AboutKC Expertise I can answer questions related to feline and canine diet including questions regarding ingredients, by-products, nutrients, raw diets, brand named products, etc. I can also answer questions related to pet health, behavior, grooming, and general animal management.
***Before asking a question, please read my past answers as they will more than likely answer your question:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Cat-Food-3490/indexExp_83830.htm
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Experience I have done research on the relationship between feline diet and feline diabetes due to my personal experience in dealing with one of my own cats. I am a pet lover and always have numerous cats and dogs. I believe in feeding a high quality and by-product free diet. Diet alone cured my diabetic cat as well as either cured or significantly helped many others.
Education/Credentials Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences and years of
experience working as a Veterinary Technician
I have a 2 y.o female cat and our vet told me that she needed to eat raw Chicken Wings/Chicken Necks as it was a natural way for her to clean her teeth. My cat isn't a fussy eater generally but wont touch the necks and will only eat the wings if we're lucky.
I was thinking about marinating the wings before giving them to her to try and entice her to eat them but I am not sure what I could marinate them in that wouldn't make her sick. Do you know what kind of herbs or ingredients I could use that shouldn't give her an upset stomach?
Many Thanks,
Simone
Answer Hi Simone,
It's totally common for a 2 year old cat to initially dislike raw foods. Please read some of my past AllExperts answers regarding food brands, diet, and feeding schedule. If she's used to eating one of the big name commercial foods...the ones that are loaded in sugars, then it may be quite difficult to get her to acquire a taste for raw chicken. If however, she's on a high quality, by-product free, and grain-free diet already...they are highly meat protein based and don't contain the grains and sugars...thus the cat isn't addicted to the carbohydrates and heavy flavorings that are added to the bad quality foods to condition pets to eat them. With that said, I would first recommend getting her on a healthy diet if she's not on one currently. Foods like Nature's Variety (which also comes in supplemented raw forms) and Wellness will not contain the by-products, grains/sugars, and potentially harmful additives. That alone, will most certainly help maintain healthy teeth and gums due to the lack of sugars. In addition, once a cat has transitioned to a natural diet they are much more likely to start liking raw beef and chicken. The hard part will be to remove the buildup that is currently on her teeth. If it's very severe you might want to consider having them cleaned by a veterinarian, then changing diet in order to prevent future problems. I've seen numerous cats and dogs who have gone from the big name commerical diets to the truly premium foods including raw. All show major improvements in dental health...and I've yet to see one, even older pet, who's been on the diet for a significant time that needs a dental cleaning.
For your cat, I honestly can't recommend marinating chicken. Try cutting up small pieces of chicken to encourage her to eat it before you offer her a whole wing. You can also meet raw beef with raw chicken...as many cats love the taste of raw beef. Once she's used to the flavor/texture of the raw, then and only then offer her the whole wing.
Hope this helps...
