Bone Meal Powder for Cats

Cats are carnivores; they need meat. The bone that naturally accompanies meat also contributes nutritional value like calcium. However, due to concerns about bacteria, tooth breakage, blockages and other issues, raw bones aren't always an option in cats' diets. In those cases, bone meal powder is a suitable alternative.

  1. Nutritional Benefits

    • Meat provides phosphorus and bone offers calcium. These two elements are a nutritional duo, much like sodium and potassium. Dr. Richard Pitcairn, author of Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, says bone is the most natural source of calcium and other minerals. Jennifer Boniface of Aunt Jeni's Homemade favors raw bones over bone meal powder, but says it is a good substitute for cat owners concerned about feeding raw bones.

    Buying

    • Many commercial cat foods contain bone meal powder in some form. If purchasing supplemental bone meal powder, fresh, frozen, steamed and other versions exist. When shopping, consider the source and quality. Many bone meal powders are sourced from regions that may not adhere to strict standards. Look for a bone meal powder from a USDA-approved plant. Alternatively, look for microcrystalline hydroxyapatite or MCHA. This freeze-dried raw bone product is generally sourced from New Zealand, which has admirable livestock standards.

    Making

    • To make your own raw bone meal powder for your cat, you can grind the raw bones, or both the raw meat and raw bones together, in a meat grinder. To make cooked bone meal powder, dry the bones in an oven until they're dry and brittle. Then, put in a coffee grinder or other appliance designed for grinding, until completely pulverized. Store bone meal powder in the refrigerator for a few days or in the freezer for longer-term keeping.

    Precautions

    • Along with purchasing only the highest grade bone meal powder supplement, make sure to avoid bone meal sold in garden supply stores, which is designed as fertilizer and not for consumption. If you're grinding larger, marrow-filled bones, keep in mind that marrow is fatty, so servings should adhere to a cat's dietary needs. As with all new foods, introduce bone meal powder slowly. This allows a cat to adjust and lets you monitor him for problems.