Want your cat to experience the benefits of a raw diet without the hassle of preparing it? We’ve got you covered. Raw cat food gives your cat ancestrally-accurate nutrition which is tastier and easier to digest than traditional cat food.
It’s booming in popularity right now, but which raw cat food is the best? We’ve taken a look at all of the best sellers to bring you our top picks, all of which are prepared and packaged to ensure it’s mess-free and safe to handle.
Keep reading for our full breakdown, and if you’re interested in a more convenient way to buy your cat’s food, check out our list of the best cat food delivery services, too.
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Viva Raw uses USDA-inspected, humanely raised meat with no antibiotics or hormones ever, sourced from the same farms and retailers that would stock your local Whole Foods or serve up a fancy cut of duck breast at a restaurant.
Open Farm's RawMix Cat Food offers superior nutrition for your feline companion. Crafted with human-grade, non-GMO meats and fruits and vegetables, it combines the finest, responsibly sourced ingredients for a balanced diet. Each ingredient is carefully selected and prepared to retain natural nutrients, enzymes, and flavors.
Raw cat food, scientifically formulated for optimal nutrition at every life stage. Made with real meat and a vibrant mix of vegetables and fruits, these recipes provide essential nutrients to keep your pet healthy. Customized for kittens, adults, and seniors 7+, they support heart, immune, gut, and skin and coat health.
Savage Cat Food® contains real animal bone and marrow, the nutrients of which cannot be fully replicated with eggshell. When a cat eats exclusively Savage Cat Food® you will notice considerably less waste and smell in the litter box, a softer healthier coat and increased oral health. All of our raw meat is sourced from the United States.
Pioneering home-delivered raw pet food, Darwin's uses USDA ingredients that are meticulously selected and scientifically formulated to be species-appropriate. Their minimally processed recipes retain vital nutrients and feature free-range, cage-free, or pasture-raised meats. Crafted with human-quality, ethically sourced ingredients.
Quick disclaimer: This is not a sponsored review, but if you decide to purchase one of these products, we would love you to use our referral links within the article. It really helps us out & allows us to keep bringing you the best content possible!
Can Cats Eat Raw Meat?
Before we jump in, let’s get to the most important question first…can cats eat raw meat and is it good for them?
It’s important to know that cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need a diet mainly of meat to stay healthy. In the wild, cats would hunt and eat raw prey. This leads us to the next question: what raw meat can cats eat?
Not all raw meats are suitable for cats. Chicken, turkey, rabbit, and some types of fish are generally safe options. These meats should be fresh, unseasoned, and free from additives. Organic options are best to avoid harmful chemicals. Lean cuts of beef are also good, but pork is usually avoided due to the risk of parasites.
So, can cats eat raw meat? Yes, they can. But it’s crucial to choose the right meats and transition them slowly. This way, you can give your cat a diet that is closer to what they would eat in the wild, keeping them healthy and happy.
This is exactly why purchasing raw cat food from a reputable brand ensures a safe and easy transition to a raw diet.
Why Raw Cat Food is a Great Option for Your Cat’s Health
Want to give your cat the best nutrition possible? Raw cat food might be the answer.
Here are a few reasons why we’re big fans of raw cat food options. Raw diets are packed with animal protein, which is super important for cats as obligate carnivores. Nutrients like taurine, vitamins, and minerals naturally found in raw ingredients support overall health. Plus, they provide the essential fats and oils needed for energy and cellular health.
Here are some more great benefits of raw cat food:
Tastier Meals: Cats love the meaty flavors and textures of raw diets, which can be a great solution for picky eaters.
More Energy: Raw diets provide all the necessary nutrients, resulting in higher energy levels and a more active cat.
Better Digestion: Raw food has natural enzymes that help break down food, making it easier for your cat to digest. Plus, it leads to cleaner and less stinky litter boxes.
Healthier Teeth and Gums: The chewing action required for raw food can help clean your cat’s teeth and gums, reducing dental issues.
Shinier Coat and Healthier Skin: Packed with essential fatty acids, raw food can improve your cat’s coat and skin condition.
Optimal Hydration: Raw diets typically have higher moisture content, which helps keep your cat well-hydrated and supports kidney health.
Weight Management: The nutrient-dense, high-protein nature of raw food can help maintain a healthy weight, reducing the risk of obesity-related issues.
Minimal Fillers: Raw cat food contains few to no filler ingredients, ensuring that your cat receives maximum nutrition from real, wholesome ingredients.
Raw food diets for cats are often touted for their potential health benefits, even by veterinarians. According to Dr. Andrea Tasi, VMD, a veterinarian with extensive experience in feline-exclusive practice:
“I began to see many cats with chronic problems that I could not ‘fix’ with conventional treatments. After switching some of my patients to a raw food diet, I noticed remarkable improvements in their overall health, including resolving chronic skin and ear problems. I am convinced that this change to raw food was the foundation for their wonderful recovery. I now recommend it to virtually all of my clients and have seen wonderful improvements in my patients’ health”
Our Favorite Raw Cat Food Brands
- Top Pick – Viva Raw
- Best Freeze-Dried – Open Farm
- Best For All Ages – Instinct
- Best Value – Savage
- Best Pure Protein – Darwin’s
Best Overall Raw Cat Food Brand: Viva Raw
Viva Raw has a bunch of raw formulas for cats and dogs, including chicken, turkey, beef, duck, and rabbit for cats, as well as pure options of 100% meat. Owners can create custom subscription plans or make one-off purchases and all foods arrive frozen in eco-friendly coolers.
Key features:
- Variety of flavors
- Complete & balanced formulas
- 98% meat
- 2% natural supplements
- Organic ingredients
- Humanely raised meats
- Hormone-free meat
- USDA & AAFCO compliant
- Pure meat options
- Minimally processed & frozen
- Certified by nutritionists
- Custom plans or one-off buys
What we like: Their feline formulas offer complete and balanced nutrition in line with USDA & AAFCO standards. They’re comprised of 98% meats and 2% natural supplements like green mussels for whole-body health & wellness.
All of the meats are humanely raised and made without the use of hormones and they come certified by nutritionists & industry experts with 100% organic ingredients for maximum bioavailability and absorption of nutrients. Their website also has a handy feeding calculator to help you figure out how much your cat needs.
What to consider: Some of the formulas may be a bit too rich for sensitive tummies initially, but the vast majority of them are fantastic. It’s worth trying a flavor variation if your cat has any initial struggles.
Viva Raw uses USDA-inspected, humanely raised meat with no antibiotics or hormones ever, sourced from the same farms and retailers that would stock your local Whole Foods or serve up a fancy cut of duck breast at a restaurant.
Best Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food Brand: Open Farm
Open Farm has four freeze-dried raw food options for cats; harvest chicken, wild-caught salmon & cod, surf & turf, and chicken & salmon. You can put in a regular order or set up a subscription with them and they can be used as whole meals or mixers with other food.
Key features:
- Complete & balanced foods
- Freeze-dried for longer shelf-life & easy storage
- Humanely-raised meats & wild-caught fish
- Non-GMO fruits & veggies
- Antibiotic & growth hormone-free
- Grain-free
- Ethically & sustainably sourced
- One-off buys & subscriptions
What we like: They’re nutritionally complete and balanced with humanely raised meats and wild-caught fish, as well as non-GMO fruits and vegetables. They’re free from grains, antibiotics, and growth hormones, and all of their ingredients are sourced following strict animal welfare standards, in line with their climate strategy commitment, which includes a ten-year journey to minimize their carbon footprint and reduce emissions.
What to consider: They’re sold in affordable but very small bags, which would add up to a pricey bulk buy if used as your cat’s main meal.
Open Farm's RawMix Cat Food offers superior nutrition for your feline companion. Crafted with human-grade, non-GMO meats and fruits and vegetables, it combines the finest, responsibly sourced ingredients for a balanced diet. Each ingredient is carefully selected and prepared to retain natural nutrients, enzymes, and flavors.
Save an additional 20% on your first Autoship order with code HELLO20
Best Raw Cat Food For All Ages: Instinct
Instinct’s raw food comes from a world-renowned brand. It comes in four flavors, chicken, rabbit, beef, and beef & cod, and it’s available to buy in kitten formulas, adult formulas, and senior formulas for age-tailored nutrition. All of them are minimally processed into bite-sized chunks and frozen for freshness.
Key features:
- Variety of flavors
- Age-tailored formulas
- Complete & balanced recipes
- Nutrient-dense ingredients
- Real meat, organs & bones
- Fruits & veggies
- High moisture content
- No additives or fillers
- Grain-free
- Supports whole-body health
- Minimally processed & frozen
- Made in the USA
What we like: Their high protein formulas contain real meat, organs, and bones, plus a rainbow variety of fruits and vegetables for complete and balanced nutrition. Their adult recipe comes backed by science for supporting immune, gut, and skin & coat health, with Omega fatty acids, Vitamins A, B12, D & E, as well as probiotics, taurine, zinc, and selenium.
The kitten and senior formulas contain age-specific nutrients like DHA for the development/maintenance of healthy eyes, cognition, and mobility. They also have a high moisture content for healthy hydration and they’re free from artificial preservatives, colors, grains, and fillers.
What to consider: Some ingredients used in Instinct raw cat food, such as canola oil and peas, may be considered controversial by some pet owners. Canola oil, for example, can be derived from genetically modified rapeseed, and peas are a plant-based protein source, which some owners prefer to avoid in favor of purely animal-based proteins.
Raw cat food, scientifically formulated for optimal nutrition at every life stage. Made with real meat and a vibrant mix of vegetables and fruits, these recipes provide essential nutrients to keep your pet healthy. Customized for kittens, adults, and seniors 7+, they support heart, immune, gut, and skin and coat health.
Best Value Raw Food for Cats: Savage
Savage sells delicious tubs and boxes with one-off buys and subscription options for great value. It’s available to buy in chicken, rabbit & lamb, and duck flavors, all of which come frozen and minimally processed in mess-free packaging. They also sell frozen & dried treats.
Key features:
- One-off buys & subscriptions
- Three flavor options
- American-raised meats, bones & organs
- Organic, sustainable, humane-certified meats
- Egg yolks & supplements
- Antibiotic-free & grain-free
- High moisture content
- Supports whole body health
- Minimally processed & frozen
- No mess packaging
- Easy chew options
- Available to buy in stores
What we like: The high-protein formulas contain real, organic, American-raised, humanely-raised, and sustainable meats without the use of hormones, with nutritious organ meats and bones, as well as egg yolks and supplements for whole body health.
The brand promises improved digestion and softer, healthier coats, with better weight management and lower risk of diabetes & feline lower urinary tract disorder. Their formulas are grain-free with a high moisture content and chewy muscle chunks for advanced oral health, but they also sell smaller tubs without chunks for cats with dental issues.
What to consider: One consideration is the higher cost of Savage raw cat food. With prices ranging from $0.83 to $1.25 per ounce, the expense can add up quickly, making it a prohibitive option for some pet owners. While the quality of ingredients and the benefits of a raw diet are clear, the cost might be a barrier for those on a tight budget.
Savage Cat Food® contains real animal bone and marrow, the nutrients of which cannot be fully replicated with eggshell. When a cat eats exclusively Savage Cat Food® you will notice considerably less waste and smell in the litter box, a softer healthier coat and increased oral health. All of our raw meat is sourced from the United States.
Best Pure Protein: Darwin’s
Darwin’s is a raw pet food subscription service with over 15 years of experience feeding millions of dogs & cats across the US. They’re one of the first companies of their kind and offer three feline flavors, plus a vet-formulated food for cats with kidney disease, available on prescription.
Key features:
- 100% meat recipes
- Three flavors
- Designed to be species-appropriate
- Human-grade meats
- Ethically sourced & hormone-free
- No grains, fillers, or artificial preservatives
- Minimally processed
- Prescription option
- Subscription service
What we like: Their formulas are scientifically designed to be species-appropriate, with 100% human-grade meats. They offer three flavors; free-range chicken, which is rich in vitamin B and phosphorus, cage-free turkey, full of immunity-boosting nutrients, and pasture-raised beef, rich in protein, amino acids, and minerals like zinc & iron.
All of their foods come minimally processed and frozen for freshness with no fillers, preservatives, hormones, or grains. They also have helpful in-house consultants to help you tailor your pet’s meal plan if you’re unsure of what to get them.
What to consider: It’s a subscription-only service, which isn’t right for everyone.
Pioneering home-delivered raw pet food, Darwin's uses USDA ingredients that are meticulously selected and scientifically formulated to be species-appropriate. Their minimally processed recipes retain vital nutrients and feature free-range, cage-free, or pasture-raised meats. Crafted with human-quality, ethically sourced ingredients, Darwin's meals contain no grains, fillers, hormones, or chemical preservatives
FAQs
Can kittens eat raw cat food?
Kittens over 5 months old can eat raw foods designed for kittens or cats of all ages. Just make sure to stick to the feeding guidelines for your cat’s size and age.
How do you transition your cat to a raw meat diet?
Start by mixing small amounts of raw meat with their regular food, gradually increasing the raw meat over a few weeks. This helps their digestive system adjust.
Before making any changes, it may be wise to talk to a veterinarian. They can give you advice based on your cat’s health and needs.
How is freeze-dried different from raw cat food?
Freeze-dried foods offer the same taste & nutrition as regular raw food, without the moisture for a crunchier, longer-lasting raw meal that doesn’t need freezing or refrigerating.
Is raw food okay for sensitive cats?
Raw food is one of the easiest things for cats to digest because it’s ancestrally accurate, but always check the ingredients if your cat is intolerant or allergic to something specific.
Is raw cat food safe to handle?
Whilst commercial raw cat food is minimally processed to remove most of the harmful bacteria, we still recommend washing your hands after preparing your cat’s meals.
Why is raw cat food more expensive?
Raw cat food is pricier than regular cat food because it’s made with higher-quality ingredients and provides a higher level of nutrition. However, many subscription cat food companies offer discounts on auto-ship orders, so take that into consideration if you’re on a budget.
Who should avoid feeding raw food to cats?
Cats on immunosuppressive medications, such as chemotherapy drugs or high doses of cortisone-type drugs like prednisolone, should avoid raw meat diets.
Additionally, if anyone in the cat’s household has a weakened immune system from conditions like HIV/AIDS or is undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive treatment, it is advised to either exercise extra caution or avoid raw food altogether. In these cases, a homemade cooked diet can be a suitable alternative.
Prefer Fresh Instead of Raw?
Raw diets are popular because they focus on minimally processed ingredients and high levels of animal protein. Many cat parents like the idea of feeding something closer to what cats would eat in nature.
That said, raw feeding isn’t always the easiest option. It requires careful storage, handling, and portioning to keep meals safe.
If you like the idea of real, high-quality ingredients but don’t want to deal with raw meat preparation, a fresh subscription service like Smalls Cat Food can be a convenient alternative.
Smalls delivers gently cooked meals made with real meat and simple ingredients. The food arrives frozen and ready to portion, making it much easier to manage day to day than many raw diets while still providing a protein-rich, minimally processed meal.
Big Pet Food prioritizes profits over cat health and they pack cat food with preservatives and fillers. Smalls believes cats deserve better and uses natural ingredients and added vitamins and minerals in our food. The fresh food come in many delicious flavors and textures.
Final Thoughts
Raw food tends to shine in the digestion and coat-health department, and every brand here brings something a little different to the bowl. If you’ve got a fussy eater, Viva Raw and Savage Cat Food usually win the “clean plate club” with their ultra-fresh, meat-forward recipes. Cats with sensitive stomachs often do best with simpler, species-appropriate formulas, making Darwin’s and Instinct Raw Meals strong contenders. And if you’re a budget-conscious shopper who still wants impressive quality, Instinct Raw and Viva Raw offer some of the best price-per-ounce value without sacrificing nutrition.
Bottom line: no matter what your cat’s quirks or dietary needs look like, there’s a raw option here that can help them digest better, shine brighter, and feel their absolute best.
References:
- Tasi, A. “A Veterinarian’s View on Raw Cat Food.” Hare Today, 2019. Hare Today
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