Raw Meaty Bones for Cats and Kittens
*4.5 min read
In this article:
- Raw meaty bones are an essential dietary component for cats and kittens
- Nutritional value of raw meaty bones
- Health benefits of raw meaty bones for cats and kittens
- List of appropriate raw meaty bones for cats and kittens
- Tips and cautions
- Chart - raw meaty bones for cats and kittens
Raw Meaty Bones Are an Essential Dietary Component for Cats and Kittens
There are three primary components of a cat and kitten's species appropriate diet. The three primary components are muscle meat, raw bone and organs. The breakdown of these components is approximately:
- 83% muscle meat
- 7% raw bone
- 10% organs
Most cats and kittens do well on a ratio of 83%-7%-10%, however some individuals require slightly more, or less raw bone.
Too much raw bone in the diet can cause constipation, too little bone can cause loose stool. Monitor and adjust accordingly.
When to Start Your Kitten on Raw Meaty Bones
Kittens can start gnawing on raw meaty bones at six to seven weeks of age. At this age, your kitten will enjoy pulling the meat and sinew off of the raw meaty bone. By ten to twelve weeks of age kittens are able to start eating the raw bone too.
Nutritional Value of Raw Meaty Bones for Cats and Kitten
Raw meaty bones are an essential source of amino acids, omega fatty acids, minerals and vitamins in the feline diet.
Nutrients vary per animal-source (e.g. chicken, duck, etc.) and type of raw meaty bone (e.g. wing, neck). Whenever possible, offer your cat and kitten at least two types of raw meaty bones on a rotational basis.
A few highlights regarding the nutritional value of raw meaty bones for your cat and kitten:
Calcium and Phosphorus
Raw meaty bones are a rich source of bioavailable calcium and phosphorus.
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in a cat and
kitten's body, phosphorus is second most abundant. Calcium needs phosphorus to support bone growth and maintain bone health.
The most abundant type of bone cell are osteocytes. Osteocytes produce an important hormone regulator called fibroblast growth factor-23. Growth factor-23 regulates re-absorption of phosphorus by the kidneys.
The number of cats suffering from renal issues and kidney disease has sharply escalated, and is now one of the most common threats to feline health and wellness.
Cats on a species appropriate diet have a significantly lower risk of renal and kidney issues, than cats on a highly processed food diet. Raw meaty bones help support renal and kidney health.
However, if a cat has advanced kidney disease raw meaty bone cannot heal the kidneys, as well the kidneys cannot properly process phosphorus. As raw meaty bone is rich in phosphorus, raw meaty bone is not suitable for cats with advanced kidney disease. Eggshell powder is significantly lower in phosphorus, and must be used instead of raw bone.
Chondroitin, Glucosamine and Collagen
Raw meaty bones are rich in chondroitin, glucosamine and collagen. These vital nutrients support your cat and kitten's bone, joint and ligament health. As well collagen supports your cat's skin health, blood health and helps protect organs.
Moisture
Raw meaty bones are moisture-rich.
To maintain health, a cat and kitten's digestive and urinary tract require a moisture-rich diet. Highly processed dry food products, and starchy carbohydrates draw moisture away from the digestive and urinary tract, this can lead to:
- Anal gland issues
- Bladder crystals and stones
- Constipation
- Kidney issues and disease
- Kidney stones
- Mega colon
- Oral Health issues
- Urinary tract infections
- Amino acids (19 amino acids)
- Bone marrow
- Collagen
- Chondroitin
- Glucosamine
- Fiber
- Sinew
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Omega-6 fatty acids (ALA, DPA, DHA, EPA)
- Vitamin A
- B1 (thiamin)
- B2 (riboflavin)
- B6
- B9 (folate)
- B12
- Choline
- Retinol
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Selenium
- Zinc
Health Benefits of Raw Meaty Bones for Cats and Kitten
Raw Meaty Bones Support Your Cat and Kitten's
- Blood health
- Bone health
- Brain health
- Digestive tract health
- Eye health
- Muscle, joint, connective tissue health
- Oral health
- Organ health
- Renal health
- Skin health
Oral Heath Support for Cats and Kittens
Raw meaty bones are nature's toothbrush.
Oral health issues are another very common problem for cats. Again the leading cause of oral health issues is dry food products and starchy carbohydrates (e.g. rice and other grains, starchy root vegetables, beans, starchy seeds).
Raw meaty bones:
- Are rich in calcium and phosphorus, essential for strong teeth.
- Provide moisture rich support for healthy levels of saliva that flushes away bacteria-attracting food particles.
- Scrub the teeth, removing food particles, tartar and plaque.
Teething Support for Kittens
Kittens can experience discomfort when their adult teeth begin to emerge. Offer your kitten a raw meaty bone. Chewing on raw meaty bones helps to relieve discomfort.
Give your kitten thawed raw meaty bones, not frozen raw meaty bones.
List of Appropriate Raw Meaty Bones for Cats and Kittens
Poultry, Birds, Fowl
Feet
- Chicken
- Cornish Hen
- Duck
- Guinea fowl
- Partridge
- Pheasant
Heads
- Chicken
- Cornish Hen
- Duck
- Guinea fowl
- Partridge
- Pigeon
- Pheasant
Leg (drumstick)
- Chicken
- Cornish Hen
- Duck
- Guinea fowl
- Partridge
- Pheasant
Neck
- Chicken
- Cornish Hen
- Duck
- Guinea fowl
- Partridge
- Pheasant
- Turkey (slice into sections)
*Wings
- Chicken
- Cornish Hen
- Duck
- Guinea fowl
- Partridge
- Pheasant
* Wings: wing top, wingette (middle section of the wing) and drumette (large section of the wing).
Whole Carcass or Part
- Chicks
- Chicken
- Cornish Hen
- Duck
- Guinea fowl
- Partridge
- Pheasant
- Pigeon
- Quail
Small Prey
Beaver and Muskrat
- Parts including tail
Cavie
- Whole or parts
Rabbit
- Feet
- Head
- Legs
- Quartered or back
- Whole
Squirrel
- Whole or parts
- Whole
- Alpaca
- Goat
- Lamb
- Llama
- Pig wild boar
- Alpaca
- Goat
- Lamb
- Llama
- Pig wild boar
Tips and Cautions
- Hard on your cat and kitten's neurological system
- Forces the body to waste energy to digest the food
- Forces core body temperature to
increase
Chart - Raw Meaty Bones for Cats and Kittens
