Hi, I'm trying to as I have allergy related probs with some of my
cats...I've also noticed better condition overall since going raw, and
better growth in kittens as well. However it is VERy hard to find a good
mince....I can only feed human grade foods as most pet grade mince in
australia is based on non-human grade kangaroo meat which carries parasites.
I feed raw not cooked if possible; atm we're on canned because my butcher
was too unreliable so i have to find a new one. Some tips though; feed a
vitamin supplement at all times. Meat can be altered, like most fresh food,
by seasonal conditions, and for ideal long term health, put a powdered
vitamin supplement for dogs/cats in the mix. Be careful with storage; gastro
is very nasty but preventable. Firstly find out from your butcher/supplier
how fresh the meat is; made that day is preferable. Butchers are preferable
to pet food manufacturers, and human grade better than pet grade as more
precautions with hygiene/pests are taken. If possible, freeze raw meat for
three weeks before consumption. It's difficult to do at first but easy once
you get your system up and running. This kills *most* parasites and
bacteria. Please note that there are risks associated with raw feeding, but
proper storage, quality control, adding a vitamin supplement and freezing
will solve most of these problems. Only do this if you are prepared to put
the effort in; most vets discourage raw feeding as it's not just a matter of
whacking a lump of meat on their plate. This is no reason for you not to do
it; the higher protein and more available vitamins and minerals in the meat
have huge health benefits. If you can, use plant and meat derived vitamins
as mineral derived vit/mineral supplements are not absorbed by the body
nearly as well. Also they will want to eat more than they need :) as it
tastes good....use carrot, water and rolled oats but only small amounts (1-2
Tbps a meal) to fill them up. Adding some vegies is good; carrot inhibits
worms although obviously can't replace wormer and fresh garlic also does the
same, as well as being good for coats, flea repellant, antibiotic and good
for hearts. Never use onion for cats....I also add some extra virgin olive
oil or sesame oil, about a teaspoon per cat, for skin and coat care and to
aid digestion and hairball passing. On the raw food diet we have no allergy
problems and no digestive problems any more!!! yayy!!! Previously I had
spewy runny cats.....apparently a reaction to indigestible carbohydrates.
Hope I haven't bored your ears off~!
Best wishes :)

If I may hijack a small corner of this thread --

Does anybody feed  (thawed, warmed) frozen mice, such  as the kind
you  can buy  by the  bag for  reptiles? It seems  like it'd  be a
no-brainer, especially  since they're about $0.50  per adult, half
that for pinkies.

Some of the online shops also sell frozen chicks, guinea pigs, and
the like for similar prices.

And for feeding to a kitten...?

(My current  fuzzy thinking for when  my next cat and  I find each
other is about half-and-half homemade  raw and whole small rodents
/  birds /  etc.  -- small  enough for  one  meal per  animal. The
homemade raw for my own convenience and  so I can be sure that she
gets  enough  taurine and  other  essential  nutrients; the  whole
critters for her dental and mental health.)

Oh -- and (at the risk of a flame war) I'd especially like to hear
from people who have /bad/ things to say about raw -- but, please,
only from  personal experience (second-hand is  okay) or published
peer-reviewed literature. I'm  not interested in  uninformed ``raw
is icky  and full of germs''  sorts of posts; I'm  confident I can
deal with both ick and germs.

Cheers,

b&