Should I Make My Cat’s Food at Home? Key Pros and Cons

As a devoted cat owner, you want the very best for your feline. With growing concerns about the quality and ingredients in commercial pet food, many pet owners are exploring homemade meals as a healthier alternative. But while it may seem appealing, making your cat’s food at home comes with certain challenges and risks. At Just Cats Clinic, we want to provide you with the information needed to make the best choice for your cat’s long-term health. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of homemade cat food and why commercial diets are often a safer option.

Why Homemade Cat Food Appeals to Pet Owners

There are several reasons why cat owners consider making their pets’ food at home:

  • Control Over Ingredients: Homemade food allows you to choose exactly what goes into your cat’s diet. You can avoid artificial preservatives, artificial colors, and palatants commonly found in commercial pet foods.
  • Tailored Nutrition: If your cat has specific dietary needs, such as food allergies or gastrointestinal sensitivities, a homemade diet allows you to customize ingredients to accommodate these issues.
  • Concerns About Commercial Food: Some pet owners are wary of commercial cat foods, fearing recalls, or low-quality ingredients.

While these are valid concerns, preparing a nutritionally complete meal for your cat at home isn’t as simple as it may seem.

The Risks of Homemade Cat Food

Though homemade cat food gives you control, it can also introduce significant risks, especially if the diet isn’t carefully planned with a veterinary professional.

Nutritional Imbalance

One of the most significant challenges of homemade cat food is ensuring that your cat receives the right balance of nutrients. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their diet must contain certain nutrients derived from protein to remain healthy. Some key nutrients include:

  • Protein: Cats require a high-protein diet, primarily sourced from animal meats. This supports muscle growth, energy levels, and overall health.
  • Taurine: This essential amino acid, found in animal tissues, is critical for heart and eye health. A deficiency in taurine can lead to serious conditions such as heart disease and blindness.
  • Vitamin A: Cats cannot synthesize vitamin A from plant-based sources, so it must be obtained through their diet. A lack of vitamin A can cause vision problems and skin issues.
  • Fatty Acids: Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are vital for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and overall cellular function.
  • Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamins A, D, and E, along with calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, are essential for immune health, bone strength, and metabolism.

Without the guidance of a veterinary nutritionist, it’s easy to provide insufficient amounts of these nutrients, or incorrectly balance other essential nutrients, leading to long-term health issues for your cat.

Food Safety Concerns

If you’re considering a raw diet, be aware of the potential health risks. Raw meats can carry harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, which not only put your cat at risk but can also contaminate your home and without stringent hygiene protocols, can make members of your family sick – especially if you have children, elderly, pregnant or immune compromised people in your family. While cooking a raw food may eliminate these bacteria, heat also destroys some important nutrients, making it difficult to ensure minimum nutrient requirements are met. 

Cost and Time Commitment

While homemade food might seem like a cost-effective solution, it often ends up being more expensive than high-quality commercial diets. Premium ingredients, supplements, and time spent preparing meals all add up quickly. For pet owners with busy schedules, finding the time for daily, weekly, or monthly pet food prep may be challenging. 

When Homemade Food May Be Necessary

There are situations where homemade diets can be beneficial, particularly if your cat has specific health conditions that require a tailored diet. Cats with food allergies, skin conditions, or gastrointestinal issues may benefit from a customized meal plan that avoids common allergens or limits certain nutrients.

At Just Cats Clinic, we provide nutrition consultations as part of our wellness appointments and as needed to help you determine whether homemade food or something else is appropriate for your cat.

Is Commercial Cat Food a Better Option?

For the vast majority of cats, high-quality commercial cat food is the safest and most reliable option. Look for the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) statement on your cat’s food to ensure you are purchasing the correct food for your cat’s life stage, and you are feeding a food that has either gone through clinical trials or been formulated to provide all the essential nutrients your cat needs to thrive. 

If you’re unsure which commercial food is best for your cat, reach out to us at Just Cats Clinic. You can also explore our Cat-Friendly Practice page to see how we create a welcoming environment for your feline.

Conclusion

While making your cat’s food at home might seem like a healthy and loving option, it’s important to recognize the complexities involved. Although there are plenty of homemade cat food recipes online, many are not complete and balanced. Cats have specific nutritional needs that can be challenging to meet without professional guidance. For most cats, high-quality commercial foods are the best option for providing balanced, complete nutrition. However, if you’re still considering a homemade diet, always consult with a veterinary nutritionist to ensure your cat’s health and well-being.

To learn more about feline nutrition or to schedule a consultation, visit our Contact Us page.