Can Cats Eat Bones?

No. Bones are not a safe treat for cats. They can get stuck in the throat or esophagus, the tube from the mouth to the stomach. They can also hurt or block the gut, and vets say that may need surgery. This is true for chicken, fish, cooked, and raw bones.

Why are bones a problem for cats?

The ASPCA says that when dogs and cats eat bones, the digestive tract can be hurt or blocked. This can be serious and may need surgery.

The Merck Veterinary Manual adds that bones are the most common thing to get stuck in a cat’s esophagus. Needles, string, fishhooks, and wood can get stuck too. A stuck object can make a hole in the esophagus, which is a serious problem.

What signs show a cat has a bone stuck?

According to Merck, watch for:

• Lots of drooling
• Gagging
• Bringing food or liquid back up
• Trying to swallow again and again

If the bone stays stuck for a while, your cat may eat less, lose weight, and seem very tired. Don’t wait. Call your vet if you see any of these signs.

What will the vet do?

Merck says most stuck objects can be pulled out with an endoscope. That is a thin tube with a tiny camera, passed through the mouth. Surgery is needed if the esophagus has a hole or the object can’t be pulled out this way.

If a bone moves down into the stomach, it may be digested, pass out of the body, or need to be removed with surgery.

Other kinds of bones

Can cats eat cooked chicken bones?

No. Cooked bones are the worst choice. The AKC says cooked bones break into splinters more easily and take longer to break down than raw bones. Note that the AKC page is written about dogs and doesn’t mention cats. Call your vet if your cat ate one, and watch for vomiting, drooling, trouble swallowing, choking sounds, or no interest in food.

Can cats eat fish bones?

No. None of the sources we read talk about fish bones in cats on their own. But bones in general can get stuck or cause injury, and Merck lists fishhooks as sharp things that can lodge in a cat’s esophagus. Remove bones from fish before you share any, and keep your cat out of the trash after a fish dinner. Call your vet if your cat seems to choke, gag, or drool after eating fish.

Are raw bones safe for cats?

Raw bones are not a safe choice either. The ASPCA’s warning about injury and blockage covers bones in general. The FDA also says raw pet food is more likely than cooked food to carry germs like Salmonella and Listeria. These germs can make pets sick, and people can catch them from handling the food.

Raw meat and bones are sometimes fed as a whole diet. The Merck Veterinary Manual warns that a cat fed only meat gets too little calcium and too much phosphorus. Over time this can thin and weaken the bones, cause bone pain and cause fractures. Cats need a complete and balanced food. Talk to your vet before changing your cat’s diet.

What can my cat chew on instead?

Cats don’t need bones. These are better ideas:

• Treats made for cats
• Toys made for chewing and playing

Keep treats to about 10% of your cat’s daily calories. Put leftovers and bones in a bin with a tight lid.

For a longer list of risky foods, see our guide to foods toxic to cats. You might also like our article on whether cats can eat eggs.