Cat Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Rawhide for cats?

15K views 9 replies 9 participants last post by  DeafDogs&Cat  
#1 · (Edited)
My kittens have this thing about chewing cardboard... and wood. My vet suggested getting them rawhide, and ensuring that the rawhide is sourced and made in the US.

Any suggestions on good brands/types for cats? My kittens are now 7 months old and about 6 pounds.
 
Save
#2 ·
Never heard of that before. Your local petstore should have a section with the rawhides US made \ rawhide free. Ask one of their employees to show you to it. Rawhide is difficult for dogs to digest and can cause a few different health issues. Not sure how it is with cats, but I wouldn't give it to my cat.
 
#3 ·
Two of my cats take a munch on cardboard boxes - they kind of eye a new box up, taste test it and then move on to using the box as a fort / castle / magical play place.

Does your cat just munch on cardboard like that or actually eat a lot of it? Does he just chew or eat it? Cats eating strange things could be a dietary deficiency - what do you feed?

Rawhide isn't great for dogs. As mentioned, it is difficult to digest, so I'd never give it to one of my cats.
 
#4 ·
I agree with Oozma, I don't/wouldn't give it to my dogs, I wouldn't give it to my cat either. Could you maybe try cat grass instead? Obviously it isn't as chewy, but it might be worth a try. Another thing to try would be some home-made chicken jerky. It would be chewy, flavorful, and 100% healthy because you make it yourself!
 
#6 ·
"Rawhide is safe for cats only while chewing. This hide however becomes soggy due to saliva and can be easily swallowed by the cat, this may lead to several heath issues or even death."

This was on a website that I just read. I would definitely stay away from it.
 
#8 ·
Rawhide will absorb moisture and expand...potentially causing intestinal blockages if a large enough piece is ingested. I refuse to sell them in my store.

It's difficult to know what attracts a cat to chewing something and in my experience (Maggie was an extreme chewer and Holly does her fair share) redirecting them to chew on things we want them to is very difficult.
 
Save
#9 ·
Ditto the 'don't do rawhide' message.

Try jerky, Torri loves duck jerky. I haven't been able to convince the other cats its edible though, lol.

You could do edible raw bones, if you're comfortable with that.

If not the top chew toy my kitties like is called a wiggle worm and is made by petstages. They LOVE to chew that thing and its very durable.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.