A raw feeding calculator for cats — build the recipe and track taurine.
In BARFLAB you can create an empty diet manually, choose every product and watch each change recalculate live. For a healthy adult cat, the analysis covers 68 parameters, including taurine, preformed vitamin A, arachidonic acid and the Ca:P ratio, in the feline reference context.
Web and iPhone apps are available. Android version coming soon.
Why a cat’s diet is not calculated like a dog’s
Cats have species-specific dietary requirements, including a dietary source of taurine, preformed vitamin A and arachidonic acid. A recipe labelled broadly for “dogs and cats” therefore still needs to be assessed in the context of the individual species.
BARFLAB uses the feline profile and shows the relevant available thresholds rather than treating a cat as a smaller dog.
Taurine, vitamin A and Ca:P — the parameters to keep at hand
A product list alone does not show whether the recipe supplies the relevant amounts. The analysis keeps several feline checkpoints visible:
- taurine — cats require a regular dietary supply; cooking and discarding liquid can reduce the retained amount
- vitamin A — the cat needs it preformed, mainly from liver
- calcium and phosphorus — the applicable Ca:P target depends on the healthy-adult feline profile and reference source
- iodine, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium — easy to omit on meat alone
Liver shows why the whole recipe matters: it supplies preformed vitamin A, and its share needs to be assessed alongside other products and the thresholds available for the feline profile.
A supplement as part of a calculated recipe, not an addition by eye
If you add taurine, fish oil or a mineral-and-vitamin preparation, BARFLAB recalculates the recipe and shows that product’s contribution.
You can compare the result with an available threshold where the source defines one. A missing SUL is not a zero target and does not automatically confirm that any dose is safe.
What to check in a cat’s BARF diet
- taurine and the other amino acids
- vitamin A from liver and vitamins D and E
- calcium, phosphorus and the Ca:P ratio
- iodine, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium
- the share of hearts, liver and other organs
- how supplements affect the whole analysis and available thresholds
Why does a cat need taurine in its diet?
Cats require a regular dietary taurine supply. Taurine is water-soluble, so cooking and discarding liquid can reduce the amount retained in a meal; actual content and retention depend on the ingredient and preparation. BARFLAB shows the recipe result in the feline reference context.
How does a BARF calculator for cats differ from one for dogs?
Cats have their own nutritional reference context, including a regular dietary taurine supply, preformed vitamin A and arachidonic acid. BARFLAB uses the healthy-adult feline profile instead of interpreting the recipe through the dog profile.
Can a cat’s BARF diet lead to a vitamin A excess?
A high liver share can raise vitamin A substantially. BARFLAB shows the value, product contribution and any upper threshold available from the relevant source, so the liver is assessed as part of the whole recipe.
Can I calculate a diet for more than one cat?
Yes. Animal profiles let you work with different cats and save their diets separately, each with its own parameters.
Does BARFLAB suggest what to add to a cat’s diet?
The app shows which products are a source of a given nutrient and how they affect the balance. The final decision about the recipe stays with the owner or is discussed with a specialist — especially in cases of illness.
Bibliography
The full list of scientific sources, nutritional standards and composition databases behind BARFLAB's calculations, limits and content.
Bibliography →