Fresh Cat Food: What Gently Cooked Means for Your Cat

Fresh food has changed how a lot of people feed their dogs. Now cat parents are asking the same question: is there a fresh option for cats that is closer to what they are built to eat?

There is. Gently cooked cat food is made from real meat, organs, and bone, cooked at low temperatures, and frozen instead of canned or dried. Here is what that means and how it compares. Explore Perfectly Cooked for cats, available at independent pet stores.

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What Is Fresh Cat Food?

Fresh cat food generally means food made from whole ingredients, lightly cooked or left raw, and kept frozen or refrigerated rather than shelf-stable. Compared to most canned and dry foods, fresh recipes are:

• Higher in animal protein
• Made with recognizable whole ingredients
• Less heavily processed
• Naturally high in moisture

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What Does Gently Cooked Mean?

Gently cooked food is heated just enough to cook it, at much lower temperatures than canned food or kibble. Our Perfectly Cooked recipes are sous-vide cooked: sealed and slow-cooked at a controlled temperature to keep the flavor and texture cats love.

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Gently Cooked vs Raw vs Canned

	Gently cooked	Frozen raw	Typical canned
Cooking	Low-temperature sous vide	None	High heat
Moisture	High	High	High
Storage	Frozen, thaw to serve	Frozen, thaw to serve	Shelf-stable
Good for	Cats new to fresh food, cooked-food households	Raw feeders	Convenience

Gently cooked is a great middle ground for cat parents who want fresh, meat-rich food but prefer not to feed raw.

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Why Moisture Matters for Cats

Cats evolved getting most of their water from their prey, and many don’t drink much on their own. Moisture-rich foods like gently cooked and raw help increase how much water your cat takes in with every meal.

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Meet Perfectly Cooked for Cats

Perfectly Cooked is our gently cooked, complete and balanced food for cats of all life stages:

• 98% meat, organ, and bone from humanely raised animals
• Single protein: chicken, turkey, or beef
• Sous-vide cooked in small batches
• 1 oz sliders that make portioning easy, about 38–43 calories each depending on the recipe

Perfectly Cooked is sold frozen at independent pet stores. Find a store near you.

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How to Switch Your Cat to Fresh Food

Cats can be particular, so go slowly:

1. Thaw sliders in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
2. Start by mixing a small amount into your cat’s current food.
3. Increase the fresh food a little every couple of days over 7 to 10 days, or longer if your cat needs it.
4. Serve at room temperature. Many cats prefer food that isn’t fridge-cold.

Thawed food should be kept refrigerated and used within a few days.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is fresh cat food?

Fresh cat food is made from whole ingredients, lightly cooked or raw, and kept frozen or refrigerated instead of canned or dried. It is typically higher in animal protein and moisture than conventional food.

Is gently cooked food good for cats?

A complete and balanced gently cooked food can be a great choice for cats. It offers meat-rich, moisture-rich nutrition with minimal processing, without feeding raw.

Is cooked or raw food better for cats?

Both can be excellent when they are complete and balanced. Raw is unprocessed, while gently cooked offers a fresh option for households that prefer cooked food. Many cat parents rotate between the two.

How do I store fresh cat food?

Keep it frozen until you need it, thaw in the refrigerator, and use thawed food within a few days. Never thaw on the counter.

Where can I buy Smallbatch Perfectly Cooked for cats?

Perfectly Cooked is sold frozen at independent pet stores across the U.S. Use our store locator to find one near you.