I'm considering switching to raw but have been having a lot of trouble collecting the mass amount of information out there. I would like to, eventually, switch first to an commercially available raw diet (I have seen Bravo, RadCat and Nature's Variety in the stores around here) then to a homemade raw if that is going well. Chester has been doing great on a grain-free 50/50 dry/wet diet but could use some more protein, etc. His feces are the right consistency but smelly and he scoots (I've been told he is worm free and shows no allergy symptoms. The vet diagnosed him as being sensitive to even slightly impacted anal glands.). I'm hoping a raw diet would clear some of this up.
At the moment he has 1/4c. of dry each day. My issues with completely switching away from dry food would be when I travel. I can have someone come check on him once a day for wet, but one meal of dry would have to be necessary during these times (realistically I travel only once or twice a year for a long weekend). If I switch over to a raw diet would he be able to transition back to a wet/dry or even potentially eat dry for an entire day without any health issues? Could this be done over a slow transition? Would another option be raw with a small amount of dry each day (Wellness Core, Blue Wilderness or Nature's Variety most likely) to keep his taste? What have others done in this case? I'm sure many cat sitters aren't comfortable with feeding raw, either.
I am also looking to use my remaining dry/wet before I do a complete switch to raw, but would like to give him some raw food occasionally now. Maybe every other day or possible just 1 oz. then continuing wet/some dry. Has anyone else tried this long term? What would a feeding schedule look like?
Finally, right now I roast a chicken for myself about every week or so. Normally I throw the giblets out but would like to be able to feed them to Chester. I've read mixed opinions on whether commercially available organs are good for a cat. Generally I buy commercial brands, such as Purdue, would it be safe to give him the raw giblets? Or should I boil them?How much liver/heart/etc. should I give as a "treat?"
Any help or links to helpful websites would be appreciated. Thanks!
At the moment he has 1/4c. of dry each day. My issues with completely switching away from dry food would be when I travel. I can have someone come check on him once a day for wet, but one meal of dry would have to be necessary during these times (realistically I travel only once or twice a year for a long weekend). If I switch over to a raw diet would he be able to transition back to a wet/dry or even potentially eat dry for an entire day without any health issues? Could this be done over a slow transition? Would another option be raw with a small amount of dry each day (Wellness Core, Blue Wilderness or Nature's Variety most likely) to keep his taste? What have others done in this case? I'm sure many cat sitters aren't comfortable with feeding raw, either.
I am also looking to use my remaining dry/wet before I do a complete switch to raw, but would like to give him some raw food occasionally now. Maybe every other day or possible just 1 oz. then continuing wet/some dry. Has anyone else tried this long term? What would a feeding schedule look like?
Finally, right now I roast a chicken for myself about every week or so. Normally I throw the giblets out but would like to be able to feed them to Chester. I've read mixed opinions on whether commercially available organs are good for a cat. Generally I buy commercial brands, such as Purdue, would it be safe to give him the raw giblets? Or should I boil them?How much liver/heart/etc. should I give as a "treat?"
Any help or links to helpful websites would be appreciated. Thanks!
