Can cats eat raw chicken? Can cats eat other types of chicken and chicken bones? Here we answer your most pressing questions about cats and chicken!
Eating raw meat is not a good idea for people because of the bacteria and parasites it may contain. Raw meat can make you very sick - but what about cats? Can cats eat raw chicken? The answer may surprise you.
Can cats eat raw chicken? The bottom line.
[caption id="attachment_55" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Here’s my cat licking bread … but is this okay? Can cats eat bread? Photography by Erica Dermer.[/caption]If people get sick from eating raw chicken, what makes humans think, "Can cats eat raw chicken? People could easily assume that they can feed their cats raw chicken, thinking that the ancestors of our cats survived very well by hunting and eating raw meat. So, the answer to "Can cats eat raw chicken?" should be an obvious yes, right?
According to Emmy Award-winning veterinarian Dr. Jeff Werber, domestic cats in our homes are not equipped to process meat in the same way as wild cats. "The intestinal tract of today's cats and dogs is not the same as that of their wild ancestors, who tore the animals apart and ate them raw," he says.
Can cats eat raw chicken? The risks.
The biggest risk for cats who eat raw chicken is that of parasites and intestinal infections. Raw chicken can bring "the potential for parasites such as salmonella, E. coli, listeria and campylobacter," explains Dr. Werber. He advises against feeding cats any kind of raw meat.
But can cats eat raw chicken as part of commercially available raw diets?
If you ask "Can cats eat raw chicken" and you think in terms of a raw food diet, the answer is a little different. Some veterinarians and cat janitors swear by raw diets. There are pros and cons to a raw food diet for cats.
Commercially available raw foods that contain raw chicken are different. These foods are usually made by quick freezing or high pressure pasteurization (HPP), which kills harmful bacteria found in raw foods.
"For those of you who have fed your cats a raw diet without any problems, it's perfect for your cat," advises Dr. Werber. "However, be cautious when encouraging other cats to ingest raw foods that have not been subjected to the bacteria-killing process".
Can cats eat raw chicken as part of a raw food prepared at home? A Homeopathic Veterinarian's Perspective
But what about cats that eat raw chicken as part of a raw food prepared at home? Can cats eat raw chicken this way?
"Raw chicken is a perfectly balanced protein that cats can eat," says Dr. Charles Loops, a homeopathic veterinarian. "It is suitable as the main protein in a cat's diet or as one of several different protein sources. Raw meat is the perfect food for carnivores and cats are carnivores".
What should cat owners keep in mind when buying raw chicken to use in their cat's raw food? "Organic chicken is always preferred but buying chicken, as fresh as possible, is the most important thing," advises Dr. Loops. "It is forbidden for all chicken farmers in the United States to use antibiotics or hormones in raising their chickens".
How can cats fed raw chicken avoid bacteria? "Chicken should always be handled minimally and carefully for the protection of humans," says Dr. Loops. "Cats are not as susceptible to Salmonella bacteria as we are and cats will generally not eat raw chicken if it is not fresh. Raw chicken should be discarded as soon as it has reached room temperature for more than a few minutes, so that the raw chicken cannot be left outside for the cat to return to later".
Dr. Loops offers a final word of caution to those who choose to feed raw chicken to their cats: "There is really no risk of cats eating raw chicken as long as the above precautions are followed," he says. "It's an excellent source of protein for felines.
How can we prevent cats from accidentally eating raw chicken?
As we all know, cats are sneaky. And unlike the chicken mentioned above, which has been carefully selected to be eaten raw, some raw chickens can be a problem. Know where your cat is when you prepare food, especially raw meat, such as raw chicken, to prevent your sly cat from running away with food from your counter or even from your stove.
What happens if a cat accidentally eats raw chicken?
On another note, you may have been looking for "Can cats eat raw chicken?" because your cat accidentally ingested raw chicken that you didn't buy as part of a raw diet.
If your cat accidentally eats raw chicken, Dr. Werber encourages cat janitors not to panic. "Keep an eye on your cat," he explains. "Monitor her behaviour and eating/eliminating activities. If you're concerned, contact your veterinarian". If your cat eats raw chicken, she may experience vomiting or diarrhea. Any type of intestinal disorder is a good time to contact a veterinarian.
Can cats eat raw chicken on the bone?
Another common question associated with "Can cats eat raw chicken?" is "Can cats eat chicken bones? Although some veterinarians do not recommend feeding cats raw chicken in any form, there is an additional hazard associated with chicken bones. Dr. Werber explains that chicken bones are "soft and easily breakable and have sharp edges that can cause internal injuries".
If your cat swallows chicken bones, don't try to make her vomit, as the bones can cause more damage when they come up. Dr. Werber advises giving your cat bread to try to coat the sharp edges as they pass through your cat's digestive tract and to contact your veterinarian immediately.
Can cats eat cooked chicken?
Most cats, unless they are sensitive to poultry, can eat cooked chicken. However, only serve your cat cooked chicken plain. Chicken should not be breaded, greasy or prepared with spices or seasonings, which can be dangerous or disrupt your cat's digestive system. Give your cat only small amounts of cooked chicken as a treat. Feeding large quantities of chicken to your cat will not provide a balanced diet and may cause digestive problems.
Vignette: Photograph © RealCreation | iStock / Getty Images Plus.
This article was originally published on March 14, 2019 and modified to include the opinion of a homeopathic veterinarian on March 25, 2019.
