🐾 Vet’s 2025 Guide to the Best Natural Cat Food

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc – A deep dive into premium, natural, whole-prey style cat foods like Ziwi, Feline Natural, and Big Dog Frozen. Learn what suits your cat best and why it matters for lifelong health. 🐱🥩🌿

📌 Table of Contents

1. Why Natural Cat Food Matters
2. Ziwi Peak – Air-Dried Whole Prey
3. Feline Natural – Freeze-Dried & Canned
4. Big Dog Frozen Raw – Balanced BARF
5. Benefits of Whole-Prey Diets
6. Top Product Picks in 2025
7. How to Transition to Natural Foods
8. Vet Support Tools: Ask A Vet, Woopf & Purrz
9. Summary & Feeding Checklist

1. Why Natural Cat Food Matters 🌿

Natural diets focus on real animal proteins, organ meats, and minimal carbs—mirroring what cats evolved to eat. This supports digestion, energy, coat health, and immune function. Avoid fillers, artificial colors, and meat by-products. 🐾

2. Ziwi Peak – Air-Dried Whole Prey 🐂

Ziwi uses 96% meat, organs, and bone from New Zealand grass-fed animals. Air-drying preserves enzymes without high heat or preservatives. Green-lipped mussels support joint health. 🥩

• Popular picks: Beef, Lamb, Chicken
• Feeding style: Serve dry or rehydrate with water
• Price: ~$33.48 per 400g

3. Feline Natural – Freeze-Dried & Canned 🐓

New Zealand-based brand offering freeze-dried raw and premium wet meals. High in muscle meat, heart, liver, and blood. Free from wheat, soy, corn, or preservatives. 🥫

• Popular flavors: Chicken & Lamb, Lamb & Salmon
• Feeding style: Rehydrate freeze-dried or feed canned straight
• Price: ~$33.48 per 12-pack or bag

4. Big Dog Frozen Raw – Balanced BARF 🍗

Australian-made Big Dog offers frozen raw meals based on BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) principles. Includes muscle meat, offal, bone, veggies, and probiotics. Must be kept frozen. ❄️

• Flavors: Combo Protein, Turkey, Kangaroo
• Feeding style: Thaw & serve cold
• Price: ~$15–25 for 1.38kg packs
• Note: Available at specialty pet stores or frozen delivery

5. Benefits of Whole-Prey Diets ✅

• High moisture content = better hydration
• More bioavailable protein and taurine
• Supports dental, joint, and skin health
• Highly digestible with fewer fillers
• Often better for cats with sensitivities or allergies

6. Top Product Picks in 2025 🏆

• Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Chicken: 96% chicken, liver, heart, tripe & bone
• Feline Natural Chicken & Lamb Pouch: Hypoallergenic and easy to digest
• Big Dog Frozen Combo Protein: Includes veggies & natural probiotics

7. How to Transition to Natural Foods 🔁

1. Start slow—10% new food, 90% old food for 2–3 days
2. Increase by 10–15% every 2 days
3. Monitor stools, appetite, and coat
4. Hydrate freeze-dried meals for better digestion
5. Keep frozen food thawed in fridge and never refreeze

8. Vet Support Tools: Ask A Vet, Woopf & Purrz 💬

Not sure which natural food suits your cat? Chat anytime with Ask A Vet for custom advice. Use Woopf fountains to boost hydration and add Purrz plush mats for comfort during meals. 🐱🍽️

9. Summary & Feeding Checklist ✅

• ✔️ Choose air-dried, freeze-dried, or raw options with whole ingredients
• ✔️ Avoid fillers, artificial colors, grains, and added sugars
• ✔️ Transition gradually and monitor stool quality & appetite
• ✔️ Use vet support when changing diets, especially for kittens or seniors

Choosing a natural diet like Ziwi, Feline Natural, or Big Dog Frozen helps your cat thrive. With the right balance of protein, hydration, and vet guidance—you’re giving your feline the best life, one meal at a time. 🐾💚