Did you know that 63% of cats in America are obese? And the major cause is not lack of exercise but poor nutrition.
Most pet parents need to realize that cats require just enough food with the right nutrients to stay healthy rather than extra food.
Cat food is either natural or organic.
Although veterinarians advise on packaged cat food for its concentration of nutrients, cat owners need to learn how to make organic cat food.
This guide will teach you essential elements of organic cat food and how to prepare the best nutritious organic cat food recipes to maintain your feline’s health.
What is organic cat food?
Organic cat food is feline food free of preservatives, antibiotics, chemical fertilizers, and synthetic hormones and is not genetically engineered.
In simple terms, organic cat food is derived from fresh meat, vegetables, and fruits. It can either be bought ready-made or prepared at home.
On the other hand, natural cat food comprises chemically processed and preserved nutrients derived from mined sources and mixed with plants and animal products.
When shopping for cat food, the pet parent will see the foods labeled as natural or organic by AAFCO and USDA. This helps in choosing the right diet for their cat.
Most natural cat food is dry and served in kibble pellet form, while organic cat food is often wet and has a high water concentration.
Differentiating organic wet cat food and organic dry cat food.:
- Organic wet cat food
Organic wet cat food has over 70% moisture concentration and a high amount of proteins. The best-wet food for cats includes raw or cooked meat from fish, chicken, and livestock. Also, carrots, pumpkin, potatoes, and other vegetables are included.
- Organic dry cat food
Organic dry cat food contains less than 10% water concentration and high carbohydrate levels. Cats primarily depend on dry food and are at high risk of obesity due to extra carb concentration. They should be provided with adequate water.
Essential nutrients in organic cat food
The four most important nutrients of organic cat food, as in all cat foods, include proteins, fiber, fats, and water.
Proteins
Since cats are carnivores, their organic diet should contain meat products for protein sufficiency. Protein-rich cat foods include beef, turkey, chicken, and fish, which should be smooth or grounded.
Fats
Fish oil and chicken products have the best calories for cats and should be included in organic cat food. It helps in digestion and stabilizes the weight of lean cats.
Fiber
Vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, spinach, and mashed potatoes have the recommended fiber concentration for cat foods. Fiber prevents the cat from constipation, diabetes, obesity, and diarrhea.
Water
Although most cats derive moisture from their foods, providing water when feeding your feline with organic dry cat food is important. This will help with dehydration and reduce constipation risks.
Factors to consider before making organic cat food
If you decide to make homemade organic food for your feline friend, consider your cat’s age, health condition, food preferences, sensitivities, and vet advice.
Cats’ nutritional requirements vary with age. Kittens have a high affinity to vitamins and proteins for elementary growth, while older cats require foods that help with immunity and bone strength.
Since cats suffer regularly from diabetes, dental infections, and obesity, you should consult a vet to prescribe the right diet to speed up your feline’s recovery.
They may also be sensitive to some protein ingredients in both organic and natural foods. The vet will identify their digestion difficulties and recommend suitable foods.
Cats are extremely choosy. Your furry friend may prefer fish over beef or wet over dry foods. Knowing your cat’s preferences will help you focus on preparing their favorite meal.
How to make organic cat food
Just like it is simple for a cat to pounce on a mouse and make a meal out of it, so is it to prepare homemade nutritious organic cat food for your feline friend who lacks the opportunity for a nice rat hunt.
You can prepare raw or cooked cat food using the same ingredients.
Ingredients
Cats, being carnivorous, require a high amount of proteins.
Therefore, raw meat from poultry, beef, fish, and venison is the primary ingredient in preparing organic cat food.
Boneless meat, shank, heart, liver, and pre-ground stewing meat are the best parts of animal meat for cats.
Essential vitamin supplements include salmon oil, taurine, packaged vitamins B and E, and psyllium husk powder.
Grounded bones and egg yolks should also be present for calcium provision.
Vegetables and fruits are not a priority in preparing organic cat food, for the main nutrients required for a cat’s survival are in meat. However, they can be provided in small doses to supplement the main die.
Recipe
The nutritional needs of your cat dictate your recipe. You should consult the vet for the right ingredients and nutrients. The following recipe contains essential ingredients required by all cats.
- 3 pounds of chicken meat (bones, meat, organs)
- 2 raw egg yolks (cook the white part lightly)
- 4 oz of liver
- 200mg Salmon oil
- 1 cup of water
- 200mg powdered taurine
- 400UI vitamin E capsules
- A tablespoon of salt
You can cook or prepare the chicken meat raw with other ingredients.
Serving and safety tips
Cats should ideally eat two times a day, 12 hours apart. Therefore, serving small portions for breakfast, lunch, and supper ensures the cat has sufficient nutrients and prevents the formation of hydracid and nausea.
Refrigerate uneaten food within 30 minutes after the cat has finished eating. Thaw it before serving but avoid warming it often. Observe how your cat reacts to the new organic diet and make changes as suitable.
What is the best organic cat food
The best organic cat food are wet foods rich in proteins from raw meat, fiber from vegetables, and fat from fish oil.
Nevertheless, the best organic cat food caters to your cat’s individual requirements. Consult a vet to identify the specific nutrient deficiencies in your feline and include them in the diet.
This will not only make your cat healthy but also active and happy.