Switching Exotic Shorthair from kibble to raw food

Switching from kibble to raw is one of the bigger dietary transitions you can make for a cat, and the worry about digestive upset is completely valid — it's the most common reason people stall on the switch. Digestive sensitivity during a food change is usually down to the gut microbiome needing time to adjust rather than a true intolerance, and the key is a slow, structured transition rather than a sudden swap. To point you toward the right approach: what symptoms are you seeing or trying to avoid, how long has your Exotic Shorthair been on their current kibble, and what kibble are they on right now?

That's a good position to be in — you're not fixing a problem, you're being proactive. Because she has no existing gut issues, you have a bit more flexibility, but Exotic Shorthairs can be a bit set in their ways about texture and flavour, so the transition still needs to be gradual. The approach I'd recommend is starting with a high-quality raw-complete food rather than a DIY mix, so the nutritional balance is handled for you. Can I ask: are you thinking purely raw, or would you consider a raw-and-wet mix to start, which tends to be easier on the gut and often more acceptable to kibble-addicted cats?

Perfect — a mixed approach is genuinely the smartest way to do this. I'd point you to Natures Menu Country Hunter Raw Nuggets in rabbit. It's a frozen raw-complete food, BARF-formulated, with a single novel protein that's easy on the digestive system. Rabbit is lean, highly digestible, and very different from the chicken-based proteins in most kibbles, which reduces the chance of a reaction. Start by replacing about 20% of her daily kibble with thawed nuggets, mixed in, for the first week. Increase by 20% each week and you'll typically have a full transition in four to five weeks with minimal stomach disruption. The nugget format is also practical — you defrost what you need and portion control is easy.

It's genuinely complete — Natures Menu Country Hunter meets FEDIAF nutritional guidelines for adult cats, so you don't need to add anything. The one thing worth doing during the transition is adding a small amount of probiotic to support the gut microbiome shift. FortiFlora by Purina is the most evidence-backed option and cats tend to accept it well sprinkled over food. It's not essential, but if you want to minimise any loose stools during weeks two and three, it's a useful buffer. Once she's fully transitioned you can drop it.

You're set up well. Go slow, trust the process, and don't panic if her stools are slightly softer in week two — that's normal gut adjustment, not a sign something's wrong. If you see persistent vomiting or she refuses food for more than a day, just slow the transition rate down rather than abandoning it. Exotic Shorthairs often come around to raw once the smell becomes familiar, so patience is your main tool here.