Can Cats Eat Chicken? What You Need to Know

Most cats can safely eat chicken, which is good news because your cat naturally craves it! Their wild ancestors were obligate carnivores, meaning they needed animal protein to survive, and so does your cat. 

While chicken alone lacks some important nutrients, like taurine, it’s a perfect source of lean protein and essential amino acids. Given in small amounts (less than 10% of their calorie intake), it can be a healthy addition to your cat’s daily meals. 

Use chicken as a meal topper or a treat to supplement their complete and balanced commercial food. Just remember to serve it cooked, boneless, and without any seasonings or additives to keep your cat safe.

Take a look at this guide to learn the best ways to prepare chicken for your cat, what to avoid, and how much to give daily. With these tips, you can give your cat a healthy, tasty dose of what their ancestors relied on! 

Taste and Palatability

Cats love everything about chicken! They love its taste and the tender texture that makes it easy to chew and digest. And before your cat even eats it, the chicken’s strong aroma leads them to their bowl.

Chicken is especially enticing for cats who need encouragement to eat due to reduced appetites brought on by illness or age.

It can be tempting to feed your cat chicken at every meal. After all, it’s good for them, right? But while it’s true that chicken can be a healthy addition to your cat’s diet in small doses, it doesn’t replace their need for complete and balanced cat food.

The 10% Treat Rule

Remember that chicken is a treat for your cat, and a good rule of thumb is that treats shouldn’t exceed 10% of their daily calorie intake. Feeding your cat too much chicken can result in nutritional imbalances and weight gain, leading to a decline in health.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), FDA, and CDC advise against feeding raw meat to any pet, and cats are no exception. They should never eat raw chicken because it may contain E. coli and Salmonella. 

These harmful bacteria, and others like them, might cause digestive issues for your cat, especially if they’re a kitten, senior, or immunocompromised. And infected cats can shed the bacteria, posing a risk to you and your family.

As we mentioned above, a surefire way to prevent these bacteria is by thoroughly cooking your cat’s chicken. And on top of that, doing so also improves digestibility, meaning no tummy trouble for your feline friend!

Cooked chicken bones are rigid and breakable, meaning they can easily splinter into small, sharp pieces. And those pieces can cause choking, mouth injuries, and, if they make it to your cat’s stomach, punctures in their digestive tract. 

They can do more serious damage, too. Chicken bone fragments can block your cat’s esophagus, stomach, or intestines. These kinds of internal issues can end up requiring emergency surgery and might even be life-threatening.

Cooked chicken might be a great, wholesome treat for your cat, but what should you feed them the other 90% of the time? If they crave the taste of real chicken, your cat will love SHEBA® Wet Cat Food, made with high-quality ingredients, including chicken!

Every SHEBA® recipe delivers a gourmet meal that’s 100% complete and balanced, formulated without grains, corn, or soy so your “true” carnivore cat gets all the protein and nutrients they need.  

Give your cat SHEBA® Wet Cat Food in convenient single-serve trays. Made with a real protein source as the #1 ingredient, you can be confident you’re feeding your cat a complete and balanced diet. All without the hassle and risks of preparing chicken at home!