The Science of the Raw Cat Food Calculator
Cats are obligate carnivores. Unlike dogs, who can scavenge and tolerate plant matter, cats have zero biological requirement for carbohydrates. Our raw cat food calculator is strictly calibrated to the feline prey model.
The 84/6/10 Rule (Feline Modified)
While dogs use 80/10/10, cats typically require slightly less bone and more meat to prevent constipation. Our calculator uses the 84/6/5/5 ratio:
Muscle Meat
Must include heart. Heart is critical for Taurine.
Edible Bone
Smaller bones only: Quail, rabbit ribs, poultry necks.
Organs
5% Liver is mandatory for Vitamin A. 5% Other (Kidney/Spleen).
The Importance of Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid that cats cannot synthesize themselves. A deficiency leads to blindness and heart failure. In a raw diet, Taurine is found in hard-working muscle meat, specifically the Heart.
When using this calculator, ensure that a significant portion of your "Muscle Meat" category is actually Heart (often recommended up to 10-15% of the total diet).
Transitioning Picky Eaters
Cats imprint on food texture as kittens. Transitioning an adult cat to raw can be difficult. It is recommended to start by mixing small amounts of raw with their current canned food, slowly increasing the ratio over weeks. Never starve a cat to force them to eat; this can cause hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease).