Raw meat diets for pets have increased popularity in recent years and in our experience, our Siberian kittens do well on raw red meats such as kangaroo and beef. However, there are a number of risks and we’ll uncover.
1. Bacterial infection
Raw meat can harbour harmful pathogens, regardless of whether it is sold for humans or for pets. Even when the best hygiene practices are followed, contamination can occur at any point in the meat production process from slaughter, to transport, to handling. This is why humans take great caution with preparing and eating raw meat or fish.
In particular, Salmonella species of bacteria has been reported in a number of studies investigating raw diets in pets. Salmonella is a common cause of food poisoning in both pets and humans. The risk of bacterial infection is not just a risk to your cat, but equally risky for the people in your household too.
2. Nutritional inadequacy
Nutritional adequacy is the second major concern with raw meat diets. Inbalances have been found with both commercially produced and home-made recipes. Providing a complete and balanced diet is vital for your pet to live a long and happy life. High-quality pet foods are scientifically designed to be complete, with balanced macronutrients like energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, fibre, essential vitamins, and minerals. Furthermore, a correct balance is important for all animals, but is particularly vital for felines, who can face deadly illnesses if their diet is deficient in certain nutrients such as taurine. This is why we feed our kittens on premium quality dry food as well as raw red meat.
3. What is freeze-drying?
Freeze or air drying is a non-cooking process which preserves food without destroying any of the raw nutrients. Freeze and air-dried food is a safer alternative to traditional raw food, however, check the cat food labels, as many of these products are to be used as treats only, and they may not be suitable for your kitten.
Your Marzanna Siberian kitten has been fed raw kangaroo mince and Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten dry food and we recommend continuing with this for at least a for a few weeks to avoid any stomach upsets, especially while they are settling into your home.
The team at Marrzanna Siberians can provide helpful tips on where to source raw kangaroo meat, as well as how to prepare it safely.
