How to Look After Your Cat’s Teeth (Naturally!)
- miriamm00
- Jun 23
- 3 min read
Looking after your cat’s teeth is one of the best things you can do to support their long-term health and comfort—but it’s something many owners overlook. While there are plenty of dental diets, treats, and professional cleanings available, one of the most effective (and affordable) ways to keep those pearly whites in great shape is also the most natural: raw chicken necks.
Why Raw Chicken Necks?
Raw chicken necks are rich in soft bone and connective tissue, providing the perfect balance of chewiness and resistance to help clean your cat’s teeth as they gnaw. They mimic the natural prey cats would eat in the wild, helping to scrape away plaque and stimulate their gums.
They also provide valuable nutrients—especially calcium and phosphate, which are essential for bone development in growing kittens.
And cats love them. Seriously.
One of my own cats is so obsessed with chicken necks, she’ll make a full circuit around everyone’s bowls at dinner time, stealing all the necks before coming back for her own meal. She’s even been caught leaping onto the bench to nick plated-up meals destined for the cattery!
Where to Buy Chicken Necks
You don’t need a specialty pet store—just head to the chicken section of your local supermarket. Most butchers or meat sections will stock packs of raw chicken necks. If they’re not available, you can also offer raw chicken drumsticks. They’re larger and still provide the same dental benefits, though you may need to hold them steady for smaller cats to chew safely.
Starting Young
It might surprise you, but even kittens as young as 3 weeks old will tackle a chicken neck. It’s one of the cutest things to watch—a wobbly little fluffball fiercely determined to conquer something twice the size of their head!
If you’re feeding raw to kittens, though, be careful. Bigger is better—strange as that sounds. I once had a kitten greedily swallow a small piece and nearly choke. Larger pieces force them to chew thoroughly and safely.
For the Fussy or New-to-Raw Cat
Not every cat takes to raw necks straight away. If yours is hesitant, start small:
Chop a neck into tiny bits and sprinkle it over their regular wet food.
Gradually increase the size of the pieces over a few weeks.
Most cats get the hang of it quickly and learn to love it—especially once they realise how good it tastes!
A Few Tips and Cautions
Watch for constipation. Raw bone can be binding, especially if you feed necks daily. If your cat starts straining or producing hard stools, dial the frequency back a bit. Every cat’s tolerance is different.
Occasionally, a piece may get stuck. It’s rare (a true once-in-a-blue-moon event in our household), but I keep a small crochet hook handy to flick off any stray bone bits that might catch on a tooth.
Always feed raw, never cooked bones. Cooked bones can splinter and are dangerous.
Vet-Approved Smiles
My vets often comment on how clean and healthy my cats’ teeth are, and I credit that almost entirely to the raw chicken necks. No fancy dental chews, no stressful brushing—just a simple addition to their daily meal that they love.
Final Thoughts
Healthy teeth = a healthier cat. And it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a few precautions and some patience, raw chicken necks (or drumsticks) can become a much-loved part of your cat’s routine—and a powerful tool for dental health and bone development.
Plus, you get the bonus entertainment of watching your kitten proudly wrestle a neck like a lion with its prey.
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