Freeze Dried Foods for Healthier Cats

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Whether it’s a Human or a pet. That’s how I teach Clients to eat as well – our historical diet.

Freeze-dried cat food cost more per serving but can change your cat’s life. Don’t let them suffer kidney failure, UTI’s, obesity and scruffy coats.

I am not a Vet or a Doctor, but have had a Clinical Nutrition health practice since 1985. Enjoy my articles and podcasts on a variety of human topics, as well as my Online Store – for humans.

What Should Cats Eat?

Cats are “obligate carnivores”. They evolved to eat meat, organs and bones from lizards, birds, mice and rabbits. Why feed them corn, “poultry by-products”, colors, additives and chemicals? You’re working to give up grains, sugars and processed foods, right? Cats don’t need these either.

The whole point of the Paleo/Ancestral Diet, whether for people or animals, is to eat what we ate long ago, not what we’ve eaten since we began agriculture. 

The best food is freeze-dried raw meat, organs and bones with extra vitamins added. Add water (maybe add some roast chicken juice or beef stew juice) and you’re done. Some people use homemade raw food but that can be tricky and you don’t want to gamble on a mineral deficiency…

Tabby cat stalks his prey

I also feed pre-prepared raw food made from ground-up organs, bones and muscle. I get this from my rancher selling pastured meat.

The Leading Causes of Cat Death

• Kidney failure is the leading cause of non-accidental cat death. I believe it’s from eating dry kibble. Even “good quality” grain-free kibble will dehydrate a cat and can cause stones, infections and toxic kidneys.
• Most cats won’t drink water since they prefer to get fluids from prey (and the occasional dripping faucet).
• Most senior cats die from kidney failure or cancer.
• They can suffer from viruses, skin issues, asthma, gut problems, hyperthyroidism and allergies too.
• And bad teeth and gums…
• What you feed them can change this.

Step #1) Stop Feeding Grain Based Kibble!

Start today! No more cheap kibble full of corn and “by-products”. Start grain-free kibble – there are many to choose from. Cats don’t eat corn, rice or wheat in the wild! They eat prey and the contents of the prey’s stomach.

Step #2) Transition to Canned (Wet) Food

If you can’t afford freeze-dried just yet, switch to canned GRAIN-FREE food and forget about changing to grain-free kibble first. Donate it to a shelter.

Study the labels. If the ingredients sound like chemicals, corn, soy and by-products, keep looking. Foods sold in many vet offices are, in my opinion, a terrible option. Vets, like most doctors, have not studied Nutrition. Zookeepers understand the concept of Species – Appropriate Diet much better.

Note that canned Grain-Free dog food is the same as canned grain-free cat food but much cheaper. Compare labels and see.

Start by adding 1/3 or 1/2 the meal as wet food mixed with the kibble. Try to match the flavor profile to make it less of a taste overload. Chicken with Chicken, etc.

With freeze dried foods, buy CAT food, not dog. They are formulated differently.

Step #3) Transition to Freeze Dried Foods for Healthier Cats

Many cats transition straight from kibble to rehydrated dried food without going to canned foods first. Mix the food with a little water (I use the same Reverse Osmosis water I drink) and use with half kibble. Once accepted, and if you can afford it, use just freeze-dried cat food.

Step #4) Fewer Vet Bills

Better health means fewer vet bills. Good food pays for itself!   And the cats are happier.   

What About Taurine?

Cats on a meat based diet DO NOT need Taurine. They only need Taurine when fed corn, wheat, rice, sugars, beaks and feathers (Poultry By-Products) and other non-feline foods. These “foods” are low in digestible nutrients such as the Amino Acid Taurine. Real meat and fish already have Taurine in abundance.

Buying Freeze Dried Foods for Healthier Cats

There’s more on the market every year! Invest in 1 small bag each of several choices and make notes how the cats like them. Give them time to change. They won’t starve if they get picky for a few days…

Brands I’ve used include:

• Primal Freeze Dried;
• Stella and Chewy’s;
• Northwest Naturals and Feline Natural.
• Here’s my cat’s favorite Primal Freeze Dried and this one is her second favorite.
• Here’s one of the Stella and Chewy’s options. There are others. Watch out for the ounce sizing when price comparing.
• Here’s one from Northwest Naturals to try.
• And here’s Feline Natural. It’s more expensive than the others but I like variety in my food and figure the cats do too.

The larger bags are much more economical than the small ones, but you can try small ones first for your taste testing. Remember to get Cat, not Dog, and make sure it’s raw and freeze-dried. All are easy to mix with a bit of water and serve to happy cats.

Want more info?

This article has more details on feeding your cat. This one has health tips for cats and dogs, as well as just food ideas.