Raw is relatively mainstream both domestically and internationally- there are lots of resources to educate yourself about the thousands of people around the world that successfully feed Raw to their pets and service animals- and how to transition picky eaters or those pets with special medical needs to feeding Raw. At no time should you be made to feel that you are doing something dangerous or counter-cultural. Sales of commercially prepared kibble continue to decline as more and more pet owners seek to feed their pets a diet more closely aligned with what would be consumed in nature. Look for forums and study up, there are groups and web pages dedicated to it. Whenever possible, try to complete your research without reading the web pages of anyone that stands to profit from your feeding decisions- and that includes raw food companies! You want information as unbiased as possible. If they are selling something, don't base your decision on their studies, etc-that's just common sense.
Selecting a supportive healthcare provider is critical- and this is why: there are two main camps for pet healthcare: holistic health care(self-funded) and traditional veterinary medicine(schooling often paid for by kibble companies). Holistic practitioners combine natural healing and contemporary surgery along with nutrition and supplements to ensure the comfort and health of the pet. These practitioners are typically self-funded and include such specialties as physical therapy, acupuncture, as well as veterinary chiropractics.
Traditional Veterinary practices diagnose and treat symptoms and manage pain/disease with surgery or palliative treatments(reactive, rather than proactive). Fact: Hills Science diet requires that contracts be signed by their vets that they will not recommend any other foods- yes they do this! So expect to encounter resistance should you feed your pet anything other than what a traditional vet is contracted to recommend.
Side note: do you believe that shelters/humane societies have a great sway in what they feed their animals waiting for adoption? Purina and Hills both require that no other foods be fed within a rescue organization in order to be eligible for donations! (read about it here: http://www.petfinder.
Your best option may be to seek out a vet in your area that is not contracted to bombard you with ads and recommendations for the food that paid for their schooling: ask friends and family for recommendations of a holistic vet in your area, visit your local natural pet food boutique and inquire who they use- and who their clients use. They can be a wealth of information and support! You can also be certain that they are not being paid to provide you with that advice, as they offer foods and products from many different companies and (typically)do not profit from referrals.
Make an appointment with your potential vet, let them know that you plan to feed raw and ask them for their thoughts. Any good holistic vet will be experienced with feeding raw and can be an excellent resource as to quality and convenient sources of raw food in their service area. Be looking for specific examples that they can provide of clients that successfully feed Raw, and names of brands, stores and familiarity with nutritional requirements by breed. Your vet should be a resource and support system-if you do not feel supported, it is OK to interview the next vet on your list!
If you decide to make your own raw and are not an experienced food handler( I certainly wasn't!), read up on safe handling temperatures, storage, etc. Cleaning food prep surfaces with bleach water, avoiding feeding dishes that are made of plastic(coincidentally this is a number one cause of blackheads on the face and neck for Sphynx) and completely sterilizing equipment after use can make everything considerably safer for everyone involved. This can be simplified by using paper plates, putting everything through a dishwasher after use, etc. We have been preparing and feeding raw for years and have yet to have a cross-contamination issue, etc. It just requires basic knowledge and common sense.
The first time you purchase raw, it can feel a bit overwhelming- recognize that the first time you go about something, is likely going to be a time when you make mistakes(like buying a costly meat by accident). Take a deep breath and work past the sticker shock. You will learn the ropes and the cheapest sources in your area rather quickly and it will likely never be as expensive as the first batch you prepare! The other common mistake is over-feeding your pet: if they are not a kitten, they do NOT need to be fed until they can't eat anymore! We purchased a small food scale for $12.00 when we made our second batch and started weighing meals- we wasted tons of food the first time through over-feeding and our batch did not last nearly as long as it does now. Each cat will need a different amount to maintain their weight, but aim for tablespoon sizes and not fist fulls of food.
Commit to trying raw for 6 weeks, and watch for any changes you observe in your pets. It can be pretty amazing what you will see- but don't take my word for it!
