GUT HEALING PROTOCOL FOR CATS

Our gut healing protocol (GHP) provides sensitive pets with nutritional support and a
gradual transition to a well-planned, species-appropriate diet. It aims to improve the
microbiome and function of the gut, which can help many health conditions.

GETTING STARTED
We can offer you nutritional support, however, it is important that you discuss thi​s transition ​with your
regular veterinarian before beginning. We are happy to communicate with your vet if they need any
more information.

We’ll assign you a Raw Essentials’​case manager,​who will help you with each step. You can email,
phone, or visit the store to discuss progress. Please make a plan for regular contact (at least weekly)
with your case manager, so we can plan each step. Your feedback is very important.

If you are concerned about your pet’s health at any time, then please contact your primary
veterinarian.

HOW MUCH
Adults need to eat around 3% of their body weight per day. Kittens require around 5+ % of their body
weight per day. We will help you adjust feeding amounts by taking into account your pet’s age, weight,
appetite and stools. It is best to underwhelm the gut initially. See the feeding guide below for your
pet’s suggested amounts.

STOOLS
Cats will usually pass a lot less stools with their diet change, especially when eating just meat. The
stools are usually formed but you may see some jelly like stools and some days there may be no
stools. We expect this short term, however please report your observations to us regularly. Stools
are obviously much easier to monitor if your cat is using a litter tray!

WHAT TO DO
This protocol involves a slow progression from poached
meat to a well-planned​, maintenance​raw diet.
We will make one change at a time, ensuring digestion is
stable for at least 3-4 days before progressing to the next
stage.
If we progress to the next step ​and your pet develops any​
persistent digestive issues, we may take a step back,
possibly right back to poached meat.
Each change is generally done over 3-4 days, however the rate of progression through the protocol
will depend on several factors specific to your cat. Please discuss this with your case manager to
make target times and keep momentum through the changes.

GOAL
A maintenance raw diet of meat, bone, organs and tripe from a variety of prey sources, in
approximate prey proportions.

Step One - Poached Meat and
Broth
“Poach” = cook by simmering
in a small amount of liquid
● Poach bite-sized pieces of fillets or meat cubes in broth
or water for 5 - 10 minutes, with just enough fluid to
cover the meat. (Use water if broth doesn’t suit your pet)
TIP = Use scissors to cut up meat
● Trim and discard obvious fat.
● Make sure you check the meat cubes for bone
fragments and remove - ​never cook anything containing
bone
● Ensure the meat has cooled before feeding to your pet
● Feed your pet 2 - 3 times per day (see your pet’s feeding
guide below)
If your cat isn’t interested in poached meat, ask your case
manager if raw meat is okay at this stage.

Step Two - Progress to raw ● Once settled on step one, progress to raw meat by
meat gradually replacing the poached meat with raw meat.
Alternatively you can poach non-poultry meats less until
feeding raw.
● Goal = fully raw by the end of week two (sooner for
kittens)

Step Three - Introduce ● Once settled on step two, gradually introduce a

Mixes with Bone meat/bone +/- heart mince until meals of 1/3 raw
boneless meat and 2/3 raw boney mince
● Never cook any food containing bone.

Step Four - Increase variety of ● Introduce one new prey source or mix at a time.
prey sources ● Our goal is to feed at least 3-4 prey sources each week.

Step Five - Introduce ● Wait at least one month before introducing whole raw
Meaty Bones meaty bones and only if your pet is very settled on
the raw foods.
● Please talk to our team and refer to our safe bone
feeding guidelines.
 Step Six - Consider ● Once settled on a maintenance raw diet, you can try
Tripe introducing tripe in a minced mix or a freeze dried
tripe treat.
Cats have less need for tripe than dogs

REMEMBER THE GOAL

A maintenance raw diet of meat, bone, organs and tripe from a variety of prey sources, in
approximate prey proportions. Aim to feed at least 3 - 4 different prey sources weekly with as many
nutrient-dense wild prey species as possible.
Please refer to our maintenance raw diet recommendations.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

● DIARY - Keep a diary and update us regularly regarding your pet's energy level, appetite, body
condition, demeanour and digestion (stools, vomiting, bloating, obsessive grass eating, tummy
grumbles, wind, burping etc)
● STOOLS - Very small, soft stools are to be expected when cats are just eating meat. There
shouldn’t be any straining to pass the stools and there are usually 1 - 2 per day, none on some
days.
● FAT - If there is a history of pancreatitis or severe digestive issues, scrape the fat layer off the
broth (this is easiest to do when the broth is still chilled). Broth is not high in fat, however these
pets are generally on a fat-restricted protocol.
● SIMPLE - No other foods - keep it simple! If treats are necessary consider strips of poached
meat or dried heart..
● NOTE:​for kittens under one year of age that are unable to tolerate minces containing bone
within a week, other feeding options may be necessary. Please discuss with your case
manager.

NUTRITIONAL AIDS
These may be useful to support gut health
though we usually keep things simple
initially.
● Probiotics can help improve the
balance of gut bugs.
● Psyllium husk helps bind the stools
when they are just having meat.

Talk to us about whether these would be suitable for your cat.

YOUR PET’S FEEDING GUIDE:

Poached Meat Bone Broth

Suggested protein: Suggested broth:

Approximate amount to feed per day (g): Approximate amount to feed per day (based
on your cat’s weight):

● up to 3 kg:​1/8 cup 2 - 3 times daily

● 3+ kg:​1/4 cup 2 - 3 times daily

DAY(S) WHAT TO DO

CASE MANAGER’S NAME STORE PHONE

STORE EMAIL

WE ALWAYS RECOMMEND YOU COMMUNICATE ANY DIETARY CHANGES TO YOUR VET

Check out related articles on our website or let us know how we can help
rawessentials.co.nz/education I rawessentials.co.nz/contact