"Raw Troubleshooting" is my new series dedicated to each component of the raw diet. Each part of the series will offer detailed information on what to feed, how to feed, and the most affordable options for that category. The third topic up for discussion: Muscle meat. Probably the most confusing component of the raw diet, meat (also dubbed "boneless meat" and "muscle meat") makes up ~80% of the Prey Model ratio diet. Don't be fooled, the bulk of this should be meat from raw meaty bone! I feed separate muscle meats when I want to feed probiotics (good bacteria, via tripe) and to soften stools, as well as to provide variety if it's lacking that week. It's recommended to feed 3-4+ different proteins each week (ex: chicken, turkey, rabbit, beef) and you can read more about red versus white meat in a previous post. This can be accomplished by rotating raw meaty bone and organs, but you can also offer variety (especially red meats) via feeding separate muscle meats. *Remember, most ferret owners follow a balance overtime schedule rather than balanced meals daily. This allows for more leeway, and ease of feeding for multiple ferret homes. What Not to FeedAlways check the label before buying meat. Avoid anything processed, seasoned, smoked, or cured meats like bacon or sausage (some people like to feed "uncured bacon", but don't be misled; all bacon must be cured before sale. "Uncured" uses celery, beets, other veg with seasons & salt). Like all parts of the diet, avoid feeding the same cuts every time. If you're feeding mainly fatty cuts of meat like strip steak and chicken thighs, your ferrets will quickly suffer from an imbalance of fats. Safe Meats to FeedThere are many cuts of meat that fall under the boneless muscle meat section of Prey Model.
Choosing & Sourcing Muscle MeatsAs repeated in the other parts of "Raw Troubleshooting" on my page, aim for the highest quality meat. Of course, this is not required for feeding raw, just something we all should be striving for. The most cost efficient boneless meats to feed are as follows:
If you source online, my favorite sites for meat are: For a full sourcing list, check out my Raw Food Suppliers page. If you're like me and feed separate boneless meats sparingly, feel free to splurge on more exotic red meats like bison and venison to add more variation of nutrients to the diet. Some ferret parents prefer to feed a few staple meals (~2-4) of pure boneless meat in the week. If that works for you, by all means do it. End Notes
Learn more... Case, Linda P. , et al. Canine and Feline Nutrition. Third Edition. Moseby, 2000. https://perfectlyrawsome.com/cats/prey-model-raw-pmr-for-cats/ https://therawfeedingcommunity.com/ https://www.rawpetsrule.com/ https://www.gsdstormy.com/ https://thelittlecarnivore.com/
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |