Steve's Real Food Quest Beef Recipe Freeze-Dried Cat Food (10 oz)

Grass-Fed Beef Prey Model Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food for All Life Stages

Product Description

Steve's Real Food Quest Beef Recipe Freeze-Dried Cat Food offers a complete prey model raw diet for cats of all ages. This formula contains 95% grass-fed, grass-finished beef, which includes muscle meat, heart, kidney, liver, and ground bone, along with 5% carefully chosen superfoods like raw goat's milk, flaxseed, chia seeds, and dried kelp. Each ingredient is selected for its nutritional benefit. The nuggets are cold freeze-dried to lock in nutrients, taste, and digestibility without using heat. Grain-free and easy to rehydrate, this food makes raw feeding straightforward, tidy, and nourishing.

Benefits

• 95% Grass-Fed Beef, Organ & Bone: Made with ground beef, beef heart, beef kidney, and beef liver sourced from free-range, grass-fed, grass-finished cows raised without antibiotics or added hormones — delivering nutrient-dense, bioavailable prey model nutrition.
• Complete & Balanced for All Life Stages: Formulated to meet and exceed AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages, making it a suitable full daily diet for kittens, adults, and senior cats.
• Natural Taurine for Heart & Eye Health: Beef is naturally rich in taurine and arginine, two amino acids critical for maintaining healthy eyesight, heart function, and a strong immune system in cats as obligate carnivores.
• Superfood-Boosted Prey Model Recipe: Raw goat's milk, flaxseed, chia seeds, dried kelp, and organic coconut oil are purposefully included to support digestion, immune health, coat condition, and overall daily vitality.
• Convenient Freeze-Dried Raw Nuggets: Cold freeze-dried without cooking to preserve nutrients at their peak — shelf-stable, no refrigeration required before opening, and easy to rehydrate in minutes with warm water, broth, or raw goat's milk.

Ingredients

Ground Beef, Beef Tongue, Beef Liver, Beef Kidneys, Beef Heart, Ground Beef Bones, Goat's Milk, Premix (Potassium Chloride, Salt, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Taurine, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Coconut Oil, Salmon Oil, Taurine, New Zealand Green Lipped Mussels, Organic Dried Kelp, Choline Chloride.

Guaranteed Analysis

Caloric Content: 5,140 kcal/kg | 233 kcal/cup

How to Use

General Daily Feeding Guideline (approx. 2.5% of body weight):

Directions for Use

• Always Rehydrate Before Serving: Add ¾ cup of warm water per 1 cup of freeze-dried food, stir well, and allow 5 minutes for the liquid to fully absorb before serving. Warm water, low-sodium bone broth, or raw goat's milk are all suitable rehydration liquids.
• Dry Nuggets as Treats Only: A few dry nuggets are acceptable as treats, but do not serve the full meal. Dry, unhydrated food absorbs moisture in the digestive tract and may cause dehydration, constipation, or discomfort.
• Transition Gradually: Transition over 1 to 2 weeks by mixing increasing amounts of this food with your cat's current food, starting with 1 part Steve's to 3 parts old food and slowly adjusting the ratio.
• Refrigerate After Rehydrating: Once water has been added, any uneaten portion should be covered and refrigerated; consume within 3 days.
• Store Properly: Keep the bag sealed and stored in a cool, dark cupboard away from direct sunlight, moisture, and extreme temperature fluctuations; use within the shelf life indicated on the package.

Additional Information

Precautions

• For Cats Only: The Quest freeze-dried line is specifically formulated for cats; do not replace it with the original Steve's BARF line without checking the appropriate AAFCO statement for the species you are feeding.
• Always Rehydrate Fully: Never serve the full daily meal portion dry — moisture is essential for feline digestion and urinary tract health; always rehydrate with warm water, broth, or goat's milk before serving.
• Consult Your Vet for Health Conditions: Cats with kidney disease, urinary tract issues, hyperthyroidism, or other chronic conditions should only be transitioned to a raw diet under veterinary supervision.
• Raw Meat Handling: Treat this product as you would any raw meat — wash hands, bowls, and surfaces thoroughly before and after each serving to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
• Goat's Milk Sensitivity: This recipe contains raw goat's milk; cats with known dairy sensitivities should be monitored closely during the transition period and a veterinarian should be consulted if any adverse reactions occur.

Possible Side Effects

• Digestive Adjustment: Some cats may experience loose stools, mild vomiting, or temporary digestive upset during the first 1 to 2 weeks of transitioning to raw; a gradual transition over 1–2 weeks significantly reduces the likelihood of these symptoms.
• Detox Response: Some cats transitioning from highly processed dry food may experience a brief detoxification period with temporary changes in coat, stool, or energy levels as their body adjusts to a biologically appropriate diet.
• Constipation if Fed Dry: Feeding the full meal portion without rehydrating can cause dehydration, digestive discomfort, or constipation; always serve rehydrated as a meal.
• Food Sensitivity Reaction: Cats with known sensitivities to beef, organ meats, or dairy (goat's milk) may experience itching, skin irritation, vomiting, or digestive upset; discontinue use and consult a veterinarian if symptoms appear.
• Appetite Changes: Cats transitioning from kibble to raw may initially be reluctant to accept the new texture and smell; gradual transition and warming the rehydrated food slightly can improve acceptance.

Shipping & Returns

We offer ground, express, priority, and international delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is this a complete and balanced meal for cats?

Ans: Yes, Steve's Quest Beef Recipe is formulated to meet and exceed AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages. It is designed to serve as a cat's full daily diet and is appropriate for kittens, adults, and senior cats.

Q2: What does "prey model" mean in this recipe?

Ans: A prey model diet mirrors what cats would naturally consume in the wild — primarily muscle meat, organ, and bone. This recipe is 95% grass-fed beef meat, organ, and ground bone, with only 5% whole-food superfoods, closely replicating a biologically appropriate feline diet.

Q3: Must this freeze-dried food be rehydrated before serving?

Ans: Yes. While a few dry nuggets as treats are acceptable, the full meal must always be rehydrated before serving. Unhydrated food absorbs moisture in the digestive tract, which can dehydrate cats and potentially cause constipation or intestinal discomfort.

Q4: How do you rehydrate this freeze-dried cat food?

Ans: Add ¾ cup of warm water per 1 cup of freeze-dried food, stir to ensure even coverage, and let the liquid absorb for approximately 5 minutes until the desired porridge-like consistency is reached. Low-sodium bone broth or raw goat's milk can also be used for added palatability.

Q5: How much should a cat be fed daily?

Ans: A general starting guideline is approximately 2.5% of your cat's body weight per day, divided across two or more feedings. Use Steve's Real Food feeding calculator at stevesrealfood.com/feeding-calculator for a personalized daily recommendation based on your cat's weight and activity level.

Q6: Is this recipe suitable for kittens and senior cats as well as adults?

Ans: Yes, the Quest Beef Recipe is formulated for all life stages. Raw feeding from kittenhood is encouraged by Steve's Real Food, as it closely aligns with a cat's natural dietary needs and supports optimal growth, development, and long-term health.

Q7: Where does the beef in this recipe come from?

Ans: The beef is sourced from family ranchers in the Pacific Northwest. The cows are grass-fed, grass-finished, and free-range, raised without antibiotics or added hormones on USDA-verified farms committed to sustainable and humane farming practices.

Q8: How long does an opened bag stay fresh?

Ans: Once opened, the bag should be resealed tightly and stored in a cool, dark cupboard away from moisture and direct sunlight. The food has a typical unopened shelf life of up to 18 months; after opening, consume within a reasonable timeframe following the best-by date on the package.

Q9: Is this a good option for picky eaters or cats transitioning from kibble?

Ans: Yes. Pet parents and independent reviewers frequently report that even the most selective cats readily accept the beef nuggets, especially once rehydrated and served warm. Transitioning gradually over 1–2 weeks and warming the food slightly can help reluctant cats adapt.

Q10: Will there be any formula changes to this product soon?

Ans: Yes. Steve's Real Food has announced a temporary ingredient update to the Quest Beef Recipe expected to reach the market in April 2026. The updated formula will include New Zealand Green Lipped Mussels, Salmon Oil, Taurine, and a vitamin-mineral premix. All updated bags will be clearly marked.