Feeding variety of proteins - what supplements to add?

[MisterPinkk]

Hi all!

I posted this as a comment in another thread, but didn't get any traction because I'm sure it's just buried. So I'll ask again!

I have been using this and other resources to get my little one on a budget-friendly, healthy raw diet. I got quite lucky and a butcher friend of my fathers is sending over meats every week for next to nothing. The thing is, it's quite a variety of things and aside from the bone/meat/organ ratio, I'm drawing a blank on what other supplements/vitamins she might need.

This first batch included ground lamb, bone-in lamb, tongue and liver. I also give her homemade pumpkin puree and coconut oil. Other than that, is there a kitty multi-vitamin I can give her to cover my bases?

 

[Catzzzmeow]

I do not feed raw, but smart move making a new thread. I bet you will get some feedback. @zoinks is usually a great resource.


Patti

 

[MisterPinkk]

Thank you!!

 

[zoinks]

Feline-nutrition.org has good information about supplements:
http://feline-nutrition.org/nutrition/just-what-is-raw-feeding-anyway

"This is perhaps the wrong word to use, as they aren't just supplemental, they are required. These are added to make up for the fact that usually the whole animal is not being used, and that grinding and freezing does cause some loss of nutrients. Supplements added include taurine, B vitamins, vitamin E and essential fatty acids. Many of these are found in the head of the animal, specifically in brains and eyes, and the head is not always included in the mix. Ever wonder why a cat eats the head of the mouse first? He knows what's good for him!"

Other suggestions from me would be raw egg yolk and salmon oil.

Here is a link on the egg yolk:
http://feline-nutrition.org/answers/answers-feed-my-cat-a-raw-egg-yolk

 

[MollysMom]

If what you are getting is mostly muscle meat, a supplement like Better in the Raw would be a good one to add. Because you may never get the exact same things twice, it might be a bit of a juggling act to get the recipes down.

If you haven't already, check out catinfo.org It is a wealth of reliable information on raw feeding to cats, and several recipes are on there as well.

 

[MisterPinkk]

Yea I heard BitR is for meat with no bone, but I prefer to give her turkey necks and stuff to get that bone in there. The bone-in lamb had HUGE bone that even my cleaver couldn't cut so I just stripped off the muscle meat and cut it up for her.

I'm also thrilled because there is a holistic vet close to me, so I'll be schedule an appointment soon!

 

[zoinks]

If you can't be sure the ratio is perfect, something like BiTR I would recommend too. Wouldn't want to accidentally not be feeding a nutritionally complete diet.

There is no harm in doing muscle meat with BiTR with the necks and organs as a treat.

 

[MisterPinkk]

So it's fine even if regular diet includes bone? I thought you shouldn't add BitR if there's also bone. I mean I'm ok with getting it if there's no harm, I'd definitely rather have her on more than less. Thank you so much!

 

[MollysMom]

So it's fine even if regular diet includes bone? I thought you shouldn't add BitR if there's also bone. I mean I'm ok with getting it if there's no harm, I'd definitely rather have her on more than less. Thank you so much!

I would feed Better in the Raw, (mixed in the correct recipe with just water and muscle meat) every day. If you want to give them a turkey neck to chew on once or twice a week, it won't hurt them. Depending on how much of it that the actually eat, you could sub it out for one of their daily meals (once or twice a week).

There are great benefits to giving them bone-in meat. The issue is that unless they are consuming ALL of the bone that they are supposed to, it can lead to an unbalanced diet.

I have found that once mine are eating the mix with BITR, they won't touch meat without that supplement. It doesn't smell as good without it or something.

 

[zoinks]

No I wouldn't put the bone in the BiTR, only the meat you cut off the bone in lamb or if you get some other meaty cuts you could chop up the muscle meat and use this.

Other parts with bone-in as a treat without the BiTR.

Like MollysMom said if you can't be sure they are getting enough bone and organ, it is better to feed the balanced diet with the extras as a treat or a few meals a week.

 

[Condo commando]

I feed ground meat with bone. The supplement I use is Alnutrin. However, you have to make sure you use the right amount of bone. You need a calcium to phosphorus ratio that is appropriate for cats. Either too high or too low calcium will lead your cat to being very sick.

Raw food is great but only if done correctly.