Over the past few years, my cats’ diet has changed. The more that I learn about the importance of good quality food and a species appropriate diet, the more I am intent of providing my cats with the best possible diet. However, with 18 cats, it has been a challenge to be able to get them all on the kind of diet that I want for them. Over time, I have been improving their diet in small ways and incorporating raw food in ways that are affordable for me. So, here is what I feed my cats.
Resident Cats
For those who may be new here, my 18 cats are broken up into 3 groups, the Cat House Cats, The Kracken Kitties, and The Resident Cats. The Resident Cats have been on a fully species appropriate raw diet for about 3 years now. I instantly started transitioning them once my beloved Monti Boi developed kidney disease from a predominantly kibble diet and passed at age four. Currently, they eat Small Batch and Primal raw patties, along with Stella & Chewey’s and Small Batch Freeze Dried Raw. I was able to replace their need for an all-day kibble buffet by crumbling up the freeze dried. It worked like a charm and is so much healthier for them.
Small Batch Raw is a favorite in this house.
Emmet loves Green Juju Raw Goat’s Milk
In addition to the raw food, they get treats. But not the commercial treats filled with preservatives and additives. They get healthy treats. Freeze dried minnows, either from The-Two-Crazy-Cat-Ladies or Vital Essentials, are a favorite of Lily and Cactus. They get a few each morning before I go to work. Another favorite treat is Green Juju Whole Food Bites. I love that these are high quality proteins combined with organic fruits and vegetables. And, yes, I know that cats are obligate carnivores, however, there are nutrients in certain fruits and vegetables that your cat can benefit from. I use these food bites as treats or crumble them up as meal toppers. Right now, we are in love with the pork and duck proteins. And, of course, my cats also get Green Juju’s Raw Goat’s Milk.
Kracken Kitties
The Kracken Kitties started out as fosters. They were born into the outside colony that I was caring for. Once they were weaned, I brought them in to start taming them in the hopes to find them forever homes. However, the sad reality is that not many people are interested in adopting black cats. Superstitions and stigmas. So, the Kracken Kitties became a part of our family. It has been a very slow transition to get them on better quality food. It happens. Some cats are very set in their ways and refuse to eat anything that is different. You want to ensure that your cat is eating, so you will have to meet them where they are.
Freeze Dried has replaced kibble in this house.
For the Kracken Kitties, this meant continuing to feed them the Fancy Feast wet food that they had been eating their entire lives and adding raw food in ways that they accepted. I crumbled Small Batch Freeze Dried over their wet food. This gives them the benefits of raw food. As for their kibble, this was the hardest part. They were so addicted to kibble that it took well over a year to curb that addiction. I started crumbling Stella & Chewey’s Freeze Dried over their kibble. Over time, I started decreasing the amount of kibble and increasing the amount of freeze dried. I also started adding some whole pieces of the Small Batch Freeze Dried, as it is harder and crunchier pieces. The goal is to eventually transition them from the wet food to a species appropriate raw diet. But baby steps.
The Cat House Cats
The Cat House Cats are the colony of cats that I was caring for at our old house. I moved them with us with every intention of letting them have free rein of our 6 acres. Until I realized we have coyotes. So, plan B went into effect. I purchased a 10×20 shed and converted it into a Cat House. Because I knew they had been eating a species appropriate diet with the food they caught, I knew that I needed to be able continue that for them. However, even though they caught a lot of their own food, they were still very used to eating the food that I provided them, which was very cheap wet food and kibble. Once I moved them into the Cat House, we improved their wet food. Instead of the Friskies wet food, I switched them to Dave’s wet food.
Adding some freeze dried to your cat’s diet can go a long way.
As with the Kracken Kitties, get them off the kibble was difficult. It is crazy how addictive kibble is to our cats. As with the Kracken Kitties, I had to start adding freeze dried to their kibble. Slowly decreasing the amount of kibble and increasing the amount of freeze dried. Finally, we kicked the kibble addiction. Now, they get some Small Batch Freeze Dried crumble over their wet food. They also get crumbled Stella & Chewey’s Freeze Dried with some whole pieces of Small Batch Freeze Dried added. It has been amazing seeing the changes in their weight and especially their coats. My goal for them is to also transition them to a fully species appropriate raw diet, but once again, baby steps.
Healthy Diet Equals Healthy Cats
As with humans, diet is so important to stay healthy. Can you imagine what you would feel like if you only ate fast food and junk? It is the same with our cats. In fact, a species appropriate diet is even more important for our cats. They need high quality proteins to stay healthy, which kibble definitely does not have. Cats also obtain the moisture that they need from their food. So, providing them with food that is moisture rich is essential to their well-being. If you are unsure about transitioning your cats to a species appropriate raw diet fully, there are easy ways that you can add raw to their current diet. Even adding the smallest amount of raw can provide your cats with the essential components they need to stay healthy.
Sloopy approves of his healthier diet.
“Animals are sentient, intelligent, perceptive, funny and entertaining. We owe them a duty of care as we do to children.” — Michael Morpurgo
Lora Lee 
