Rejected Raw Food - Can I cook it to increase appeal?

Carolina SA

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Initially my raw food mixes were enjoyed by our older rescue cats used to hunting, and the younger rescue kittens would gingerly nibble at a little.
Now, after I made one change to one batch (I used a commercial vitamin mix instead of the combination), they are all turning their noses up at it. Thy are happy to eat plain raw beef meat and the occasional bit of raw chicken liver..so there is still hope to wean them off commercial wet food.

I have a lot in the freezer including a new batch without the commercial vitamin mix and a batch with just ground meat/organs. Only my dog likes it :confused:

How can I make it more palatable? I worry cooking it will kill the vitamins and then even my dog won't get the benefit (she's on non-processed food due to skin allergies) if they reject it. Plus it is a lot of my labour going to waste!

The recipe I used: Raw Cat Food Recipe | Meow Lifestyle
 
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Beholder

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You are correct that cooking it would affect the nutrients. It's possible that they don't like the premix, which one are you using? How many different proteins are you giving them? Sometimes cats will start to turn their noses up if they get the same protein too often, so most people do a rotation of three to five different ones.

As for making it more palatable, that would just depend on what your cats like. Some cats like it more if you add broth (homemade or made for cats), although I haven't had much luck with that. Stella and Chewy's makes a really popular topper that you can try sprinkling on top. If they have another food or treat that they like you can try mixing it in with that as well.

There are a few different popular premixes on the market. I have heard of people having more palatability issues with EZ Complete than others, so maybe try a different one for future batches if that's what you're using. Or you can just buy all the supplements and mix them up yourself.
 

Moonlight Skywriter

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Maybe add some Merrick Food for your cat.. I give her some raw and then she perferred Merrick over raw.
 
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Carolina SA

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I live in Paraguay so I must make it from scratch, which is why I used the recipe that worked for long while:

I also realised it has bones I have ground in the mince... cooking that would be terrible. Oh dear, a freezer full of food I can't tempt them to eat!
 

Beholder

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I live in Paraguay so I must make it from scratch, which is why I used the recipe that worked for long while:
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I also realised it has bones I have ground in the mince... cooking that would be terrible. Oh dear, a freezer full of food I can't tempt them to eat!
I saw the recipe, but maybe I misinterpreted what you said.
Now, after I made one change to one batch (I used a commercial vitamin mix instead of the combination), they are all turning their noses up at it.
Wouldn't a commercial vitamin mix be a premix?

And yes definitely don't cook the bones! Try mixing it with a food they do like. Start by adding just a small amount (like a teaspoon) to their regular food and slowly increase this if they eat it. If they don't eat it right away, it's okay if a bit goes to waste. Most of the time they will eventually go for it. If that doesn't work try a broth or treats.
 
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Carolina SA

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Oh I get the confusion, sorry. I always made the batches with the individual vitamins/minerals added as per the recipe.
Then I purchased a so-called balanced cat vitamin mix that included Taurine and tried adding that instead thinking it would be easier for me.
The results were terrible! 100% rejection! Even with dilution by adding water or more raw food :frustrated:
 

Beholder

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Oh I get the confusion, sorry. I always made the batches with the individual vitamins/minerals added as per the recipe.
Then I purchased a so-called balanced cat vitamin mix that included Taurine and tried adding that instead thinking it would be easier for me.
The results were terrible! 100% rejection! Even with dilution by adding water or more raw food :frustrated:
Yeah, sometimes those mixes have other things added for palatability, but they do the opposite. Hopefully you can find something that works so it doesn't go to waste.
 

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Maybe the commercial vitamin mix just somehow tastes "yucky" to the cats. I'd start a new batch with the individual supplements as listed in the recipe. Feed the "yucky" raw to the dog so it doesn't go to waste.
 
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Carolina SA

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Maybe the commercial vitamin mix just somehow tastes "yucky" to the cats. I'd start a new batch with the individual supplements as listed in the recipe. Feed the "yucky" raw to the dog so it doesn't go to waste.
The dog loves it.... * sigh*
 
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