Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken – You will undoubtedly read countless articles about, whether a cat can eat raw chicken. If yes, your search is finished here because this blog will clear all your doubts. Cats are lovely docile pets and have become one of our favourite options when choosing a pet.
They are carnivorous mammals which means naturally their diet is based on animal-based food. Yes, it is our common misconception that cats are into dairy products typically milk but it is not true. Do you want to know whether cats can eat raw chicken? Read this blog.
Nature has made cats for hunting and they are habitual of eating raw chicken or meat but there are some limits or restrictions about feeding raw chicken to them. Undoubtedly chicken is the best source of protein. It provides strength and energy. It also helps in repairing cells and organs of the body. Let’s get to know what type of raw chicken cats can eat.
What Type Of Raw Chicken Cats Can Eat?
The answer is ‘yes’ felines can be fed raw chicken. Chicken is essential for a cat’s well-balanced diet. Raw chicken contains plenty of proteins, minerals, and vitamins. It can be easily digested by cats. There is no particular type of chicken which you should feed your cat. All raw chicken can be given to your cat but it’s crucial to follow some guidelines to ensure safety and balanced nutrition.
| FRESHNESS | Use fresh chicken that has been properly stored, this ensures cat safety. Wash the chicken thoroughly as well as your hands. |
| TYPE | Thighs, breasts, and other boneless cuts are preferable because they are easier for a cat to chew. Remove all the bones, skins, and cartridges from the chicken cause skins contain fats which is difficult for cats to chew. |
| BONELESS | Boneless chickens in small pieces are preferred for cats because it is easier to chew and digest. Bones and cartridges can choke cats. |
Nutritional Facts about Chicken
Commercial foods for cats are chicken-based because chicken provides all the essential nutrients a cat needs. Cats are carnivorous animal which means they need animal-based nutrition for their nourishment. Feeding cats chicken will satisfy the requirement of amino acids rapidly.
Amino acids are divided into two types:
Essential Amino Acids
These are known as essential Amino Acids because the body can’t produce them on their own. These should be on their diet.
Raw chicken contains the following essential amino acids:
| Amino acid | How much per 100g in chicken? |
| Arginine | 1.839g |
| Histidine | 0.947g |
| Methionine | 0.844g |
| Phenylalanine | 1.217g |
| Isoleucine | 1.612g |
| Threonine | 1.289g |
| Leucine | 2.294g |
Non-Essential Amino Acids
Cats need non-essential amino acids but they can produce it on their own from the building blocks of protein they eat.
According to a study it is found that eating raw chicken can keep your cat hydrated. Chicken contains moisture which helps your kitty get enough liquid.
Is Raw Chicken Good For Cats?
Yes, chicken can indeed fulfil the nutritional requirements of your cat. Moreover, your cat can eat raw chicken savorily.
As humans, we are not very good at digesting raw meat. Our digestive tract has evolved to digest cooked food. Cooking our food makes it easier to chew and digest.
Cats are different. Their digestive tract is smaller than humans but more acidic. Nature does this so bacteria stay for less time in the stomach of a cat which provides less time to bacteria to evolve in the stomach of the cat. The acid often kills bacteria present in the raw chicken in the gut of the cat.
Although chicken has various advantages to eat still there are some potential risks which may be cat’s digestive system may not handle.
The most common baddies in raw chicken are:
Salmonella
Normally, your cat’s gut already contains all bacteria including Salmonella and E-coli (the bad ones) which are kept in check by the good ones such as Bifidus and Lactobacilli.
But if your cat receives an extra dose of Salmonella by consuming raw chicken it can cause:
- Diarrhoea
- Fever
- Vomiting
Listeria
Listeria bacteria is found in raw chicken and it can cause listeriotic. If it is not treated within days then the cat can be dead.
Symptoms of Listeria are:
- Lethargy
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Fever
BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION: Raw chicken contains bacteria like E.coli and Salmonella which are bad for cat health.
PARASITES: Raw chicken contains parasites like Toxoplasma Gondi and Trichinella which can affect Cats.
Nutritional imbalance: Feeding only raw chicken to the cat without adding supplements causes nutritional imbalance.
Digestive Issues: Feeding raw chicken often and in large amounts can lead to gastrointestinal diseases like vomiting and diarrhoea.
Guidelines For Feeding Raw Chicken To Cat
- HEALTH AND AGE OF THE CAT: Often healthy and adult cats can handle a raw chicken diet as compared to kittens or less-aged cats. A cat should be an adult and not have any disease.
- Transition Period: If you are thinking of feeding raw chicken to your cat do it gradually over time to give some time to adjust the digestive system of the cat to digest raw chicken.
- Feeding Schedule: Some owners feed their cat’s raw chicken regularly and others twice or thrice a week. It depends upon the Cat’s health and age and how much raw chicken should owners feed their cats. To ensure this owner should consult a Veterinarian (animal doctor).
- Monitor Health: After starting feeding raw chicken to your cat monitor your cat’s health, stool consistency, any digestive issues, and other symptoms. If the cat is experiencing any of these then immediately consult veterinarian.
- Feed Fresh chicken: Feed fresh chicken to your cat which has been properly stored. Wash raw chicken thoroughly, and feed chicken to your cat wearing gloves.
- Consult a Veterinarian: Always consult a Veterinarian first before starting a raw diet for your cat or any other changes in diet. They can articulately guide you for your well-being as well cat’s health.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cat owners should be happy because they can feed their cats’ raw chicken. Raw chicken can be beneficial for their health as they contain essential amino acids but there is a catch, an owner should consult a Veterinarian before initiating feeding to a cat.
An owner should follow some guidelines to prevent any harm to their cat. As raw chicken contains viruses and parasites it is preferable to boil the chicken to kill the bacteria and viruses. With proper monitoring and Veterinarian guidance raw chicken diet can be beneficial for overall cat health.
FAQs (People also ask)
How much raw chicken a cat can eat?
Consuming a high quantity of raw chicken diet poses health risks to a cat’s life. An owner should provide only 10% of raw chicken from the entire diet. Excess raw chicken can cause digestive issues in the cat due to the presence of parasites.
Why do cats like raw chicken?
Cats are carnivorous animals and naturally, they prefer meat. They may not prefer raw chicken to cooked meat.
Can cats eat chicken skin?
Cats should eat or feed chicken skin as it is very high in fat which makes it difficult to chew and swallow for the cat.
Can a cat eat raw chicken?
Yes, a cat can eat raw chicken savorily. They are carnivorous animals and prefer meat. Chicken will provide them with essential amino acids as well as vitamins, and minerals.
