What do Cats Eat in the Wild?
Whether you are talking about Simba the Lion King or Felix the Cat you are talking about a meat eater. In the wild, a cat’s diet will be more than 50% meat with the majority of the other 50% being fat and a very small portion (2%) being carbohydrates.
Cats are by nature carnivores and meat is an essential part of their diet. What do cats eat when they live in the wild? They will eat small animals, such as; rodents, moles, rabbits and birds. They may also eat lizards, snakes and large insects. Grass is eaten to clear their stomachs of hair, feathers and bones.
What do Large Cats Eat?
Large cats in the wild eat animals that are usually no more than half their size. The smaller prey tend to have softer bones that are more easily digestible. Big cats can eat anything from deer and boar to fish and insects. Some big cats will indulge in plants as well.
Cat Attitudes is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
What do Domestic Cats Eat in the Wild?
The simple answer to this question is whatever they can catch. If it moves and is not larger than they are they will most likely chase it and try to catch it. Mice, moles and reptiles are common prey for domestic cats that live outdoors.
They may catch and eat several mice a day with some of them getting away. Not only is this diet what a cat was meant to eat, the fact that they have to chase and capture their food keeps them physically fit.
What is the Best Way to Feed Your Cat?
Your indoor cat may not be able to eat exactly like his wild ancestors, but you should try to get close to same macronutrient numbers for your indoor cat. It is okay to feed your cat dry food, but it should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates (less than 10%).
Also, make sure your cat drinks a lot of water, if your cat eats dry food. Foods that list a real meat or seafood first on the ingredient list are best for your cat, especially if they have a sensitive stomach.
Canned food is a little bit closer to what your cat would actually get if he had to hunt for his own food. And wet food contains more water. If you have a cat that does not seem to spend much time at the water bowl, you may want to consider wet food as his main source of nutrition.
Wet food is 70 to 80 percent water and your cat can get some of his hydration from his food. If you have a “pudgy cat” and he is a dry food eater, you may want to consider canned food for more protein and less carbohydrates.
What Should Cats Eat in a Day?
There are a lot of varying opinions about what a cat should eat in a day. It is recommended that cats eat between 24 to 35 calories per pound. Your cat food container will have nutritional information, but most of them do not have calorie counts.
So, how do you know how much to feed your cat? Your vet can help you make decisions about what kind of food is best for your cat and how often they should eat.
A vet or pet nutritionist can help you develop a food plan and eating schedule for your cat if they have special requirements. They can also help if you are trying to give your cat the best natural diet you can provide for your pet.
How Can I Naturally Feed My Cat?
So, what if you want to try to feed your cat like he would eat if he lived in the wild? Try adding more meat and reducing processed foods, especially if what you are feeding your cat is high in carbohydrates.
Feed Your Cat Wet Food – If your cat is eating dry food, the first logical step is to introduce them to wet food slowly. To ease the transition, begin by mixing the wet and dry food while increasing the amount of wet food and decreasing the amount dry food over the period of a week or two. Feed your cat wet food 2 to 3 times a day and pickup whatever food is still left after 30 minutes of feeding them the meal.
Feed Your Cat Non-Processed Food – Real poultry, fish and eggs are the next logical step in transitioning your cat back to a natural diet. Cats will eat all meats, but turkey and chicken are best for them.
Start by cooking 2 ounces of turkey or chicken for your cat to see if he likes it. Avoid serving your cat fatty pieces of poultry, it can cause diarrhea and there is no nutritional value in the fat.
Fish is also a great choice for a natural food for your cat. Salmon, cod and flounder are excellent choices for a seafood menu. You should feed your cat cooked fish only. Sprinkle the fish over your cats dinner. Fish is packed with protein and vitamins.
You can add an egg to your cat’s diet once in awhile. The egg should be cooked before giving it to your cat. You may have thought that eggs were only for people but they are high in protein and are a good fit for your cat’s natural diet. Hard boiled and scrambled eggs are perfect for your cat.
Feed Your Cat a Raw Diet – A raw diet is meant to mimic what a cat would eat in the wild. This type of diet is growing in popularity, but can be more challenging to provide to your cat with all the nutrients his diet requires.
Poultry, beef and pork are good options for a raw diet. Cut these foods into small pieces and feed them to your cat at meal time. Anything that is not eaten in 30 minutes should be picked up.
A calcium supplement may be required with this type of diet. An occasional serving of steamed vegetables (broccoli and carrots) for added fiber in your cat’s diet is also a good idea.
Raw diets are tricky. They are something you should definitely discuss with your veterinarian before transitioning your cat completely to a raw food diet. It is important that your cat have a complete diet and you may need to use supplements to accomplish this.
On a Personal Note…
We have been cat parents to several cats over the years. And many of the cats were allowed to go outdoors. They were typical indoor/outdoor cats. Although none of them wanted food because they were free-fed cats, they still enjoyed hunting for outdoor delicacies.
These indoor/outdoor cats often caught mice, chipmunks and birds. They also had an easier time maintaining a healthy weight. We actually had a cat that was a dumpster diver. Given the choice of mice and birds, he would come back with things like half eaten chicken legs and hot dogs. His preference was “people food” or maybe it was just easier to catch.
Cats are natural born hunters. Even after being indoors for months, Boy, Pixie, and Mary did not lose any time chasing (and catching) frogs, geckos and grasshoppers on our lanai in Florida. And they waste no time going after an unlucky insect that has found its way into their house.
Final Thoughts on Cats Eating in the Wild
Cats are born being able live by eating in the wild. Barn cats are a good example of semi-feral domestic cats that get a large amount of their needed protein, by hunting vermin on a farm.
Most domestic cats will eat a mixed diet that may consist of small animals, purchased wet or dry cat food as well as raw or cooked non-processed foods. If you have concerns about what your cat is eating, your veterinarian can help you create a food plan that is perfect for your cat.