If you’ve ever seen your cat try to sneak a bite of the chicken you’re eating, you may be wondering Can cats eat chicken bones? While a few kitty-safe treats are okay in moderation, chicken bones should be avoided. Read on to learn more about why and how you can keep your cat healthy by avoiding foods that could cause them harm.
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Table of Contents
- Why Can’t Cats Eat Cooked Chicken Bones?
- Raw Chicken Bones Are Be OK (With Caution)
- Which Raw Chicken Bones Are Best?
- Benefits of Raw Chicken Bones
- Cat Safety Tips
- Human Safety Tips When Dealing with Raw Meat and Bones
- Warning Signs that Your Cat May Be Ill After Eating Bones
- Can Cats Eat Cooked Chicken?
- What Should I Feed My Cat Instead?
Why Can’t Cats Eat Cooked Chicken Bones?
The biggest danger with giving cats chicken bones is that they can splinter and cause internal damage or blockages in their digestive tract. Cats have delicate digestion systems so it’s important to make sure they only consume food that’s good for them.
Additionally, cooked chicken bones are brittle and prone to breaking, which increases the risk of them getting stuck inside your cat’s intestines or other parts of their digestive system.
Raw Chicken Bones Are Be OK (With Caution)
While cooked chicken bones are a definite no-no, raw bones may be ok in moderation. Raw bones are softer than cooked ones and less likely to splinter so they can give your cat the calcium and phosphorus they need without the risk of internal injury.
It’s important to note that this is not an endorsement for feeding cats raw chicken bones. As with any dietary change, it’s best to speak to your veterinarian before introducing something new.
Which Raw Chicken Bones Are Best?
If you decide to feed your cat raw chicken bones, it’s important to choose the right kind. Smaller chicken necks and wings are preferred over larger leg or thigh bones as they are less likely to splinter.
It’s also a good idea to start slow and observe your cat for any signs of discomfort or digestive upset before giving them larger amounts of raw bones.
Also, avoid any type of spiced or seasoned raw bones as these can cause stomach upset and may even contain ingredients that are toxic to cats.
Benefits of Raw Chicken Bones
Raw chicken bones can provide cats with a number of health benefits. First, they are a great source of calcium and phosphorus, which helps keep their bones strong and healthy. They also contain taurine, an essential amino acid that helps to maintain good vision and heart health. Finally, raw chicken bones give cats something to chew on, helping to keep their teeth clean and healthy, while providing them with some mental stimulation.
Cat Safety Tips
No matter how tempting it is to give your cat a chicken bone, it’s important to always err on the side of caution. Here are a few safety tips for feeding cats any type of bone:
- Always supervise your cat during feeding.
- Avoid giving them cooked bones As they can cause serious injury.
- Know the right size of bone you are giving your cat, So it doesn’t get stuck in their throat or become a choking hazard.
- Clean Up any small pieces that fall on the ground After your cat is done eating.
- Make sure any bones you give your cat are raw and not processed.
- Speak to your veterinarian before introducing anything new Into your cat’s diet.
Human Safety Tips When Dealing with Raw Meat and Bones
Just as it is important to keep your cat safe, it is also important to protect yourself when dealing with raw meat and bones. Here are some tips for staying safe:
- Always wear disposable gloves when handling raw meat or bones.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with warm soapy water Before and after handling any type of raw food.
- Keep raw meat and bones away from any surfaces or utensils that will be used for preparing human food.
- Clean all surfaces, utensils and dishes with hot soapy water after they have been used to prepare or serve any type of raw food.
- Never consume any type of raw meat or bone yourself.
Warning Signs that Your Cat May Be Ill After Eating Bones
If you do decide to feed your cat raw chicken bones, it’s important to be aware of the warning signs that they may be ill after eating them. These include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy or lack of energy
- Decreased appetite
- Abdominal pain or bloating
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible.
Can Cats Eat Cooked Chicken?
Cooked chicken can be safe for cats as long as it is boneless and skinless and not seasoned with any spices or sauces. You should also avoid feeding your cat fried chicken since this type of cooking adds additional fat which can upset their stomachs.
When feeding your cat cooked chicken, make sure it has been cooled down before serving. Eating hot food can cause burns on the roof of their mouth and tongue, which can lead to infection if not treated properly.
What Should I Feed My Cat Instead?
If you want to give your cat a treat, there are plenty of food options that are specifically designed for cats that will provide all the necessary nutrition without compromising their health or safety.
Check out some of these suggestions: dried fish flakes, freeze-dried liver treats, canned tuna in water (avoid any with oil), cooked eggs (whites only), boiled fish (without added seasonings). All of these options are high in protein and low in fat, making them perfect for cats who need something tasty but don’t need all the extra calories from fatty foods like fried chicken.
In conclusion, while some kitty-safe treats are okay in moderation, chicken bones should be avoided due to the risk of splintering and causing internal damage or blockages in their digestive tract.
If you’re looking for something special to feed your cat as an occasional treat, there are plenty of safe options available such as dried fish flakes, freeze-dried liver treats, canned tuna in water (avoid any with oil), cooked eggs (whites only) or boiled fish (without added seasonings).
Keeping your cat healthy starts with what they eat—so always use caution when introducing new foods into their diet!
My name is Danny Jackson and I’m the CEO and Chief Editor behind Petloverguy.com. After spending a decade working with vets and private clients as an animal behavioral and nutritional specialist I co-founded Pet Lover Guy to help other pet parents learn how to interact with, and make the most of the time that they spend with their adopted and rescued best pet friends.
Working with Ella, our chihuahua rescue, we seek to help all dog and cat lovers have the happiest life possible.
