Feeding raw meat is a hotly debated topic among cat lovers. Some believe in the benefits, others believe that the potential risks to the pet are not worth it.
However, many veterinarians insist that there is nothing wrong with feeding raw food as long as you have developed a balanced diet. For each individual cat, it is recommended that you consult with your veterinarian to determine the pros and cons of feeding a raw diet. Don't forget to make a list of issues you want to discuss in advance.
Cats with weakened immune systems are more likely to suffer from food-borne diseases. You should tell your veterinarian if you have any medical conditions before putting your pet on a new diet.
What are the risks of feeding a cat raw food?
There are several possible risks, which include bacterial contamination, parasites, internal damage, and not enough or too much nutrients.
Bacterial infection
All meat contains bacteria; however, high levels and certain strains can lead to illness. These include salmonella, E. coli, listeria, clostridia and campylobacter.
Cats have a shorter gastrointestinal tract, which means they digest meat faster. In addition, their stomach secretes large amounts of stomach acid, which breaks down protein and kills bacteria. However, there is always a risk of bacterial contamination from any food, including meat and fresh fruits and vegetables. The precautions listed in this article will help you reduce the chance of infection.
Parasites
Toxoplasmosis Gondii is an intracellular parasite that infects several species of warm-blooded mammals. Cats are definitive hosts, which means parasites can only reproduce in a cat's body. Cats become infected by eating game or meat that contains cysts or the parasite, or by ingesting cysts that are passed through the cat's feces. There are usually no symptoms of this infection, but this particular parasite can cause problems in the baby if the mother becomes infected during pregnancy.
Freezing at -12 for two days kills tocoplasmosis cysts. If you are planning a pregnancy or if you are pregnant, ask your doctor or obstetrician for a referral for an antibody test to see if you have been exposed to the parasite. If you haven't, take extra precautions when feeding your cat raw meat. If possible, have someone else feed her.
Trichinosis is a parasitic roundworm that affects cats when they eat meat contaminated with cysts containing parasite larvae. Most cases of infection occur through eating raw pork or hunting wild animals such as rodents.
Freezing meat for at least 24 hours can kill most parasites. Never defrost meat at room temperature.
Injuries due to bones
Cats that eat bones may experience tooth fractures, perforations, and gastrointestinal obstructions. To reduce the risk, give cats only raw, light bones, never cook them. Chicken necks and wing tips are the best bones for cats.
Taurine deficiency
Tauirn is an essential amino acid found in seafood, meat (mostly muscle, including the heart), eggs and brewer's yeast. When cooking meat, taurine is destroyed due to oxidation. Some cat owners supplement raw food with taurine. An average-sized cat needs about 250 mg of taurine per day. Excess taurine is excreted in the urine. A diet low in taurine can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy and retinal dystrophy.
Secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism
A diet high in potassium and low in calcium can lead to overactive parathyroid glands, especially in growing kittens. Calcium is an essential mineral needed for the formation and maintenance of bones and teeth, dilation and contraction of blood vessels, transmission of nerve impulses, muscle function, blood clotting, and enzyme function. Bones contain most of the calcium in the body. In the wild, cats obtained calcium by eating the bones of their prey. Ready-made dry food contains enough calcium to meet your cat's needs.
Cats that eat only raw food do not get enough calcium and need supplementation, which is somewhat difficult for owners. Phosphorus is another important mineral that is found in bones and is responsible for their strength, tissue repair, and is also an integral structural component of DNA and RNA. The recommended calcium to phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio is 1.2:1. If phosphorus levels are higher, calcium absorption is impaired. Meat contains high levels of phosphorus but low levels of calcium, so a cat eating only raw, boneless meat (or additives) may have low calcium levels. To ensure the right ratio, you can add raw bones, bone meal, calcium supplements, or crushed eggshells to your cat's diet.
Vitamin A toxicity
High levels of vitamin A are toxic to the liver. An excess of vitamin A occurs if there is a lot of liver in the diet. Vitamin A toxicity can lead to the following:
- Exostotic disease, especially in adult cats. The cervical/thoracic spine and joints are especially affected. Over a long period, complete spinal fusion may develop.
- Loose teeth, gum problems, abnormal bone growth, brittle bones.
- Taking vitamin A during pregnancy can lead to cleft palate.
Vitamin E deficiency
A fat-soluble vitamin known for its antioxidant properties that protect cells from free radicals. Its other functions are strengthening the immune system and reducing inflammation. Vitamin E is found in meat, however, if the diet is dominated by fish, this can lead to vitamin E deficiency.
You can buy special supplements for cats that eat raw food. It is recommended not to buy supplements from China.
Yellow fat disease
This disease is also called panniculitis. This is a painful condition caused by inflammation and yellowing of fatty tissues. This occurs due to eating foods with unsaturated fatty acids, and due to a deficiency of vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant. When there is an excess of unsaturated fatty acids, fatty deposits are damaged, leading to painful inflammation.
CONTENT
- 1 Africa
- 2 Asia 2.1 China
- 2.2 India
- 2.3 Indonesia
- 2.4 Japan
- 2.5 Korea
- 2.6 Malaysia
- 2.7 Taiwan
- 2.8 Vietnam
- 3.1 Switzerland
- 4.1 Australia
- 5.1 Argentina
- 6.1 Islam
Benefits of Eating Raw Food
Increased water consumption
Raw food is closest to a cat's natural diet. Modern cats are descended from carnivores that obtained most of their fluids from their prey. On average, 70% water could be obtained, while only 10% could be obtained from dry food. Cats do not always compensate for the imbalance by drinking large amounts of water, which can lead to urine concentration and crystal formation. Males are especially vulnerable because they have a narrower urethra, the passage that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. The narrow urethra of males is easily blocked by crystals or stones, making urination difficult or impossible. This condition is life-threatening and requires urgent veterinary attention.
Improving dental hygiene
Chewing raw meat removes plaque from your teeth. If not removed regularly, plaque hardens into tartar and leads to gum disease.
Weight maintenance
Dry food is rich in carbohydrates; they are stored as fat. Cats need a diet rich in protein, not carbohydrates. Obesity is a growing problem, with 50% of cats in Australia, the UK and the US being overweight, which carries significant health risks.
High taste characteristics
Not all, but a large number of cats prefer the taste and texture of raw food rather than dry or canned food.
What raw food can be given to cats?
There are several types of meat that can be given to cats, for example, the shoulder part of a beef carcass is suitable. Ideally, meat should be environmentally friendly and free of chemicals. It is recommended to feed cats the same meat that humans eat. Don't feed your pet the same type of meat all the time; this can lead to nutritional deficiencies. A balance must be maintained: one meal may consist primarily of muscle, another of offal and bones.
Types of raw meat suitable for cats:
- Raw chicken breast or thighs.
- Raw steak pieces. Cheaper pieces require harder chewing, which is good for your teeth and gums.
- Beef or lamb heart and kidneys.
- Beef and lamb liver can be given in small quantities. The liver contains a large amount of vitamin A, and this can lead to intoxication.
- Rabbit meat, cut into pieces
- Turkey breast, wings and legs, cut into pieces.
It is normal to give your cat cooked meat; many owners do so. Never feed cooked bones; they are too fragile and may splinter. As mentioned earlier, cooking destroys taurine, which is essential for cat health. If you choose to feed cooked meat, don't forget to supplement with taurine.
Chicken necks and wings are great for dental hygiene.
Never give your cat meat that has spoiled. And remember that spoiled meat doesn't always look or smell wrong. Always check the expiration date.
Links[edit]
- David Taylor; Daphne Negus; Dave King; Jane Burton (1989). The best book about cats. Simon and Schuster. pp. 9–. ISBN 978-0-671-68649-9.
- Ngwa-NIBA, Francis (17 March 2003). "Cat-eaters of Cameroon". BBC News
. - "Rescuing animals from the cat and dog meat trade in China". International Humane Society
. February 21, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2022. - "'Don't eat cat and dog meat' - activists in Chinese canteens". NDTV , Agence France-Presse
. November 22, 2013 - ^ ab Kerry Allen (October 30, 2015). "Claws over China's cat meat scandal". BBC News
. Retrieved December 17, 2022. - "Trying to take cat off the menu in China". Toronto Star. July 26, 2009
- "China protesters: Stop 'cooking cats alive' - fury after newspaper reports 10,000 felines are eaten daily in one province". NBC News
. Associated Press. December 18, 2008 - ^ ab Some call it a delicate transaction, others call it a delicacy. Archived March 14, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, Xinhuanet.com, January 13, 2012 (from China Daily)
- ↑
Wang Yu (December 19, 2008). "Nanjing sends meowing meat to Guangzhou". Beijing: Beijing today. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014. - ↑
Moore, Malcolm (1 January 2009). "Cat pajamas feed Cantonese taste of pet treats". London: Telegraph. - "China to jail people who eat dog for up to 15 days". Chinadaily. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
- "Animal rights protest closes restaurant". Reuters. Archived from the original on July 13, 2006. Retrieved October 22, 2006.
- "Guangzhou bans eating snakes - ban helps cats". Animals People. March 4, 2008 archived from the original on March 4, 2008.
- "A Survey of Public Attitudes towards Dog and Cat Eating in China" (PDF). Animals of Asia
. June 2015. p. 7. - "Cats are boiled alive for Biryani in Chennai, sold at Rs 100 per kg". HuffPost
. 2016. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. - Iyer, Shravan Regret (26 April 2016). "Fear of cats being sold for meat is very widespread in Bangalore". Deccan Chronicle
. Retrieved December 17, 2022. - ↑
Farid M. Ibrahim (September 11, 2022).
"Despite Promised Ban, Dogs, Cats Burned Alive in Indonesia's 'Extreme' Market". Australian Broadcasting Corporation
. Retrieved December 17, 2022. - Jump up
↑ Hanley, Susan (1997).
Everyday Affairs in Pre-Modern Japan
. paragraph 66. - "Consumption of dog and cat meat - In defense of animals - In defense of animals". In defense of animals
. Archived from the original on November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2015. - "Ban on South Korean dog and cat meat trade". Our compass
. Retrieved November 22, 2015. - Dugnoille, Julien (22 March 2016). "The truth about cats and dogs (and how they are consumed in South Korea)". Talk
. Retrieved December 17, 2022. - "Dog Meat". In defense of animals
. Retrieved December 17, 2022. - ↑
Friends of the Earth Malaysia (9 May 2022).
"The truth about the cat and dog meat trade in Malaysia". Animals People
. Retrieved December 17, 2022. - "Social media users in Malaysia discover groups selling dog and cat meat". Coconuts
. April 5, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2022. - ↑
"Cat meat is a purring dish among the Myanmar people".
Star
. October 2012 - Rihanna
Zeldin, Wendy (October 18, 2022).
"Taiwan: Animal Welfare Law Amended". Global Legal Monitor
. - Việt Báo Thịt mèo
- "Thành phố thịt mèo" . Archived from the original on May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
- "9 Countries That Eat Cats and Dogs". Daily nutrition
. Archived from the original on November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2015. - "Cat Meat". Vietnamese Coracle
. Archived from the original on November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2015. - "The Truth About Cats and Dogs in Vietnam - Diaries of a School Dropout". Dropout Diaries
. Archived from the original on November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2015. - "Where the cat sits happily on the menu". Things
. Retrieved November 22, 2015. - The Christian Science Monitor. “Why do the Vietnamese keep cats on a leash? (Hint: what's for dinner?)" Christian Science Monitor
. Retrieved November 22, 2015. - "Cats stolen, drowned, butchered and boiled in secret trade in Vietnam". Independent
. August 12, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2022. - ↑
Jerry Hopkins (May 15, 2004). Extreme Cuisine: The Weird and Wonderful Foods People Eat. Tuttle Publishing. P. 25–. ISBN 978-1-4629-0472-3. - ↑
Jerry Hopkins (December 23, 2014). Strange products. Tuttle Publishing. P. 8–. ISBN 978-1-4629-1676-4. - "Vietnamese capital Hanoi asks people not to eat dog meat". BBC News
. September 12, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2022. - "The Dog and Cat Meat Trade in Southeast Asia: A Threat to Animals and People" (PDF). Four paws . February 2022. page 28.
- ↑
Jane Dalton (April 24, 2022).
“Coronavirus causes surge in dog and cat meat sales in Vietnam and Cambodia, researchers say.” Independent
. - "Stop eating cats and dogs, say animal rights activists in Switzerland". BBC Newsbeat
. November 26, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2022. - 'Swiss restaurant' that serves cat and dog meat is causing outrage." www.thelocal.ch
. February 12, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2022. - “Forget chocolate or cheese: cat and dog meat is a Swiss delicacy.” www.scotsman.com
. Retrieved February 24, 2022. - ↑
Walsh, Kevin (5 June 2008).
"Journalist Spicer Cut". BT
(in Danish). Berlingske Media. Retrieved October 28, 2013. - Andreassen, Andreas Marckmann (6 June 2008). “Journaliststuderende spiser kat på nettet” [Journalist students eat cat online]. Journalisten.dk
(in Danish). Journalisten. Retrieved October 28, 2013. - ↑
Helmer, Jesper (7 June 2008).
“Aarhus-studende spiste kat - well truths de pas live” [Students from Aarhus ate a cat - now their lives are under threat]. Avisen.dk
(in Danish). Avisen.dk ApS . Retrieved October 28, 2013. - "Cat Eaters". forteantimes.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
- ↑
Owen, Richard (16 February 2010).
"Celebrity chef Beppe Bigazzi upsets viewers with his cat casserole". The Times
. London. - ^ a b Ken Albala (2003). Food in Early Modern Europe. Greenwood Publishing Group. P. 66–. ISBN 978-0-313-31962-4.
- Butchers Advocate, Dressed Poultry and Food Merchant. 1904. P. 11–.
- The Dietetic & Hygienic Gazette. Publishing. 1905. pp. 99–100.
- Dietary and Hygienic Gazette. Publishing. 1905. pp. 99–100.
- "Cats - friend or food". Messybeast.com. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
- ↑
Mercer, Phil (September 2, 2007).
"Aussies make wild cat stew". BBC News
. - Rosario Gente pobre come Gatos [ Rosario, beggars eat cats
] (in Spanish). Telefé Noticias. 1996. Retrieved January 10, 2022. - Rosario Komen Gatos [ Rosario They Eat Cats
] (in Spanish). Todo Noticias. 1996. Retrieved January 10, 2022. - “Nunca se comieron gatos en Rosario” (in Spanish). Archived from the original on January 6, 2015.
- “El triste recuerdo de los” come gatos “de Rosario” [Sad memories of the “cat people”]. Diario Uno
(in Spanish). 2000. Retrieved January 10, 2022. - “Ex Concejala ratificó la existencia de comegatos en Rosario” [Former municipal councilor confirmed the existence of “cat eaters” in Rosario]. Diario Uno
(in Spanish). June 26, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2020. - ↑
Ricardo Luque (8 May 1996).
“En una villa comen animales domésticos para sobrevivir” [In the slums they eat domestic animals to survive]. La Nación
(in Spanish). Retrieved December 9, 2022. - ↑
Ryan, Missy (September 28, 2001).
"'Cat Eaters' Take Note—Peru's Cat Festival Festival". PlanetArk.com
. Archived from the original on September 11, 2004. Retrieved February 16, 2008. - Golgowksi, Nina (October 15, 2013). "Judge bans annual cat-eating festival in Peruvian town". Daily News
(New York). - Collins, Dan (October 18, 2013). "Claws as Peruvian judge suspends annual cat race and celebration". The keeper
. - "President Trump signs Farm Bill banning dog and cat meat in the United States". WRDW-TV
. Associated Press. December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2018. - ↑Sahih Muslim
, 21: 4752 - ↑
Rabbi Louis Jacobs (January 31, 2014).
"Kosher Animals". My Jewish Education
. Retrieved September 15, 2022. - "Kashrut: Jewish Dietary Laws". Judaism 101
. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
What meat is not suitable for cats?
Processed deli meats such as salami, ham, and turkey lunch meats contain large amounts of preservatives and too much salt.
You can add fish to this list: it can be given in small quantities, but it should not be a constant part of the diet. Fish is high in mercury and low in vitamin E, which can lead to yellow fat disease.
How to reduce risks
It should be remembered that the standards for meat for animal consumption are not as high as for humans, so if you want to introduce meat into your diet, choose the same meat that you eat yourself.
Most nutritionally transmitted diseases occur due to improper storage of meat at home. Be careful when purchasing, transporting, storing and handling raw meat.
- Don't give your cat game: rabbit or kangaroo meat may contain lead fragments, which are very poisonous.
- Homemade minced meat: Minced meat can contain a large number of bacteria, and grinding the meat only multiplies them. If you want to give your cat minced meat, it is recommended to buy a steak, grind it at home and give it to your cat right away.
- Don't Rinse Meat: People usually rinse meat, especially chicken, before cooking, but this is not safe. When rinsing, bacteria spread to nearby surfaces. Instead, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
- Buy the meat you eat yourself: find a good butcher who will supply you with meat. Never buy meat if the packaging is bulging.
- Wash your hands: ALWAYS wash your hands with hot water and soap before and after handling raw meat.
- Don't leave meat out: Bacteria multiply quickly in warm environments, so remove and discard uneaten meat after 20 minutes.
- Don't cook raw meats/fruits/vegetables on the same board: you should have separate boards for raw meats and other foods, e.g. fruits and vegetables
- Wash dishes: Wash your cat's bowl, cutting board, and other utensils in hot, soapy water or, better yet, in the dishwasher.
- Storage: Never keep cooked and raw meat on the same plate. Store raw meat on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator to prevent juices from dripping onto cooked meat. Meat in the refrigerator must be properly packaged to avoid cross-contamination.
- Temperature: Store raw meat below 5°C
- Keep an eye on the expiration date: meat must be eaten before the expiration date, find out how long it can be stored in the refrigerator. As a rule, chicken or minced meat is stored for 1-2 days, and beef for three days (unless otherwise indicated in the expiration date).
- Large meals: Freeze meat in smaller portions.
- Thawing Meat: Place in refrigerator the night before to slowly defrost. Never defrost meat at room temperature.
Dog meat fried in oil with coconut milk.
450g dog tenderloin, cut into pieces. 1 medium sized onion, thinly sliced. 2 small green chilies, seeded and chopped 4-6 mushrooms, sliced. 1 cup coconut milk. 5 tbsp. spoons of peanut butter. 2 tbsp. spoons of soy sauce. 2 tbsp. tablespoons chopped fresh ginger root. 1 teaspoon of ground cumin seeds. 1 teaspoon corn flour mixed with water to form a paste. Salt and pepper to taste. Fresh mint leaves.
Heat the oil in a wok or regular frying pan and fry the meat in it until lightly browned. Add coconut milk and soy sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring. Add onions, chilies, mushrooms and seasonings. Continue cooking, stirring constantly. When the mixture starts to bubble, stir in the corn paste. Garnish the dish with mint leaves and serve with rice.
Key points
If you are considering transitioning your cat to an all-raw food diet, do your research first. If you want to do it right, you have a lot to learn about cat nutrition. The purpose of this article was to discuss how to properly introduce raw meat into the diet several times a week, but not how to completely transition a cat to a raw diet. There are several benefits to switching to a raw diet, but remember, if you do it wrong, your pet can get very sick.
Many people have switched to raw food only; others prefer a mixed version of raw meat, canned food and dry food. This is a good option because, for example, chewing muscles is good for the teeth, but not nutritious enough, so it is recommended to combine raw meat with dry food.
Based on materials from: www.cat-world.com
