A properly balanced raw diet must include more than muscle meat alone.

• Muscle meat (chicken thighs): Provides protein and fat for energy and muscle development
• Heart: Supplies taurine, an essential amino acid cats cannot produce on their own
• Liver: Provides vitamin A and key micronutrients
• Bone or calcium supplement: Maintains proper calcium-to-phosphorus balance and prevents deficiency

Calcium and taurine are non-negotiable in feline nutrition.

Ingredients (Basic Batch)

• 2 lb raw chicken thighs (with bone and skin) OR boneless thighs plus calcium supplement (see notes below)
• 1 chicken heart OR 500–1,000 mg taurine powder
• 1 chicken liver (approximately 5 percent of total meat weight)
• 1/2 cup water (optional, for added moisture)

Preparation Instructions

Raw Poultry Safety: Always clean and sanitize surfaces, utensils, and hands thoroughly when handling raw chicken.

If Using Bone-In Chicken

1. Grind the chicken thighs with bone included using a meat grinder suitable for raw bones.
2. Chop or grind the liver and heart.
3. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
4. Add water if desired for moisture.

If Using Boneless Chicken

You must add a calcium source. Choose one of the following per 2 lb of meat:

• 1/2 teaspoon food-grade calcium carbonate

OR

• 1 teaspoon finely ground eggshell powder

Then:

1. Chop or grind the chicken, liver, and heart.
2. Add taurine if not using heart.
3. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.

Portioning & Storage

• Refrigerator: Use within 24–48 hours
• Freezer: Store for up to 2–3 months
• Thawing: Always thaw in the refrigerator
• Never microwave raw food

Portion meals into small containers or freezer bags for convenience and freshness.

Feeding Guidelines

• Adult cats: Approximately 2–3 percent of body weight per day
• Kittens & breeding cats: Require more frequent meals and higher caloric intake
• Diet transitions: Introduce raw food slowly over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upset

Every cat is different; monitor weight, stool quality, and overall condition.

Very Important Safety Notes

• Never feed raw chicken alone without bone or calcium and taurine
• Do not add onions, garlic, salt, seasoning, oils, or additives
• Taurine deficiency is dangerous and can cause serious health issues

If your cat is a kitten, pregnant, nursing, or has medical conditions, a fully formulated diet is strongly recommended.

Easy & Highly Recommended Alternative

For added safety and convenience, many owners choose a commercial raw premix and simply add raw chicken.

Common options include:

• Alnutrin (with or without bone)
• EZComplete
• TCfeline

These premixes help ensure nutritional completeness and reduce the risk of imbalance.

Our Nutrition Philosophy at Blue Sapphire & Smoke MC Cattery LLC

This recipe is shared as an educational reference and reflects our commitment to transparency and informed nutrition choices. For a full overview of how we support healthy growth in our Maine Coons, please visit our Nutrition for Healthy Growth page.