How to feed bones to cats properly – tips & tricks

Have you ever wondered if bones should be on your cat's menu?
The wrong type of bone can be dangerous and cause injury.

Yes, cats can eat bones, but they should only be raw, cat-safe bones such as chicken necks or wings, as cooked bones can splinter and cause damage.
In this blog post, you'll learn all about safely feeding bones to cats, including the right types of bones, amounts, and how you can support your cat's health through proper nutrition.

Safety when feeding bones to cats

If you want to feed your cat bones, it is important to consider safety . Choosing the right types and sizes of bones is crucial to avoid risks. Cats should only be given raw bones such as chicken necks or wings, as cooked bones can splinter and cause injury. It is also important to choose bones carefully to ensure they do not pose a danger to the cat.

In addition to the type of bone, the size is also important. Small bones can easily be swallowed and get stuck in the throat, which can lead to choking. Therefore, you should make sure that the bones are large enough to allow safe chewing, but not so large that your cat cannot handle them. Also note that too many bones in the food can lead to digestive problems. A balanced diet that also takes other nutrients into account is therefore important.

Possible risks of feeding bones

Feeding bones to cats carries some risks that you should be aware of. Potential dangers include:

• Injuries to the mouth and throat : Sharp bone edges can cause cuts or puncture wounds.
• Digestive problems : Too many bones can lead to constipation and severe digestive problems.
• Tooth fractures : Particularly hard bones can cause cats to break teeth.
• Bacterial infections : Raw bones can contain bacteria such as salmonella, which can be dangerous for both cats and humans. It is important to observe hygiene when handling raw bones and to have your cat examined regularly by a veterinarian.

Health Effects of Bones in Cat Nutrition

Bones play an important role in cats' diets, especially when it comes to the health of their teeth . Chewing on raw, meaty bones can help reduce tartar and massage the gums. This leads to better oral hygiene and can prevent dental problems. The natural abrasiveness of the bones cleans the teeth in a way that is difficult to achieve with artificial teeth cleaning toys.

In addition to the dental benefits, bones also aid the cat's digestion. They provide important minerals and vitamins that are essential for healthy digestion. In addition, chewing and digesting bones promotes the production of digestive enzymes that help process food more efficiently. However, it is important to choose the right types and sizes of bones to minimize the risk of digestive problems.

Correct amounts of bones for cats

The right amount of bone in your cat's diet is crucial for their health. Generally, it is recommended that the bone content in your cat's meal should be between 5% and 10% . This means that if you give your cat a meal totaling 100g, around 5g to 10g of it should be raw, meaty bones. This helps to balance the calcium-phosphorus ratio and supports dental health as well as digestion.

When calculating the amount of bone, you can use the following rule of thumb:

• 5% bone content with normal activity and good health of the cat
• 10% bone content if you want to ensure there is enough calcium, especially if no other sources of calcium are being given. It is important to adjust the amount of bone if you notice that your cat is having digestive problems or if the stool becomes too hard, as these may be signs that the bone content is too high.

Notes on feeding bones

There are some important points to keep in mind when feeding bones to cats. Firstly , the bones should always be raw, as cooked bones can splinter and cause injury. Secondly , the frequency of feeding bones should be moderate – ideally once or twice a week to ensure a balanced diet and avoid digestive problems.

Preparation of the bones is also crucial. Before giving bones to your cat, make sure that they:

• are free of sharp edges,
• have an appropriate size to avoid choking hazards,
• and clean to minimize the risk of bacterial infections.

These steps will help ensure your cat's safety while chewing and digesting the bones.

Barf Bones for Cats – What You Need to Know

Barf bones are an excellent addition to your cat's diet as they provide important minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. These nutrients are crucial for your cat's bone metabolism and tooth structure. However, it is important to use the bones correctly to ensure your cat's health and avoid risks.

To ensure that the bones are beneficial to your cat and not harmful, they should always be raw and portioned correctly. Proper storage and knowledge of the shelf life are equally important to ensure the freshness and safety of the bones. In the following sections, you will learn how to optimally store BARF bones and how long they last.

Proper storage of Barf bones

To properly store BARF bones, it is essential to store them in rectangular containers in the freezer. These containers should make optimal use of the available space and protect the meat from germs. Make sure that the containers are well sealed and that the meat does not come into contact with other foods.

Shelf life of Barf bones for cats

Barf bones for cats have a shelf life of at least two years from production, provided they are continuously stored in the freezer at -18° C. After thawing, you should feed the bones within 2 to 3 days to ensure freshness and safety. Avoid repeated freezing and thawing, as this can affect the quality of the bones.

Make feeding bones easier with Flappie

If you feed your cat bones, you certainly want to avoid them bringing home prey like mice that they find outside. This is where Flappie comes in: Flappie 's smart cat flap uses a camera and AI technology to detect whether your cat comes home alone or with prey. If prey is detected, the flap stays closed. This keeps your home clean and safe while you can feed your cat healthy bones.

Using Flappie technology offers you many advantages when it comes to feeding your cat:

• No unwanted prey in the house : Selective access control prevents prey from being brought into the house.
• Easy monitoring : You can receive notifications and control the cat flap remotely via the Flappie app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are chicken bones dangerous for cats?

Yes, chicken bones can be dangerous for cats when cooked as they can splinter and cause injury. It is safer to give your cat only raw chicken bones, such as chicken necks or wings, as these do not splinter.

Can you give cats chew bones?

Cats can be given bones to chew, but they should always be raw. Raw, meaty bones such as chicken necks or wings are particularly suitable. It is important that the bones do not have sharp edges and are of a suitable size to avoid the risk of choking.

Is chicken good for cats?

Yes, chicken is good for cats, especially in the form of raw, meaty bones such as chicken necks or wings. These support dental health and aid digestion. It is important to ensure that chicken is fed raw to avoid the risk of injury from bone splinters.