What Are the Dangers of Homemade Cat Food?

If you have heard horror stories of pet food recalls and the risks of store-bought cat food, you may have decided that homemade cat food is the way to go. Making cat food at home allows you to control everything your cat eats. It can also cost less, depending on the meat you buy. You should be prepared to spend extra time preparing your cat's meals. Before you make the decision to switch your cat to an all-natural diet, you should research the risks of making cat food at home. Always talk to your veterinarian before making any radical changes in your cat's diet.

  1. Allerigies

    • Like humans, cats can develop allergies to certain foods, so you should be careful any time you feed your cat something new. Cats can also develop allergies to foods they eat frequently. Beef, soy and wheat are three of the most common triggers of allergic reactions in cats. Your feline also may develop allergies to dairy products, sea food, corn and other meats. Itchy skin is the most prevalent sign of a food allergy in cats, but symptoms can also include difficulty breathing and swelling. If your cat has an allergic reaction to homemade cat food, you should work with a veterinarian to discover which ingredient caused the reaction so that you can avoid it in the future.

    Harmful Ingredients

    • If you feed your cat a homemade diet, be careful to avoid including foods that can be harmful to felines. While vitamins and minerals are essential, many of the foods you would eat yourself can be harmful for your cat. Avoid foods such as chocolate, coffee, avocados, grapes, nuts, onions, cherries and apples. All of these can be toxic for your cat and cause problems such as kidney failure, liver disease or heart disease.

    Malnutrition

    • Cats are primarily carnivores, so the main ingredient in any cat food should be ground meat, such as turkey, chicken, rabbit or salmon. Calcium can be added to your cat's diet by grinding meat bones as well. Cats also need a variety of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A and vitamin B, to stay healthy. Providing the proper nutrients in the right amounts can be difficult if you don't know what you are doing, and an unbalanced diet can lead to health problems. Talk to a veterinarian about what supplements you can add to your cat's meat-based diet to help it get the nutrition it needs.

    Weight-Related Health Risks

    • Store-bought cat food brands include a feeding guide on the label. This will not be the case with your homemade cat food. Determining the right amount to feed your cat each day will include a lot of guesswork on your part. You risk feeding your cat too much or too little. Cats that are overweight or underweight can experience health problems such as diabetes and heart disease, so it's important that you monitor your cat's weight gain if you decide to switch to homemade cat food. If your cat looks underfed, you may need to increase its daily portion. If it gains too much weight, you may need to feed it smaller meals. A veterinarian can recommend a good feeding plan based on the food you are preparing for your cat.

    Safety Concerns

    • You will be handling meat if you prepare your cat's food at home. To avoid health problems such as indigestion or food poisoning, keep your kitchen clean and sanitized. Store meat and finished cat food in the freezer until you are ready to use it. Wash the meat before you grind it to eliminate any contaminants. Spoiled food contains bacteria that can be harmful for your cat and for you and your family. If you cannot take the proper safety precautions while preparing and storing your cat's food, reconsider providing a homemade diet for your pet.