Raising Raw-Fed Kittens: What Every Cat Owner Should Know

Raising Raw-Fed Kittens: What Every Cat Owner Should Know

Kittens grow fast, and their nutritional needs are both unique and demanding. Providing a balanced, natural diet during these formative months supports healthy bones, strong teeth, and overall development. At Raw Essentials, we believe feeding kittens raw—just as nature intended - lays the foundation for a lifetime of robust health. This guide walks you through raising raw-fed kittens safely and confidently, with advice backed by veterinary, nutritional, and animal behaviour expertise.

Why Nutrition Matters for Growing Kittens

Kittens experience rapid growth, with bones, muscles, and organs developing at an astonishing pace. Proper nutrition is essential to avoid growth disorders, dental issues, or nutrient imbalances. Dr. Nicola Smith, DVM, emphasises that kittens need a diet mirroring their natural prey: complete, high-quality nutrients without unnecessary carbohydrates, grains, or fillers.

A raw diet made up of meat, bone, organs, and tripe provides:

• Protein and fat for energy and muscle development

• Calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth

• Vitamins and minerals naturally sourced from organs

• Beneficial bacteria (especially from green tripe) for gut health

Research supports that well-formulated raw diets can support normal growth and nutrient absorption in kittens, comparable to conventional cooked diets (Butowski et al., 2022; PubMed, 2016). Additionally, studies show raw meat diets positively influence the gut microbiome, enhancing bacteria suited for protein and fat digestion in obligate carnivores (Fredriksson-Ahomaa et al., 2017).

Feeding Kittens: What You Need to Know

Nourish your kitten with a balanced blend of meat, bone, organs, and tripe sourced from a variety of prey—completely free of carbohydrates. Kittens typically need around 5% of their body weight in food, increasing toward 10% during growth spurts. As they grow, their portions should increase—don’t let meals stay the same.

Monitoring is key: regular weight and body condition checks, guided by veterinarians or trained Raw Essentials staff, ensure your kitten grows at a healthy rate. Most kittens naturally taper their intake around 8–10 months (Fredriksson-Ahomaa et al., 2017).

Animal behaviourists also note that consistent, well-portioned meals help kittens develop healthy eating habits and confidence around food.

Initial Raw Feeding Phase

Start from 8 weeks of age to give your kitten’s digestive system time to adapt gradually. Early introduction supports strong growth, dental health, and digestive resilience.

Phase 1 – Settling In (First 2 Weeks)

• Feed a raw minced mix containing meat, bone, organs, and optional green tripe

• Include up to ⅓ boneless meat to balance calcium intake

• Add bone broth to soothe the digestive system during the transition

Phase 2 – Gradual Changes (After 2 Weeks)

• Introduce new minced mixes or protein varieties one at a time, allowing your kitten to adjust

• Gradually expand the diet for variety and seasonal nutrition

• Continue consulting veterinarians or Raw Essentials nutrition experts for guidance

Tip from cat behaviourists: slow, gradual changes reduce stress and digestive upset, helping kittens form positive feeding habits.

How Often to Feed

Raw Meaty Bones: Nature’s Nutritional Powerhouse

Whole raw meaty bones provide calcium and phosphorus naturally, supporting healthy bones and teeth. Benefits include:

• Balanced nutrition: Prevents deficiencies often seen in boneless diets

• Dental health: Chewing bones strengthens gums and helps shed baby teeth

• Safe growth: Young kittens absorb nutrients efficiently, and excess is excreted

Getting started safely:

• Offer soft, size-appropriate bones like necks once every few days

• Supervise chewing to prevent accidents

• Gradually replace some minced meals with whole bones under expert guidance

Veterinary insight: Many vets acknowledge that, when done correctly, raw meaty bones are highly beneficial for kitten musculoskeletal development and oral health (Fredriksson-Ahomaa et al., 2017; Butowski et al., 2022).

Expanding the Diet Safely

Once kittens are comfortable with raw feeding:

• Introduce one new food at a time and monitor their response

• Rotate proteins and organ meats to provide a complete nutrient profile

• Mix boneless minces or meat cubes (~⅓ of diet) with bones to ensure calcium levels are balanced

A measured, monitored approach ensures growth stays on track and digestive upset is minimised.

Dental Health Essentials

• Raw meaty bones promote healthy gums and aid natural baby tooth shedding

• Teeth continue to harden until about 2 years of age; combining bones, chews, and brushing supports lifelong dental health

• Avoid only offering hard chews, which can increase tooth fracture risk

• Supervise chewing and provide a mix of chew options for enrichment and safety

Pet trainers and behaviourists highlight that chewing bones not only supports dental health but also encourages natural behaviours and mental stimulation.

Stop All Grains and Starches

Kittens are obligate carnivores, evolved to digest high-protein, meat-based diets. Avoid:

• Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, kumara, pumpkin, or other starches

• Commercial biscuits containing corn, soy, wheat, or rice

• Most canned foods with grains or gelling agents

Raw feeding keeps digestion efficient, supports immunity, and provides all nutrients kittens need (Fredriksson-Ahomaa et al., 2017).

Evidence-Based Support

Veterinary and animal nutrition experts increasingly recognise the value of well-planned raw diets for kittens:

• Support musculoskeletal development

• Promote natural dental health

• Provide complete nutrition for growth

At Raw Essentials, our team of qualified vets, nutritionists, and pet specialists provides evidence-based, personalised advice both in-store and online, ensuring kittens thrive on their raw journey.

Practical Tips for Cat Owners

• Monitor weight and body condition regularly

• Introduce foods gradually to prevent digestive upset

• Supervise chewing for safety

• Offer a variety of minced mixes, bones, and tripe to ensure nutritional balance and enrichment

• Seek expert advice whenever needed—our knowledgeable team is here to guide you

Raw Feeding for Lifelong Health

Raising a kitten on a raw diet isn’t just about meals—it’s about building a foundation for robust health, strong teeth, and lifelong vitality. Feeding unprocessed, naturally raw foods supports their growth, immunity, and natural behaviours.

Drop by any of our 17 stores or chat online for personalised guidance—Raw Essentials is here to make raw feeding safe, balanced, and enjoyable for every kitten.

References

Butowski, C. F., Moon, C. D., Thomas, D. G., Young, W., & Bermingham, E. N. (2022). The effects of raw‑meat diets on the gastrointestinal microbiota of the cat and dog: A review. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 70(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2021.1975586

Fredriksson-Ahomaa, M., Heikkilä, T., Pernu, N., Kovanen, S., Hielm-Björkman, A., & Kivistö, R. (2017). Raw meat-based diets in dogs and cats. Veterinary Sciences, 4(3), 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci4030033

[Author(s) not listed]. (2016). Evaluation of two raw diets vs a commercial cooked diet on feline growth [Abstract]. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26927818/

Institute for Environmental Research and Education. (n.d.). Do vets recommend raw diets for cats? Retrieved from https://iere.org/do-vets-recommend-raw-diet-for-cats/

Institute for Environmental Research and Education. (n.d.). Is raw or dry food better for cats? Retrieved from https://iere.org/is-raw-or-dry-food-better-for-cats/