Dr Marie Menniti - Miss Cats Team

Dr. Marie Menniti's Veterinary Advice

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) discourages the use of raw diets for cats due to the risks. You can read all about potential risks and how to mitigate them on the AVMA website here.

If you do choose a raw commercial diet, the following tips can help you choose the best one for your cat.

1. Choose a food with the AAFCO label

Many commercial raw foods for pets are intended to be fed as “complementary food”, which means that they do not contain all the nutrition your cat needs. 

A good hint that a raw food is complete and balanced is the inclusion of vitamin and mineral supplements. 

The food will have an Association of American Feed Control (AAFCO) adequacy statement on the label if the food has been formulated to meet the minimum nutritional guidelines for cats.

2. Choose a diet that has been shipped and stored safety

Many raw foods are shipped and stored frozen. Any rise in temperature above freezing along the shipping or storage chain has the potential to cause bacterial contamination of the product.

When you’re buying frozen raw food in a shop, check the package for holes or leaks. The freezer in which the food is stored should be clean with all foods organized neatly inside.

If you are ordering for delivery, check with the retailer about how they ensure contents remain frozen during transit- it should still be completely frozen when it arrives at your door.

3. Choose a manufacturer with appropriate quality control measures in place

Because the contamination risk of raw meat products is so high, it is worth finding out the specific quality control measures in place during production. Contact the manufacturer and ask “What quality control processes are in place?” and “How do you minimize bacterial contamination in your products?”.

The manufacturing plant should have a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan in place. Some pet food manufacturing facilities may even have a HACCP certification, meaning that they have met standards that have been verified by an independent body.

4. Choose a form your cat will enjoy

The common forms of raw foods are freeze-dried, dehydrated, and frozen-thawed. If you cat prefers a meal with a high water content, the frozen-thawed diet might be the best option. Freeze-dried and dehydrated foods can be fed with water mixed in, or on their own if your cat prefers a dry food.

5. Consider how you will safely prepare the food

Feeding a frozen-thawed food will take some planning, as defrosting should occur slowly and in conditions that will not encourage bacterial growth; either defrosted in the fridge overnight or in a cold water bath.

Depending on your lifestyle, it may be difficult to feed frozen-thawed raw food. Freeze-dried and dehydrated foods are ready to be fed as-is or with the addition of some water.

What is the Best Raw Cat Food?

Author:
Last updated June 28, 2021
IMAGE RECOMMENDED PRODUCTSPRODUCT FEATURES
Top Pick
Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Food
  • Type: Freeze-dried
  • Calories: 182 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 45%
PureBites Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
  • Type: Treats, Freeze-dried
  • Calories: 2 kcal/treat
  • Protein: 74%
Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Chicken Recipe
  • Type: Food topping, Freeze-dried
  • Calories: 16 kcal/tablespoon
  • Protein: 36%
Vital Essentials Minnows Freeze-Dried Raw
  • Type: Treats, Freeze-dried
  • Calories: 82 kcal/oz
  • Protein: 60%
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused
  • Type: Dry food, Freeze-dried
  • Calories: 395 kcal/cup
  • Protein: 42%

Raw Cat Food Reviews

Stella & Chewy's Chick Chick Chicken Dinner Morsels Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food

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TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Chicken (Ground With Bone)
  2. Chicken Liver
  3. Chicken Gizzard
  4. Pumpkin Seed
  5. Potassium Chloride
 PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE → 		FEATURES
  • Type: Freeze-dried
  • Calories: 182 kcal/cup
  • Lifestage: Adult
NUTRITION
Fat
25%
25%
Protein
45%
45%
Fiber
5%
5%
REVIEW

Stella & Chewy's Chick Chick Chicken Dinner Morsels Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food Review

This formula from Stella & Chewy’s is one of the best raw cat food options on the market. It is made with sustainably sourced raw chicken, which is frozen to preserve its nutritional value. You can serve this cat food as is, or rehydrate it by adding warm water to suit your cat’s preferences. The raw chicken is an excellent source of protein and provides fresh flavor as well.

This limited ingredient formula also contains certified organic fruits and vegetables. It contains the essential antioxidants and minerals that your cat needs, such as taurine, vitamin A, and vitamin E. This cat food from Stella & Chewy’s has an optimal balance of nutrition and has an excellent taste that your cat will love as well.

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PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats

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TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. 100% Pure USA Sourced & Made Human Grade Chicken Breast
 PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE → 		FEATURES
  • Type: Treats, Freeze-dried
  • Calories: 2 kcal/treat
  • Lifestage: Adult
NUTRITION
Fat
3%
3%
Protein
74%
74%
Fiber
1%
1%
REVIEW

PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats Review

The PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats is one of the best frozen raw cat food selections available. They are a very healthy and nutritious alternative to many of the other cat treats on the market right now. Each bite is made from pure human-grade chicken breast that has been freeze-dried to preserve the flavor and nutrition.

These treats do not contain any additives and they are very rich in protein. Because they don’t have any additives, they are easy for your cat to digest. Each bite only contains two calories, so they are a good treat option for cats that struggle with their weight.

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Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food

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TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Chicken (including Ground Chicken Bone)
  2. Chicken Liver
  3. Pumpkinseeds
  4. Chicken Heart
  5. Carrots
 PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE → 		FEATURES
  • Type: Food topping, Freeze-dried
  • Calories: 16 kcal/tablespoon
  • Lifestage: Adult
NUTRITION
Fat
26%
26%
Protein
36%
36%
Fiber
15%
15%
REVIEW

Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food Review

Instinct Raw Boost is one of the best raw cat food brands. They have very appealing flavors that are packed full of nutrition. This recipe is made with a blend of raw chicken and chicken liver that has been freeze-dried to preserve its nutritional value.

It is also fortified with fruits and vegetables, so it’s primed to support your cat’s immune system with the vitamins and minerals that they need. They only use cage-free chicken and non-GMO fruits and vegetables to provide the highest quality nutrition for your cat. The formula contains an optimal balance of protein and fat, with plenty of fiber to support your cat’s digestive system. It doesn’t contain any artificial colors or flavors that could cause any irritation.

BUY HERE →

Vital Essentials Minnows Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food

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TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Minnows
 PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE → 		FEATURES
  • Type: Treats, Freeze-dried
  • Calories: 82 kcal/oz
  • Lifestage: Adult
NUTRITION
Fat
5%
5%
Protein
60%
60%
Fiber
3%
3%
REVIEW

Vital Essentials Minnows Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food Review

The Vital Essentials Minnows Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food is a treat for your cat that’s both tasty and nutritious. They are made with pure freeze-dried raw minnows, which are an excellent source of protein. However, this cat food doesn’t contain any additional ingredients. There are no grains, hormones, flavorings, or other additives that could irritate your cat’s sensitive stomach.

This treat contains 60 percent protein on a dry matter basis. The minnows are sourced in the United States and caught in the wild. If you’re looking for the best raw cat food diet, this is a great treat to use for training or just to supplement your cat’s diet.

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Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Game Bird Recipe Raw Cat Food

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TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Deboned Chicken
  2. Chicken Meal
  3. Turkey Meal
  4. Potatoes
  5. Peas
 PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE → 		FEATURES
  • Type: Dry food, Freeze-dried
  • Calories: 395 kcal/cup
  • Lifestage: Adult
NUTRITION
Fat
14%
14%
Protein
42%
42%
Fiber
4%
4%
REVIEW

Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Game Bird Recipe Raw Cat Food Review

This cat food recipe from Merrick is specifically formulated with high quality raw ingredients to boost your cat’s immune system. The main ingredients in this recipe are freeze-dried chicken, duck, and quail, all of which are excellent sources of protein. It also creates a very fresh taste that cats love.

Merrick cooks this recipe in small batches without any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and without any grains or other things that can be irritating for cats with sensitive stomachs. The meat is balanced out with fresh vegetables, which are an excellent source of antioxidants as well as essential omega-3 fatty acids and minerals like taurine. Overall, this is one of the best raw cat food premix options available.

BUY HERE →