How to Make Homemade Cat Food: The Complete 2025 UK Guide

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⚠️ CRITICAL DISCLAIMER

Homemade cat food requires professional guidance. A 2019 UC Davis study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association analysed 114 homemade cat food recipes and found that 100% failed to meet all essential nutrient requirements. Some recipes lacked up to 19 critical nutrients, and 7% included toxic ingredients like garlic and onions.

Before starting any homemade diet:

• Consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist
• Have recipes professionally formulated for your cat’s specific needs
• Schedule regular blood work (every 6 months minimum)
• Never use recipes from non-veterinary sources without professional review

This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary nutritional advice.

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Why Homemade Cat Food? Understanding the Benefits and Challenges

Making your own cat food offers complete control over ingredients, quality, and freshness. You’ll know exactly what goes into every meal—no mystery meat, no fillers, no recalled batches sitting in your cupboard.

But here’s the straight truth: it’s not easier, it’s not cheaper, and it’s not automatically healthier than quality commercial cat food. Done correctly, homemade feeding requires significant time, knowledge, and investment. Done incorrectly, it can cause serious nutritional deficiencies, organ damage, or even death.

The reality check:

• Initial equipment investment: £200-500
• Time commitment: 2-4 hours monthly for food preparation
• Ongoing costs: £20-60/month depending on quality
• Learning curve: Understanding feline nutrition is non-negotiable
• Veterinary oversight: Essential, not optional

When homemade makes sense:

• Your cat has specific medical conditions like lymphoma requiring customised nutrition
• Food allergies or intolerances to commercial options
• You’re committed to learning proper feline nutrition
• You can afford regular veterinary nutritionist consultations
• You have time for proper preparation and storage protocols

When commercial is better:

• Your cat thrives on quality commercial food
• You lack time for proper preparation
• Veterinary nutritionist consultations aren’t accessible
• You’re uncomfortable with raw meat handling
• Your budget is tight (quality commercial food costs less than homemade)

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The 5 Critical Nutrients Most Homemade Recipes Miss

Cats are obligate carnivores with unique nutritional needs humans and dogs don’t share. Here’s what most well-intentioned recipes get catastrophically wrong:

1. Taurine: The Heart and Vision Protector

Why it matters: Taurine deficiency causes dilated cardiomyopathy (fatal heart disease) and central retinal degeneration (blindness). Symptoms don’t appear until irreversible damage occurs—sometimes taking 6-24 months.

The grinding problem: Processing meat significantly reduces taurine through oxidation and moisture loss. Cooking destroys additional taurine. Raw dark meat chicken has about 170mg taurine per 100g, but grinding and cooking can reduce this dramatically.

What you must do: Supplement with 500-1,000mg pharmaceutical-grade taurine daily, even when using organ meats. No exceptions.

2. Calcium-Phosphorus Ratio: The Bone Health Balance

Why it matters: Incorrect ratios cause metabolic bone disease, kidney damage, and urinary crystals. Meat contains phosphorus but almost no calcium, creating dangerous imbalances.

The numbers: Ideal ratio is 1.2:1 calcium to phosphorus. Acceptable range: 1.0:1 to 1.5:1. Most homemade recipes using only muscle meat have ratios around 0.05:1—wildly deficient.

What you must do: Add finely ground raw bone (3-5% of recipe) OR calcium carbonate supplements (precise dosing required based on total phosphorus content).

3. Vitamin A: The Toxic Paradox

Why it matters: Unlike humans, cats cannot convert beta-carotene from vegetables into vitamin A. They require preformed vitamin A from animal sources. But too much causes hypervitaminosis A, leading to skeletal deformities and hepatic fibrosis.

The danger zone: Liver is the richest source but feeding too much (>5% of diet) risks toxicity. Too little causes vision problems, poor coat quality, and immune suppression.

What you must do: Include liver at precisely 5% of the recipe by weight. Not more, not less. Or supplement with carefully measured vitamin A (requires professional dosing).

4. Essential Fatty Acids: Omega-3 and Arachidonic Acid

Why it matters: Cats cannot synthesise arachidonic acid (omega-6) or adequately convert plant-based omega-3s. Deficiencies cause poor coat quality, skin problems, inflammation, and impaired reproduction.

What you must do: Include fatty fish like salmon or mackerel 1-2 times weekly, or supplement with fish oil providing 20-55mg EPA/DHA per kg body weight daily, plus arachidonic acid from poultry fat or egg yolks.

5. B Vitamins: The Energy and Metabolism Complex

Why it matters: Thiamine (B1) deficiency causes neurological seizures within weeks. Other B-vitamin deficiencies cause anaemia, poor growth, and metabolic dysfunction.

The cooking problem: Thiamine is destroyed by heat, freezing, and certain fish enzymes. Raw-only diets may lack sufficient amounts.

What you must do: Use a complete B-vitamin complex supplement, or add nutritional yeast (ensure it’s fortified) and thiamine supplements specifically.

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Essential Equipment for UK Cat Food Preparation

Core Equipment (Required)

Electric Meat Grinder with Bone-Grinding Capability

• Why bone-capable matters: Must grind raw chicken bones for proper calcium content
• UK options: Weston #8 or #12 models, heavy-duty Sunmile or similar
• Cost: £130-400 depending on power and capacity
• Don’t cheap out: Weak grinders burn out quickly or fail to grind bones properly

Digital Kitchen Scale (Precise to 1g)

• Why it matters: Supplement dosing requires precision; estimates cause deficiencies
• Cost: £15-30
• Look for: Tare function, at least 5kg capacity

Food Processor or High-Power Blender

• Purpose: Blending organs and creating uniform texture
• Cost: £40-150
• Alternative: Heavy-duty immersion blender (£30-60)

Storage Containers

• Refrigerator containers: Glass or BPA-free plastic with airtight lids (£20-40)
• Freezer containers: Portion-sized (100-150g servings), stackable (£25-50)
• Ice cube trays: For freezing single-meal portions (£5-10)

Safety and Hygiene Equipment

• Dedicated cutting boards for raw meat (£10-20)
• Separate utensils for cat food only (£15-25)
• Food-safe gloves (£5-10 per box)
• Instant-read meat thermometer (£10-20)
• Anti-bacterial cleaning supplies (£10-20)

Total initial investment: £200-500

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The Simple Vet-Approved Chicken Recipe (REQUIRES Professional Supplementation)

This is a framework recipe only. You MUST work with a veterinary nutritionist to determine precise supplement amounts for your specific cat.

Base Ingredients (Makes ~2.8kg, approximately 28 days for a 4kg cat)

• 2kg boneless chicken thighs (with skin): Dark meat provides higher taurine, fat content, and more flavour than breast meat
• 400g raw chicken hearts: Excellent taurine source, provides essential nutrients
• 140g raw chicken liver: Provides vitamin A; precisely 5% of total recipe
• 600ml water: Cats have low thirst drive; adding moisture is critical

Optional but recommended:

• 140g raw chicken gizzards: Adds texture and additional taurine
• 2 large egg yolks: Provides arachidonic acid and additional nutrients

Required Supplements (MUST BE DETERMINED BY VET NUTRITIONIST)

These are examples only. Your cat’s needs vary by age, weight, health status:

• Taurine powder: 500-1,000mg daily (ensure pharmaceutical grade)
• Calcium carbonate or calcium citrate: Amount depends on bone content calculation
• Omega-3 fish oil: EPA/DHA dosing per body weight
• Vitamin E: Protects fats from oxidation
• B-complex vitamins: Including thiamine
• Trace minerals: Iodine, manganese, zinc, copper as determined by analysis

UK supplement sources:

• iHerb.com: Ships to UK, wide supplement selection, free delivery over £35
• Zooplus.co.uk: Pet-specific supplements
• Veterinary-Direct.co.uk: Professional-grade supplements
• Amazon.co.uk: Convenience, check brands carefully

Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

• Rinse all meat under cold water
• Cut chicken thighs into 2-3cm chunks
• Cut heart into smaller pieces (easier to grind)
• Cut liver into 1cm pieces

Step 2: Cook or Keep Raw (Your Choice)

For cooked version:

1. Bring water to boil in large pot
2. Add all meat (thighs, hearts, liver, gizzards if using)
3. Reduce to gentle simmer, cover
4. Cook 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F)
5. Let cool in cooking liquid (retains nutrients)
6. Do NOT drain cooking liquid—it contains vital nutrients

For raw version:

1. Skip cooking entirely
2. Proceed directly to grinding
3. ⚠️ CRITICAL H5N1 WARNING: Due to ongoing avian influenza outbreaks in UK and Europe, the FDA and UK veterinary authorities currently recommend cooking all poultry. Multiple cat deaths have been linked to raw poultry contaminated with H5N1 bird flu in 2024-2025. If feeding raw, source from tested suppliers only and monitor public health alerts.

Step 3: Grind

1. Set up meat grinder with medium plate
2. Grind all meat together (creates uniform consistency)
3. If grinding bones separately, use coarse plate first, then fine plate
4. Mix thoroughly

Step 4: Add Supplements

1. Measure supplements precisely using digital scale
2. Mix supplements into small amount of ground meat first
3. Then fold into larger batch (ensures even distribution)
4. Add egg yolks if using, mix thoroughly

Step 5: Add Water

1. Add reserved cooking liquid (if cooked) or fresh water (if raw)
2. Mix until consistency is like thick stew
3. Cats need moisture—don’t skip this step

Step 6: Portion and Store

1. Divide into daily portions (approximately 100-150g per 4kg cat)
2. Refrigerate what you’ll use in 2-3 days
3. Freeze remainder immediately

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UK Ingredient Sourcing and Cost Analysis

Where to Buy in the UK

Supermarket Options:

• Tesco: Bone-in chicken thighs £2.15/kg, boneless thigh fillets ~£9.17/kg
• Sainsbury’s: British chicken thighs £2-3/kg bone-in, £8-9/kg boneless fillets
• Morrisons: Budget-friendly options, frequent promotions
• Aldi/Lidl: Cheapest options (£2-3/kg), quality adequate for cat food
• Waitrose: Free-range and organic options (£7-12/kg)

Butchers and Markets:

• Often cheaper for bulk organ meats
• Can request specific cuts
• Some provide bones free or very cheaply
• Ask about scraps or trim (perfectly fine for cats)

Online Bulk Options:

• MuscleFood.com: Bulk chicken, good prices
• FarmFoods: Frozen bulk options
• Local farms: Direct purchasing, often organic

Cost Breakdown (October 2025 UK Prices)

Budget Recipe (Standard Supermarket Ingredients):

• 2kg bone-in chicken thighs: £4.30-6.00
• 400g chicken hearts: £2.00-3.00
• 140g chicken liver: £0.50-1.00
• Supplements (monthly): £15-20
• Total per batch: ~£22-30/month
• Cost per day: £0.73-1.00

Premium Recipe (Organic/Free-Range):

• 2kg organic boneless chicken thigh fillets: £16-20
• 400g organic chicken hearts: £4-5
• 140g organic chicken liver: £1.50-2
• Premium supplements: £25-30/month
• Total per batch: ~£43-57/month
• Cost per day: £1.43-1.90

Compare to commercial:

• Budget wet food: £0.50-1.00/day
• Premium wet food: £1.50-3.00/day
• Homemade is rarely cheaper when accounting for time and equipment

Updated UK Pricing Guide

Chicken thighs (with context):

• Bone-in thighs: £2-3/kg (standard quality, most supermarkets)
• Boneless, skinless thigh fillets: £8-10/kg (premium, convenient)
• Organic/free-range bone-in: £6-8/kg
• Organic boneless fillets: £10-14/kg

Organ meats:

• Chicken hearts: £5-7.50/kg
• Chicken liver: £3-6/kg
• Chicken gizzards: £4-6/kg

Tip: Buy when on promotion, freeze in portions. Supermarkets often reduce meat near sell-by date—perfectly safe to buy and freeze immediately.

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Safe Storage and Handling Protocols

Refrigeration Rules

Fresh/thawed homemade food:

• Maximum: 2-3 days in refrigerator
• Temperature: Below 4°C at all times
• Container: Airtight, glass or BPA-free plastic
• Smell test: If it smells off, bin it

After serving:

• Discard uneaten food after 2 hours at room temperature
• Don’t return served food to refrigerator
• Clean bowls thoroughly between meals

Freezing Guidelines

Fresh-made food:

• Freeze within: 2 hours of preparation
• Storage time: Up to 3 months (quality remains best)
• Portions: Freeze in daily amounts (easier thawing)
• Containers: Freezer-safe, leave 1cm headspace for expansion

Thawing safely:

• Best method: Refrigerator overnight (12-24 hours)
• Quick method: Cold water bath (change water every 30 minutes)
• Never: Room temperature or warm water (bacteria multiply rapidly)
• Don’t refreeze: Once thawed, use within 2-3 days

Raw Meat Safety (Especially Important in 2025)

H5N1 avian influenza warning: Multiple cat deaths have occurred in 2024-2025 from raw poultry contaminated with bird flu. The FDA issued recalls for RAWR Raw Cat Food and other brands. Cats are highly susceptible to H5N1.

If feeding raw poultry:

• Monitor UK and EU public health alerts
• Source from tested suppliers only
• Consider cooking all poultry until outbreak passes
• Never use wild bird meat

General raw handling:

• Separate cutting boards, utensils for cat food
• Wash hands thoroughly before and after
• Clean all surfaces with antibacterial cleaner
• Keep raw meat away from human food

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Transitioning Your Cat to Homemade Food

Cats are creatures of habit. Sudden diet changes cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and food refusal. Learn more about cat behaviour and adaptation.

The 7-10 Day Transition Plan

Days 1-2:

• 75% current food + 25% homemade
• Monitor stool quality and appetite

Days 3-4:

• 50% current food + 50% homemade
• Watch for any digestive upset

Days 5-6:

• 25% current food + 75% homemade
• Most cats adjust by this point

Day 7+:

• 100% homemade (if all going well)
• Continue monitoring for 2-3 weeks

Troubleshooting Picky Eaters

If your cat refuses:

• Warm food slightly (enhances aroma)
• Add small amount of tuna water or chicken broth
• Mix in favourite treats initially
• Try different textures (some prefer pâté, others chunky)
• Be patient—some cats take weeks to accept new food

If digestive upset occurs:

• Slow transition to 14 days instead of 7
• Add plain pumpkin purée (1 tsp per meal) for diarrhoea
• Ensure adequate hydration
• Consult vet if problems persist beyond 48 hours

Red flags requiring immediate vet attention:

• Bloody stool or vomit
• Complete food refusal for 24+ hours
• Lethargy or behaviour changes
• Severe or persistent vomiting/diarrhoea

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When NOT to Make Homemade Cat Food

Be honest with yourself. Homemade feeding isn’t for every owner or every cat.

Skip homemade if:

Your situation:

• You can’t afford veterinary nutritionist consultations (£100-200 initial, £50-100 follow-ups)
• You lack time for 2-4 hours monthly preparation
• You’re uncomfortable handling raw meat
• You travel frequently or have inconsistent schedule
• You share kitchen with immunocompromised people

Your cat’s situation:

• Kittens under 1 year: Extremely precise nutrition required, growth deficiencies cause permanent damage
• Pregnant or nursing cats: Nutritional needs too complex for amateur formulation
• Cats with kidney disease, diabetes, or other medical conditions: Unless prescribed by veterinary nutritionist specifically for that cat
• Multi-cat households with different dietary needs: Managing multiple recipes is extremely difficult

Special breed considerations: Some breeds like Maine Coons have specific nutritional requirements that commercial foods address better.

Instead consider:

• Quality commercial foods (AAFCO-complete)
• Board-certified veterinary nutritionist-formulated commercial fresh foods
• Prescription diets for medical conditions
• High-quality tinned foods as toppers

There’s no shame in commercial feeding. Modern cat foods are nutritionally complete, extensively tested, and often superior to improperly balanced homemade diets.

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Dangerous Foods: What NEVER to Feed

These cause toxicity, organ damage, or death:

Absolutely toxic:

• Onions, garlic, leeks, chives (all forms: raw, cooked, powder) – Cause hemolytic anaemia; garlic is 3-5× more toxic than onions
• Grapes and raisins – Acute kidney failure
• Chocolate – Theobromine toxicity; dark chocolate most dangerous
• Xylitol (artificial sweetener) – Liver failure, hypoglycaemia
• Alcohol – Even small amounts cause severe toxicity
• Caffeine – Cardiac arrhythmias, seizures
• Raw bread dough – Expands in stomach, alcohol toxicity from fermentation
• Macadamia nuts – Neurological toxicity

Dangerous preparation:

• Cooked bones – Splinter, cause intestinal perforations
• Raw fish exclusively – Contains thiaminase (destroys vitamin B1)
• Raw egg whites in large amounts – Contains avidin (binds biotin)
• Excessive liver (>5% of diet) – Vitamin A toxicity

Questionable ingredients:

• Milk/dairy – Most adult cats are lactose intolerant
• Raw pork – Parasites and Aujeszky’s disease risk
• Tuna as exclusive diet – Mercury accumulation, thiamine deficiency
• Dog food – Lacks taurine and other essential feline nutrients

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Next Steps: Your Action Plan

If you’re committed to homemade feeding, here’s your roadmap:

Step 1: Veterinary Consultation (Week 1)

• Schedule appointment with board-certified veterinary nutritionist
• Bring your cat’s complete medical history
• Discuss your goals, budget, time commitment
• Request baseline blood work

Find UK veterinary nutritionists:

• RCVS Specialist Directory: www.findavet.rcvs.org.uk
• European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition: www.esvcn.eu
• University veterinary hospitals: Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cambridge offer nutrition consultations

Step 2: Recipe Formulation (Week 2-3)

• Work with nutritionist to create complete, balanced recipe
• Get exact supplement specifications and brands
• Understand portion sizes for your cat’s weight and age
• Request follow-up blood work schedule (typically every 6 months)

Step 3: Equipment Purchase (Week 3)

• Buy meat grinder, scale, containers
• Set up dedicated prep area
• Stock cleaning and safety supplies

Step 4: Trial Batch (Week 4)

• Make small first batch (1 week supply)
• Begin gradual transition
• Monitor your cat closely
• Document any changes in appetite, stool, behaviour

Step 5: First Follow-Up (Month 3)

• Blood work to check nutritional status
• Adjust recipe if deficiencies found
• Discuss any feeding challenges
• Refine portions based on weight changes

Step 6: Ongoing Monitoring (Every 6 months)

• Regular blood work (non-negotiable)
• Veterinary nutritionist check-ins
• Recipe adjustments as your cat ages
• Stay current on food safety alerts

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Additional Cat Health Resources

Related articles on CatLives:

• Understanding Cat Intelligence and Enrichment
• Indoor vs Outdoor Cats: Lifespan and Health
• Cat Dental Care and Preventing Tooth Problems
• Solving Cat Litter Box Problems
• Rare Cat Breeds Guide

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Resources and Further Reading

UK Veterinary Organisations:

• Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS): www.rcvs.org.uk
• British Small Animal Veterinary Association: www.bsava.com

Evidence-Based Feline Nutrition:

• National Research Council: “Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats” (2006)
• Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association: www.avmajournals.avma.org

Food Safety Alerts:

• UK Food Standards Agency: www.food.gov.uk
• US FDA (relevant for imported products): www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary

Quality Commercial Alternatives (if homemade isn’t feasible):

• Look for AAFCO-complete statements
• Choose foods with named meat sources
• Avoid by-products, excessive fillers
• Consult your vet for recommendations

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Final Medical Disclaimer

This article provides educational information about homemade cat food preparation but does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Every cat has unique nutritional requirements based on age, weight, health status, and activity level.

Before making any dietary changes:

• Consult your veterinarian
• Work with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist for recipe formulation
• Schedule regular monitoring blood work
• Follow professional guidance specific to your cat

Improperly balanced homemade diets can cause:

• Nutritional deficiencies leading to organ damage
• Metabolic bone disease
• Heart disease (from taurine deficiency)
• Blindness (from taurine or vitamin A deficiency)
• Kidney damage (from mineral imbalances)
• Shortened lifespan

The author and publisher assume no liability for any injury, illness, or death resulting from the use of information in this article.

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