Treats...what are they and how often?

[saitenyo]

Originally Posted by Straysmommy

Saltenyo, but I've read even raw fish bones such as from salmon can puncture an internal organ, as they're like needles?

I'd love to give him fresh anchovy, but I don't think we can get that here.

Salmon are fairly large fish. I'm not sure I'd feed raw salmon bones. They're probably too large and tough for a cat to handle. Plus I've heard feeding whole raw salmon can be dangerous for other reasons: Salmon poisoning disease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I'd personally never feed raw salmon or trout unless it was specifically sourced to be fed to pets raw and I was confident about the source's quality-control.

The larger the animal the harder it'd be for the cat to gnaw through/digest the bones I'd assume, since they're really designed to hunt small prey, no larger than rabbits.

Sticking with small fish like anchovies or sardines or any other little fish like that should be fine. If you've ever handled a little fish skeleton or quail skeleton, or mouse skeleton or anything like that (uncooked) you can feel just how delicate the bones are.

[catloverami]

I use a grain-free treat called "Now!" (made in Cda). I also use treats after clipping claws. I use them for training, like "sit up" or "stand" (on hind legs), or "sit". A couple of times a week we have a "treasure hunt"......I throw some treats on the floor throughout the house and the cats have to hunt and find them. They like that one.

[Straysmommy]

Saltenyo, oh I see now, we were talking small fish! Thank you, I'll look out for small fish available here in the market!

[Straysmommy]

catloverami, I tried the treasure hunt and it was a flop. He doesn't even notice that I hid food somewhere, LOL I have to bring food near him for him to notice it.

[saitenyo]

Originally Posted by Straysmommy

Saltenyo, oh I see now, we were talking small fish! Thank you, I'll look out for small fish available here in the market!

No problem! Here's some photo ref to give you an idea of the difference:
*Note, these are photos of fish skeletons, in case that makes anyone squeamish.

Here's a salmon skeleton:
http://www.fotosearch.com/FDC006/962130/
I can definitely see how those ribs would be described as needle-like! Ouch. I personally don't know how sharp/tough they are, as I have never handled salmon bones, but I can see why people would be concerned feeding them.

But here are some sardine skeletons:
http://image.shutterstock.com/displa...s-53160874.jpg
Those ribs look almost soft. On a fish that small, you could probably break them up with your finger. That should be no trouble for a cat to handle.

The other plus about using small fish as an occasional treat rather than large ones, is there's less risk of accumulation of biotoxins and heavy metals in the fish, since they're much lower on the food chain.
They do still contain thiaminase though, so be sure not to feed them too often. Thiaminase if fed too much can cause Thiamine deficiency. But as an occasional treat they should be fine (and are a great source of omega-3s). I've heard people recommend no more than once a week I think?

[Straysmommy]

Thank you, Saltenyo, now I have it clear!!

[Susan]

Originally Posted by catloverami

I use a grain-free treat called "Now!" (made in Cda). I also use treats after clipping claws. I use them for training, like "sit up" or "stand" (on hind legs), or "sit". A couple of times a week we have a "treasure hunt"......I throw some treats on the floor throughout the house and the cats have to hunt and find them. They like that one.

My girls love the "Now" grain-free treats. And for the benefit of the non-Canadians, although these treats are manufactured in Canada, they're distributed in many parts of the world.

I haven't tried a treasure hunt, although I sometimes put a couple of treats in an empty Kleenex box. My girls spend quite some time trying to fish the treats out through the slit in the plastic. It keeps them occupied for a while!