Raw as a treat

[xcourtney3]

What kind of things can be offered as a treat for canned-fed kitties? I'm particularly interested in dental-friendly things, I was told gizzards are good for that? 

 

[ldg]

Gizzards are great, as are the two smaller pieces of a chicken wing, and cornish hen wings and neck. Once she's proficient at chewing, many offer chicken necks. Just make sure you limit the amount of treats to 15% or less of her total diet, and you don't need to worry about balancing the raw being offered as treats.

 

[xcourtney3]

Are chicken hearts ok to feed? Sometimes they are packaged with the gizzards. Or are they too rich? How often could I feed raw as a treat and be under the 15%?

 

[nbrazil]

I previously asked about chicken hearts (because we have a Farmer's Market so I can buy as many or few as I want) and was told they are fine as treats.

Unfortunately neither of my cats think it is food! I may try again sometime, soaking them in tuna juice first, LOL.

I guess this is a good thing because they don't turn over the trash can or even beg food from me... cat food is, well, their food - and so far, nothing else.

 

[ritz]

Chicken hearts would make a good treat. I'd guess one or two a couple of times a week. They have a lot of taurine. Chicken hearts weigh around 1/3 to 1/2 ounce. Sometimes there is some fat around the heart, you might want to trim that off, depending on your cat's weight.
BTW: chicken gizzards are okay to feed your cat. They are less nutritious but provide a good exercise for teeth in chewing. Some raw feeders will start their cats off with gizzards before moving on to bone.

 

[roguethecat]

pinkie mice and rats

(ah, I'm always saying that, but I did get a fresh box of frozen critters in yesterday just in time to treat the Rogue

)