So, I noticed some people on here giving their kitties raw chicken wings occasionally as a treat, so when I saw them in the supermarket I picked them up. The problem is, the OH won't let me feed them to my furbabies.

I explained that cats in the wild will eat raw meat, but he says they are not wild cats, and they have never eaten raw meat and he is worried about them eating it.

He also says the pieces look too big for them (they are 21 and 17 weeks).

So, can anyone give me some useful information on the benefits of this for the cats? Or is it just really a treat and not much point in me bothering to convince him?

It can help look after their teeth. Someone on here recommended them for that reason.

__________________

Thank you. I did mention this and he said I can take the meat off the bones and give them just the bones if I like. Is there any benefit in the meat/skin bits?

I think the benefit to the teeth comes from scrapping the teeth against the bone as they gnaw off the meat.

At 17 & 21 weeks they might be a touch young to give a full chicken wing to so maybe give them the meat for now and then introduce the full wing once the baby teeth have fallen out and they are onto their stronger adult teeth.

Of course, I have no problem with someone who has more raw feeding experience disputing this suggestion.....

There is no harm though in giving them raw chicken or other raw meats. Wild cats & domestic cats still have the same digestive system.

__________________
.

All parts of a chicken wing are beneficial to cats, especially kittens

You could tell your hubby that if they have a chicken wing a week it could well save you a fortune in future on dental bills, and of course save your little ones some discomfort and pain too

Plus it's fun to watch them eat, you will likely see a whole different side to your kittens when they figure out what it is and start eating!

If your hubby is worried about large bones you could always bash them up with a hammer to break the bones down a bit. But please remember not to cook the wings at all.

One other tip ... if you have an old sheet that you don't mind using, I would wholly recommend putting it down and cover as much of your floor as possible with it. They will drag them about a bit and it's much easier to take the sheet up and bung it in the wash than it is to scrub your carpets and hard floors

EDIT: They are not too young for chicken wings

__________________

Thank you so much. I wanted to try and start them young on good eating habits as I've read so many times that people struggle to get their cats to change diet once they are used to something.

I started feeding them animoda carny, grau and bozita tetrapacks as soon as they got here and they lap it all up! I have my floyds order coming any day soon too!

Full raw is probably a bit much for me to handle, but I would like to give them something raw, even if it's only once in a while.

I was wondering about this too - what is a good age to give them raw wings - and how often?

__________________

You could start Willow at any time hun I my girls were about the same age as Willow is now. Be prepared though as it will take some time for them to get used to it and learn it is food ... or you could be lucky and find that your kitty/kitties ( congrats btw) take to them straight away.

__________________

I start my kittens on a raw diet before they leave me and they love a chicken wing to 'kill' and gnaw on As Aurelia says, they do like to drag them around a bit first
The bones are excellent for young teeth - and older ones too - so it's well worth persuading your OH that you are giving them more than a treat. My vet always comments on Mai Tai's lovely teeth and she has at least one wing or drumstick a week.

__________________

How we behave toward cats here below determines our status in heaven. - Robert A. Heinlein
http://www.lambchopsiamese.webs.com

Thank you

Willow seems to eat anything and everything (except worming tablets!) So I think she will be fine - I might try her this weekend - how about the new baby?

__________________