How many grams of raw food to feed a cat is an interesting question, and it is a question that has been asked by many people who are thinking of transitioning their cats to a raw diet. The good news is that there is an answer, but you need to know a few things first.
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Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio
The calcium to phosphorus ratio of raw cat food is a critical consideration in the formulation of a healthy diet for cats. This nutrient balance is essential for bone development. It also plays an important role in kidney function and nerve conduction.
Although the P to Ca ratio is not well known, studies indicate that excessive phosphorus in the diet can be associated with kidney damage in cats. AAFCO’s Cat Food Nutrient Profile recommends a minimum of 0.5% of phosphorus on the dry matter analysis of the food. However, this does not mean that you have to lower the protein content of the food.
One strategy for lowering the phosphorus load in the diet is to replace part of the bone meal with eggshell. Eggshell is composed of the same minerals as bone. Despite its higher phosphorus, it is a great substitute for the bone in the prey model raw diet.
A recent study looked at the P to Ca ratio of 82 commercial non-prescription cat foods. The aim was to assess the differences in mineral concentrations between grain-containing, grain-free, and moderate protein foods.
Ratios for edible bones
If you are new to feeding raw meaty bones to your pet, you may have questions about the ratios of bone to other components of a raw diet. The amount of bone you need to provide depends on the age of your pet. A kitten has a higher need for calcium and phosphorus than an adult.
The first step to determining how much bone is needed is to determine the bone percentage in your RMB. The most common ratio is 80/10/10, which means that 80% of the meal is muscle meat and 10% is bone. Some meals go over this ratio.
When calculating the amount of bone in your raw diet, you must also consider the type of RMB you are using. Some bone meal products contain high amounts of mercury and lead, so you should check the ingredients list before purchasing one.
For an adult cat, 6% of its overall daily intake is the recommended amount of edible bone. Kittens have a higher need for calcium and phosphorus, so their amount of edible bone should be a bit more.
Transitioning to raw
When you decide to transition your cat to raw food, you need to remember to do it the right way. This involves a mixture of dry and wet foods, and you need to do it in a way that your cat will enjoy it.
Changing your cat’s diet is no easy feat. While some cats might take to raw food right away, others will take a little longer. Some cats are timid, and need to be offered a variety of new things before they even try to eat them.
Several factors play a role in determining the appropriate time and place to begin. Age and personality also factor into this decision. If you have a young kitten, you’ll probably have no trouble transitioning to a raw diet. But if you have an adult cat, it will take more effort.
The best way to make this transition is to start small. Start by offering your cat a tiny portion of the regular food you’ve been giving him. As your cat gets used to the new meal, you can slowly increase the amount you give him.
The Barf Diet: For Cats and Dogs by Ian Billinghurst
The BARF diet for cats and dogs is a way of feeding your pets. It aims to mimic the wild diet as much as possible, with bones and raw foods. This type of feeding can help reduce the risk of infectious diseases. If you’re interested in this diet, there are a few things to consider.
The first thing to know is that there are different ways of preparing a BARF diet. For instance, you can buy prepackaged raw meals, or you can make it yourself. In either case, there are benefits and disadvantages to each approach. However, it’s important to be aware of your cat’s preferences. You’ll want to know what he or she likes to eat.
Another advantage to the BARF diet is that it provides your pet with an abundance of nutrients. The uncooked meat and bones of raw animals contain high levels of protein and fat. They’re also rich in moisture, which can aid the kidneys in processing waste more efficiently.