Transitioning to raw: signs of success

Hi everyone. I'm looking to transition Milo and Lucy to a raw diet and I am a bit nervous. Milo is 3 and very energetic, while Lucy is 2 and quite shy. I read a lot about how important it is to watch for signs they are actually digesting the food properly. What are the specific signs that show a cat is successfully handling raw food? Also, do you have any tips for a smooth transition that won't scare Lucy?

Hello @kristen.russell. It is very common to feel anxious about changing diets, especially with a shy cat like Lucy. I suggest you start with a very slow mix-in. I found this thread helpful when I switched my senior cat Cleo: Slow transition tips for raw feeding. The main sign of success is firm, formed stool that is not too hard or too loose. If you see any vomiting or diarrhea, check out Warning signs of digestive upset before continuing. Take it one day at a time.

Hey! Raw feeding is fun but you have to be precise. Gizmo is a Maine Coon and a food hog, so I measure everything. The biggest sign of good digestion is the poop. It should be small, dark, and barely smell. I wrote up a guide here: Poop check: what's normal on raw?. Also, you need to make sure you are feeding the right amount. If you overfeed, they will have issues. See my notes on Calculating portions for raw feeders.

omg i am so stressed about this too. Shadow has skin allergies so i worry raw might make it worse or better?? i tried to feed her raw last week and she just ignored it. i think the stress of the new smell is the problem. @kristen.russell do you think Lucy will be the same? i need a plan for when they refuse the bowl. Managing two cats on different diets is my biggest headache right now.

Thank you @terri_lewis and @ValInTampa. I will definitely look at the portion calculations because I don't want to accidentally underfeed Milo. @steph_gray, I worry about Lucy being similar to Shadow. If she ignores the food, should I warm it up? I heard that helps with the smell. I am also curious if the diet helps with coat health, since I have been reading about Raw diet and flea history and want to see if it helps with their skin too.

@kristen.russell, warming the food slightly can help with the aroma, which is great for shy cats like Lucy. However, do not overheat it. I think the coat health connection is interesting. I am not sure if raw directly treats fleas, but a healthy gut often leads to better skin. You might want to keep an eye on that. For now, focus on the transition steps in Slow transition tips for raw feeding to ensure they actually eat it.

Agreed with @terri_lewis. The coat is a lagging indicator. You won't see changes for weeks. The immediate signs are the stool and energy levels. If Milo is still energetic and Lucy isn't hiding from the bowl, you are on the right track. Just stick to the math in Calculating portions for raw feeders so you aren't guessing.