Can cats eat raw bones?
It's best not to. Cats Protection advises avoiding raw bones because they increase the risk of choking or a blockage in the stomach. Bones can also injure a cat's gut, and raw meat may carry harmful bacteria and parasites.
Updated:
Why
Swallowed bones can injure or block the gut, which can be serious and may need surgery. Raw meat attached to bones may also contain harmful bacteria and parasites.
Signs to watch for
- Choking
- Vomiting
- Tummy pain (hiding, growling, not wanting to be touched)
What to do
Contact your vet right away if your cat swallowed a bone or is choking or vomiting. Note what kind of bone it was and when. Don't wait to see what happens, and don't try to make your cat sick at home.
24-hour help by country →Related foods
All foods: What can cats eat?Sources
- Cats and human foods — Cats Protection
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Christmas dinner: Can cats eat turkey? — Cats Protection blog (1 Dec 2025, RVN Helen Crofts)
- Bowel Obstruction/Intestinal Blockage in cats — PDSA (Jan 2020)
General information from the sources below, not reviewed by a vet and not a substitute for veterinary advice. When in doubt, call your vet.
How kids practise this in PetPrep
In PetPrep a child looks after a realistic cat: meals at the right times, water, walks and care. Knowing what is safe to share is part of being ready for a real pet.