed?
These are all things worth considering when choosing a diet.
Cats Are Obligate Carnivores
Cats are not small dogs.
They are obligate carnivores, meaning their natural diet is centred around animal tissues and they have specific nutritional requirements that are best met through animal-based foods.
Their natural prey would provide:
- Protein from muscle meat
- Fat
- Organs
- Essential vitamins and minerals
- Amino acids
- A significant amount of moisture
Cats can use carbohydrates for energy, but they don’t have the same dietary reliance on carbohydrates as humans or omnivorous animals.
This is why we believe the foundation of a cat’s diet should be centred around quality animal-based nutrition, rather than relying heavily on plant-based ingredients.
One of the Biggest Benefits: Moisture
If there’s one thing we really want cat parents to think about when choosing food, it’s moisture.
Cats have a naturally low thirst drive. Their wild ancestors got much of their water from the prey they ate, rather than drinking large quantities from a bowl.
Dry kibble contains very little moisture.
Raw food, on the other hand, can contain around 70% moisture, depending on the recipe.
That makes fresh food an easy way to increase the amount of water your cat gets through their diet.
Adequate hydration is important for normal kidney and urinary function, and keeping urine appropriately diluted can be particularly helpful for cats prone to urinary concerns.
Raw food isn’t a treatment or guarantee against UTIs or bladder stones, but hydration is an important part of supporting urinary health.
Less Processing, More Fresh Food
Another reason we love raw food is that it allows us to feed ingredients in a form that’s much closer to their original state.
A properly formulated raw diet can provide:
Animal-based protein + natural fats + organs + essential nutrients + plenty of moisture.
Instead of creating a food designed primarily around shelf stability, we’re starting with fresh or frozen ingredients and keeping them minimally processed.
That doesn’t automatically make every raw food nutritionally complete, though.
And this is important.
Not All Raw Food Is Created Equal
Simply feeding your cat ground meat isn’t a complete diet.
Cats have very specific nutritional requirements, and a homemade raw diet needs to be properly formulated to meet those requirements.
When choosing a commercial raw food, we recommend looking for one that is complete and balanced and formulated according to an established nutritional standard.
This is one of the reasons we like Fare Game by Big Country Raw.
Our Favourite Raw Food for Cats
Fare Game by Big Country Raw is one of our top recommendations for cats.
It is formulated to meet NRC (National Research Council) nutritional requirements and comes in a really convenient format for cat households.
Each box contains 2 lbs of food, with ½ lb patties and multiple proteins in the box.
That makes it easy to offer some variety without needing to buy five different bags of food every time you go shopping.
And because it’s already portioned into patties, it’s pretty darn convenient for busy cat parents.
But What If My Cat Is Picky?
This is where things get interesting.
Cats can be very particular about their food.
They can become attached to a specific brand, protein, texture, shape, smell or even temperature.
So if your cat has eaten the same kibble for years, putting a bowl of frozen raw food in front of them and expecting them to happily dig in probably isn’t going to go according to plan.
That’s okay.
The transition doesn’t have to happen overnight.
How to Switch Your Cat to Raw Food
For a picky cat, we recommend starting with something they’re already comfortable eating.
If your cat eats canned food, you can gradually introduce a small amount of raw food alongside it.
Over time, slowly increase the amount of raw while decreasing the canned food.
You don’t have to rush it.
Some cats will make the transition in a couple of days.
Others may take several weeks.
The goal is to get your cat comfortable with the new food rather than turning every meal into a negotiation worthy of a hostage movie.
Start Small
If your cat is suspicious of anything new, start with a very small amount.
You might:
- Add a tiny amount of raw to their regular food.
- Let them get used to the smell and texture.
- Gradually increase the raw portion.
- Decrease their previous food as they become more comfortable.
And don’t be afraid to experiment with texture and temperature.
Some cats prefer their food slightly warmed.
Some prefer it cold.
Some want it completely smooth.
Some apparently require their dinner to be served at precisely the temperature and consistency they have personally approved.
Freeze-Dried Raw Can Be a Great Stepping Stone
Some cats will refuse frozen raw but happily eat freeze-dried.
If that’s your cat, Feline Natural is one of our favourites.
It’s a great option for cats who are used to a dry texture and need a little more convincing before they’re ready for frozen raw.
Once your cat is happily eating the freeze-dried food, you can start introducing some frozen raw alongside it.
Sometimes the easiest way to make the switch is to take the scenic route.
How Long Will It Take?
There’s no magic timeline.
For some cats, it’s one day.
For others, it can take four weeks or longer.
The important thing is patience.
Your cat may prefer a particular protein or texture, and figuring that out is part of the process.
Don’t give up because they refused one meal.
Try something different and see what they respond to.
You may discover that your cat has a favourite protein you never would have guessed.
What If My Cat Won’t Eat Raw?
Don’t force it.
A cat refusing a new food doesn’t mean raw feeding isn’t possible. It may simply mean you’ve moved too quickly or haven’t found the right format yet.
Try:
- A different protein
- A different texture
- Freeze-dried raw
- Mixing a small amount into their current food
- Warming the food slightly
- Offering smaller portions
- Taking more time between changes
And remember that cats should not go without food for extended periods while you’re trying to change their diet.
If your cat stops eating, particularly if they are overweight or have underlying health concerns, speak with your veterinarian rather than trying to wait them out.
The Goal Isn’t Perfection
We don’t believe there is one magical food that every cat needs to eat.
Some cats transition easily.
Some need weeks.
Some prefer freeze-dried.
Some love frozen raw immediately.
And some cats will look at the beautiful, carefully selected food you just bought and then scream at you because they would actually prefer the empty cardboard box it came in.
That’s cats.
What matters is finding a complete and balanced diet that provides appropriate nutrition, plenty of moisture and works for your individual cat.
How We Can Help
At Poochie Moochie, we can help you figure out where to start, especially if you’ve got a picky cat.
We can talk through what your cat currently eats, what textures they prefer, which proteins may be worth trying and whether frozen or freeze-dried makes more sense as a starting point.
You don’t have to completely overhaul their diet overnight.
Sometimes it’s one tiny change at a time.
And that’s okay.
The Bottom Line
Cats are obligate carnivores with unique nutritional requirements, and we believe there’s value in feeding them a diet that reflects that.
A properly formulated raw diet can provide animal-based nutrition, plenty of moisture and minimally processed ingredients in a form that’s well suited to a carnivorous animal.
If you’re ready to make the switch, be patient.
Start with what your cat already likes, introduce changes gradually and don’t be afraid to try different textures and proteins.
Because when it comes to cats, the best diet in the world isn’t very useful if they refuse to eat it.