Raw (BARF) diet for cats: the real budget and precautions before you start
A BARF (raw meat and bones) diet for a cat typically costs £35-£70 a month for an average-size adult, noticeably more than a standard kibble range, and demands rigorous prep hygiene to limit bacterial risk. A landmark review by Freeman, Chandler, Hamper and Weeth, published in 2013 in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, notes that raw diets carry a documented risk of contamination with bacteria such as Salmonella, with possible consequences for both the cat and the humans in the household handling the meat (research on Google Scholar). Find more pointers in our food section.
Why does the budget usually run over expectations?
On top of quality raw meat (poultry, beef, offal), you need to add a taurine, vitamin and mineral supplement to balance a homemade ration, plus a dedicated freezer if the household doesn't already have spare space (£80-£200 for a small unit). Ready-made BARF products sold in pet shops (£7-£13 a kilo) cost more per kilo than home preparation, but avoid supplement-dosing errors.
What hygiene equipment is essential?
- A dedicated cutting board and knives, never shared with the household kitchen
- Single-use gloves for preparing each portion
- A stainless steel bowl, easier to sanitise than plastic or ceramic
- A freezer thermometer to check the cold chain stays consistent
Does this diet suit every cat?
No: a growing kitten, a senior cat, an immunocompromised cat, or one with kidney or digestive disease needs closer veterinary follow-up before considering raw feeding, and some conditions rule it out entirely. Any switch to a BARF diet should happen gradually and, ideally, with sign-off from a veterinary nutritionist rather than advice found online alone.
Are there lower-effort alternatives?
A quality wet food, rich in animal protein and low in carbohydrates, gets close to the nutritional profile BARF aims for without the hygiene burden or the bacterial risk: our comparison of wet food or kibble helps with that choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is BARF easier for a cat to digest?
The available scientific evidence on this specific point stays limited; that's not enough reason to disregard the documented bacterial risk, worth discussing with a vet case by case.
Can BARF and kibble be mixed?
Yes, a mixed diet is possible, but it requires spacing the meals out clearly and cleaning the bowl thoroughly between each type of food.
Are raw bones safe?
Only raw, meaty bones, never cooked, sized to fit the cat, lower the risk of splintering or blockage; when in doubt, skip it and ask the vet.
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Cats universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.