Why Make Cat Food?
Making cat food at home is appealing to many people for several reasons.
Below are some common reasons people choose to make cat food at home.
Control Over Ingredients
Making cat food at home gives you complete control over the ingredients used.
You can choose high-quality, fresh, natural ingredients, ensuring your cat’s diet is free from artificial additives, preservatives, and fillers.
Tailored to Your Cat’s Needs
Some cats may have specific dietary requirements or health issues that require a customized diet.
Making cat food at home can address these individual needs more effectively.
Allergies or Sensitivities
If your cat has allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients commonly found in commercial cat food, making cat food at home lets you avoid those allergens.
Personal Satisfaction
Making cat food at home is a rewarding experience for many cat parents.
It allows you to participate in your cat’s care and well-being actively.
How to Make Cat Food
To ensure a nutritionally balanced feline diet, it’s crucial to include the following proportions in your cat’s food:
- 75% to 90% protein, sourced from meat.
- 10% to 25% carbohydrates, obtained from grains, vegetables, and fruit.
- A minimum of 2% fat.
To monitor the protein, carbohydrate, and fat ratios in the cat food you prepare, you can use online food logs available on platforms like Fitbit and Livestrong websites.
Later on in the article, we provide slow cooker recipes that meet the above proportions.
Adding some supplements to your cat’s diet is essential when you make cat food.
In addition, please add the following:
- One cat multivitamin per day
- Calcium supplement 50mg/kg of body weight (22mg/lb of body weight) per day
- Taurine between 250mg and 500mg per cat per day
Feeding Schedule
You should feed your cat roughly 1/2 cup per 10 pounds of body weight twice daily when you make cat food at home.
Keep a close eye on your cat’s weight.
If any undesirable weight loss occurs, promptly contact your veterinarian to adjust your cat’s feeding/diet plan.
The Best Way to Make Cat Food
Taking a proactive approach to your cat’s health begins with an energetically appropriate diet supporting his/her overall well-being.
We offer a selection of delicious homemade slow cooker cat food recipes to make it easier for you.
The energetically appropriate recipes are nutritious, allowing you to prepare wholesome meals without fuss.
By cooking for your cat, you’ll give him/her the care they deserve while ensuring they receive the essential nutrients they need to thrive.
Slow Cooker Cat Food Therapy Recipes
Our slow cooker cat food recipe collection includes a range of balanced (neutral), limited ingredient, warming, cooling, and blood-building options, catering to various feline dietary needs.
If you’ve consulted a TCVM-trained veterinarian, he/she might have already recommended a specific energetic type of food that suits your cat’s requirements.
However, many people have difficulty finding a TCVM-trained veterinarian.
Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of common characteristics of food energetics to help you choose the recipe best suited to your cat’s individual energetic needs.
Balanced Cat Food Recipe
The TCVM Balanced Cat Food Recipe for cats who are already in balance.
The balanced recipe is perfect for cats who:
- Play regularly
- Breathe normally
- Maintain normal appetite
- Rest comfortably
- Pay attention
- Live in a mild climate
Limited Ingredient Cat Food Recipe
The TCVM Limited Ingredient Cat Food Recipe contains limited ingredients and proteins that are least likely to cause a reaction when you feed it to your cat.
The limited-ingredient recipe is perfect for cats who:
- Suffer from allergies
- Scratch vigorously
- Lick their feet
- Deal with hot spots and red skin
- Have ear infections or runny eyes
Cooling Cat Food Recipe
The TCVM Cooling Cat Food Recipe is for cats who run “hot” or “warm.”
It contains ingredients that are cooling ingredients to counteract the effects of excess heat.
The cooling recipe is perfect for cats who:
- Eat grass
- Prefer cool surfaces
- Act agitated
- Live in a warm climate
- Are warm to the touch
- Suffer dry skin
Warming Cat Food Recipe
The TCVM Warming Cat Food Recipe is for cats who run “cold” or “cool.”
It contains warming ingredients to help balance the cold and sluggish.
The warming recipe is perfect for cats who:
- Move slowly
- Feel cold to the touch
- Eat sporadically
- Prefer warm surfaces
- Lack stamina
- Live in a cool climate
Blood Building Cat Food Recipe
The TCVM Blood-Building Cat Food Recipe is for listless, low-energy cats.
It contains ingredients to help support the “Blood” or liquid of the body.
The “Blood” is needed for strength and energy.
The blood-building recipe is perfect for cats who:
- Seem dull and uninterested
- Lack energy
- Startle easily
- Limp from ligament injuries
- Battle dry paws
- Lack a shiny coat
Recipes for Cats Suffering From Chronic Kidney Disease
We offer several different recipes for cats suffering from kidney disease or renal failure.
- Warming Food Recipe for Cats in Renal Failure
- Blood Building Food Recipe for Cats With Kidney Failure
- Cooling Food Recipe for Cats With Kidney Disease
If your vet is TCVM-trained, he or she may want to review the recipes to decide which one is best for your cat.
Making cat food is simple and can be a rewarding experience for both you and your feline friend.
However, please consult with your veterinarian and use personal judgment when preparing homemade meals for your cat.
While some vets express concerns about homemade diets causing potential vitamin/mineral deficiencies, others believe it can be a viable option with careful attention to meeting your cat’s needs.
Be sure to share the recipe you choose with your veterinarian so they can advise you on supplements tailored to your cat’s specific requirements.
Monitoring your cat’s health includes observing its temperament, skin, coat, and waste. If you notice any changes or issues, seek veterinary attention promptly.
Need Extra Help for Your Special Needs Cat?
A holistic or TCVM-trained veterinarian will help you navigate diet, alternative options, stress management techniques, and standard medical treatments.
If you can’t find a holistic vet near you, your next best option is a telemedicine consultation.
Our founding veterinarians, Dr. Marc Smith and Dr. Casey Damron offer Holistic and TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) Telemedicine Consultations.
If you get a TCVM telemedicine consultation with one of our veterinarians ($125), you’ll get personalized recommendations specific to your pet, including:
- Food Therapy Recommendations
- TCVM Herb Recommendations & Veterinary Authorization
- Supplement Recommendations
- Alternative Medicine Recommendations
- Answers to Your Questions
You can learn more about our founding veterinarians and their expertise and/or schedule by visiting their websites:
- Marc Smith, DVM, MS – Natchez Trace Veterinary Services
- Casey Damron, DVM, CVA – White Oak Animal Hospital
