Three mini-lions with meat (one pic only)

**Peter Galbavy** · 17th July 2011, 05:38 PM

OK, so the boys got their first try of fresh meat today. Mixed results. I took a small piece of "frying steak" from Asda and sliced it in three, about 6" x 1/2" strips. The boys played with the pieces and licked a bit, a couple of chews but not much else. I let them snooze with me in front of the TV for an hour.

Then I put the meat in the microwave for about 30 seconds to partially cook them and heat them up. What a difference!

Dicky, bless his little furry paws, chewed about twice and them swallowed a whole strip in one go. Hmm. Leo, playing up to his name, chewed and ripped and held down his with a paw while chewing off the cooke potions. Bertie needs more lessons

They are so sweet and I feel so bad for letting their teeth get bad so young and I am going to make sure they get a good mixed diet to make sure that they are going to stay happy and healthy for man many years.

Here's an early shot, before "cooking".

**H&SWells** · 17th July 2011, 05:51 PM

I have to say peter that your tale of their teeth and also jackies comment on reds made me think about doing the same ....didnt realise that i had to start so early

**Peter Galbavy** · 17th July 2011, 06:19 PM

No, neither did I. Now they are 8 months old they are having to actually "learn" to chew meat. Mea culpa. Learn for my mistake

**Antonia** · 17th July 2011, 07:00 PM

Way to go Peter! They’ll get used to the meat soon enough.

This evening I cleaned our Coonies’ teeth too. With succulent chuncks of raw beef and some juicy rabbit ribs.

**jckkerrison** · 17th July 2011, 07:06 PM

Why only the one picture....?
At least they are having a go even if the results have been a bit mixed.Welly will chomp on raw meat if I "accidently"drop some while preparing a meal,put it in his dish & he walks away,Bruce would never entertain it & we know Merlyn likes his beef roasted,covered with a heavy glass dish that he can take off & whip what is underneath !

**afgreyparrot** · 17th July 2011, 07:16 PM

Do MC's need raw meat to be healthy? If so, I didn't know this and have been concerned about it. Spartacus has been eating raw meat/fish since he was 6 weeks old (along with his other food)...but he prefers fish (which I keep for him in the freezer). He got a t-bone steak out of the sink awhile ago (I had it thawing out for supper)...*sigh*

**catslave** · 17th July 2011, 07:28 PM

They will get used to it Peter so keep going, will be worth it in the end.

**Peter Galbavy** · 17th July 2011, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by afgreyparrot

Do MC's need raw meat to be healthy? If so, I didn't know this and have been concerned about it.

Without asking to reignite ongoing disagreements over raw meat and cats... It's not the "raw" aspect, it's the "unground" aspect that seems to be important - they need to chew to keep their teeth clean, and though natural development that's meat and bones for them. Usually small portions that at some point went "squeak" but for now, some nice juicy beef will do.

I also bought some boneless lamb chopes to similarly try later. Raw or cooked. Uncooked chicken wings a long way in the future. Cooked chicken bones are a BIG no-no.

**Howlinbob** · 17th July 2011, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by Peter Galbavy

No, neither did I. Now they are 8 months old they are having to actually "learn" to chew meat. Mea culpa. Learn for my mistake

I'm sure they'll get the hang of it, Peter. I first gave my lads some raw chicken fillet at 11 months. Monty was like Leo - he got the hang of it right away. Larry was a bit of a girl about it at first. When it came to the chicken wing, I had to persist and teach them that 'this actually is food - go ahead and eat!' Monty is a terrible thief and he would not eat his chicken wing until he had the opportunity of stealing it out of the bin. Then he was away, and Larry learned from his brother.

**candes** · 18th July 2011, 03:16 AM

Actually I thought the raw meat idea was for stomatitis? Anyways if anyone here ever has a cat with stomatitis, or with any sort of immune problems (gum disease), I would stay away from the stomatitis/raw wives tale. Raw gums and/or mouths are a perfect inlet for bacteria into the blood stream.

Peter, I didn't know your cats had gum problems too? Did I understand you right? If so, brush their teeth every single day. It will make a difference. I just use my finger and rub Teddy Bearz's teeth and gums really good. The enzymes in the paste do all the work. You just need to get it on there. Teddy is used to it and it doesn't even phase him. Plus his gums are nearly normal now.

If you don't brush their teeth and they have problems you will be setting them up for major problems. If it ends up to be the start of stomatitis and you don't brush daily, extractions will come swiftly. Read up on stomatitis. I am not trying to scare you although it will. You need to know what to watch for. Keep their gums in the best shape possible. There is also the expensive Healthy Mouth water additive I can suggest. Mouth rinses were a wash, since Teddy hated them.