Introduction
Understanding what organ meats cats eat in the wild is important for cat owners who want to provide their pets with a natural, healthy diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need meat in their diet to survive. Organ meats like liver provide vital nutrients not found in muscle meat alone. Including the right organ meats in a cat’s diet can help them thrive and avoid nutritional deficiencies. Knowing what organ meats are part of a cat’s natural diet gives cat owners insight into the types of food they should be including in homemade raw or cooked diets. This helps them better mimic their cat’s ancestral diets in the wild.
Natural Cat Diet
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their natural diet in the wild consists almost entirely of meat and animal-based proteins (Source). Unlike omnivores such as humans that can derive nutrients from plant and animal sources, cats lack key biological mechanisms to properly digest and utilize plant matter. Cats thrive best on diets high in animal flesh and organs, which provide all the proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals they need (Source).
As obligate carnivores, cats have a much higher protein requirement than omnivores and herbivores. Their bodies are designed to metabolize nutrients from meat and fish. They also require certain amino acids like taurine that can only be obtained through animal-based ingredients. Trying to sustain a cat on a vegetarian or vegan diet would be extremely harmful and potentially fatal.
Organ Meats in the Wild
In the wild, cats get organ meats like liver, kidneys, hearts from prey. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat to survive. Wild cats fulfill their nutritional needs by consuming whole prey animals, including the muscle meat, bones, and organ meats.
When cats hunt, they eat their prey in its entirety, consuming the organ meats along with the rest of the animal. Organ meats provide important nutrients that support cats’ health. For example, liver is a good source of vitamin A and B vitamins, while kidney contains vitamin B6, folate, iron and copper (https://wagwalking.com/wellness/are-organ-meats-good-for-cats).
Since today’s domestic cats no longer hunt prey, feeding organ meats can help mimic their ancestral diet. Including organ meats provides more variety and nutrients compared to feeding just muscle meat.
Benefits of Organ Meats
Organ meats like liver are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that are difficult to obtain in regular muscle meat. According to Wagwalking.com, organ meats are high in vitamin A, vitamin B, folate, iron, and protein1. Liver specifically contains more vitamin A per gram than any other food. It’s also rich in vitamin B12, vitamin K, vitamin D, iron and copper. Other organ meats like kidney contain high levels of vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, zinc and copper as well2. The array of vitamins and minerals in organ meats can provide health benefits like supporting immune function, improving vision, aiding metabolism, and promoting healthy skin and coat.
Types of Organ Meats for Cats
There are several types of organ meats that are beneficial for cats:
- Liver – This nutritious organ is a rich source of vitamin A, B vitamins, iron and other minerals. It provides antioxidants and fatty acids cats need. Liver should be fed in moderation as too much can lead to vitamin A toxicity [1]
- Kidneys – Kidney is high in B vitamins, minerals like magnesium, iron and copper. It’s also a good source of protein. Kidneys help support urinary tract health.
- Heart – This iron-rich meat provides taurine, protein, zinc, selenium and other nutrients. It supplies amino acids important for muscle functioning.
- Gizzard – Also called stomach or gullet, gizzard offers nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health.
- Brain – Brain is high in omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA which benefit skin, coat and cognitive function.
Including Organ Meats
There are a few easy ways to incorporate organ meats into your cat’s diet:
Mix It In: Organ meats like liver or kidney can be chopped finely and mixed into your cat’s regular wet or dry food. Start with small amounts like 1-2 teaspoons per meal and monitor your cat’s reaction.
Meal Topper: Another option is to use organ meats as a meal topper by spooning some on top of your cat’s kibble or canned food. This allows your cat to taste the new flavors.
Treats: Organ meats like beef or chicken hearts can be fed to cats in small bites as treats. Only feed a few small pieces per day.
Raw Feeding: For raw fed cats, diced or ground organ meats can be included as part of the raw meaty bone diet in appropriate ratios.
Gradually transition and monitor your cat when introducing organ meats to their diet. Start slow and be consistent.
Organ Meat Nutrition
Organ meats like liver, kidneys, and heart provide a powerhouse of nutrition for cats (1). Beef or chicken livers are loaded with vitamin A, vitamin B, iron, copper, zinc, and other minerals. Vitamin A helps maintain healthy vision, vitamin B supports energy metabolism, iron assists with oxygen transport in the blood, and zinc boosts immune function (2).
Beef or chicken hearts are rich in taurine, an amino acid essential for eye and heart health in cats. Taurine deficiency can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition. Chicken hearts in particular contain more taurine than any other meat source (3).
Kidneys from cows, lambs, and chickens offer a wealth of B vitamins like B12, folate, and niacin. They are also packed with selenium, a potent antioxidant. All of these nutrients help support kidney function and cellular health (1).
When included as part of a balanced raw or cooked diet, organ meats provide vital nutrients for cats in highly bioavailable forms. They offer health advantages over muscle meats alone.
Sourcing and Storage
When buying organ meats for your cat, there are a few options for sourcing and storing them:
Fresh organ meats can be purchased from some butcher shops or specialty meat markets. These will need to be used within a few days or frozen for later use. Make sure fresh organ meats look healthy with no discoloration.
Frozen organ meats are a convenient option to buy in bulk and thaw portions as needed. Many raw pet food companies sell boxes of frozen organ meats like chicken hearts, beef liver, and rabbit kidneys. Check your local pet supply store or order online. Store frozen organ meats in an airtight container in the freezer, and thaw in the refrigerator before feeding.
Canned organ meats allow for longer storage at room temperature once opened. Look for cans without additives or preservatives. Transfer any unused portions to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a few days.
No matter what form they are in, keep organ meats refrigerated at 40°F or below and use within a few days of thawing or opening. Discard any that look or smell spoiled.
Potential Risks
While organ meats like liver and kidneys can provide important nutrients, feeding too much organ meat can be dangerous for cats. One of the biggest risks is vitamin A toxicity. Organ meats like liver are very high in vitamin A, containing over 15,000 IU per 3 ounces. Cats’ livers cannot handle high doses of vitamin A for extended periods. Signs of vitamin A toxicity include appetite loss, weight loss, deformed bones, disorientation, and paralysis [1]. According to experts, cats should not consume more than 3 ounces of organ meat per 2-3 pounds of other muscle meat in a week [2]. Too much organ meat can also lead to a buildup of vitamin D, iron, copper, and zinc.
Additionally, raw organ meat poses a higher risk of bacterial contamination compared to muscle meat. E. coli, Salmonella, and other pathogens are more prevalent in raw organ meats. These bacteria can lead to food poisoning in cats when ingested. Cooking or lightly searing organ meat can help kill any harmful pathogens.
Conclusion
In conclusion, including organ meats in your cat’s diet can provide substantial nutritional benefits. Organ meats like liver, kidney, and heart contain vital nutrients like vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, zinc, and essential fatty acids. These nutrients support your cat’s immune system, skin and coat health, energy levels, and more. While organ meats may not be a cat’s favorite snack, incorporating them into homemade food or as a supplement can help round out your cat’s diet.
When sourcing and preparing organ meats, be sure to choose high-quality products from trusted suppliers. Cook them thoroughly to reduce disease risks. Portion a small amount initially and transition slowly to assess your cat’s tolerance. Overall, adding a few servings of organ meats each week can help mimic your cat’s natural ancestral diet and provide a powerhouse of nutrients in a condensed source.
While commercial cat foods provide balanced nutrition, incorporating some organ meats can act as a beneficial supplement. Check with your veterinarian for guidance on including organ meats to ensure your cat’s individual nutritional needs are met.