Many pet owners are turning away from commercially-sold pet foods, and are instead feeding their pets homemade and organic foods. It’s actually very easy to make organic cat food, and it’s much healthier than store bought versions. You’ll know exactly what goes into your pet’s food, and there won’t be any “fillers,” which are common in commercial pet foods. If you try to eat healthy and organic foods yourself, why not give the same to your pet? Here’s how to make organic cat food:
- Feed meat. Your cat needs lots of protein. Choose fresh, organic meats that are antibiotic and hormone free. Your cat will enjoy many cooked meats, including chicken, rabbit, lamb, fish, and turkey. Organ meat is also a favorite of cats, and it is very rich in vitamins and nutrients. However, it can be difficult to find organic organ meats. Buying organic when it comes to organ meats is actually very important, since any toxins in the animal are stored in the liver and other organs. You wouldn’t want to feed this to your cat, especially if you’re trying to make organic cat food.
- Add minerals. Powdered kelp and salmon oil are an excellent source of minerals and fatty acids. Kelp can be found at most health food stores. Look for wild salmon oil, which is healthier than the farmed version. You may also want to add cat vitamins, which can be found in pet stores. Do not add vitamins meant for humans.
- Add a few vegetables. Don’t overdo it on the vegetables; your cat needs a diet that is mostly protein. A few vegetables can be beneficial, though. Of course, make sure that you buy organic vegetables.
- Grind the food. Once you’ve purchased your ingredients, use an electric grinder to mix the cat food together. If your meat has bones (particularly the turkey), grind them with the food. Leave a few pieces of meat in small bite-sized chunks; these give your cat something to chew on, keeping their teeth and gums healthy.
- Add eggs. Once the meat mixture is ground, add four organic egg yolks. These should be cooked for your cat’s safety, although some recipes do call for raw egg yolks in organic pet food.
- Store the food. You can make your organic cat food every day or two, feeding it to your cat while it is still fresh, or make a large batch and freeze it in glass jars for later use. Feeding your cat organic food doesn’t mean that you have to cook a meal for them every day. You can keep a large batch stored to use for several weeks, just as if you had purchased commercial pet food.
Dry cat foods purchased at the store have a lot of fillers like carbohydrates, preservatives, and additives that cats simply don’t need in their diet. By making organic cat food, you know exactly what you are feeding to your cat, and you know that it is healthy.