Raw Meaty Bones for Cats and Kittens

*4.5 min read

 In this article:

1. Raw meaty bones are an essential dietary component for cats and kittens
   
2. Nutritional value of raw meaty bones
3. Health benefits of raw meaty bones for cats and kittens
   
4. List of appropriate raw meaty bones for cats and kittens
5. Tips and cautions
   
6. 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 

 

Example, Chicken Wings

 

For an example of the overall nutritional value of a raw meaty bone, let's take a look at chicken wings. Chicken wings provide your cat and kitten with:

• Amino acids (19 amino acids)
  
• Bone marrow
• Collagen
• Chondroitin
• Glucosamine
• Fiber
  
• Sinew

Fat 

• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Omega-6 fatty acids (ALA, DPA, DHA, EPA)
  

Vitamins and minerals including:

• 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
• Pheasent

Heads

• Chicken
• Cornish Hen
• Duck
• Guinea fowl
• Partridge
• Pigeon
  
• Pheasent

Leg (drumstick)

• Chicken
• Cornish Hen
• Duck
• Guinea fowl
• Partridge
• Pheasent
  

Neck

• Chicken
• Cornish Hen
• Duck
• Guinea fowl
• Partridge
• Pheasent
• Turkey (slice into sections)

*Wings

• Chicken
• Cornish Hen
• Duck
• Guinea fowl
• Partridge
• Pheasent

* 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
• Pheasent
• 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
  

Mice

• Whole

Ruminants and Cloven Hoof

 

Necks

• Alpaca
• Goat 
• Lamb
• Llama
  
• Pig wild boar

Ribs

• Alpaca
• Goat 
• Lamb
• Llama
  
• Pig wild boar
  

 

Tips and Cautions

 

Caution

 

Always be present when your cat and kitten are chewing on and consuming raw meaty bones.

 

Serve Raw Meaty Bones Thawed, not Frozen

 

Raw meaty bones should be thawed in the refrigerator and then given to your cat or kitten. Don't give frozen raw meaty bones to your cat or kitten. Consuming frozen raw meaty bones is:

1. Hard on your cat and kitten's neurological system
2. Forces the body to waste energy to digest the food
3. Forces core body temperature to increase
   

 

Pastured, Free Range v.s. Factory Farm Sourced

 

Animals (e.g. poultry, pigs, etc.) raised in *concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) spend their short life, living in miserable conditions. CAFO **animals are fed a toxic, species inappropriate diet. Many of these toxins (e.g. lead and other heavy metals, drug residue) remain in the animal's flesh and bones after slaughter. 

The best choice are bones sourced from pastured, free-range or organic pasture, free range.  The second best choice is bones sourced from organic raised animals.

 

Learn more here, about intensively farmed animals, how animal protein, fat and bones sourced from these animals can adversely effect the health of your cat and kitten.

 

* also known as: factory farms, industrial farms 

** also known as: factory farm-raised,  intensively farmed

 

Chart - Raw Meaty Bones for Cats and Kittens

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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld

Photo credit: post photo by Krysten Merrima