feeding the feline
Feeding your cat a species-appropriate raw food diet from LUNA & me can mean incredible benefits for you and your cat.
Watch your cat thrive on a raw food diet using a fresh all-natural raw food menu from LUNA & me.
Cats dietary requirements differ slightly from those of a dog. For this reason, we have created a menu, especially for cats; Essentials & RawBlends.
The primary difference between canine and feline dietary needs is an increased requirement for muscle meat and organ meats with a lower percentage of ground bone. They also are obligate carnivores and therefore are not well suited to eating fruits and vegetables.
Tips for transitioning your cats to LUNA & me:
Start Early
Cats can get attached to food and its often difficult to make the switch. Kittens make the switch to raw almost immediately as they don't have the same attachment to dry/wet food. For this reason, we suggest moving your kitten to raw as early as possible.
Take it Slow
If your cat is eating dry food gradually move to tinned food and then raw. For many cats, the switch from dry hard food to cold raw food is about temperature and texture. This method can help make the switch easier. The earlier you start the easier it is.
Kittens
Kittens need a lot of food to grow. We suggest feeding your kitten 5-7% of their actual weight.
Weighing your cat regularly will ensure that you increase the food portion as they grow.
Monitor your kitten's activity, and physique to determine if they are eating enough. You should be able to feel ribs, but not see them.
Adult Cats
We suggest feeding your adult cat 2-3% of their actual weight. The simplest method for determining how much to feed your cat is by weighing your cat then enter the actual weight in kgs into our online Portion Calculator to recommend daily portions in Patties.
An average cat weighs between 3-5kgs
Method
To 4 months: Daily portion divided x 4 meals.
4-6 months: Daily portion divided x 3 meals.
From 6 months: Daily portion divided x 2 meals.
Stay Positive
Cats are known to be finicky! Often it's a bit of trial and error to find out what your cat's preferences are for protein, texture and temperature. Keep trying!
Create an appetite
Stop free-feeding your cat. You want your cat to associate food with you! Offer 2 to 3 meals a day (adult) and take away food so they learn to eat when food is offered. It's a good sign if your cat gets hungry! There is nothing like a good appetite to make the transition easier.
Temperature is key
Cats enjoy the food at room temperature. Most won’t eat cold food from the fridge. Allow food to sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before feeding.
Keep them eating
Cats must eat, so unlike dogs, we don’t suggest a fasting period. Don’t be surprised if your cat's appetite fluctuates from ravenous to not overly interested in food the next day. Just be sure your cat is eating some food every day.
Practice patience
For some cats, the transition may only take 1 day, but more commonly it can take 2-4 weeks. However long it takes just stick with it.
Top it off!
When making your first raw meal top it off with some dry food pieces, dehydrated treats or even a spoon of tinned food.
Even if your cats just eat the pieces off the top and not yet the raw food this is progress.
Side by side
As you may notice raw food doesn’t have a strong aroma like tinned food. Always offer some raw food alongside the tinned or dry food so your cat can continue to smell the aroma of the tinned food and encourage your cat to make the switch.
Mix it
The most common transitioning method is to start by adding 1tsp of raw to current food and gradually offer less current food and more raw.
For some cats you can make this switch in just 5 days, others won’t accept the change that quickly, but that’s okay.
Go back to whatever your cat will eat and then try again.
Complete & balanced
All our RawBlends & Essential meals are complete & balanced and contain all of the required nutrients your cat requires to be happy & healthy. Simply thaw and serve. To achieve a nutritionally complete diet, we make the following recommendations.
Rotate
To widen the spectrum of nutrients, protein rotation is important. We suggest offering your cat at least 3 proteins on a rotational basis.
No need to supplement
We include complex natural, organic superfoods adding trace minerals that are important for your cat's dietary needs. Including a rich source of Iodine an essential mineral for cats and including Omega 3’s essential for skin and coat health, but also the distribution and absorption of minerals and vitamins.
We also include essential taurine, vital for your cat’s health.
Got a question?
Get in touch, we are always happy to help.