Why cats should not have it
Bones are not toxic to cats, but their shape makes them dangerous. Cooked or roasted bones turn brittle and splinter into sharp shards that can pierce the gums, get stuck in the throat or puncture the gullet and gut. Small poultry and fish bones are especially dangerous.
Raw bones splinter less, but they too can get stuck, break a tooth or cause constipation, and they carry bacteria. A swallowed bone is not always an emergency, but watch your cat closely and contact a vet as soon as you notice that something is wrong.
What to watch out for
- A bone or a shard can get stuck in the mouth or throat: the cat paws at its mouth, drools or gags.
- Sharp shards can puncture the gullet, stomach or gut.
- Pieces of bone can block the gut or cause severe constipation.
- Chewing a hard bone can crack or break a tooth.
- If your cat gags, vomits, stops eating, passes blood in its stool or cannot pass stool, contact a vet straight away.
What it can cause
Signs that can appear after eating it. Each page explains what to look out for and when to hurry to a vet.
What to give instead
Foods that are safer to give.
- Chicken Yes, plain cooked chicken without bones, skin or seasoning is one of the best treats you can give a cat. Safe
- Beef Yes, well-cooked lean beef without seasoning is a good treat for a cat; just trim off the fat and take out any bones. Safe
- Eggs Yes, a well-cooked egg, boiled or cooked without fat, is fine for a cat, but it is better not to give a raw egg. Safe