Natural feeding of cats: a complete guide for caring owners
Why natural feeding is relevant in 2026
Despite the abundance of specialized foods on the shelves of pet stores, natural cat feeding remains in demand among owners. The reasons are simple: it economical, healthy and natural for a pet. According to statistics, more than 70% of cat owners in Russia at least partially include natural products in their pets’ diet. In this article we will look at how to correctly compose balanced natural diet, which products are healthy and which are prohibited, and we will also share tips from veterinarians and experienced breeders.
Content
Benefits of natural feeding
| Advantages | Flaws |
|---|---|
| Ingredient quality control | Requires time to prepare |
| No artificial additives | The need to balance the diet |
| Saving money | Risk of vitamin deficiency with the wrong approach |
| Improvement of fur and skin | It is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the cat |
| Strengthening the immune system | Food storage and preparation |
Important: Natural feeding is not suitable for all cats. Before switching to such a diet be sure to consult your veterinarian, especially if the pet has chronic diseases.
Basic principles of natural feeding
1. The ratio of components in the diet
A cat's optimal diet should consist of 75% natural products. Main components:
- Meat and offal — 60-70% of the diet
- Vegetables and fruits — 10-20%
- Groats — 5-10%
- Dairy products — 5-10%
- Additional Additives (vitamins, minerals) - 1-5%
2. Feeding frequency depending on age
| Age | Number of feedings per day | Peculiarities |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 months | 6 times | Small portions, easily digestible food |
| 3-6 months | 4 times | Gradual transition to more solid foods |
| 6-9 months | 3 times | Formation of a constant diet |
| After 9 months | 1-2 times | When feeding once, it is better to give food at night |
Tip: If you are feeding a cat once a day, do it In the evening - this corresponds to the natural biorhythms of the predator.
Water: the basis of health
- Water must always be available - this is more important than changing your diet.
- Water temperature - room or slightly warm (20-25°C).
- Water quality - better to use boiled or filtered water
- Be careful with open containers - cats cannot distinguish the taste of liquids, therefore do not leave open glasses of tea, coffee or other drinks in accessibility.
- Useful supplement - you can give the cat water weak rice broth, especially for stomach upsets.
Lifehack: If you are taking your cat on a trip (for example, to a cat show), take your usual water with you - changing water can cause stress.
Permitted and prohibited products
Meat and offal
Meat - basis of diet cats. Its digestibility reaches 90%, making it an ideal source of protein.
| Product | How to give | Benefit | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beef | Raw or boiled, cut into cubes (1 cm³) | Rich in iron and protein | Do not feed fatty varieties |
| Veal | Raw or boiled | Easy to digest | — |
| Chicken | Raw or cooked, boneless | Source of protein and B vitamins | Remove bones and skin |
| Turkey | Raw or boiled | Hypoallergenic | — |
| Liver | Raw (weakens) or boiled (strengthens) | Rich in vitamin A, improves coat color | Give no more than once a week |
| Bird stomachs | Stonewashed, raw or boiled | Source of plant fiber | Hammering for kittens |
| Chicken heads and necks | Raw, lightly pounded | Rich in calcium and phosphorus | Give under supervision |
Attention:
- Pork can be given only boiled and in small quantities (risk of parasite infection).
- Stuffing (especially industrial production) not recommended — it is poorly digestible and may contain additives.
- Meat for kittens can be scraped or ground.
Fish and seafood
Fish - not the main one, but an additional one product in a cat's diet.
| Type of fish | How to give | Frequency | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| sea fish | Raw (boneless) or boiled | 1-2 times a week | Don't give cod and pollock (contain trimethylamine oxide, which blocks iron absorption) |
| river fish | Only boiled | 1 time per week | High risk of parasites |
Warning:
- Don't give your cat raw river fish - this can lead to parasite infestation.
- Fish oil give not recommended - cats do not need additional vitamin D.
- A purely fish diet is dangerous — in experiments, cats on such a diet died within a month!
Dairy products
| Product | How to give | Benefit | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goat milk | Raw or pasteurized | Easy to digest, suitable for kittens and adults | — |
| Sour cream, curdled milk, cottage cheese | In kind | Source of calcium and protein | Give in small quantities |
| Cow's milk | Only kittens up to 4 weeks old | — | Adult cats do not digest lactose well |
Tip: Can be given to kittens milk with honey - it's good for the immune system.
Eggs
- Chicken eggs - source vitamin E (biotin).
- How to give:
- Yolk - raw or boiled (preferable).
- Protein — not recommended in its raw form (contains avidin, which blocks the absorption of biotin).
- Whipped egg white with goat milk - suitable for kittens.
Bones
- Only cartilaginous bones are allowed broiler chickens - they are a source calcium and phosphorus.
- Prohibited: tubular bones (can break and damage the esophagus or intestines).
Vegetables and fruits
If a cat eats vegetables and fruits, this is Great! They are the source fiber and vitamins.
| Product | How to give | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Carrot | Raw or boiled, grated | Rich in beta-carotene |
| Cabbage (cauliflower, white cabbage) | Raw or boiled | Source of Vitamin C |
| Apples | Raw, pitted | Rich in fiber |
| cucumbers | Raw | Moisturize the body |
| Greens (parsley, dill) | Raw, chopped | Source of vitamins |
| Nettle | Young shoots scalded with boiling water | Rich in iron |
| Wild raspberry leaves | Decoction (½ tsp per day) | Beneficial for pregnant cats |
| Sprouted grains (oats, barley, wheat) | Raw | Rich in vitamins B and C |
Attention:
- Vegetables and fruits should not be salted or pickled.
- Let's get them in raw or boiled.
Groats
Groats — not the main one, but an additional one source of carbohydrates and fiber.
| Cereals | How to give | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Oat flakes | Soaked in milk or water | Easy to digest |
| Semolina | Soaked in milk | Suitable for kittens |
| Rice | Soaked or boiled | Calms the stomach |
| Buckwheat | Soaked | Rich in iron |
| Legumes, corn | Soaked | Source of fiber |
Tip:
- Groats no need to cook - just soak it (you can soak it in milk).
- Bread can be given in small quantities (fresh or crackers, especially rye).
- It is better to combine bread with boiled fish, but not with meat.
Prohibited Products
| Product | Reason for ban |
|---|---|
| Sausages | Contains salt, spices, preservatives |
| Canned food (not specialized) | High salt content and additives |
| Raw pork | Risk of parasite infection |
| Bones (tubular) | May split and damage the esophagus |
| Onion, garlic | Toxic to cats |
| Chocolate, coffee, tea | Contains caffeine and theobromine |
| Salt, sugar, spices | Harmful to health |
| Alcohol | Poisons the body |
Mineral supplements and vitamins
Natural feeding requires additional administration of vitamins and minerals, since cats are especially sensitive to deficiency:
- Vitamin A (for vision and immunity)
- Vitamin B1 (for the nervous system)
- Vitamin H (biotin) (for wool and leather)
Recommended Supplements:
- Brewer's yeast - ½ teaspoon per day (source of B vitamins).
- Table salt - 1% of the diet (for electrolyte balance).
- Vitamin and mineral complexes — are selected individually by the veterinarian.
Important: Before adding vitamins consult your veterinarian — an excess of some vitamins (for example, A) can be more dangerous than their deficiency.
Feeding rates: how much to give to a cat
The cat's diet should be balanced in calories and content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
Daily norms per 1 kg of cat weight:
- Calories: 60 kcal
- Proteins: 10 g
Approximate daily diet for an adult cat (weight 4 kg):
- Meat and fish: 60-120 g
- Lactic acid products: 20-60 g
- Cereals: 10-20 g
- Vegetables: 20-50 g
- Brewer's yeast: ½ teaspoon
Tip: 100 g of feed should contain:
- 300-380 kcal
- 20-45% proteins
- 10-30% fat
- 2% fiber
Features of feeding kittens
Kittens demand special approach to feeding:
When to start feeding?
- If a cat feeds kittens with milk, feeding starts as late as possible (from 3-4 weeks).
- First feeding:
- Goat milk with glucose
- Semolina porridge or rolled oats with milk (grind into dust!)
- Chicken protein whipped with goat milk
Transition to solid food:
- S 3-4 weeks can be entered boiled meat and fish (chopped very finely).
- S 1.5 months — raw meat (scraped or ground).
Attention: Don't give it to kittens raw cow's milk - their body does not digest lactose.
How to switch a cat to natural feeding
The transition to a natural diet should be gradual:
- Replace 1 feeding per day on natural food.
- Watch the reaction cats (stool, appetite, activity).
- Gradually increase your share natural products.
- Full transition takes 2-3 weeks.
Tip: When changing your diet change no more than 2 components at a time - this will help track what the cat may be allergic to.
Food temperature
- Optimal food temperature: 30-40°C (room or slightly warm).
- Don't give your cat hot or ice food - This may cause stomach upset.
Food storage and preparation
Meat and offal:
- Storage: Freeze meat at -18°C (shelf life - up to 6 months).
- Defrost: In the microwave or in the refrigerator (not at room temperature!).
- Processing: Microwave radiation destroys bacteria and microorganisms, so defrosting in the microwave is a safe option.
Fish:
- Storage: In the freezer (up to 3 months).
- Preparation: Remove all bones, especially from river fish.
Vegetables and fruits:
- Storage: In the refrigerator (no more than 5-7 days).
- Preparation: Wash thoroughly before serving.
Common mistakes when feeding naturally
- Unbalanced diet - lack of vitamins or minerals can lead to illness.
- Excess bones - may cause constipation or volvulus.
- Feeding only meat — cats need not only proteins, but also carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins.
- Use of prohibited products (onion, garlic, chocolate, etc.).
- Abrupt transition to natural feeding - may cause stomach upset.
Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to feed a cat only meat?
➔ No. Cats need not only proteins, but also carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Meat should make up no more than 70% of the diet.
Is it possible to give a cat raw fish?
➔ Sea fish - yes, river fish - only boiled. Raw river fish may contain parasites.
Is it possible to give a cat milk?
➔ Adult cats - no (they do not digest lactose). For kittens up to 4 weeks old - yes.
How often should vitamins be given?
➔ Daily (for example, brewer's yeast) or according to the regimen recommended by your veterinarian.
Is it possible to feed a cat cereal?
➔ Yes, but in small quantities (no more than 10% of the diet). Best fit Hercules, semolina, rice, buckwheat.
Conclusion: Natural feeding - pros and cons
Natural feeding of cats is excellent alternative to industrial feedwhen it comes down to it thoughtfully and responsibly.
Pros:
- Product quality control
- No artificial additives
- Saving money
- Improving your cat's health and appearance
Cons:
- Requires time to prepare and balance the diet
- Risk of vitamin deficiency with the wrong approach
- The need to consult a veterinarian
Conclusion: If you are willing to devote time and effort to proper feeding, a natural diet will become excellent choice for your cat. Start with small portions, observe your pet's reaction and don't forget about vitamins!
Useful Resources
- Cat clubs — here you can get individual recommendations from experienced breeders.
- Veterinary clinics - Consulting a specialist will help you avoid mistakes.
- Forums and groups on social networks — sharing experiences with other cat owners.
The article was prepared taking into account the recommendations of veterinarians and experienced breeders. Not medical advice - consult a healthcare professional before changing your diet.
