BARF Cat Quantity: Correct Food Amount Made Easy

Have you ever wondered how much you should feed your cat when you feed him raw? Finding the right amount of food can be confusing, especially when you first start raw feeding.

Depending on the level of activity, a cat needs about 25-30 g of meat per kg of body weight per day, with the meat portion making up 95% of the meal.

In this article, you'll learn all about the basics of raw feeding, the role of taurine, suitable raw meats, necessary additives, and creative recipe ideas to keep your cat healthy and happy.

Basics of the amount of food when BARFing cats

When feeding your cat raw food, it is important to determine the right amount of food. An adult cat needs an average of 25-30 g of meat per kilogram of body weight per day. However, this amount can vary depending on your cat's activity level and state of health. It is advisable to check your cat's weight regularly and adjust the food rations accordingly to avoid overweight or underweight.

Feeding should ideally be spread over several meals a day to aid digestion and keep energy levels constant. It is recommended to plan at least two meals a day, with meat that is fresh and of high quality. Make sure that the meat is prepared safely and hygienically to minimize health risks.

The essential role of taurine in the BARF plan

Taurine is an essential amino acid that should not be missing from your cat's diet, especially when feeding raw food. Cats cannot produce taurine themselves and therefore have to get it from their diet. A lack of taurine can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and vision problems. It is therefore important that your cat's raw food meals contain enough taurine, which is mainly found in fresh meat, especially heart and dark poultry meat.

Safe and healthy raw meat varieties for your cat

There are a few things to consider when choosing the right raw meat for your cat. Safe and healthy meats for cats include beef, poultry and sometimes fish. However, pork should be avoided as it can contain the Aujeszky virus, which is dangerous for cats. Make sure the meat is fresh and comes from trusted sources to minimize the risk of pathogens.

Necessary additives for a balanced BARF diet

To ensure a balanced BARF diet, certain supplements are necessary. These include vitamins, minerals and sometimes fatty acids that are not always found in sufficient quantities in meat. Important supplements include vitamin E, cod liver oil for vitamin D and a calcium-phosphorus ratio that is often achieved by adding ground eggshells. These supplements help prevent deficiencies and support your cat's health.

Creative recipe ideas for BARFing your cat

If you're looking for creative ideas to make your cat's raw food diet varied and healthy, you've come to the right place. For example, a simple recipe could consist of 85 g of beef muscle meat , 45 g of various offal such as heart, liver and lungs and 15 g of pureed vegetables . These vegetables can vary depending on your cat's preferences. Popular vegetables that are good for cats include pumpkin, carrots and zucchini. These ingredients not only provide the necessary proteins and fats, but also vitamins and fiber that support your cat's digestion.

For another variation, you could try a mixed recipe consisting of 70-75 g of chicken meat , 20-22 g of various offal such as beef liver and chicken gizzards, and 5-6 g of any vegetable . This recipe can be supplemented with the addition of taurine in the form of chicken hearts, which is especially important for your cat's heart health. Such recipes are not only nutritious but also easy to prepare and can ensure that your cat gets all the essential nutrients it needs for a long and healthy life.

Successfully switching cats to BARF

Transitioning your cat to BARF can be challenging, but with the right approach, it will be much easier. Start by mixing small amounts of raw meat into their usual food. You should gradually increase this amount while simultaneously reducing the amount of conventional food. It is important to make the transition slowly and gradually so as not to overwhelm your cat's stomach. Here are a few tips to help ease the transition:

• Start with a small amount of raw meat mixed into the usual dry or wet food.
• Gradually increase the amount of raw meat over several weeks.
• Make sure that the meat is always fresh and of good quality.

During the transition, it is important to keep an eye on your cat's acceptance and well-being. Some cats need some time to get used to the new texture and taste. Here are some additional tips to increase acceptance:

• Lightly blanch the raw meat with warm water to intensify the smell and taste.
• Gradually reduce the amount of usual food while increasing the amount of BARF.
• Observe your cat closely and adjust the pace of the change to suit its needs. If it accepts the new food well, you can go faster; if it hesitates, you should go slower.

Ready-made BARF as a practical alternative

If you are short on time or are new to BARF, ready-made BARF can be a practical alternative. These products are already mixed and balanced, so you don't have to worry about whether your cat is getting all the necessary nutrients. Some advantages of ready-made BARF are:

• Time saving : You don’t have to assemble and mix the ingredients yourself.
• Easy to use : Ready-made BARF is often delivered frozen and only needs to be thawed.
• Quality assurance : Many ready-made BARF products are manufactured under strict hygiene standards and are often of high quality.

These products are particularly suitable for cat owners who have little time or are still unsure about preparing raw food. They offer a quick and easy way to feed your cat in a species-appropriate and healthy way.

BARF for kittens: What you need to know

When feeding a kitten raw food, you need to take some special considerations into account to ensure that it receives all the nutrients it needs for healthy growth. Kittens are in their growth phase and therefore require more proteins, fats and certain vitamins and minerals compared to adult cats. It is important that you adjust the amount of food and the nutrient composition precisely. A kitten needs about 80-100 g of meat per kilogram of body weight per day. This amount should be divided into several small meals to facilitate digestion and to distribute energy needs evenly throughout the day.

In addition to the high protein requirement, other important nutrients must also be included in your kitten's raw food ration. The right calcium-phosphorus ratio is particularly important, which should be around 1.2:1 to support bone development. Taurine should also not be missing, as it is essential for your kitten's heart health and eyesight. Here are some examples of important nutrients that you should not forget:

• Vitamins A and D , which are found in liver and fish oils
• EPA and DHA , omega-3 fatty acids, which are mainly found in fish oils
• Iron , which is abundant in red meat

These nutrients help your kitten grow up healthy and develop well.

BARF in old age: Special instructions for senior cats

When BARFing senior cats, there are some special requirements to consider to support their health and well-being. Since older cats often have reduced energy needs and their digestive systems can be more sensitive, it is important to adjust the composition of the food accordingly. For example, the fat content should be reduced and easily digestible, lean meat should be preferred. Here are some specific adjustments you should make:

• Reduce the total amount of food slightly to avoid obesity, as older cats are less active.
• Choose lower-fat, high-quality meats , such as chicken or turkey breast.
• Increase the proportion of easily digestible ingredients , such as cooked vegetables or finely pureed vegetables, which provide additional vitamins and aid digestion.

These adjustments will help to optimize your senior cat’s diet and support their health in old age.

Optimize your cat's BARF diet with the Flappie app

With Flappie, you have the ability to comprehensively monitor not only your cat's diet but also their activity level. This means you have the control to optimize your cat's diet and help them maintain a healthy weight. Here are some benefits of using the Flappie app:

• Individualized feeding plans : Make sure your cat gets exactly what he needs.
• Direct adjustments : Change your cat's diet directly from your smartphone.
• Health promotion : Support your cat's general well-being through appropriate nutrition and regular monitoring. With the Flappie app you have a powerful tool in your hand to optimize your cat's BARF diet and give it a long, healthy life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much BARF per day for a cat?

An adult cat needs an average of 25-30 g of meat per kilogram of body weight per day. However, the exact amount may vary depending on factors such as the cat's activity level and state of health. It is recommended to check the cat's weight regularly and adjust the amount of food accordingly.

How many grams per serving for cat?

The amount per serving may vary depending on the cat's total daily needs and how often it is fed. For example, if a cat needs 300g of food per day and is fed two meals, each serving would be approximately 150g.

How do you properly feed a cat raw food?

To properly feed your cat raw food, you should make sure that the meat is fresh and of high quality. Ideally, feeding should be spread over several meals a day. It is important that the meals contain enough taurine, especially in the form of heart and dark poultry meat. In addition, necessary supplements such as vitamins, minerals and possibly fatty acids should be added to ensure a balanced diet.

What additives do cats need when feeding raw food?

When BARFing, certain supplements are necessary to ensure a balanced diet. These include vitamins, minerals and sometimes fatty acids. Important supplements include vitamin E, cod liver oil for vitamin D and a calcium-phosphorus ratio, which is often achieved by adding ground eggshells.