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Cats are carnivorous animals who typically depend on meat protein for their regular growth and development. But can kittens eat raw meat? Well, while cats do enjoy feasting on meat from other animals, they should do so only after a certain age. Younger kittens generally do not have the metabolism and capacity to digest raw meat. Hence, pet parents should start a raw diet for kittens only once they turn 3 to 4 weeks old.
Although cats relish their portion of raw meat, feeding it to kittens is a totally different topic. Since kittens are still at a developing stage, they are more sensitive and need additional care. Yet, feeding raw meat to kittens is not an unheard practice. However, uncooked and unprocessed raw meat often carry harmful microbes which may hamper the kitty’s health. Hence, it is not recommended to feed raw meat to kittens.
While there is no evidence that raw meat offers more nutrition than other types of cat food (and vice versa), here are two reasons why kittens shouldn’t eat raw meat:
Raw food is not recommended for cats because it contains bacteria like Salmonella and listeria. These bacteria can make both the pet as well as caregivers sick. And it is no news that food-borne diseases can at times be fatal.
Raw meat often contains small bone pieces and that can be dangerous for the kitten. These pieces can cause intestinal blockage. In fact, they can even cut the insides of your pet’s digestive system. Moreover, bone pieces can also fracture the cat’s teeth. If your cat is an aggressive chewer, feeding raw meat with bones could even break your feline friend’s tooth.
Now, as a cat parent, you might assume that home-cooked food is the best choice for your cat. However, it is a daunting and time-consuming process. You will have to understand cat’s feeding needs to ensure that it meets the daily nutrition quota. Along with protein, our feline family member also needs essential micronutrients like iron sodium, chloride, magnesium, etc. Hence, going for wet cat food products and kibbles is a feasible option. It saves you the effort of cooking food every day while also offering complete nutrition to your pet. Let’s explore the benefits of feeding wet cat food and kibbles to your cat:
Note: Get in touch with your vet to make sure you feed the right quantities of both wet and dry cat food to your pet.
At IAMS, we offer dry cat food and kibbles that are made with premium-quality meat like chicken, tuna, and salmon. Along with being rich in protein, our range of cat food is also loaded with essential vitamins and minerals for cats.
If your cat accidently eats raw meat, take it to your vet as soon as possible. Cats exhibit the following symptoms every time they eat something their system doesn’t accept:
If a cat eats raw meat, it can lead to food-borne diseases, digestive issues, and tooth fracture.
No, raw food is not safe for kittens as it often contains infectious bacteria and small bone pieces that can cause fatal health problems.
Since kittens are still at a growing stage, their immune system is not strong enough to fight harmful bacteria present in raw meat. Hence, it is not recommended to feed any kind of raw meat to kittens.
No. Kittens shouldn’t eat raw chicken as it can cause severe health problems. Since cats are carnivores, they require animal protein for sustenance. Hence, cat parents should opt for wet and/or dry cat food that are developed to support your pet’s overall health.
Kittens are curious, energetic fluffballs with boundless energy. A safe, enriching environment can cater to your kitten’s playful side, stimulate them physically and mentally, and benefit their health and development for the rest of their life.
Keeping your kitten indoors has significant benefits because it protects them from a large number of dangers. But without all the sights, sounds and smells of nature, a kitten needs other ways to stimulate their mind and body.
To build your kitten an enriching environment, provide them with safe places for hiding and resting, like window ledges, carriers or perches. Your kitten should feel protected in their safe spots and may prefer an enclosed resting area. While kittens spend a great deal of their time sleeping, their periods of wakefulness can and should be used to stimulate psychological and physical activity.
It’s important to create stimulating places for entertainment and play, as well. Cats can benefit from spaces at different vertical levels, like cat trees and perches. A variety of scratching posts can teach your kitten appropriate scratching while nurturing their natural instincts, and protect your furniture and carpet from their sharp claws.
Many cats also benefit from social activity with other cats, especially if they were introduced to other cats early in life. Providing your kitten with another kitten or young cat as a play buddy can help meet their need for near-constant play and motion. Keep in mind that cats put a premium on managing space, so it’s important that multiple-cat homes offer a variety of places to hide, sleep and observe, using both the horizontal and vertical dimensions.
An important component to enriching your kitten’s environment is socialization and play, especially if your kitten is the only animal in the household. A kitten’s natural predator-play behavior is usually easy to stimulate with interactive toys, such as wand toys or balls to pounce on or chase.
Playing kitten games with your pet helps them develop coordination and natural hunting skills. It also can help them learn boundaries and develop a bond with their new owner. Aim for 10 to 15 minutes of structured playtime two or three times a day. One way to prevent the “nighttime crazies” is to engage in active, vigorous play before feeding your kitten at bedtime. This helps wear out the kitten before bed and mimics the natural hunting-feeding-grooming-sleeping sequence in cats.
Engaging games to play with your kitten include:
An important component to enriching your kitten’s environment is socialization and play, especially if your kitten is the only animal in the household. A kitten’s natural predator-play behavior is usually easy to stimulate with interactive toys, such as wand toys or balls to pounce on or chase.
A greater challenge is providing enrichment opportunities for kittens when a person or another pet is not present to interact with them. Puzzle toys are one option to fight kitten boredom. These toys come in a variety of designs to entertain your kitten and reward her with a treat or food, such as IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Healthy Kitten with Chicken. This offers twofold benefits, providing play and proper nutrition for supporting a kitten’s energy and playtime.
Kittens and cats will spend a great deal of time watching the outside world through windows, especially if there’s a bird feeder or butterfly garden within view. Make sure to keep at least one window blind open — especially if it looks out on an area with frequent movement and activity. There are also a number of “cat TV” videos of squirrels, birds and other nature scenes available online to keep a cat entertained.
Providing your kitten with enrichment opportunities helps prevent stress and the development of abnormal behaviors. Growing from a kitten into a cat in an enriched environment with lots of physical and psychological exercise supports the overall well-being of your pet at all stages of her life.
