Turkey necks are very challenging (being so thick) even for very experienced cats.
I have mentioned it in other threads, but I did discover that frozen turkey necks can be "shaved" into very thin slices by placing a heavy butcher knife crosswise on the bone then giving it a hard whack with a...
Yes, raw soft edible bone is a positive for cats and other carnivores. They should never eat standard-cooked bones, as these can splinter.
As a caveat, some bones can be pressure cooked to the point where they are safe, but ordinarily cooked bone is a no go.
Bill
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
I'm sure you know this, but wiping down a dog's paws after they do outside every time with a cloth and warm soapy water can significantly reduce problems with environmental allergies.
I can't claim that's not a pain, but it helps.
Bill
Best to avoid shards. Perhaps you used too much force? Quil bones are delicate.
With the turkey necks (as I do them) the bone is pretty thin. But the size and shape encourages chewing. It is not an especially challenging workout, but I think it would serve a gulper.
Obviously, you want to find...
Desmond, who is a great chewer (thanks to eating edible bone with every meal) destroys such slivers. Not a huge workout for him. On the lower end of "challenges." But not a bad item to start with (or to rotate in and out).
I have no experience with freeze dried bones (or items like freeze dried...
@FredMD
I found a photo (not very pretty, sorry) that shows what the turkey necks look like using this method:
Top left (dark red) is liver, middle is dark turkey meat, right/bottom-right is the turkey neck. Plus warm water.
Hope that helps.
Bill
My wife knows I like feeding Desmond dark meat turkey. So one day she came home with turkey necks.
I was perplexed about what to do with them. Too big to serve, even to a vigorous eater.
I ended up freezing them, figuring I'm use them to make stock.
But, for grins, I decided to see if I...
I have never used it, as--knock wood, there has never been a need--but I know from belonging to a dog breed forum (a breed prone to such issues due to long floppy ears) that the most trustworthy members from the UK all swore by the use of Thornit Ear Powder to get rid of ear mites.
Also used...
We think alike.
The harder it is for an eager cat to manage a meal (assuming they are seasoned chewers) the more it provides them with a workout that keeps their dental structures strong and healthy, as it also works their minds. One can see the "brain work" and the relaxation that follows...
Our Desmond seems like he will eat anything. It is like having another dog.
Although he is raw-fed on meat, bones, and organs, I've seen him steal (and chomp down) things like roasted broccoli and other vegetables.
And the other day he swiped a piece of lettuce from my wife's salad and...
@jencat One additional thought, have you ever given Sheba a small piece of chicken or other meat (cooked or raw) to see how she reacts? Might be an experiment to consider.
Bill
It would be better to do "wet" food to avoid the dehydration and carbohydrates that are too high even in more calorie-dense foods, but if it has to be dry, I believe the formulas are made on a calorie basis and manufacture know that cats will be consuming less food and they adjust accordingly...
Fat is what satiates the brain of cats (and likely all mammals).
Feeding calorie-dense foods that are rich in necessary protein and fats, and that ideally exclude carbohydrates (with are entirely non-essential in the diet of an obligate carnivore), is preferable to feeding high-carbohydrate...