About feeding cats and kittens

I have always known about the benefits of raw feeding. After all, cats are predators. Their fangs are designed to tear meat, and in nature they eat their prey whole — bones, skin, feathers and all.

Several times I tried feeding my cats raw meat, but then stopped — I had read scary stories on forums about parasites and started to doubt. But the more I observe my cats, the more I realize: parasites are more likely to activate due to the absence of raw feeding than because of it. Raw meat with bones is a natural and healthy food for a cat.

How I prepare it:

Once a week I buy several whole chickens.

I throw away the feet (white with claws).

I cut off drumsticks and wings with tubular bones — those don’t go into the grind. We eat those parts ourselves.

The whole carcass — breast, neck, head with beak — goes into the grinder. The beak is soft and grinds well.

I have a very powerful, industrial grinder, it grinds everything. The resulting mix looks just like ground meat. By appearance and touch you would never guess it contains carcasses, necks, and heads. The bones are not felt at all. A regular grinder cannot handle this — I tried — so I bought a heavy-duty one specifically for my animals.

If you want to feed raw but don’t have a strong grinder, you can simply grind chicken breasts or other boneless cuts.

Then I divide the meat-and-bone mix into small portion bags and freeze it for at least 1–2 weeks (for safety).

Kittens eat this kind of food with the most appetite. I started giving them raw meat at six weeks — and literally watched them grow “like on yeast”: they filled out, their coats became shiny, their stools were perfect — no loose mess, no “parasite scare.”

Of course, I still give my kittens pâtés, dry food, and boiled chicken — so they get used to everything.

But in recent years, almost all cats suffer from the same problems — gum issues, stomatitis, gingivitis. I am convinced nutrition plays a huge role here.

If you fed a person only canned food and crackers, without real food like vegetables, fruits, meat, fish — do you think their gums would be healthy? Of course not. So why are we surprised that cats fed only on pâtés and dry food develop such issues?

A cat is a predator. Her teeth are designed to tear meat, not to chew softened kibbles. That’s why I decided: in my cattery, kittens and adults will receive more fresh meat. And I already see the results — both adults and kittens are growing stronger and healthier.

Important:

Raw meat should be frozen for at least 1–2 weeks before feeding, and then thawed before serving. Do not leave it sitting out until it reaches room temperature. It is perfectly fine (and even safer) to serve it cold, slightly chilled, or even with a few small frozen spots that you can soften with your fingers. Just avoid serving it completely frozen like ice, but also don’t wait until it gets warm.

Give only as much as the cat will eat at once. Leftovers and dirty dishes must be removed right away — raw meat left sitting becomes a target for bacteria.

Yes, this takes a little more effort. But if you manage your time wisely, you can do it once a day or even a few times a week. Even once a week of raw feeding is beneficial. Your pets’ health is worth it.

A note for those who want to try raw feeding:

If your cat is used to canned food and kibble, don’t be surprised if they don’t immediately accept raw meat. Some may refuse it at first — that’s normal. Start with very small frozen portions and see how they respond.

If your cat doesn’t want raw right away, there is no need to force it. You can begin with boiled meat instead. I often rotate between boiled, canned, dry, and raw — variety is useful. Many of my adult cats still prefer boiled meat, and that’s fine.

For pet owners with just one or two cats, it’s often easiest to share directly from your own kitchen. When you prepare meat for yourself, set aside a small piece for your cat. This way they gradually adapt, and their health benefits. Over time, you may find a rhythm that works — perhaps offering raw once a week or every two weeks, depending on your schedule.

Remember: people who work long hours may rely more on kibble for convenience, and that’s understandable. What matters is finding a balance that fits your life while giving your cat access to real, fresh food whenever possible.