Raw feeding appeals to many cat guardians because it aligns closely with what felines are built to eat. Cats are obligate carnivores. Their teeth, stomach acid and metabolic machinery are designed for meat, organs and the minerals found in bone. Done right, a raw diet can be balanced, highly digestible and very satisfying for picky eaters.
Done poorly, it can miss calcium, taurine or vitamins, and that is where consulting a veterinarian becomes crucial to avoid health problems. The good news is you don’t have to mince and measure it all yourself. Complete raw patties make it simple to feed with confidence while keeping the menu biologically appropriate.
Below is a practical guide to feeding raw food safely and correctly, incorporating feeding guidelines with clear quantities, product options and day‑to‑day tips any busy household can use.
What a balanced raw diet looks like
A natural prey template guides most successful raw diets for cats. Think muscle meat for protein and energy, edible bone for calcium and phosphorus, and organs for vitamins, minerals and taurine.
● Protein is high, fat is moderate, carbohydrates are very low.
● Calcium to phosphorus sits close to 1.2 to 1 for skeletal health.
● Taurine is non negotiable and must be supplied daily.
Protein, fat and carbs in the right range
● Protein: Cats thrive on very high animal protein. Practical targets for a raw, prey-style diet are about 50 to 60 percent protein on a dry matter basis.
● Fat: Aim for roughly 20 to 30 percent fat on a dry matter basis, which provides energy and essential fatty acids without overloading the gut.
● Carbohydrate: Keep it minimal. Cats have limited need for starch. Low carb diets generally suit their physiology.
Micronutrients cats must get every day
● Taurine for heart and eye health. Hearts and dark poultry meat help, and reputable formulas also add taurine to guarantee adequacy.
● Calcium and phosphorus in balance. Ground bone or a measured calcium source is essential. The Ca:P ratio should sit near 1.1 to 1.5 to 1.
● Vitamins A, D, E and B group. Liver supplies vitamin A, but commercial raw formulas also add a vitamin and mineral mix to meet recognised standards for all life stages.
The simple 80-10-5-5 rule
A handy way to visualise balance:
● 80 to 84 percent muscle meat
● 6 to 10 percent edible bone
● 5 percent liver
● 5 percent other secreting organ
Complete raw patties are built to this template, then finished with a small vitamin and mineral premix for consistency.
Ready-made raw that gets the balance right
If you’d like the convenience of raw feeding without the DIY risks, Proudi patties are a strong option. They are complete and balanced, made from human-grade Australian meat and designed for everyday feeding.
The two recipes below show how easy and balanced raw feeding can be.
77 Paws offers a wider range of Raw food made from various Australian proteins, so you can choose what best suits your cat’s taste and sensitivities.
Discover more options on the 77 Paws website.
Two useful recipes for common feline needs are highlighted below.
Turkey and chicken for cats with red meat sensitivities
Proudi Premium Raw Turkey & Chicken Patties for Cats suit cats that react to red meats or have sensitive stomachs.
● Ingredient highlights: 100 percent Australian turkey and chicken, including breast, heart, gizzard, liver and skin. The recipe includes linseed, ground bone, calcium carbonate, dried kelp, taurine and a trace mineral and vitamin mix.
● Composition: About 97 percent meat, organs, moisture and ground bone, with 3 percent vitamins and minerals.
● Typical energy per patty: about 131 kcal.
● As-fed analysis guide: protein around 12.6 percent, fat around 10.1 percent, carbohydrate around 2.2 percent, fibre low. That lands at roughly 54 percent protein and 43 percent fat on a dry matter basis.
What this means at the bowl: high animal protein, appropriate fat, negligible carbs, taurine on label, and bone-derived calcium to hit that 1.2 to 1 Ca:P ratio.
Red Combo for variety or white meat intolerance
Some cats react to poultry or just prefer the flavour profile of red meats. The Red Combo Patties blend lamb, kangaroo, pork and beef.
● Ingredient highlights: 100 percent Australian deboned beef with liver and kidney, deboned kangaroo, deboned pork, deboned lamb. Linseed and pumpkin seed contribute small amounts of fibre and fatty acids. Taurine, vitamins, minerals and ground vacuum dried bone are included.
● Composition: 97 percent meat, organs, moisture and ground bone with 3 percent vitamins and minerals.
● As-fed typical analysis:
○ Protein 13.9 percent
○ Fat 11.9 percent
○ Fibre 2.1 percent
○ Carbohydrate 1.5 percent
○ Moisture 72 percent
○ Ash 1.4 percent
● Energy: 1522 kcal per kg, about 137 kcal per 90 g patty.
Both recipes are complete for daily use. You can rotate them to keep palates interested or to manage sensitivities.
How much to feed: simple rules that work
Every cat is an individual, but these rules get you close. Fine tune weekly by watching weight, muscle, waist and appetite.
● Underweight or very active: 3 to 4 percent of current body weight per day.
● Ideal weight: 2 to 3 percent of body weight per day.
● Overweight: 1.5 to 2 percent of body weight per day.
A calorie cross‑check helps. Adult cats often sit around 50 to 60 kcal per kg per day. Since Proudi patties contain about 131 to 137 kcal each, patties per day equal your cat’s daily kcal need divided by the kcal per patty.
Daily feeding guide by body weight
Use the table below as a starting point, then adjust to keep an ideal body condition score of 4 to 5 out of 9.
|
Cat Weight |
Grams Per Day |
Patties Per Day |
|
2 kg |
54 g |
0.5 |
|
4 kg |
87 g |
1.0 |
|
6 kg |
114 g |
1.25 |
|
8 kg |
138 g |
1.5 |
|
10 kg |
160 g |
1.7 |
|
12 kg |
181 g |
2.0 |
Amounts vary with breed, age, activity and environment, so always refer to feeding guidelines. Always provide fresh water.
Life stage tweaks
● Kittens: 4 to 8 percent of body weight per day, split into 3 to 4 meals. Reduce gradually toward adult levels by 10 to 12 months.
● Adults: 2 to 3 percent of body weight per day. Indoor desexed cats often sit at the lower end.
● Seniors: protect muscle with high quality protein, but watch calories. Many do well on about 10 to 20 percent fewer calories than at midlife. If appetite dips, consider smaller, more frequent meals.
● Pregnant and lactating queens: increase intake in late gestation to about 125 to 150 percent of maintenance. During lactation, energy needs can double or even triple. Offer more frequent feeds and monitor body condition closely.
Transitioning to raw without drama
Most cats switch smoothly if you go steady and keep the food fresh.
● Days 1 to 3: 25 percent raw with their current diet.
● Days 4 to 6: 50 percent raw.
● Days 7 to 9: 75 percent raw.
● Day 10 onward: 100 percent raw.
Extra tips:
● Serve meals at room temperature, not fridge‑cold.
● Add a teaspoon of warm water and mix to boost aroma.
● If your cat is suspicious, crumble a favourite topper very lightly over the new food.
● Maintain meal hygiene during the transition as you would for full raw.
Safe handling and storage
Raw feeding is simple when you treat it like your own kitchen workflow.
● Keep frozen patties in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge in a sealed container.
● Use thawed portions within 48 to 72 hours. Do not refreeze once fully thawed.
● Wash hands, utensils and bowls with hot soapy water after each meal.
● Store patties away from ready‑to‑eat human foods. Keep your fridge at or below 4°C.
● Dispose of uneaten raw food that has sat out for longer than 30 minutes, especially on warm days.
(this product is refrigerated and currently available for local delivery or pickup in Sydney only.)
Protein choices, allergies and rotation
Choosing the right protein can support comfort, stool quality and skin health.
● Poultry like turkey and chicken is mild, lean and often a hit with sensitive stomachs.
● Red meats like lamb and beef are calorie dense and rich in iron and zinc. Kangaroo is very lean and often considered novel, which can help with food trials.
● Some cats react to common proteins like chicken or beef. A single‑protein or novel‑protein phase can calm things down.
Signs that suggest a food reaction:
● Itchy face, neck or ears
● Recurrent ear issues
● Chronic soft stools, vomiting unrelated to hairballs
● Poor coat despite good parasite control
If you suspect an adverse food reaction, run a strict elimination diet with your veterinarian. Feed one carefully selected, complete formula for 8 to 12 weeks with no treats or flavoured meds. If signs improve, reintroduce the previous protein once to confirm.
Rotation feeding keeps palates keen and may reduce risk from constant exposure to one protein. Switching between a poultry‑based patty and a red meat patty every few weeks is an easy way to add variety without sacrificing balance.
What each ingredient is doing for your cat
Complete raw formulas are simple on the label for a reason, but every component earns its place.
● Muscle meat: rich in essential amino acids for tissue repair, immunity and daily energy.
● Hearts and gizzards: naturally high in taurine and other micronutrients.
● Liver and other secreting organs: packed with vitamin A, B vitamins, iron and copper.
● Ground bone: supplies calcium and phosphorus for teeth and bones, and sets the Ca:P ratio correctly.
● Linseed and pumpkin seed: small contributions of omega‑3 and omega‑6 fatty acids, plus gentle, fermentable fibre that can improve stool shape.
● Taurine, vitamins and minerals: provide a safety net so every meal matches recognised nutrient profiles even with natural variation in meat.
Many cats do very well with just the patties and water. Some guardians add a tiny amount of marine fish oil for EPA and DHA, especially if they want extra omega‑3 support beyond plant ALA. If you add anything, keep it modest and consistent.
Turkey, chicken or red meats: which suits your cat
Different meats bring different strengths. The table below helps you pick based on sensitivity, energy and taste.
|
Option |
Key Proteins |
Best For |
Texture & Energy |
Quick Notes |
|
Turkey & Chicken Patties |
Turkey, chicken meat and organs |
Cats with red meat intolerance, sensitive tummies, lean body goals |
Leaner profile, moderate calories |
Taurine on label, balanced Ca:P via ground bone |
|
Red Combo Patties |
Lamb, kangaroo, pork, beef with organs |
Cats that react to poultry, fussy eaters who like richer flavour |
Slightly higher calories, still balanced |
Rich in heme iron and zinc, still taurine‑supplemented |
You can keep both on hand and rotate each week, or stick to the one your cat thrives on. Either way, the formulas are complete.
Example day plans
Sometimes a simple schedule makes feeding easier, especially when households are juggling work and school runs.
● Kitten, 1.5 kg, healthy appetite:
○ Breakfast: 35 g
○ Lunch: 35 g
○ Dinner: 35 g
○ Supper: 20 g
○ Total: about 125 g per day, review weekly as weight climbs
● Adult, 4 kg, indoor and desexed:
○ Breakfast: 45 g
○ Dinner: 45 g
○ Total: about 90 g per day, adjust by 10 to 15 g based on body condition
● Senior, 4 kg, prefers small meals:
○ Breakfast: 35 g
○ Mid‑afternoon: 25 g
○ Dinner: 35 g
○ Total: about 95 g per day, watch muscle tone and keep protein high
● Pregnant queen, 4 kg late gestation:
○ Breakfast: 50 g
○ Lunch: 40 g
○ Dinner: 50 g
○ Late snack: 30 g
○ Total: about 170 g per day, keep water bowls spotless and full
Hydration and bowl habits that help
Cats are efficient water conservers, but good hydration still matters, especially when protein is high.
● Offer multiple wide bowls away from the food station.
● Try a ceramic or stainless steel bowl to avoid plastic odours.
● Add a splash of warm water to raw meals if your cat enjoys softer textures.
● Keep a pet fountain running if your cat loves moving water.
Troubleshooting common situations
● Soft stools during transition: slow the changeover, add 2 to 3 extra days at the 50 percent stage, and keep batches consistent.
● Constipation after switching to a very bony DIY recipe: switch back to a complete patty with measured bone, and ensure fresh water is always on offer.
● Refusal to eat from the fridge: plate meals at room temperature. Warming the bowl with hot water underneath can help.
● Sudden weight gain: trim daily intake by 10 percent and recheck in 10 days. Avoid extra treats while adjusting.
● Hairballs still an issue: split daily food into more frequent smaller meals, brush daily, and consider a teaspoon of extra hydration per meal.
Ordering and storage notes for Sydney
Proudi Premium Raw patties require refrigeration. They are currently available for local delivery or pickup within Sydney. Keep a week’s supply in the fridge and the rest frozen, then rotate stock so older packs are used first.
Quick nutrient snapshot
Curious how the macros line up with a feline‑appropriate profile? Here is a compact view.
|
Nutrient Focus |
What Proudi Provides |
Why It Matters |
|
Protein high, carbs very low |
Protein around 12.6 to 13.9 percent as‑fed, carbs around 1.5 to 2.2 percent |
Cats rely on amino acids for energy and maintenance, and have little need for starch |
|
Balanced fats |
Fat around 10 to 12 percent as‑fed |
Supplies calories and essential fatty acids without upsetting digestion |
|
Calcium and phosphorus |
Ground bone plus calcium carbonate to set Ca:P near 1.2 to 1 |
Supports skeletal health and nerve function |
|
Taurine |
Listed on label, plus heart and dark muscle |
Protects heart function and night vision |
|
Vitamins and minerals |
Added premix covers A, D, E and B group |
Fills natural variation across meat cuts and seasons |
Feeding raw can be straightforward, safe and deeply satisfying for both you and your cat, especially when following feeding guidelines. Start with a complete patty, feed the right amount for your cat’s size and life stage, keep handling clean, and adjust calmly based on body condition.77 Paws is an authorised Australian distributor of Proudi raw pet food, helping Aussie pet families feed natural nutrition with confidence. If you’re in Sydney, local delivery or pickup makes it even easier to keep fresh food on hand.
