Raw Feeding Resource Thread

auntie crazy

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General Feline Nutrition and Raw Feeding Resources

Feline Nutrition Education Society: Extensive feline health and nutrition information from a collection of veterinarians, feline nutritionists, and other experts and advocates. Includes legislative and outreach efforts. Good for information on ground diet recipes and how-to guides as well as some commercial raw product information.

CatCentric.org: A raw feeding, feline nutrition, health and general cat care blog, article and resource site created by Tracy Dion. Includes special features, scientific studies and publications. Good for detailed information on frankenprey and whole prey diets as well as both commercial raw and canned products.

CatInfo.org: Detailed information on the relationship between diet and health from veterinarian Dr. Lisa Pierson, with a special focus on urinary tract health. Includes an easy to follow how-to guide and several recipes for ground raw diets.

RawFedCats.org: A highly informative feline raw feeding site by Linda Zurich. Focused primarily on frankenprey and whole prey diets.

LittleBigCat.com: Holistic feline health, nutrition, and behavior information from veterinarian Dr. Jean Hofve and feline behavior expert Jackson Galaxy. Covers a wide range of information.

YourDiabeticCat.com: Created by Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, this is an in-depth resource for diabetic cat owners.

IBDKitties.net: An exceptional collection of resources for owners of cats suffering from irritable bowel disease (IBD) and similar symptoms, pancreatitis, and fatter liver disease assembled by Lisa Provost. Includes case studies, food product reviews and research. Currently working with the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine in a study of IBD and small cell gastrointestinal lymphoma (GILSA).

Truthaboutpetfood.com: Written and maintained by Susan Thixton who, together with Dr. Hofve, are members of a newly formed task force headed up by AAFCO to work on pet food ingredient definitions. TAPF contains all of the research Thixton has done into the pet food industry, its manufacturing processes, and ingredient sourcing and labeling policies and practices. In addition, the site publishes pet food recalls and maintains a list of manufacturers who participate in the Pet Food Recall First Alert program.

Specific Articles

Why Feed a Raw Diet?

The Carnivore Connection to Nutrition in Cats

Your Cat's Nutritional Needs: The Basics

Raw feeding your house-cat: What’s all the fuss about?

Feeding Raw: A Veterinarian's View

Why Not More “Standard” Commercial Diets?

Carnivore Digestion and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Diet, Kidney Disease and the Urinary Tract

Diabetes and Obesity: Preventable Epidemics

Feline Urinary Tract Health

My Cat is Doing Just "Fine" on Dry Food

Homemade vs. Commercial Food for Cats (and Dogs!)

TCS threads: Best diet for cats? / "Nutritionally Complete" assurances for our pet food? / Questions about commercial raw / Commercial Raw vs Homemade Raw

What about Pathogenic and Parasitic Concerns?

Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, oh my!

Spooked By Salmonella: Raw Food!!!

Transition Guides

How to Transition Your Cat to a Raw Diet

A Practical Guide: Transitioning Your Cat to a Raw Diet

Transitioning Dry Food Addicts to Canned Food

TCS Member Transitions: Carolina’s / LDG’s / Feralvr’s / Auntie Crazy's

TCS Member Menus: What does your menu look like?

Additional Resources: Books and Videos

Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats by the National Research Council (U.S.) Ad Hoc Committee on Dog and Cat Nutrition

Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life by Elizabeth Hodgkins, DVM

Buyer Beware: The crimes, lies and truth about pet food by Susan Thixton

Raw Meat Diet for Dogs and Cats by Karen Becker, DVM
 
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auntie crazy

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Here you go, my TCS friends! I tried to make this list of resources comprehensive while staying focused, and I hope you find it helpful.

Best regards!

AC
 

ldg

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AC, thank you so much for this! :hugs:

IMO, there's one more TCS thread that's instructive. It's in the IMO forum. I think new members (and guests) can see it, but I think you have to have a post count of 100 before being able to post anything to the thread (which hasn't been active for a while anyway).

Not sure where it would fit on that list, but no matter. It's the Scientific Studies Supporting Raw Food Diet thread.
 

feralvr

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Auntie- All I can say is...... THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and that doesn't seem enough for some reason. :lol3: You can be assured that I will be spending many hours going over these great resources you have posted. What a great idea - A Raw Resource Thread..... :worship: and :hugs: and :heart3: and :dance:......... :wave2:
 

Anne

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Excellent thread - thank you, I'm sure it will bet getting a lot of pageviews!
 

carolina

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:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:
:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:
Auntie, you are the best in the west, in the east, in the North, and in the south! :clap::clap::clap::clap:

Those sites have been SO valuable for me in my transition to raw - they have helped us a LOT - I have referred back to them in different situations for recipes, ideas, and things like constipation, schedule, enticement, transitioning to schedule feeding..... There is a TON of information in there.....
Thank you for putting this page together..... immensely helpful.....

Thank you for all your help..... :hugs:
 

mrsgreenjeens

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Many thanks, AC!  Now, is this going to be a sticky (I've already saved as a bookmark so can easily find it, but figured it would be a sticky)
 

carolina

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Actually, it was Anne's suggestion that a resource thread be created and stickied. :). It was in discussion about the forum in Sally's thread! http://www.thecatsite.com/t/240653/random-thought-about-this-raw-forum#post_3167584
I suggested AC kick it off, but of course others can add to it whenever a useful site or important, relevant information is located. :nod:
:scratch: :yeah: It makes it hard to refer people over here all the time.... I just did it last night..... Would be easier if it was a stickie for sure :bigthumb:
 

Anne

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Actually, it was Anne's suggestion that a resource thread be created and stickied.
. It was in discussion about the forum in Sally's thread! http://www.thecatsite.com/t/240653/random-thought-about-this-raw-forum#post_3167584
I suggested AC kick it off, but of course others can add to it whenever a useful site or important, relevant information is located.
I will sticky the thread, and yes, like Laurie said, I'd like this to be a community effort.

AC doesn't have to be in charge of keeping it current/whole - if you want, the mods can edit it for you guys, to keep the links current in the first post in this thread. Hopefully, this would be ok with AC.

I rely on you, the active members in the raw feeding forums, to make sure this list reflects what you'd like to show people who are new to raw feeding. If you feel that other resources need to be added, or that some links need to be edited out, I suggest you discuss it here and we can have the thread edited accordingly.
 

ldg

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Excellent, thanks Anne!

When you have time, you might want to take a look to see if you think the Best Diet for Cats thread merits its own sticky, even though it's in the resource links above. It was a pretty thorough discussion. :)
 

feralvr

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Thank You, Anne for the sticky and the suggestion in the first place, to compile a Raw Feeding Resource Thread. This will be extememly helpful to people new to raw feeding and I am finding it incredibly informative for my own raw beginning! :bigthumb: :clap:
 
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space1101

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Wow AC, this is a very helpful list.  So much stuff to read.  I gave them home-made raw  for dinner lately, and they were crazy for it.   I was very surprised.  I'm not completely confident about adding organs though.   
 

minka

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Can we get a list of recommended raw brands added to this thread? It would make it much easier for others (and myself :p) to browse the commercial foods that we know are safe and complete. :nod:
 

ldg

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http://catcentric.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Commercial-Raw-Product-Overview-Initial.pdf Here you go! All in one place, quite complete. It is a large table that indicates the protein sources, the ingredients, the make-up of the foods (95% meat/bones/organs, 5% other stuff, etc.), and indicates whether or not they're balanced and complete. It's a PDF file, downloadable and printable.

But to summarize, the "Complete and Balanced" foods with NO veggies, just meat and supplements are:

Rad Cat. No bones, uses a calcium supplement. An EXCELLENT food, great for transitioning (or long term feeding), most cats love it. Chicken, Lamb, Turkey. http://www.radfood.com/ Can be ordered via http://www.onlynaturalpet.com, but best to call, as shipping rates don't seem to calculate correctly if ordering online, so best to speak to someone.

Nature's Menu. Also no bones, uses a calcium supplement. VERY reasonable price, very reasonable shipping cost. The beef and lamb include kidney, so you get the 2nd secreting organ in addition to liver. :) Beef, chicken, organic chicken, lamb, and turkey. http://www.naturesmenu.com/

Fegnion. Chicken, rabbit, turkey. Rabbit is whole ground rabbit, so get ALL the organs. http://www.fegnion.com/index.html

Vital Essentials. Chicken (with beef liver); http://www.vitalessentialsraw.com/ (Not sure why I don't have the dog products in the list. If they're appropriate for cats, that adds beef, turkey and fish. :dk: ).

Darwin's Pet. Only issue with this food is you have to order 20 pounds at a time after the first 10 pound trial. It only comes in chicken and turkey. http://www.darwinspet.com/our-cat-food/

Feline's Pride. Chicken, Cornish Hen, Rabbit, Turkey. Touted as a great product on a lot of raw feeding sites, but has no 2nd secreting organ, and it has very expensive shipping!!!!! (Especially for what it is, IMO. :dk: ). https://www.felinespride.com/#/company




Quality foods, but with a 95% meat/bone/organ profile and 5% veggies and fruits (also all "Complete and Balanced") :

Nature's Variety. One of the few that includes kidney (another secreting organ) in addition to liver. They target 15% bone, which is too much for most cats. Great for transitioning, but other than the organic chicken, some of the products have mixed protein sources (just be aware of that), and because of the high bone content, it's best to "dilute" it with some fresh meat to avoid constipation. Chicken (chicken & turkey); Organic chicken (ONLY chicken); Bison (mostly bison, but does also have beef kidney); Beef (single source protein, includes kidney); Lamb (single source, includes kidney); Rabbit (includes pork fat and liver - cats seem to love it LOL); Venison (uses ground lamb bone, lamb heart, and lamb liver). http://www.naturesvariety.com/InstinctRaw/cat Not as juicy as other raw foods.

NV also has freeze-dried raw products.


Stella & Chewy's. Another one that includes kidney in most of the products. The cat products are freeze-dried only, but the frozen raw dog food is appropriate for cats, with the 95% meat/bones/organs, the 10% bone, and a taurine supplement. Beef (has liver & kidney); Chicken; Chicken & Beef (includes kidney); Salmon & chicken; Beef (kidney); Lamb (spleen and kidney in addition to liver); Salmon & beef. Juicier than NV or Primal, but still a little dry. http://www.stellaandchewys.com/index.php


Paw Naturaw Don't know bone content ratio. Organic chicken, Duck, Lamb, Pheasant (with turkey), Rabbit (with pork), Organic Turkey. http://www.pawnaturaw.com/

Primal. Targets 8-9% bone content. Beef & Salmon, Chicken & Salmon, Pheasant, Quail, Rabbit, Turkey, Venison. Not as juicy as other raw foods. http://www.primalpetfoods.com/

Bravo Balance. Bravo has a number of products for raw feeding, but only the "Balance" is balanced and complete. Chicken, Beef, and Turkey. Don't know percentages of meat/organs/bones and other stuff (though looks mostly like meat/bones/organs). Only the beef has kidney for a 2nd secreting organ. http://www.bravorawdiet.com/index.html

Nature's Logic (ratio is 90% meat/organs to 10% other stuff, and that "other stuff is a LONG list of various fruit and veggie powders, including spinach. Beef (includes kidney), chicken, rabbit. http://www.natureslogic.com/

Wild Kitty. Uses clams in everything (huge taurine content). Chicken & clam, Duck & clam, "Fish" and Conch (with clams), Turkey & clam. http://www.wildkittycatfood.com/


There are a number of other raw foods included in the spreadsheet that aren't covered in the summary in this post.


Should include:

Hare-Today. Their ground mixes are whole animal, but not "complete and balanced" unless you add the Alnutrin supplement (which is VERY easy to do!!!! Just mostly dethaw the chubs, add the supplement and the water as per directions, mix, bag up into the portions you want, and refreeze). You can either order ground meats and add the alnutrin supplement for mixes without bone, or order the bone-in mixes, and add the alnutrition supplement for meat/bones/organ mixes. Both alnutrin supplement options are available on the Hare-Today site. This gives you a HUGE variety of VERY reasonably-priced raw food with great shipping prices. http://www.hare-today.com You can also order organs (secreting or gizzards and hearts), and ground organ mixes.

I don't know how far Hare-Today ships, but they're based in Western PA. They do ship to the midwest and south, but how far west they ship, I don't know. There is a similar company based out of Indianapolis, I think it is: http://www.mypetcarnivore.com.

Meat with a supplement that makes it complete from Wysong. Also, if you want really quick & easy raw, just buy meat, and add the Wysong Call of the Wild Supplement. You just need to sprinkle on 1/2 a teaspoon per every 1.5 ounces. :D http://www.wysong.net/products/cotw-dog-cat-supplement.php Do NOT feed your cats liver, bones, or a calcium supplement if using this product
 
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feralvr

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:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap: :wow: Thank you, Laurie :lovegrin2: Very thorough post !!! This will be great to show new people who are asking about WHAT brands are available and safe to start out with.
 

Draco

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great thread!

My only suggestion is adding a page that compares the prices/cost between canned/dry/raw/commercial raw, etc?
 

ldg

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Done.

http://catcentric.org/nutrition-and...y-cat-or-i-can-afford-to-feed-commercial-raw/

For this analysis, I compared 48 brands of kibble (including ZiwiPeak’s air-dried raw not intended for rehydration), 40 canned foods, and 15 commercial frozen raw foods.

The kibble category included 10 “supermarket” distribution brands, 19 grain-free brands, 18 pet/specialty distribution brands, and the one raw kibble.

The canned category included 8 supermarket distribution brands, 17 grain-free brands, and 15 pet/specialty store distribution brands.

The raw included 15 brands, both the cost with and without shipping. For kibble and cans, no shipping costs were assumed because if you order enough, it's usually free.

ALL of the tables include the carbohydrate content on a dry matter basis. Each product has a link to the manufacturer website so you can look up ingredients.


Links to these tables (and their notes) are at the end of the article.


Summary comparison of costs for all foods (kibble, canned, raw, and raw with shipping costs): http://catcentric.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Combined-Products-Cost-Comparison-1.pdf

Summary comparison of just kibble products: http://catcentric.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Dry-Kibble-Table-1.pdf

Summary comparison of just canned & raw products: http://catcentric.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Canned-Raw-Table-1.pdf


Obviously sales prices are not reflected, and prices are from national online distributors. Your local prices will vary.

Your cost of feeding per day will also reflect the amount of food your cat(s) ACTUALLY need to eat, not how much the manufacturer recommends (as those are usually overstated).

The cost of feeding homemade raw is not in the tables. But it is in the article, and reflects different costs per pound, giving you an idea of how much it would cost to feed one cat per day at various amounts per $ amounts per pound of food.
 
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