Can cats eat raw chicken? What Every Cat Owner Must Know

Can cats eat raw chicken? This is a common question for cat owners considering homemade or raw cat food diets. Proponents claim raw chicken is nutritious and natural for felines. However, raw chicken does carry risks—it can harbor pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella.

As a dedicated cat guardian, I thoroughly researched this issue to understand the nuances of feeding raw chicken to cats. By the end of this guide, you’ll have in-depth facts to determine if raw chicken is an appropriate diet addition for your cat companion.

The Scoop on Raw Chicken Diets for Cats

First, let’s explore the context behind raw chicken diets. Supporters believe raw meat best matches the natural carnivorous diet of felines. This includes nutrients like:

• Protein – Supports strong muscles and organ functioning
• Fat – Provides concentrated energy
• Water – Keeps cats hydrated

Unlike dry commercial kibble, raw chicken contains these nutrients without high heat processing. Cooking is said to damage natural enzymatic benefits.

However, skeptics argue raw chicken poses contamination issues. The high risk of Salmonella and E. coli bacteria means following strict preparation and handling guidelines.

So what’s the verdict—can cats eat raw chicken safely? As we’ll discover, it’s a nuanced issue with compelling points on both sides.

Potential Benefits of Raw Chicken for Cats

Let’s start with a look at some proposed benefits of raw chicken diets. These include:

More Moisture

Cats have a notoriously low thirst drive. This can lead to chronic mild dehydration, especially for kibble-fed felines. Raw chicken contains around 65% moisture versus 10% in dry food. This extra fluid is beneficial for urinary tract health.

Increased Palatability

Many cats seem to find raw meat more enticing than processed commercial diets. This may encourage picky eaters to eat more consistently.

Improved Dental Health

Crunching through raw chicken bones helps scrape away tartar on teeth. This could reduce dental disease risk compared to dry or soft foods.

Better Digestibility

Supporters believe raw nutrients are easier for cats to digest and assimilate than cooked foods. Though limited evidence is available currently.

These factors have fueled interest in feeding cats raw chicken. However, as we’ll explore next, raw diets require careful planning to avoid health issues.

Is Raw Chicken Safe for Cats? Addressing the Risks

While the benefits seem promising initially, raw chicken does carry significant risks:

Bacterial Contamination

Raw chicken is prone to harboring the following dangerous bacteria:

• Salmonella – Causes food poisoning
• E. coli – Produces endotoxin leading to toxicity
• Campylobacter – Results in gastrointestinal illness

These pathogens thrive in raw chicken and can infect cats eating contaminated meat.

Foodborne Illness

Consuming bacteria-laden raw chicken can cause acute illnesses including:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (may be bloody)
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite

In severe cases, sepsis can develop from bacteria entering the bloodstream.

Long-Term Complications

Repeated exposure to pathogens could also cause long-standing issues like:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (chronic diarrhea/vomiting)
• Liver or kidney damage
• Ongoing bacterial shedding in feces

These risks demonstrate why proper food safety is crucial with raw diets.

Can Kittens Eat Raw Chicken?

Due to their developing immune systems, kittens face higher risk for foodborne illness. The Association of American Feed Control Officials, FDA, CDC, and other organizations advise against feeding raw meat to kittens or pregnant/nursing cats.

Kittens also have higher nutritional needs for growth. Developing a balanced raw diet meeting all these requirements would require significant effort and expertise.

For these reasons, it’s generally recommended to wait until cats are at least one year old before attempting raw feeding.

Necessary Precautions When Feeding Raw Chicken

While raw chicken can be risky, you can take steps to enhance safety:

Choose Reputable Suppliers

Source raw chicken from suppliers following food safety protocols, like:

• Careful screening for Salmonella
• Using fresh, humanely raised poultry
• Quick freezing to control pathogens

Avoid grocery stores where chicken quality varies. Identify suppliers specially preparing raw meat for pets first.

Handle Safely

Treat raw chicken like you would for human consumption:

• Thaw in the refrigerator below 40°F
• Rinse well before preparing
• Use separate cutting boards/utensils
• Wash hands thoroughly after touching
• Discard any spoiled pieces

Follow strict protocols to prevent cross-contamination.

Store Properly

Keep raw chicken frozen until ready to use. Then:

• Seal in airtight containers
• Refrigerate for under 2 days
• Label containers to avoid confusion
• Place in low areas of fridge to contain leaks
• Never refreeze thawed meat

These simple guidelines reduce pathogen growth.

Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken Bones?

Another question surrounding raw chicken is whether cats can safely eat the bones. Let’s review bone-related benefits and risks:

Benefits of Raw Bones

• Help clean teeth and prevent periodontal disease
• Provide calcium and other key minerals
• Appease chewing instinct

Risks of Raw Bones

• Can splinter and puncture internal organs
• May cause choking/intestinal blockages
• Increase bacterial exposure from bone marrow

The risks depend partly on bone characteristics. According to veterinarians, the safest raw bones for cats include:

• Chicken necks/wings – Fully digestible in stomach acid
• Chicken backs/carcasses – Contain edible bone and muscle meat
• Lamb necks – Soft and flexible reducing splinter risk

In contrast, avoid weight-bearing bones (legs, thighs) which are dense and prone to splintering. Monitor cats closely whenever first feeding raw bones to watch for safety.

Signs of Foodborne Illness in Cats

If your cat becomes ill after eating raw chicken, watch out for:

• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Bloody stools

Seek prompt veterinary care, especially with bloody diarrhea, a high fever, or signs of shock like pale gums. Catching illness early makes treatment easier.

Inform your vet about any recent raw chicken consumption to help diagnose foodborne sickness. Treatment may include:

• Fluid therapy
• Anti-nausea medication
• Antibiotics
• Probiotics
• Supportive care

With aggressive therapy, most cats recover fully. However preventing illness through strict safety practices is most important.

Should You Feed Your Cat Raw Chicken?

Whether feeding raw chicken to cats is appropriate for you depends on your risk tolerance and ability to follow safety guidelines. Work closely with your vet to decide what’s suitable based on your cat’s health, age, and lifestyle.

If wishing to attempt raw chicken:

• Select high-quality suppliers
• Handle raw meat carefully
• Separate utensils and surfaces
• Wash hands thoroughly
• Store meat properly
• Supervise initial bone consumption
• Watch closely for illness

With vigilance, you may choose to incorporate limited raw chicken into rotation. But improper handling can still lead to disastrous outcomes. Weigh the evidence carefully for your cat’s needs.

The Takeaway: Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken Safely?

In summary, can cats eat raw chicken safely? Yes, it’s possible but requires following strict protocols to avoid foodborne illness. If prepared cautiously using reputable ingredients, raw chicken offers benefits like added moisture, palatability, and dental health. Still, improper handling, storage, or feeding can expose cats to pathogenic bacteria leading to vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and even sepsis. Kittens should not consume raw meat because of undeveloped immune function. For adult cats, limit raw chicken to occasional balanced meals rather than a sole diet. Work closely with your veterinarian to decide if a partial raw diet aligns with your cat’s needs and your ability to manage raw meat safely at home. With vigilance and common sense, incorporating some raw chicken can be safe while optimizing feline health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about feeding raw chicken to cats? Here are answers to some common queries:

Is raw chicken better than commercial cat food?

There’s no definitive evidence that raw chicken is nutritionally superior to all commercial foods. High-quality commercial diets must meet nutritional standards too. Raw chicken does contain more moisture and perhaps enzymes but brings higher risks.

Should I switch my cat fully to a raw chicken diet?

Most experts don’t advise feeding solely raw chicken due to nutritional imbalances over time. Rotating with other commercial or raw options helps ensure complete nutrition.

How much raw chicken should cats eat?

As an occasional part of a rotation, raw chicken pieces 1-2 times per week are reasonable for most adult cats. Adjust quantities to meet your cat’s caloric needs.

What about pre-made raw cat food with chicken?

Commercially prepared raw cat foods containing chicken must adhere to safety standards for pathogen control and nutrition requirements. These eliminate handling/preparation risks for owners.

Can cats eat raw chicken giblets like livers or hearts?

Yes, organs like hearts and livers offer nutritional benefits. Follow the same strict handling/storage procedures as for meat. Don’t overload on vitamin A from livers.

My cat seems to love raw chicken. Should I keep feeding it?

If your cat thrives on raw chicken, it can be safe to continue under veterinary guidance. But stay vigilant about proper sourcing, handling, and storage to prevent illness. Monitor your cat’s health closely for any issues.