Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken? What You Need to Know!
By Oliver Jones
Updated on
Sure, we all know that domesticated cats are natural carnivores that thrive off meat-based meals. But can your furry feline friend safely consume raw chicken? And is raw chicken good for her? While your cat can eat raw chicken, it’s not as straightforward as you might think.
Here’s everything you need to know about feeding your cat raw chicken.
Can My Cat Eat Raw Chicken?
Your cat’s wild ancestors relied on prey to sufficiently feed and nourish them. There aren’t any ovens in the wild, so these feral cats never dined on cook meat. While your domesticated cat needs ample amounts of protein in her diet, her body isn’t equipped to efficiently process meat the same wild felines were.
While your kitty can consume raw chicken, there are numerous risks involved. The biggest risks of feeding your cat any type of raw meat are parasites, bacteria, and intestinal infections. Raw chicken can increase your cat’s chances of contracting a parasite, such as E. coli, salmonella, campylobacter, and listeria.
A cat that is infected with salmonella can experience diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, fever, dehydration, rapid heart rates, skin issues, weight loss, abdominal pains, lymph node swelling, and weakness.
If you think your cat has salmonella, it’s critical to get her immediate medical treatment.
If your cat’s diet consists of only raw chicken, she can experience nutritional deficiencies. It’s important to feed your cat a balanced diet that includes high-quality cat kibble.
Never feed your cat raw chicken off the bone. Your pet could choke on a bone fragment. If she swallows a splinter, this can cause internal damage.
Benefits of Raw Chicken for Cats
If you feed your cat raw chicken in the proper way, she may experience a plethora of health benefits. Always purchase chicken that is specifically designed to be consumed raw by felines.
Some potential health benefits of raw chicken for cats include:
- Improved Digestion: The amino acids found in raw chicken can boost your cat’s digestive health.
- More Energy: Raw chicken is packed with protein. Cats transform this protein into energy. Higher energy levels can make your cat more active and prevent obesity.
How Do I Feed My Cat Raw Chicken?
As we mentioned before, you need to purchase raw chicken that is specially formulated to be eaten by cats. These products are properly preserved for freshness and don’t have salmonella. The raw chicken you buy at a grocery store is intended to be cooked. Never feed your cat raw chicken from the supermarket.
Never feed your cat a diet that exclusively contains raw chicken. Raw chicken should be fed in addition to your cat’s daily kibble.
Thoroughly wash the raw chicken before offering it to your cat. Always wear gloves when handling raw chicken. Afterward, thoroughly wash your hands and your cat’s food bowls.
Never feed your cat raw chicken bones. If your cat accidentally consumes a bone, monitor her next bowel movement. If there is blood, or if your pet is experiencing gas, vomiting, or indigestion, contact your vet right away.
Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken Organs?
Yes, your cat can eat raw chicken organs in moderation. The best organ to feed your cat is chicken liver. Raw chicken liver is a great source of protein, B vitamins, iron, calcium, copper, and magnesium for your pet.
Our Hepper Nom Nom Bowl
Conclusion
Cats can eat raw chicken that is specifically formulated for them. Never feed your cats raw chicken that is meant to be cooked. This can increase your pet’s chances of getting salmonella.
Raw chicken has many potential health benefits for cats, including higher energy and weight management. So, treat your kitty to some raw chicken today!
Looking for more advice on what your cat can eat? Try:
- Can Cats Eat Pumpkin? What You Need to Know!
- Can Cats Eat Tomatoes? What You Need to Know!
- Can Cats Eat Rice? What You Need to Know!
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
