Can cats eat chicken everyday?

Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken? Everything You Need to Know Before Feeding your Feline Raw Meat

Your domesticated cat’s diet is likely already full of cooked and processed chicken, but felines in the wild eat raw meat all the time, which may make you wonder: Can cats eat raw chicken?

The answer is tricky. Whether you’re debating feeding your pet a raw diet or just want to give your kitty a snack as your cook dinner, speaking with your veterinarian is the best way to keep your cat safe.

Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken?

Yes, cats can eat raw chicken, but doing so comes with risks and is not necessarily recommended, says Renee Schmid, DVM, DABVT, DABT, a veterinarian toxicologist who works with Pet Poison Helpline.

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat animal products to survive. They thrive on high-protein diets with substances found in meat, such as fatty acids, taurine, and other essential vitamins. Supporters of a raw food diet for cats believe that mimicking a wild cat’s diet—which would be filled with raw meat, bones, and organs—is ideal, as cooking meat can alter the vital nutrients in meat.

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However, in 2012, the American Animal Hospital Association, with the endorsement of the Association of American Feline Practitioners, provided a statement against raw food diets for cats:

«Homemade raw food diets are unsafe because retail meats for human consumption can be contaminated with pathogens,» the statement reads. «Many of the pathogens found in raw protein diets can be transmitted to the human population by contact with the food itself, pet or environmental surfaces. A disturbing number of these organisms have also been shown to be resistant to multiple antimicrobials.»

The best way to keep your cat safe? Consult your vet before introducing any new foods to your cat’s diet, especially raw meat.

What Are the Risks of Feeding Cats Raw Chicken?

Parasites and Bacteria

While cats can digest raw meats better than humans, they’re still at risk for contracting serious illnesses from harmful bacteria and parasites.

«Eating any type of raw meat poses potential safety concerns with bacteria, particularly Salmonella and Campylobacter, as well as potential exposure to parasites, all of which may cause GI distress and potential systemic illness,» Schmid says.

If your cat eats raw chicken and shows signs of intestinal upset, contact your veterinarian right away.

Bones

Small pieces of bones can seriously harm your cat, as the bones found in raw chicken can get lodged in the esophagus, stomach, or intestinal tract and cause a choking hazard. In some cases, sharp pieces of bone can pierce the intestinal tract, which can cause life-threatening sepsis, Schmid says.

Nutritional Deficiency

«Raw chicken itself does not have a complete nutritional profile, so it should not be fed as the sole food,» Schmid explains.

Cats need an adequate level of taurine, which is essential for your kitty’s heart health. Veterinarian-approved cat food is the best way to provide your cat with the essential nutrients needed for a healthy, balanced diet.

What Should I Do If My Cat Accidentally Ate Raw Chicken?

If your cat ate raw chicken that wasn’t properly prepared, it’s important to keep an eye on your cat contact your veterinarian if you notice any of these symptoms:

How To Safely Prepare Raw Chicken for Cats

If you’re set on feeding your cat raw chicken (or any raw meat), it’s important to speak with your veterinarian. While cats eat raw meat in the wild, your domesticated kitty is used to processed, cooked food. If your vet gives the OK to introduce raw chicken into your cat’s diet, here are a few safety tips to keep you and your kitty safe.

1. Make sure the chicken is fresh.

First, it’s important to purchase fresh, raw chicken from reputable stores. Don’t wait long to feed this to your cat, as bacteria can grow the longer chicken ages. You may also consider raw chicken that’s marketed for pets, which is typically processed to add vital nutrients and reduce the risk of harmful bacteria.

2. Prep the chicken with care before serving.

When preparing the chicken, cut the meat on a clean surface with a clean knife and remove any bones before serving. Only give your cat what they can eat in one sitting; any leftover meat will need to be discarded. After you’ve fed your cat, remove any leftover chicken and be sure to throw out any raw meat that reaches room temperature. Once your cat is done eating, wash their bowl with soap and hot water.

3. Clean surfaces to avoid the spread of bacteria.

As you prepare the raw chicken, thoroughly clean surfaces where the meat is placed to avoid contamination to yourself and other humans. If you’re looking for an easier (and safer) way to feed your cat homemade chicken, you can cook the meat by boiling or grilling it without any added salt or seasoning. Common seasonings like garlic, onion, and salt are toxic to cats and should be avoided.

Can Cats Eat Chicken? Is Chicken Safe For Cats?

“Can cats eat chicken?” You’re probably asking this question if you want to share a taste of your freshly cooked poultry with your kitty, or maybe you just want to add something special to your cat’s food.

If you’ve ever looked at your cat’s daily diet, you’ll know that it mostly consists of meat and protein. Instead of just feeding your feline cans of chicken-based cat food or chicken-flavored kibble, can you skip a step and feed them actual chicken?

The short answer is a resounding yes, you can feed your cat chicken. However, as with all foods, you must ask your vet first and follow a few guidelines. Read on to discover some of the safety considerations involved when feeding chicken to a domestic cat.

What Should I Consider When Feeding Chicken To A Cat?

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Feeding your cat cooked chicken can be a great addition to their diet. It provides the protein an obligate carnivore like a cat requires.

Always make sure you’re sticking to your cat’s recommended number of calories per day. The exact number can vary depending on factors like your cat’s ideal size, breed, and age, so ask your vet next time you schedule a wellness visit.

Just be sure that the chicken wasn’t marinated in anything that a kitty might be allergic to, particularly spicy ingredients. Avoid any ingredients that might be toxic to cats, as well.

Also, it’s best practice to serve only the chicken’s meat and not the chicken skin, which might contain excess salt, garlic, and spices. The skin is also fattier, which could contribute to an obesity problem.

Finally, avoid feeding your cat chicken on the bone, as this could cause a choking issue. Cooked bones can also splinter and cause internal damage.

What About Raw Chicken?

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Opinion is split on whether raw chicken is okay for a cat.

Hypothetically, it can be, but remember that commercial chicken sold as part of a pet’s raw food diet has usually been flash frozen to eliminate bacteria and disease. This is different from cutting a slab of raw chicken and feeding it directly to your cat.

Basically, if you wouldn’t serve the food to your family, you probably shouldn’t give it to your cat. However, this is a matter you should absolutely discuss with your veterinarian before you attempt to feed your cat raw chicken.

Even if you decide to feed homemade, raw food, you need to learn how to properly prepare it and minimize the risk of contamination or disease.

Does your cat love chicken? How often do you give them a chicken treat? Let us know how you feed chicken to your kitty in the comments section below!