Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken? Safety Guidelines

Can cats eat raw chicken? What is the best way to feed raw chicken to cats? Should you panic because your cat has eaten raw chicken?! Cats are predators in the wild, catching their food. You may have watched your pet hunting for animals such as birds and mice and bringing them home as gifts or as a feast.

In their natural habitats, cats are carnivores, which means they can eat raw meat. As a result, cats can safely consume raw chicken. You have to make sure that meat is fresh and free of salmonella.

Cat’s regular diet when consuming raw meat is full of protein, moderate in fat, and carbohydrates. As a result, cats have adapted to consume raw meat, organs, and even bones from the animals they capture.

When a cat catches a bird or a small rodent, it almost completely devours it! Their digestive tract is small and acidic, indicating that raw meat could be digested in about 12 hours, not allowing bacteria time to grow. As a result, food poisoning is avoided.

Is Raw Chicken Good For Cats?

Commercial diets may contain a lot of filler ingredients that no one has ever heard of before. Whereas, with fresh food, you can skip preservatives and chemicals that pet companies add to make additional profits.

Amino acids are essential for cats’ health, and raw chicken provides plenty of them. Furthermore, unlike plant-based food, raw chicken is low in carbs, so it won’t make your cats gain weight or cause digestive issues.

According to veterinarians, raw chicken includes more fluids than dry cat food, so cats eating it may experience better hydration. Aside from hydration, a well-prepared raw diet will also guarantee that your cat can eat well-balanced meals with the right amounts of micronutrients for a healthy cat diet.

Is Raw Chicken Bad For Cats?

Each cat owner needs to make sure their cat is healthy and well-fed. Chicken isn’t as harmful as chocolate or garlic. However, chicken is not the best source of protein. While cats are carnivores and raw chicken is healthy for cats to eat, feeding your cat raw chicken regularly is not highly recommended.

Multiple studies warn about the causes of bacterial diseases in raw chicken. The USDA has found cases of cats dying from salmonella contamination. While farmers and businesses have taken substantial steps to reduce salmonella in raw poultry, the risk remains.

Amino Acids In Chicken

Cats require amino acids like Taurine for their bodies to function properly. Taurine is an essential amino acid to help maintain a healthy immune and digestive system. It’s also critical for vision and maintaining heart muscle function. Chicken organs are a good source of Taurine.

Can Cats Get Salmonella?

Cats may potentially experience food poisoning from consuming raw chicken, contrary to earlier advice. Cats aren’t 100 percent immune from salmonella and pathogens. For instance, salmonellosis is an illness that can be triggered by cats consuming raw chicken.

Salmonellosis signs include:

diarrhea
fever
vomiting

Cats infected with salmonellosis may appear exhausted and will have a decreased appetite and weight loss. If this occurs, contact your veterinarian. If left untreated, could be fatal.

Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken Bones?

It is preferred to feed your cat’s cooked chicken over raw chicken. Raw chicken should be given as a treat rather than a meal. Several vets and researchers agree that cats should be permitted to carefully chew fragile bones for oral hygiene. Bones, after all, provide nutritional value, especially calcium.

Some experts explain why fresh chicken bones are safer than cooked bones. Cooked bones are likely to break and splitter causing potentially fatal internal damage or blockage. Just be sure to limit and observe their intake. Always contact your veterinarian and follow their advice before switching them to a raw diet.

If you feed your cat with cooked or raw bones, closely watch your cat and ensure sure they are healthy, and monitor your cats’ next bowel movements. Contact your veterinarian and do not feed them bones again if you find blood or problems with digestion, vomiting, gas, or other discomforts.

Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken Liver?

People eat chicken liver, so should cats eat them too? The raw liver of chicken is rich in nutrients. It’s also a fantastic source of protein, vitamin B calcium, iron, copper, phosphorus, magnesium, and other nutrients that are required for a healthy cat.

Overconsumption can cause diarrhea, it’s recommended you feed raw chicken liver to your cat in limited amounts.

Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken Necks?

The chicken neck contains several vitamins and minerals. They are rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus in particular.

The chicken neck is made up of thin bones and is an ideal snack for your cat to chew on, but keep watch when your cat is eating raw chicken neck to make sure it doesn’t have difficulty eating or digesting a portion of the neck.

Can Kittens Eat Raw Chicken?

The answer to this question is yes. Giving your kitten chicken is okay. However, it’s recommended to feed them in small amounts, and cooked if possible. Avoid adding salt or spices. Salt is potentially poisonous and can induce vomiting.

It’s also highly advised that you debone the chicken and serve the chicken in small portions while feeding your kitten raw chicken. This will prevent any choking hazards.

A kitten would need a well-balanced diet to include all the vitamins and proteins required for optimal growth and development. Your veterinarian will help you come up with a raw diet for your kitten, but it would be recommended to stick to high-quality pet food that provides all your kitten nutrients necessary for proper growth and development.

Conclusion

Introducing raw chicken to your kitten’s diet is fine. Raw chicken provides basic nutrients for cats and should be given as a snack. Raw chicken can be contaminated with germs and bacteria like salmonella, listeria, E-coli when exposed to the open area. Always consult your veterinarian for best practices when introducing your cat to a raw diet.