The cat is an obligate carnivore: unlike the dog (an opportunistic omnivore), its metabolism is designed exclusively to process meat. BARF for cats is the dietary regimen closest to its natural diet.

In this guide we look at how to get started in a balanced and safe way.

Why BARF is naturally suited to cats

The domestic cat descends from the African wildcat and retains identical physiology:

  • Highly acidic stomach (pH 1) for digesting raw meat
  • Short intestinal tract: transit time 12–24 hours (dog: 24–48; human: 36–72)
  • Inability to synthesise taurine: it must be obtained through the diet
  • Need for arachidonic acid (found only in meat)
  • No carbohydrates: zero nutritional requirement

The correct percentages

For a healthy adult cat, on a daily basis:

  • 83% muscle meat (chicken, turkey, rabbit, beef)
  • 7% meaty bones (chicken necks, wings)
  • 5% liver
  • 5% other offal (heart, kidney, spleen)

Daily quantity: 3–4% of body weight. For a 4 kg cat = 120–160 g, divided into 2–3 meals.

The essential supplement: taurine

A BARF-only diet can be deficient in taurine (which degrades easily with heat or over time). Supplementation is mandatory:

  • 250–500 mg of taurine per day for an adult cat
  • Available in powder or capsule form, cost: €10–15/month

Taurine deficiency = dilated cardiomyopathy and irreversible blindness within a matter of months.

Other useful supplements

  • Wild salmon fish oil: 1 ml/day (omega-3, vitamin D)
  • Vitamin E: 5–10 IU/day (protects omega-3 from oxidation)
  • Iodised salt: a very small amount for iodine

The most suitable meats

  • Rabbit: ideal, low fat content
  • Chicken: excellent, well tolerated
  • Turkey: good, lean
  • Beef: fine but higher in fat
  • Fish: maximum 1–2 times a week, never use it as a replacement for meat (risk of vitamin B1 deficiency)

Meats to avoid

  • Raw pork (risk of Aujeszky's disease)
  • Processed meats (cured meats, hot dogs)
  • Unverified freshwater fish

The transition: 14–21 days

Cats are particularly conservative when it comes to food: abrupt changes can cause hepatic lipidosis (fat accumulation in the liver).

  1. Days 1–3: 80% kibble + 20% BARF
  2. Days 4–7: 60% + 40%
  3. Days 8–14: 40% + 60%
  4. Days 15–21: 20% + 80%
  5. Day 22: 100% BARF

The 4 most common mistakes

  1. Skipping taurine: the most serious mistake
  2. Too much fatty meat: cats cannot tolerate fat levels above 15%
  3. Leaving out offal: diet becomes deficient in vitamins A, D and B12
  4. Not maintaining the cold chain: cats are more sensitive to contamination than dogs

Real costs

For a 4 kg cat, a balanced home-made BARF diet costs €40–55/month, compared to €30–45 for premium kibble. A minimal difference in return for significant benefits.

To learn more about feline health, also read our guide to cat neutering.