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Chicken is the most consumed bird globally and the second-most most eaten meat after pork. It is a highly versatile protein found in nuggets, tacos, and sandwiches. It is one of the most reliable ways of getting the required nutrients for your body which leaves you strong and energetic all day long.
Being a pet lover, you probably wonder whether it is right to share some of your favorite dishes – chicken — with your precious cat. With cats being carnivorous and numerous videos of wild cats feasting on birds for survival, it may feel normal to feed your cat on chicken at the dining table. Unknown to most people, domestic cats sometimes process human meals differently than we assume.
While some human foods may be harmless to the cats and beneficial to them, others can cause unimaginable havoc to these little animals’ digestive systems. Before you consider sharing your chicken meat with your cat, here is everything you need to know.
Nutritional Benefits of Chicken
To most people, chicken is one of the best meals globally. It is no wonder they compare everything that tastes well to the dish. Chicken is a highly nutritious meal. Chicken breasts, for instance, are rich sources of lean protein and low in fat and sodium. Due to the stated nutritional benefits, most fitness fanatics use chicken to build lean muscles and keep themselves satiated.
Chicken is also rich in other nutrients such as selenium – excellent for enhancing your immunity, phosphorus, and vitamin B6. The best time you get bored of fruits and veggies as sources of minerals and vitamins, why not try out chicken?
Chicken is also associated with stronger teeth and bones. As mentioned above, chicken is an excellent source of phosphorus. The element helps strengthen teeth and bones besides ensuring optimum performance of the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys.
Do you Know?
We’ve done our research for lots of foods and have vetted them if they are safe for your pets. Why not check out this article: Can Cats Eat Cheese?
Is Chicken A Suitable Food for Cats?
With all the nutritional benefits of chicken, it is impossible to fight the temptation to share your chicken with your cat. Can cats eat chicken? Yes, it is ok to feed your cat on chicken. However, you must ensure that the chicken is thoroughly prepared before giving a sample to the pet.
According to Gary Richter, DVM, the medical director and owner of Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, California, being carnivores, cats should be safe consuming animal protein. Besides being a medical director at the facility, Gary Richter is also a Holistic Veterinary Care, and he further explains that cat foods should predominantly comprise animal products.
As you feed your cat on chicken, you should keep the servings small, according to PetMD. Chicken should not serve as a steady replacement for cat food. Besides, it would be best if you kept it as naked as you can, free of seasonings and oils, to minimize the possibilities of causing stomach upset on your cat.
It is advisable to boil the plain chicken and ensure it is thoroughly cooked before serving your cat. Furthermore, it would be best to avoid extra fat trimmings as they are responsible for pancreatitis among cats.
Onions and garlic are a big NO when preparing chicken for your cat. They are toxic to the little animals, which explains why you should avoid them at all costs.
Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken?
This is one of the most popular questions among cat owners today. Unfortunately, you can’t feed your cat raw meat, considering it is on the ASPCA list of toxic foods. E. coli and Salmonella are common in raw chicken and are dangerous to both you and your cat. You can’t compromise your cat’s health by taking the risk.
Raw chicken can also cause toxoplasmosis and other infectious conditions in your cat. There isn’t an alternative to thoroughly cooking chicken before feeding your cat to avoid all these risks.
