~ When Big Boy was young he once ate an entire chicken thigh bone !
Oh goodness!I tried holding one end like you said, she ripped it our of my hand, she's quite strong! I even resorted to holding one end with a pair of pliers but she would dig into my hand with her claw while yanking with her jaws and even still managed to rip it out that way.
When she ripped the wing bone out of my hand she chomped on it all inside her mouth, I couldnāt see it, it looked like she was trying to swallow it, then she just dropped the whole thing and sat there and looked at it, at which point I picked it up and threw it out.Oh goodness!
Butā¦ did she chomp on it or gulp it down?
Larger pieces are better for encouraging chomping. Unfortunately, quail and game hen wings are pretty small.
When you fed her the leg, was it just the drumstick, or the entire quarter?
Have you tried setting the whole bird down to see what she does with it? Or maybe half the breast & ribs?
The fact that she dropped the wing after failing to gulp it down is actually a good thing. I probably would have let her sit with it a while to see if she would go at it again. Then if she didnāt, Iād save it for later to let her try again. There is a learning curve.When she ripped the wing bone out of my hand she chomped on it all inside her mouth, I couldnāt see it, it looked like she was trying to swallow it, then she just dropped the whole thing and sat there and looked at itā¦
She put the meaty part in her mouth, and held down the wing bone with her claws and pulled her jaws up HARD and separated the quarter from the wing in one big yank.
Agreed. The instincts are there. Now it will just be a learning curve.The fact that she dropped the wing after failing to gulp it down is actually a good thing. I probably would have let her sit with it a while to see if she would go at it again. Then if she didnāt, Iād save it for later to let her try again. There is a learning curve.
Yanking the wing off the breast is also a step in the right direction. Working the food like that is mentally engaging.
Oooh, yes, if she is missing her back molars, that could be a big factor. And it certainly explains why she is a gulper.ā¦. Sheās also missing her back molars, maybe that has something to do with it.
I also got some raw duck feet to try. Do I need to clean these first before feeding?
This is what I've been doing, just feeding large chunks of quail. She chews them for a minute or so before gulping so I guess it's better than nothing. I have also been adding chunks of pork to her food. I am hesitant to try smashing the wings or feet because I still feel like she would try to swallow them but maybe I should try it. I've been trying every which way to get her to eat the gizzards-- marinating in quail blood, mixing into food, brewers yeast, etc. She just won't eat them which is a shame because this would be the best option for prolonged chewing.Can your cat chew cubes of just meat without bones? I'm actually quite late to the game of feeding raw meaty bones, meaning my cats were eating raw for a long time first. But I remember my Little Girl especially took a long time to build up muscle strength, and desire, just to chew cubes. My boys were much faster, but all cats are different. If you haven't started with just meat chunks I would start there, and maybe work up to gizzards, and then meaty bones.
Gotta add, I just fed one of my cats large quail sections for awhile for the first time, and he absolutely loved it! (This was my "gulper" too but benefits from largeish pieces.)
With the gizzards, I might try putting on a very light sear--just enough to "put on a nose" on the outside--to see if that perks up an interest.This is what I've been doing, just feeding large chunks of quail. She chews them for a minute or so before gulping so I guess it's better than nothing. I have also been adding chunks of pork to her food. I am hesitant to try smashing the wings or feet because I still feel like she would try to swallow them but maybe I should try it. I've been trying every which way to get her to eat the gizzards-- marinating in quail blood, mixing into food, brewers yeast, etc. She just won't eat them which is a shame because this would be the best option for prolonged chewing.
Yes, raw soft edible bone is a positive for cats and other carnivores. They should never eat standard-cooked bones, as these can splinter.If I am not mistaken (and someone please correct me), it is less dangerous for a cat to consume bones from raw meat than from cooked. A dove fell into the side of my house. My Siamese cat grabbed and ate the whole bird without problems. Not saying problems couldn't happen, but it's natural for them to eat raw.
Thatās a great idea! I will try that. I also have the frozen turkey and duck necks but since she has a hard time crushing quail bones I think they may be too hard for her. But I welcome any and all suggestions!With the gizzards, I might try putting on a very light sear--just enough to "put on a nose" on the outside--to see if that perks up an interest.
Worth a shot.
Bill
Welp I just tried searing the gizzard and sooo not interested.With the gizzards, I might try putting on a very light sear--just enough to "put on a nose" on the outside--to see if that perks up an interest.
Worth a shot.
Bill
Sorry. It was worth a shot.Welp I just tried searing the gizzard and sooo not interested.
Turkey necks are very challenging (being so thick) even for very experienced cats.Thatās a great idea! I will try that. I also have the frozen turkey and duck necks but since she has a hard time crushing quail bones I think they may be too hard for her. But I welcome any and all suggestions!