Our house cats' ancestors dined on protein-rich raw meats for survival, but is this a safe, healthy option for your pet cat?
Cats are carnivores by nature and thrive on a protein-rich diet that might lead some pet parents to ask themselves why their kitty can’t just dine on raw meat like their ancestors?
Raw food diets have become a trend in animal nutrition, and a common question for pet parents is “can cats eat raw chicken?” While it’s true that feeding your kitty raw meat may not cause them immediate physical harm,there are risks involved with this kind of diet—and many experts agree that a raw diet is not a good idea.
The short answer is yes.. The enzyme in a cat’s digestive tract can break down raw meat without a high risk of danger. Felines such as lions and tigers subsist solely on raw diets, as did their ancient ancestors. In the same way people praise the Paleo diet, cat parents who support feeding a cat a raw diet point to this for evidence, claiming raw diets give kitties the food they’re evolutionarily designed to eat.
However, there’s a big difference between a lion and a house cat. There are also differences between a cat’s ancient ancestors and today’s domestic cats. The more important question pet parents and experts should be asking is not can a cat’s diet consist of raw meat, but should it?
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they rely on meat from animal protein to survive. A cat’s body doesn’t digest plants properly, and they can’t get enough essential nutrients from plants for a healthy diet. From the fuzzy furball in your home to the king of the jungle, all cats are obligate carnivores.
Because wild cats consume raw meat, bones, and organs, supporters of raw food diets argue house cats also get the best possible nutrition from this kind of diet. The American Animal Hospital Association countered this idea outright with a firm statement against serving uncooked meat to cats and dogs. Other sources state that we simply don’t have enough research to support the idea that raw is best.
Unlike the raw meat predator felines track and kill in the wild, the main concern with retail raw chicken meat is that it can be contaminated. There are important differences between a cat in the wild hunting for its own dinner and a cat parent purchasing raw chicken that may contain E. coli or listeria. Parasites and bacteria hiding in packaged meat from the grocery store can make a cat sick or even transmit contaminants to humans.
When cats consume harmful bacteria that can be found in raw protein diets, it can cause bacterial infections with symptoms such as GI distress and other systemic and potentially life-threatening issues.
Domesticated cats are susceptible to avian influenza type A H5N1, or what we know as bird flu. In the U.S., bird flu has infected and killed millions of chickens. Raw chicken may harbor the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, which cats can contract by consuming infected meat. Infected cats can also potentially transmit the virus to humans or other pets.
Raw feeding can introduce harmful parasites into your cat’s system that could make them sick. These parasites can also be passed on to and infect a cat’s human parents.
Cats that only consume raw chicken or raw meat aren’t actually getting a fully balanced diet. If your kitty is malnourished, this can cause other health issues. There are two essential qualities of raw meats that throw off a cat’s nutrition.
A big safety concern with eating raw meat is the risk of choking. The Rrw bones or bone fragments present in raw meat could get stuck in a kitty’s stomach, intestines, or esophagus and cause them to choke. If a piece of bone is especially sharp, it might pierce your cat’s intestinal tract. In a worst-case scenario, small pieces of bones in your cat’s system could cause sepsis, which is life-threatening.
Despite the concerns with raw diets, there are pet owners and even some animal nutritionists who still argue for its benefits. There are a few positive things about raw foods that advocates point out to vouch for a raw diet’s credibility. However, the general consensus from the veterinary and animal nutrition community is that a raw diet is not the best choice for your feline.
The safest way to feed chicken to your cat is when it’s fully cooked. Small quantities of cooked, plain chicken are a great occasional treat for your feline. The best way to prepare cooked chicken for your kitty is to boil it to make sure any bacteria or parasites are removed. Whenever possible, feed your cat chicken that was produced from a free-range, grass-fed farm. These chickens are less likely to have the pesticides and bacteria found in factory-farm chickens.
It’s also important to make sure your cat is eating chicken without any added spices. Spices or too much salt can be harmful to your cat’s system. Some spices, such as garlic and onions, are highly toxic for your kitty to ingest. A small amount of plain, skinless chicken is the best recipe to whip up when giving your cat this special treat. Be sure to always consult your vet before changing up your cat’s diet.
If your kitty consumes raw chicken, it’s not likely they will be in immediate danger. However, there are health concerns such as parasitic infections, bacteria, and other safety concerns that come with feeding a cat raw chicken.
Pet parents can give their cat raw chicken without any immediate fears for their health and safety. But the better question isn’t can a cat owner feed their kitty raw chicken, but should they?
Your kitty’s tastes are just as varied as a human’s. What a cat prefers is entirely up to them. As their human parent, your job is to keep your cat on track with a healthy, balanced diet.
