🐾 Raw Diet Guide

Many families are curious about feeding their Bengal a raw meat diet — and it’s easy to understand why. Bengals are athletic, energetic, and naturally drawn to fresh, protein‑rich foods that mirror what their bodies were designed to thrive on. A thoughtfully prepared raw diet can support healthy digestion, a glossy coat, strong muscles, steady energy, and overall well‑being. This guide gently walks you through the basics of raw feeding in a calm, simple, and supportive way. Whether you choose raw, high‑quality kibble, wet food, or a combination, our goal is to help you make the choice that feels right for your home and your kitten.

Why We Feed a Raw Meat Diet

Bengals are natural athletes — lean, muscular, and full of energy. Their bodies are designed to thrive on fresh, moisture‑rich, protein‑heavy foods. A raw diet mirrors the nutritional profile of a cat’s ancestral prey, offering nourishment that feels instinctively right to them.

Many families notice that their Bengals seem more satisfied, more energetic, and more balanced when eating raw. This page explains why.

Benefits of a Raw Diet for Bengals

A balanced raw diet can offer beautiful, noticeable improvements in your Bengal’s health and vitality:

Healthy skin and a glossy, vibrant coat

Smaller, less‑odorous stools

Strong muscle tone

Steady, consistent energy

Improved hydration

A diet closer to what cats naturally thrive on

Raw food is rich in flavor and moisture — two things Bengals adore.

What a Balanced Raw Diet Includes

A proper raw diet is more than just raw meat. It should mimic the natural composition of a whole prey animal.

A complete raw diet typically includes:

Muscle meat — the main component

Edible bone — for calcium and minerals

Organ meat — especially liver, for essential nutrients

Some families choose to add:

Omega‑3 supplements

Probiotics

Egg yolks

Small amounts of fiber

⭐ The Importance of Taurine

Taurine is especially important. Cats cannot produce taurine on their own, and deficiencies can affect the heart, eyes, and brain. Any raw diet must include taurine‑rich ingredients or supplementation.

Balance is everything — and we’re always here to help guide you.

Store‑Bought vs. Homemade Raw Diets

🐾 Store‑Bought Raw (Easiest Option)

Many families choose commercially prepared raw diets because they are:

Convenient

Balanced to meet nutritional standards

Easy to portion and store

Available in many proteins

This is a wonderful option for beginners or busy households.

🐾 Homemade Raw (For Experienced Raw Feeders)

Homemade raw diets can be excellent, but they require:

Careful balancing

Safe handling

Knowledge of supplements

Consistent preparation

If you choose this route, we’re happy to share general guidance and reputable resources.

How to Transition Your Kitten to Raw

A gentle transition helps prevent tummy upset and builds positive associations with new foods.

A typical transition looks like:

Start with a small amount of raw mixed into their current food

Slowly increase the raw portion over several days

Watch for firm stools and a good appetite

Adjust the pace based on your kitten’s comfort

Every kitten is different — and that’s perfectly okay.

Raw Feeding Safety Tips

Raw feeding can be safe and simple with a few basic habits:

Wash hands and surfaces after handling raw food

Thaw in the refrigerator, not on the counter

Store raw portions properly

Use stainless steel or ceramic bowls

Discard uneaten raw food after mealtime

These small steps help keep your home clean and your kitten healthy.

When Raw Feeding May Not Be Ideal

While many Bengals thrive on raw diets, some situations call for caution:

Households with immunocompromised individuals

Families uncomfortable with raw handling

Kittens with sensitive stomachs

Homes where food safety may be difficult to maintain

A high‑quality wet or kibble diet is still a wonderful choice — your kitten can thrive on many types of nutrition.

Our Philosophy on Nutrition

We believe in supporting families, not pressuring them. Raw feeding can be a beautiful option, but it’s not the only path to a healthy, happy Bengal. What matters most is that your kitten is loved, nourished, and cared for — and that you feel confident in the choices you make.

Raw Diet FAQs

Is raw feeding safe?

Yes — when handled properly. Following basic food safety guidelines keeps your kitten and your home safe.

Can I mix raw and kibble?

Yes, many families do. Just transition slowly and watch your kitten’s digestion.

Do I need supplements?

Store‑bought raw diets are usually complete. Homemade diets often require supplements, especially taurine.

What proteins are best?

Chicken, turkey, rabbit, and duck are common choices. Variety is healthy.

Can kittens eat raw?

Absolutely — kittens often thrive on raw when introduced gently.

💛 A Loving Note From Our Family

Raw feeding can be a beautiful way to support your Bengal’s natural vitality — but it’s not the only way. What matters most is that your kitten is cherished, nourished, and cared for with love. If you ever have questions about raw feeding, transitioning diets, or choosing the right food for your kitten, we’re always here to help with warmth and honesty.

ORDER Viva Raw LINK

Cats are Obligate Carnivours, meaning they have a biological requirement for nutrients found only in animal tissue, like taurine, arachidonic acid, and specific vitamins, which they cannot synthesize from plants.

For those that would rather not make their own food, we have a link above to purchase it from, "Viva Raw".

We have ordered from Viva Raw and have had great success feeding it. Our cats love the varieties and we love the fast shipping. If your baby is new to eating raw we suggest starting out with a single protein like Chicken.

The recipes they use are what is called a 80/10/10 mix meaning its 80% meat, 10% ground bone and 10 % secreting organs, like liver.

This code gives first time buyers 20% off your first order so we always suggest making the most of it: TIKKASKYBENGALS.

NUVET PLUS LINK

SUPPLEMENTS

If you're feeding any kind of Raw, supplements are a must.

We use NuVet Plus Feline for all our cats & kittens.

You'll need our access code to order which is in the link above.

TAURINE IS A MUST FOR CATS!

Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid, but it is often referred to as an amino acid, a chemical that is a required building block of protein. Taurine is found in large amounts in the brain, retina, heart, and blood cells called platelets. The best food sources for taurine are meat and fish. In most animals it is a ‘conditional amino acid’ in that it can be synthesized by the body. However, in members of the cat family, it becomes as ‘essential amino acid’ because it can not be manufactured be the body and must be provided by the diet.

Taurine is essential for cardiovascular function, the development and function of skeletal muscle, retinal health and function of the central nervous system. If you feed a commercial processed pet food (canned or kibble diet) that is likely low in natural taurine, it will contain a synthetic substance produced in a laboratory be a chemical process but still misleadingly referred to as taurine on the label.

Taurine plays a role in the maintenance of normal contractile functions of the heart. Without sufficient taurine in the diet, an animal can develope dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a condition in which the hearts main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, is enlarged and weakened. This can lead to heart failure if taurine is not added to the diet soon enough.

Top Natural Sources of Taurine

Shellfish: Scallops, mussels, and clams contain high amounts of taurine.
Fish: Tuna, yellow sea bream, and white fish (cod, haddock).
Meat: Dark meat of chicken and turkey (thighs, drumsticks) and beef.