We have two cats both(13 Yrs old) and have been feeding raw for about 5 years.  I have been using the recipe from www.catnutrition.org/recipes.  We have a smaller grinder so we use Cornish hens instead of chickens.  We have not always been successful in obtaining raw organic liver and hearts as the health food store is not too convenient in location. We add the extra Taureen to each serving.  I also have Dr. Pricherns and Pierce DMV recipes.  We tried the whole pieces of raw on the bone and they would drag them on the floor, make a huge mess and attract tiny ghost ants which made me than have to spray insecticide.

Both our cats used to have access to the backyard however that had to change due to other cats, skinks, snakes, mosquitoes (one cat tested allergic), possums, racoons etc.... yes we live in Florida.  Six years ago we had taken our Abyssinian, to the vet as she was having many problems with weight loss, eye infections, biting off the hair above her tail.  Eight vets later, (4 Holistic and 4 Conventional, only one which incorporates both in his practice, was worth while) we learned she is allergic to quite a few things you can't control in Florida.  Also, they contracted Feline Herpes from another cat that would constantly find it's way into our yard.  They are now both indoor cats and it is always a challenge when our son has friends over that are not conditioned to watch for escaping felines through open doors.  We feed them a raw diet to help their immune system including Reishi mushrooms and L-lysing.  

We adopted both cats when we moved to our Clearwater home thinking the large dog we both would love to have, would be too hot a climate and not have the running space (the park adjacent to our property requires a leash).  We love our cats however we will not adopt any more pets having learned the time and costs to keep them healthy in Florida is overwhelming.   I grew up in the mid west where all our cats and the Sheppard/Collie mix ( she lived 17 Years) were naturally healthy. 

I have used the Pet Dophiles, and more recently bought the pro-biotic from Mercola.  I would like to find a pro-biotic which is less expensive as a multi-cat house used therapeutically burns through it too quickly.  Perhaps there is a better raw food recipe which would provide a natural pro-biotic?  Also, what do you consider the best book on "cats health", not dogs at this time?

Hi and welcome :)

Both Catnutrition and Dr. Pierce's recipes look good.  I don't have a calculation program to confirm all nutrients (especially minerals) are accounted for however..  I like Dr. Pitcairn as a holistic vet and healer but have NEVER been fond of his diet/recipes...  They are not species appropriate at all...

Catnutrition and Dr. Pierce don't recommend vegetables and fruits but they do add a supplemental source of fiber.  I prefer the veggies to the supplement --- at least with the veggies they are getting fiber AND vitamins and antioxidants....

The think I don't like about catnurtition and Dr. Pierce's diets ---- there is no variety, no rotation.  Poultry is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids but lacking in saturated fatty acids.  The protein in cornish hen has different amino acids then say rabbit.  Is it possible that a deficiency in one of the lacking amino acids in cornish hen could cause problems...  IMO, probably so...

I REALLY like the addition of a glandular supplement in the catnutrition diet.  IMO this diet would be more nutritious then Dr. Pierce's but I'm not clear as to why they recommend the egg yolk versus the whole egg??  The protein in eggs are the most readily used by the body of all protein sources.  The protein is in the whites..

You mentioned adding taurine when not able to source heart.  Are you adding vitamins D and A when not able to source the liver?  Liver is high in these vitamins so a deficiency may occur if not supplementing. 

Have you looked at "Dr. Becker's Real Food for Healthy Dogs and Cats" written by Dr. Becker and Beth Taylor?  I believe it is out of stock right now but should hopefully be restocked before too terribly long..  The book is designed with a rotational feeding plan -- chicken (you could substitute cornish game hen), turkey, beef, egg and sardines.  The diet has been analyzed to confirm it is "complete and balanced" based on the currently known requirements for cats and dogs. 

When looking at a diet I try to compare it to some of the commercial raw foods --- example, look at all the foods Nature's Variety adds to their raw chicken diet to meet AAFCO's requirements for a complete and balanced food.

"Chicken, Raw Ground Chicken Bone, Turkey, Turkey Liver, Turkey Heart, Apples, Carrots, Butternut Squash, Ground Flaxseeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Chicken Eggs, Broccoli, Lettuce, Spinach, Dried Kelp, Apple Cider Vinegar, Parsley, Honey, Salmon Oil, Olive Oil, Blueberries, Alfalfa Sprouts, Persimmons, Duck Eggs, Pheasant Eggs, Quail Eggs, Inulin, Rosemary, Sage, Clove."  http://www.naturesvariety.com/InstinctRaw/cat/chicken

Wild Kitty makes a premade "mix" that is added to meat we purchase to make a complete and balanced diet.  I'm not able to cut and paste the ingredient list but it can be found here  http://www.wildkittycatfood.com/kitdirections.html#boneinmeat

Rad Cat is a more limited ingredient food but they do add kelp, dulce (both high in minerals), manganese and salmon oil to balance the food.  http://www.radfood.com/products

A minor nutrient deficiency can cause some serious problems down the line.  I know this from experience.  Because of my dairy allergy I became malnourished in many nutrients.  Some only minor -- my iron was on the low side of normal for years --- long enough that I developed symptoms of iron deficiency even though I was still on the low side of the normal range.  A magnesium deficiency can cause or contribute to seizures.  A vitamin E deficiency (at least in humans) can cause the heart muscle to become paralyzed (beriberi of the heart) etc...  I do think people can feed a nutritional diet without a recipe but it does require a good knowledge of the dietary requirements of the cat as well as a good knowledge of nutrients in foods..  Just my opinion :)

Hope something I wrote is helpful!!! :)

Thanks so very much for your reply.  Actual experience with the use of product is invaluable.

I really like the Wild Kitty mix.  We already include the kelp, dulce and wild salmon oil to our cats food. 

Hairballs add a lot of cleaning misery and the salmon oil takes care of that issue.  I just wish all pets had 

great owners that cared enough to take the time and learn how to make their animals thrive.

Thanks again

"I just wish all pets had great owners that cared enough to take the time and learn how to make their animals thrive."

Me too :)  Every year it seems more and more people are becoming interested and seeking out info!!!  Very encouraging :)

I am now reading some pet food review. Thanks for that information i got.