Raw vs. Cooked Diets: What Science Says About Cat Nutrition – RshPets

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Raw vs. Cooked Diets: What Science Says About Cat Nutrition

Raw vs. Cooked Diets

Isaenko Alexander |

In this Article

    Raw vs. Cooked Diets: What Science Says About Cat Nutrition

    This expert guide compares a raw cat diet and cooked vs raw feline food, bringing together current science on cat nutrition so you can choose the best diet for cats at home.

    Last reviewed: September 2025.

    What recent studies say (quick snapshot)

    • Digestibility & immunity: Controlled cat trials suggest both raw and cooked can outperform many extruded diets; one 2024 study showed the strongest immune signal with cooked meat.
    • Benefits vs risks: 2025 reviews note better stool quality/body condition on well-formulated RMBDs, but also emphasize microbiological risk and variability in DIY recipes.
    • Pathogens: Regulatory updates continue to report Salmonella/Listeria in raw pet foods; treat like raw poultry at home.
    • Nutrient floors: Use FEDIAF/AAFCO targets; “complete & balanced” matters more than format.
    Bottom line

    Healthy adult indoor cats can thrive on raw or cooked when diets are complete, hygienically handled, and consistently fed.

    Raw vs. Cooked: Pros & Cons

    Aspect Raw (RMBD) Cooked/Home-Cooked
    Digestibility High protein/fat digestibility; often firmer stools when well formulated. Comparable digestibility in trials; immunity markers sometimes stronger than raw.
    Pathogen risk Higher risk of Salmonella/Listeria; strict hygiene essential. Cooking reduces bacterial load; still follow safe-food handling.
    Nutrient balance DIY raw is frequently unbalanced without a feline premix or formulation tool. Heat may reduce taurine (esp. boiling); compensate via premix/taurine.
    Practicality Freezer space, batch thawing, surface sanitation. Simple kitchen workflow; batch-cook + freeze portions.
    Standards Aim for FEDIAF/AAFCO adequacy (life-stage specific) regardless of format.

    Evidence deep-dive

    Digestibility & stool quality. Many RMBDs deliver excellent digestibility and stool quality; lightly cooked meat diets can match raw when properly formulated.

    Pathogens remain the headline risk. Recalls and public-health summaries frequently implicate raw foods in Salmonella/Listeria findings—risk extends to humans via handling and kitchen surfaces.

    Professional guidance. AVMA discourages raw/undercooked animal-source protein unless a validated pathogen-reduction step is used; WSAVA stresses individualized, complete nutrition.

    Taurine & cooking. Boiling with liquid loss can reduce taurine; add taurine/premix after cooking and cooling to meet FEDIAF/AAFCO minimums.

    Balanced Recipe Frameworks (vet-style)

    Use these frameworks with your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

    Framework A — Raw (HPP-preferred) Complete Bowl

    Healthy adults · Maintenance · 30–35 kcal/kg0.67/day (adjust to body condition)
    Protein base
    80–85% finely ground poultry or rabbit (skin-on for fat), preferably HPP-treated; include ~5–7% heart for taurine.
    Organs
    ~5% liver + ~5% other secreting organ (e.g., kidney).
    Calcium & micros
    Use a complete feline premix to balance Ca:P, vitamins, and trace minerals.
    Taurine
    Supplement per premix label; grind time/storage can lower taurine.
    Essential fats
    Measured fish-oil (EPA/DHA) if advised by your vet; avoid cod-liver oil excess.
    Hygiene
    Keep frozen, thaw in fridge, sanitize boards/knives, discard leftovers after 30–45 minutes, wash hands.
    Prefer kits? Choose complete raw kits with pathogen-reduction and life-stage adequacy labeling.
    Talk to your vet about safe raw kits

    Framework B — Cooked (Lightly) Complete Bowl

    Healthy adults · Maintenance · Good for mixed-diet households
    Protein base
    ~85% chicken/turkey thigh (skin-on). Lightly sauté/steam to safe internal temp; avoid long boiling.
    Organs
    ~5% liver + ~5% other organ; cook gently.
    Carb/fiber (opt.)
    Up to ~5% pumpkin or zucchini purée if your vet suggests for stool consistency.
    Premix
    Stir in a feline premix (after cooking, when cool) to meet FEDIAF/AAFCO; portion & freeze.
    Fats
    Adjust with a measured oil per vet guidance; never add onion/garlic/bones/seasoning.
    Short on time? Batch-cook weekly; freeze in silicone trays; thaw overnight in the fridge.
    See portioning workflow

    Indoor lifestyle matters: pair nutrition with movement

    Vertical territory helps weight and joint health. Add shelves and climbing routes so your cat can “hunt” between meals.

    Explore safe wall-mounted cat steps — a smart upgrade for indoor cats on any diet.

    Practical tips: sourcing, portioning, switching

    • Switch slowly: 7–10 days; mix increasing amounts of the new diet to avoid GI upset.
    • Label clearly: Date every batch; rotate frozen portions FIFO within 2–3 months.
    • Food safety: Treat raw like raw poultry; sanitize boards/knives/surfaces; use separate fridge space.
    • Supplements: Premix is not optional—DIY vitamin guesses are where most home recipes fail.
    • Taurine & heat: Avoid long boils; add taurine after cooking per premix label.

    Choose your path (and make it safe)

    Going Raw?

    Pick complete raw kits that use HPP or another validated pathogen-reduction step and display life-stage adequacy.

    Ask your vet about raw kit brands & handling checklists
    Prefer Cooked?

    Use a feline premix that brings your lightly cooked meat to FEDIAF/AAFCO standards; batch, portion, freeze, thaw in the fridge.

    See portioning workflow

    Key takeaways

    Raw cat diet can deliver excellent digestibility but requires strict hygiene and verified completeness. Cooked vs raw feline food is less a binary and more about nutrient adequacy, safe processing, and your household’s risk profile. Current science on cat nutrition supports both approaches when properly formulated. For many indoor cats, the best diet for cats is the one that is complete, safe, and consistent—paired with daily movement.

    References (selected)

    1. FDA — Pet Food Recalls & Withdrawals
    2. CDC — Pet Food Safety (raw pet food)
    3. UK Food Standards Agency — Raw pet food guidance
    4. FEDIAF — Nutritional Guidelines for Cats & Dogs (2024 PDF)
    5. AAFCO — Selecting the Right Pet Food (completeness & life stages)
    6. WSAVA — Global Nutrition Guidelines
    7. Kerr KR et al., 2012 — Cooking a raw meat diet did not reduce digestibility vs raw (cats)
    8. Wang P. et al., 2024 — Ragdoll cats: cooked vs raw; higher immunity markers with cooked meat
    9. Hamper BA et al., 2016 — Two raw diets vs commercial cooked diet in kittens
    10. Davies RH et al., 2019 — Raw diets: microbiological hazards & risks (review)

    FAQ

    1) Can I mix raw in the morning and cooked at night?

    Yes—if each portion is complete & balanced (or your daily total is), and you can manage raw-food hygiene separately.

    2) Do I need bones for calcium?

    No. The safer route is a feline premix that balances calcium-to-phosphorus precisely. Avoid guessing with ground bone.

    3) How fast should I transition diets?

    Over 7–10 days; slower for sensitive cats. Track stool quality and appetite daily.

    4) Is HPP raw “cooked”?

    No—High-Pressure Processing reduces pathogens without heat. It doesn’t replace the need for a complete formulation.

    5) What about taurine loss when cooking?

    Boiling with liquid loss can reduce taurine. Add taurine/premix after cooking and cooling to target FEDIAF/AAFCO levels.

    6) Can kittens be fed these recipes?

    Only with vet-approved, life-stage-specific formulations. Kitten requirements differ; do not scale down adult recipes.

    7) Are commercial extruded diets “bad”?

    Not inherently. Many complete extruded diets are well-researched and convenient. Choose what you can feed safely and consistently.

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