If you’ve ever watched your cat hunch over a bowl of kibble and thought, “This can’t be what a desert-born carnivore was designed to eat,” you’re already halfway to the raw feeding camp. Hare Today has become the go-to name for caretarians who want whole-prey nutrition without the hassle of grinding rabbit carcasses in the kitchen. Their growing line-up of raw grinds and organs in 2025 reflects everything we’ve learned about feline metabolism—high taurine, low inflammation triggers, and zero synthetic pixie-dust.
Before you add a single chub to your cart, though, it pays to understand how each grind, organ, and sourcing decision affects everything from urinary pH to gum health. This guide walks you through the science, safety, and sanity-saving tricks that separate a thriving raw-fed cat from a frustrated human who just wanted to ditch the starch.
Top 10 Hare Today Cat Food
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Dinner Morsels – Premium Rabbit Recipe with 98% Responsibly-Sourced Meat & Organs – Natural Grain-Free Cat & Kitten Food – Made in USA – 3.5 oz
Overview: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Rabbit Morsels deliver premium raw nutrition in a convenient freeze-dried format. These 98% rabbit morsels can be served dry, crumbled, or rehydrated, making them versatile for cats of all ages and dental capabilities.
What Makes It Stand Out: The exceptional palatability even for notoriously picky eaters sets this apart. The inclusion of probiotics for digestive health, combined with organic ingredients and strict quality controls, creates a trustworthy option for health-conscious pet parents seeking ancestral diet benefits.
Value for Money: At $63.95 per pound, this premium pricing reflects the responsibly-sourced ingredients and minimal processing. While expensive for daily feeding, it’s justified for cats with allergies, senior cats, or as a high-value treat for special occasions.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros include excellent palatability, versatile serving options, and comprehensive nutritional profile with taurine and omega fatty acids. The main drawback is the high cost for regular feeding, and the small 3.5oz bag means frequent repurchases for multi-cat households.
Bottom Line: Ideal for picky eaters, cats with sensitivities, or as a premium topper. While too pricey for sole daily nutrition in most households, it’s worth the investment for cats needing high-quality, single-protein meals or as occasional treats.
2. Rawz Real Rabbit Dry Food for Cats with Freeze Dried Coating (1.75 Pounds) Made in USA
Overview: Rawz Real Rabbit Dry Food offers a unique approach with minimally processed kibble coated in freeze-dried rabbit. This 1.75-pound bag provides complete and balanced nutrition while avoiding common allergens like dairy, wheat, corn, and soy.
What Makes It Stand Out: The freeze-dried rabbit coating adds raw nutrition appeal to traditional kibble, potentially attracting cats who reject regular dry food. The single animal protein source makes it suitable for elimination diets and cats with food sensitivities.
Value for Money: At $1.05 per ounce ($16.80 per pound), this sits mid-range between premium freeze-dried and standard kibble. The coating adds value without the full expense of completely freeze-dried options, making it more practical for daily feeding.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include the palatability boost from freeze-dried coating and clean ingredient list. However, some cats may pick off only the coating, and the protein percentage may be lower than pure freeze-dried options. The bag size might be small for multi-cat households.
Bottom Line: A smart compromise between raw nutrition desires and budget constraints. Perfect for cats needing limited ingredients who still enjoy dry food texture, offering better value than fully freeze-dried options while maintaining quality standards.
3. Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Raw Cat Food, Rabbit Mini Patties Entree, 8 oz
Overview: Vital Essentials Rabbit Mini Patties deliver maximum protein density in a freeze-dried raw format. These 8oz of mini patties contain responsibly sourced European rabbit, providing complete nutrition without fillers, grains, or artificial additives.
What Makes It Stand Out: The whole animal protein approach and industry-leading protein density make this exceptional for obligate carnivores. The mini patty format offers portioning flexibility, and the wide variety of single-protein options from this brand allows rotation for cats with multiple sensitivities.
Value for Money: At $63.98 per pound, this matches Stella & Chewy’s premium pricing. The higher protein density means smaller serving sizes, potentially extending the bag’s lifespan compared to lower-protein alternatives.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Major pros include the highest protein content, whole animal nutrition, and suitability for cats with severe allergies. The European sourcing may concern some buyers preferring domestic ingredients. The price point makes daily feeding challenging for most budgets.
Bottom Line: Excellent choice for cats requiring maximum protein or those with multiple food sensitivities. While expensive, the nutritional density and single-protein purity justify the cost for cats with specific dietary needs or as a rotational addition to less expensive foods.
4. I AND LOVE AND YOU Wet Cat Food – Whascally Wabbit Pâté – Rabbit Recipe, Grain Free, Filler Free, 3oz Pack of 4 Cans
Overview: I AND LOVE AND YOU’s Whascally Wabbit Pâté provides moisture-rich nutrition in a smooth, rabbit-based formula. This 4-can pack offers grain-free, filler-free nutrition with rabbit as the primary ingredient, addressing cats’ hydration needs naturally.
What Makes It Stand Out: The pâté texture appeals to cats who prefer smooth consistencies, while the added moisture supports urinary tract health without cats noticing increased water intake. The rabbit protein provides lean nutrition low in cholesterol, suitable for weight management.
Value for Money: At $2.33 per ounce ($37.28 per pound), this offers middle-ground pricing between premium freeze-dried and economy wet foods. The 3oz cans provide appropriate single-cat portions, reducing waste.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros include excellent hydration support, single-protein formulation, and palatable pâté texture. The smooth consistency may not satisfy cats who prefer chunky textures. Some cats might find the rabbit-only formula less exciting than mixed proteins.
Bottom Line: An excellent wet food option for cats needing hydration support or those with grain sensitivities. The single-protein formula works well for elimination diets, while the pâté texture suits cats with dental issues or texture preferences.
5. Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet, Natural Dry Cat Food, Grain Free Recipe – Real Rabbit, 4.5 lb. Bag
Overview: Instinct’s Limited Ingredient Rabbit Dry Food combines the convenience of kibble with raw nutrition through freeze-dried coating. This 4.5-pound bag offers single-protein, grain-free nutrition specifically designed for cats with food sensitivities or allergies.
What Makes It Stand Out: As the first raw-coated kibble, Instinct pioneered adding freeze-dried raw to every piece, enhancing both nutrition and palatability. The limited ingredient approach with just rabbit and vegetables simplifies identification of food triggers.
Value for Money: At $8.22 per pound, this provides the most economical option among reviewed products while still offering premium features. The larger bag size reduces packaging waste and shopping frequency.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include excellent value, proven palatability enhancement from raw coating, and comprehensive elimination of common allergens. Some cats may selectively eat coated pieces first. The kibble base, while high-quality, isn’t as nutritionally dense as pure freeze-dried options.
Bottom Line: The best value for households seeking limited-ingredient nutrition without premium pricing. Ideal for multi-cat families or those transitioning from standard kibble to higher-quality options, offering raw benefits at accessible pricing.
6. Purina ONE Natural Dry Cat Food, Tender Selects Blend With Real Chicken – 7 lb. Bag
Overview: Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend is a 7 lb. bag of U.S.-made dry food that leads with real chicken, targeting adult cats that need muscle support, immune strength, and digestive balance without fillers or artificial additives.
What Makes It Stand Out: The “SmartBlend” recipe pairs visible meaty tenders with prebiotic fiber, four antioxidant sources, and guaranteed omega-6s—offering vet-recommended nutrition at grocery-aisle convenience.
Value for Money: At $2.50/lb you get purposeful ingredients, no fillers, and a vet-backed brand; mid-tier pricing feels fair for the added gut-health tech and domestic production.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: real chicken first, prebiotics for microbiome, U.S.-made, no artificial colors/flavors, crunchy texture reduces tartar.
Cons: still contains corn and soy, chicken-only flavor may bore picky eaters, 7 lb. bag runs out quickly in multi-cat homes.
Bottom Line: A solid, science-forward choice for owners who want visible meat pieces and digestive care without premium-cat prices; rotate flavors if your cat craves variety.
7. Purina Friskies Dry Cat Food Gravy Swirl’d With Flavors of Chicken, Salmon and Gravy – 3.15 lb. Bag
Overview: Friskies Gravy Swirl’d is a 3.15 lb. bargain bag that bakes chicken-salmon gravy right into the kibble, delivering 100 % complete nutrition for kittens through seniors.
What Makes It Stand Out: The baked-in gravy swirls create an aroma punch few budget foods match, turning budget kibble into an irresistible bowl topper for finicky eaters.
Value for Money: At $1.58/lb it’s among the cheapest complete diets on shelves; you sacrifice some ingredient polish but gain feeding enthusiasm and immune-support antioxidants.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: gravy flavor burst, all-life-stage formula, added omegas & antioxidants, recyclable bag, widely stocked.
Cons: corn and by-product meal heavy, artificial colors, small bag size isn’t eco-friendly for multi-cat households.
Bottom Line: Perfect pantry back-up or mixer to entice picky cats; don’t rely on it as a sole protein source long-term but keep it around for hunger strikes.
8. Nutrish Indoor Complete Premium Natural Dry Cat Food, Chicken with Lentils & Salmon Recipe, 14 Pounds (Packaging May Vary)
Overview: Nutrish Indoor Complete packs 14 lbs. of U.S. farm-raised chicken, lentils, and salmon into a recipe designed for lower-calorie, hairball-prone indoor cats.
What Makes It Stand Out: Rachael Ray’s Whole Health Blend adds brain-supporting nutrients, natural prebiotics, and omega-3s while every bag funds shelter pets—guilt-free shopping.
Value for Money: Price not listed, but historical street pricing hovers near $2.20/lb—middle-road for natural kibble, cheaper than most specialty indoor formulas.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: high-volume bag, lean protein mix, lentil fiber for hairballs, no poultry by-product meal, philanthropy tie-in.
Cons: lentils can inflate carb count, kibble size is large for some seniors, inconsistent availability online.
Bottom Line: A wallet-friendly step-up from grocery brands if you like celebrity-backed transparency and indoor-specific nutrition; stock when on sale.
9. Evanger’s Grain-Free Meat Lover’s Medley with Rabbit Dry Cat Food – 4.4 lb – Buffalo, Pork & Rabbit Proteins – Grain & Gluten Free – Rich in Omegas & Probiotics
Overview: Evanger’s Meat Lover’s Medley delivers 4.4 lbs. of grain-free, gluten-free kibble featuring buffalo, pork, and rabbit proteins for obligate carnivores with sensitive systems.
What Makes It Stand Out: Triple-muscle-meat variety plus probiotics, coconut oil, and Alltech proteinated minerals create a high-protein, 30 % min crude protein diet that rivals raw without the freezer.
Value for Money: At $17.99 ($4.09/lb) you pay boutique prices, but exotic proteins and probiotic inclusion justify the spend for allergy or rotation feeders.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: novel proteins reduce allergy risk, grain/gluten-free, omegas & probiotics, smaller kibble suits all life stages, U.S.-sourced meats.
Cons: premium cost, only 4.4 lb bag (runs out fast), strong aroma may offend humans.
Bottom Line: Ideal for rotation feeding, elimination diets, or parents wanting boutique nutrition without raw hassle—budget for the price jump and smaller bag size.
10. Purina Cat Chow Hairball, Healthy Weight, Indoor, Natural Dry Cat Food, Naturals Indoor – 13 lb. Bag
Overview: Purina Cat Chow Naturals Indoor is a 13 lb. bag that combines real turkey and chicken with a natural fiber blend to control hairballs and calories for indoor, weight-prone cats.
What Makes It Stand Out: One formula tackles four common indoor issues—hairballs, weight, immunity, and taste—while keeping the price in the grocery-comfort zone.
Value for Money: $2.38/lb sits below specialty indoor foods yet above basic Cat Chow; the 13 lb. size drives cost-per-feeding down for multi-cat homes.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Pros: real poultry first, fiber-rich for hairball control, 25 vitamins & minerals, widely available, resealable bag.
Cons: contains corn and soybean meal, calorie count still moderate (not true “light” food), uniform kibble lacks texture variety.
Bottom Line: A dependable, vet-friendly staple for indoor cats that need hairball help and weight management without gourmet pricing; pair with wet food for moisture.
Why Raw Grinds & Organs Matter for Obligate Carnivores
Cats don’t just like meat—they’re physiologically monogamous to it. Muscle flesh supplies essential amino acids in the correct ratios, while secreting organs deliver the fat-soluble vitamins and trace minerals that plant matter simply can’t provide. Grinding the whole carcass (bone included) mimics the prey blueprint: edible bone for calcium–phosphorus balance, connective tissue for joint-protective glycosaminoglycans, and vitamin-rich offal that prevents the “nutrient gap” so common in cooked or extruded diets.
The Rise of Hare Today in the Raw Feeding Movement
Founded by a hobby breeder who couldn’t source clean whole prey in the early 2000s, Hare Today built its reputation on single-protein transparency and USDA-inspected rabbits raised on family farms. By 2025 the company has expanded to pastured poultry, heritage pork, and wild-caught fish—always whole prey ratios, always flash-frozen at −40 °C to arrest lipid oxidation. Their direct-to-consumer model keeps turnover high and prices sane, a combo that’s earned cult status in raw Facebook groups and veterinary nutrition forums alike.
Understanding Whole-Prey Ratios in Commercial Grinds
Whole prey isn’t a buzzword; it’s a math equation: roughly 80 % muscle meat, 10 % secreting organ, and 10 % soft edible bone. Hare Today publishes the proximate analysis (crude protein, fat, ash, moisture) for every batch, so you can verify that the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio hovers between 1.1:1 and 1.4:1—sweet spot for growing kittens and renal-compromised seniors alike.
Muscle Meat Varieties: Rabbit, Poultry, Game & Exotics
Each protein carries a unique micronutrient fingerprint. Rabbit is naturally low in fat and high in selenium—excellent for cats prone to pancreatitis. Turkey and chicken offer more taurine per gram, useful for households that refuse heart chunks. Game birds like pheasant introduce novel antigens, helpful during elimination diet trials. Exotic grinds (think beaver or reindeer) arrive seasonally and provide an omega-3 boost thanks to wild forage. Rotate across three or more proteins every quarter to hedge against nutrient drift and food sensitivities.
The Power of Secreting Organs: Liver, Kidney, Spleen & More
Liver is the feline multivitamin: vitamin A for retinal health, B12 for myelin synthesis, copper for coat pigment. Kidney adds riboflavin and selenium; spleen is a heme-iron powerhouse. Aim for 5 % liver and 5 % other secreting organs in the overall diet. If your cat stages a hunger strike against kidney aroma, freeze-dried organ powder can be rehydrated into the grind without the texture drama.
Bone-In vs. Boneless: Calcium Needs & Texture Preferences
Boneless grinds shine for cats with advanced dental disease or post-PU surgery struvite concerns, but they require a balancing act: you’ll need to add 1,000 mg edible calcium carbonate per pound to hit the 0.6 % DM calcium target. Bone-in grinds deliver that calcium naturally, plus the dental calculus-scraping action of micro-crystalline hydroxyapatite. Watch stool quality: chalky white logs signal over-mineralization; dark, soft stools hint at inadequate bone.
Fatty-Acid Profiles: Balancing Omega-3 & 6 in Raw Diets
Rabbit and chicken can skew omega-6 heavy (linoleic acid), which fuels chronic inflammation if you skip fish. Rotate in wild-caught grinds (salmon, smelt) or add 100 mg combined EPA/DHA per 10 lb body weight weekly. Pastured pork loin contains more alpha-linolenic acid than grain-fed, another reason to check the sourcing footnotes on every Hare Today label.
Taurine Stability in Frozen vs. Freeze-Dried Formats
Taurine is water-soluble and degrades under repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Hare Today flash-freezes within two hours of grind, locking in 95 % of initial taurine. Once thawed, use within 48 hours and avoid microwave defrosting—ionizing radiation accelerates taurine loss. Prefer freeze-dried nuggets for travel? Rehydrate with 90 °F (32 °C) water, not boiling, to preserve heat-labile sulfur amino acids.
Pathogen Control: HPP, Testing Protocols & Safe Handling
Hare Today uses High-Pressure Processing (HPP) at 87,000 psi—enough to rupture Salmonella membranes without heat. Post-HPP, every lot is cultured for Enterobacteriaceae; results are posted online by batch number. In your kitchen, maintain a parallel barrier system: color-coded cutting boards, 1:32 bleach solution for countertop contact zones, and stainless or glass bowls that survive the dishwasher sanitize cycle.
Transitioning the Finicky Feline: Texture, Temperature & Timing
Cats imprint on shape, smell, and mouthfeel by 6 months of age. Start with a bland, low-odor protein such as rabbit, served at “mouse temperature” (around 100 °F). Mix 10 % raw into the usual wet food, then increase by 10 % every 48 hours if stool quality holds. For texture purists, warm the grind in a sealed bag submerged in warm water; direct stovetop heating creates a congealed protein skin that many cats reject.
Customizing for Life Stages: Kittens to Geriatrics
Kittens need 2.5 g protein and 0.8 g fat per MJ of metabolizable energy—roughly double the adult requirement. Feed 6–8 % of current body weight daily, split into 4–5 meals. Seniors often need fewer calories but more phosphorus-restricted protein; choose boneless turkey or rabbit loin and add a commercial renal support blend (low-phos egg white) to keep IRIS staging stable.
Allergy & Elimination Strategies Using Novel Proteins
Adverse food reactions account for up to 20 % of feline dermatoses. Hare Today’s rotating menu lets you run a six-week elimination trial with truly novel antigens—think beaver or quail—without cross-contamination. Eliminate treats, fish oil capsules, and flavored medications during the trial; reintroduce one protein at a time while logging itch scores in a spreadsheet.
Budgeting & Bulk Buying: Freezer Math & Thaw Schedules
A 10 lb case yields ~40 feline meals (at 4 oz each). One cubic foot of chest freezer space holds 30 lbs if you stack chubs flat like vinyl records. Map out a 12-week rotation spreadsheet: date in, date out, and protein type. Budget roughly $3.50–$5.00 per lb in 2025 pricing; organ-heavy blends cost 15 % more but save you from buying separate supplements.
Supplement Stack: When & What to Add Beyond the Grind
Even balanced grinds can drift. Add 2,000 mg wild-caught fish oil per 3 lbs meat if omega-3 testing shows an AA:EPA ratio > 5:1. Cats on exclusively indoor prey may need 50 IU vitamin E per 1,000 mg fish oil to prevent lipid peroxidation. For urinary acidification, add 500 mg taurine and 50 mg methionine per pound only if urine pH creeps above 6.5—over-acidification risks calcium oxalate crystals.
Environmental & Ethical Sourcing: Pasture-Raised vs. Wild-Caught
Pasture-raised rabbits produce 40 % less methane per kg protein than feedlot beef and fertilize the fields they graze on. Wild-caught fish stocks vary: Hare Today sources smelt and salmon from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) fisheries, with quarterly sustainability reports posted on their blog. If your ethics lean vegan-adjacent, remember that cats aren’t flexible; choosing ethically sourced prey is the lowest-impact path.
Vet Perspectives: Integrative & Evidence-Based Views on Raw
Peer-reviewed raw studies are sparse, but a 2024 JAVMA survey showed 68 % of boarded veterinary nutritionists support client-led raw programs when balanced and pathogen-controlled. Integrative vets note improved gingival indices and lower post-prandial glucose curves compared to high-starch kibble. The key is partnership: bring your proposed recipe and Hare Today batch analyses to the clinic so your vet can fine-tune for comorbidities.
Troubleshooting Common Issues: Diarrhea, Constipation & Picky Eaters
Loose stools often trace to too much organ or rapid transition. Drop liver to 3 % and add 1 tsp psyllium husk per pound to bind moisture. For constipation, increase bone content to 12 % or feed a whole prey item (fur-on rabbit head) once weekly—the indigestible fiber acts like a chimney brush. Picky eaters respond to “toppings”: a pinch of crushed freeze-dried heart or a scant drop of fermented cod liver oil can flip the switch from hunger strike to clean bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Hare Today’s rabbit grind balanced as a standalone diet, or do I need to add supplements?
The grind follows whole-prey ratios, but rotational fish oil and periodic bloodwork-guided taurine ensure long-term adequacy. -
How long can a thawed chub stay in the refrigerator before it’s unsafe?
Use within 48 hours if kept at 37–40 °F; after that, pathogens double every 6 hours even under HPP. -
Can I cook Hare Today grinds for my immunocompromised cat?
Light searing destroys taurine and vitamin B1; instead, use HPP-treated raw and practice surgical-level hygiene. -
What’s the best way to portion 5 lbs of grind without a scale?
Score the outside wrapper into 1-inch “coins” while still frozen; each 1-inch slice is roughly 4 oz. -
My cat’s stool turns white and powdery—too much bone?
Yes. Shift to a boneless grind for half the meals until stools regain a milk-chocolate firmness. -
Are organs from different species interchangeable nutritionally?
Mostly, but pork liver is higher in vitamin D and copper—rotate to prevent micromineral excess. -
How do I travel by plane with raw food for a 3-day trip?
Pre-freeze 4 oz vacuum pucks, pack in a soft cooler with 2 lbs of dry ice; TSA allows <5 lbs dry ice in checked luggage. -
Will feeding raw change my cat’s water intake?
Raw is 70 % moisture, so you may see fewer trips to the water bowl—normal unless urine output drops below 10 ml/lb/day. -
Can raw feeding help with feline IBD?
Many cats show reduced vomiting and GI inflammation on novel-protein raw, but introduce slowly and monitor cobalamin levels. -
Do I need to deworm my cat more often on a raw diet?
Hare Today’s HPP step inactivates most parasites; routine fecal testing every 6 months is sufficient unless you feed outdoor whole prey.