At Bougie Bengals, we believe that nutrition plays a vital role in a cat’s long-term health, behavior, and overall well-being. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are biologically designed to thrive on animal-based nutrition.

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A species-appropriate diet supports:

• Healthy organs
• Strong immune function
• Proper digestion
• Balanced energy levels
• Oral health

• Healthy weight

• Smaller poops that don't stink (yes it's true!)

• Shiny, soft and healthy skin/coat

• Bone and joint health

• Emotional stability and cognitive development

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This is why we recommend a Prey Model Raw Diet for our kittens and adult cats.

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What Is a Prey Model Raw Diet?

A prey model raw diet is based on feeding animals in proportions that mirror a whole prey animal. It typically includes muscle meat, edible bone, and organs in ratios that support natural nutrition and digestive health. This approach provides species-appropriate nutrients without fillers or synthetic additives.

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A balanced raw diet includes:

• Muscle meat
• Edible bone 
• Organ meats such as liver and secreting organs

• Heart specifically for added taurine for cats

• Variety of human-grade proteins

• Oily fish such as Salmon, Sardines, Mackerel, Herring or Trout 

• Eggs such as chicken, quail, duck and turkey

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This provides cats with:

• Natural vitamins and minerals

• Proper hydration
• Enzymes that support digestion
• Moisture-rich whole foods for maximum nutrient absorption

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Unlike processed foods, raw diets work with a cat’s biology instead of against it.

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Freeze-Dried Raw Nutrition

Freeze-dried raw food is a nutrient-dense, biologically appropriate alternative to frozen raw that complements our prey-model philosophy while offering convenience and versatility. Freeze drying preserves the nutrient profile of raw proteins, organs, and ground bone with minimal processing, creating a shelf-stable option that still aligns with a cat’s obligate carnivore needs. Most freeze-dried diets can be fed as a complete meal or used as a topper to add variety to your cat’s feeding routine.

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• Freeze-dried raw is made by removing moisture from raw food using low temperatures, which helps preserve natural nutrients.
• It retains approximately 90–95% of the original nutrients found in raw meat, organs, and bone.
• It's shelf-stable and does not require freezing, making it ideal for travel or emergencies.
• Can be fed as a complete meal or used as a topper to add variety.
• Maintains a species-appropriate profile for obligate carnivores like cats.
• Provides a convenient alternative when fresh raw feeding is not always accessible.

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Because freeze-dried food is low in moisture, proper hydration is essential when feeding it as a full diet. We recommend o rehydrate using filtered water, homemade bone broth, or goat’s milk prior to serving to ensure adequate hydration, improve digestibility, and support kidney/organ health.

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Hare Today Raw Food Company

Hare Today is a long-standing raw pet food company that specializes in high-quality, ethically sourced raw diets for domestic carnivores like dogs, cats, and ferrets. They offer a wide variety of frozen and freeze-dried meat, bones, organs, and whole prey proteins, most of which are hormone- and antibiotic-free and humanely raised, to help pets thrive on a more species-appropriate diet. 

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Hare Today offers:

• Human-grade ingredients and variety of proteins

• Balanced prey-model formulations

• Variety of proteins

• No fillers or artificial additives
• Meat, organ and bone ratios
• Easy portioning and feeding

• Frozen and freeze dried meal options

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Their meals make it simple for new raw feeders to transition safely and confidently. To learn more about Hare Today CLICK HERE!

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Why Dry Food (Kibble) Is Not Ideal for Cats

Commercial dry cat foods are highly processed with added synthetic vitamins and minerals designed for convenience, not biological health.  

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Kibble is often:

• High in carbohydrates
• Low in moisture
• Made with rendered meats
• Preserved with synthetic additives
• Cooked at high temperatures
• Stripped of natural enzymes and nutrients

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Feeding kibble long-term is similar to a human eating fast food every day.
It may be filling, but it does not support optimal health.

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Health Concerns Linked to Processed Diets

Highly processed diets can contribute to:

• Chronic dehydration
• Kidney and urinary disease
• Inflammation
• Weakened immune systems
• Digestive issues
• Obesity
• Poor coat quality
• Increased cancer risk

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Cats are designed to get majority of their hydration from their food. Dry food contains very little moisture, placing long-term strain on the kidneys and urinary system. A commercial wet food diet is better in a sense that it contains moisture, however it is still highly processed and does also contain a lot of fillers that can have similar issues to feeding kibble.

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The Problem with Synthetic Vitamins & Minerals

Many commercial foods rely on synthetic vitamins and minerals to replace nutrients lost during high-heat processing.

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These synthetic nutrients:

• Are not always well-absorbed
• Can be imbalanced 
• Lack natural enzymes
• Do not function the same as whole-food nutrients
• May contribute to inflammation

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Whole, raw foods provide nutrients in their natural, bio available form, which the body recognizes and uses more efficiently.

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Why Raw Nutrition Supports Whole-Body Health

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A properly balanced raw diet supports:

• Strong immune function
• Healthy organs
• Proper digestion
• Natural hydration
• Balanced energy
• Stable behavior
• Long-term vitality

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When cats are fed according to their biological design, their bodies function more efficiently, and their overall health improves.

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Our Philosophy

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We believe in:

• Respecting a cat’s natural biology
• Supporting the immune system naturally
• Using food as preventative care
• Avoiding unnecessary processing
• Choosing quality over convenience

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Nutrition is one of the most powerful tools we have to support a cat’s lifelong health.

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Nutrition & Wellness Coaching

In addition to raising our kittens on a species-appropriate diet, our breeder is a Pet Nutrition and Holistic Wellness Coach who offers personalized guidance for cat owners interested in improving their pet’s overall health through proper nutrition.

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We offer $95 nutrition consultation for cats and dogs, which include:​

• Analysis of current diet
• Meal planning and portioning
• Understanding prey-model nutrition and transition
• Gut and immune system support
• Long-term wellness strategies
• Holistic care education

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These consultations are complimentary lifelong for our kitten families (and their existing other pets including dogs) and available to the public for anyone who would like support in improving their pets nutrition and overall wellness for their cats and dogs. To book a consultation please visit Book Nutrition Call. If you need to schedule a different time than what you see currently available please email us at BougieBengals@gmail.com

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Our goal is to empower our families with the knowledge and confidence to make informed, healthy choices for their pets.

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Support for Our Families

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We provide ongoing guidance on:

• Feeding and transitions
• Nutrition and Holistic support
• Portioning and schedules
• Immune boost support
• Long-term wellness planning

We are always here to support our kitten families.