Why
Cats are obligate carnivores. The Cornell Feline Health Center explains that they rely on nutrients found in animal products, and chicken is exactly that kind of food. PetMD's veterinary guide describes plain chicken as close to an ideal treat for cats: it is high in protein, rich in essential amino acids, and most cats find it delicious.
Chicken on its own is still not a complete diet. Cats need taurine, vitamin A, calcium and many other nutrients in the right balance. The Merck Veterinary Manual warns that diets made mostly of meat are low in calcium and high in phosphorus, and cats fed almost nothing but meat, poultry or fish can develop calcium deficiency and weakened bones.
Cat foods made with chicken are a different matter. A food labeled complete and balanced for cats is formulated to supply everything a cat needs. The concern is plain chicken replacing that food.
What to watch out for
- Cooked bones, which can splinter, lodge in the mouth or throat, or block the gut
- Seasonings such as onion, garlic, garlic salt and spice rubs. Onion and garlic are toxic to cats
- Fried chicken, nuggets and breaded chicken, which add fat, breading and spices
- Skin and fatty trimmings, which add fat and calories
- Canned chicken and store-bought broth, which are often salty or seasoned
- Raw or undercooked chicken, which can carry Salmonella and Campylobacter
- Portions so large that your cat eats less of its own food
How to serve it
- Bake, boil or poach the chicken with nothing added: no salt, butter, oil, herbs or spices. Cook it all the way through, as you would for yourself.
- Let it cool, then remove all skin and bones.
- Cut or shred it into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Offer it as a treat on its own or as a topper on your cat's regular food.
- If your cat has a health condition or eats a prescription diet, ask your vet before offering any people food, including chicken.
How much?
PetMD's veterinary guide suggests up to about 2 tablespoons of plain cooked chicken a day for a cat over 6 months old, and up to 2 teaspoons for a kitten under 6 months, with chicken making up no more than 10% of the day's calories. Smaller or overweight cats may need less.
Can cats eat raw chicken?
It is safest not to feed cats raw chicken. PetMD's veterinary guide notes that raw chicken can carry Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can pass to people in the household even when the cat seems healthy. The Cornell Feline Health Center does not recommend raw meat as a food or treat for cats, because it can carry toxoplasmosis and other infections.
Bird flu adds another reason. PetMD reports that confirmed cases of bird flu in cats have been linked to their diet, specifically contaminated raw food and raw milk. Thorough cooking is the simple way to avoid these risks.
Why are chicken bones dangerous for cats?
Chicken bones are the most dangerous part of the bird for a cat. PetMD's veterinary guide explains that they can get stuck in the mouth or throat, and cooked bones can splinter into sharp pieces that injure the mouth, throat and gut. Bones can also cause a partial or complete blockage of the intestines. The ASPCA notes that bone injuries or blockages in cats and dogs can be serious enough to need surgery.
Keep carcasses and leftovers out of reach. If your cat does eat a bone, call your vet for advice, even if it seems fine.
Chicken liver, giblets and homemade diets
Liver is very rich in vitamin A. The Merck Veterinary Manual reports that feeding cats mostly liver can cause vitamin A toxicity, and kittens fed a diet high in liver can develop abnormal bone growth in the neck that makes moving and grooming hard. Keep organ meats to an occasional small piece.
Homemade diets built around chicken and a few other ingredients are often unbalanced. If you want to cook all of your cat's food, ask your vet about a recipe from a veterinary nutritionist.
Common questions
Is chicken good for cats?
Yes, as an occasional treat. Cats are obligate carnivores. The Cornell Feline Health Center explains that they rely on nutrients found in animal products, and chicken is exactly that kind of food.
Is chicken bad for cats?
Not in sensible amounts. The main thing to watch: cooked bones, which can splinter, lodge in the mouth or throat, or block the gut.
Are cats allowed to have chicken?
Yes. Bake, boil or poach the chicken with nothing added: no salt, butter, oil, herbs or spices. Cook it all the way through, as you would for yourself.
Can cats drink chicken broth?
Plain homemade chicken broth is safe for cats in small amounts. Store-bought broth, stock and bouillon are usually salty and often contain onion or garlic, so they are not suitable unless the label shows none of these.
Can I give my cat chicken every day?
Most healthy adult cats can have a small portion of plain cooked chicken daily as long as it stays a treat. PetMD's veterinary guide describes a 1-inch cube as a large snack serving and advises keeping chicken to no more than 10% of daily calories.
Sources
- PetMD. Can Cats Eat Chicken? (Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP)
- PetMD. What Human Food Can Cats Eat? (Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP)
- PetMD. Bird Flu in Cats: What It Is and How To Protect Your Cat (Veronica Higgs, DVM)
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Nutritional Requirements and Related Diseases of Small Animals.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
If your cat has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital or an animal poison control service right away, even if your cat seems fine. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home.