 The chicken is a well-known bird. Chicken is the world's second most eaten meat, after only pork. Chicken is a versatile protein that may be found in tacos, sandwiches, nuggets, and other dishes. Poultry is an excellent source of the nutrients we require to feel strong and active throughout the day. Do you ever discover that your cat wants a taste of your chicken? We know that cats are carnivores. Images have graced our screens of wild cats eating birds for sustenance for ages, and in an aseme natural defeat our cat are extra table scraps. Many human foods are non-toxic and even beneficial to a cat's diet, while other foods, even something as inconspicuous as chicken, can wreak havoc on their digestive system. Before you consider feeding chicken to your cat as a meal replacement, here's what you need to know about whether cats can eat chicken. Health benefits of chicken. When someone says that their food tastes like chicken, it's a compliment. Chicken breast is a great source of lean protein and is low in sodium and fat. Many fitness buffs eat chicken daily, using this food as a way to help build lean muscle and keep them satiated. Fruits and vegetables aren't the only sources of vitamins and minerals. Chicken is filled with nutrients like selenium, which is great for your immune system, vitamin B6, and phosphorus. Besides maintaining weight and building muscle, chicken is also linked to healthy bones and teeth. The phosphorus in chicken not only helps with bones, but it also works hard in ensuring your liver, kidneys and central nervous system are in working order as well. Can cats eat chicken? Cats can indeed eat chicken, but it needs to be prepared properly. Dairy Richter, DVM, owner and medical director of Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, California and holistic veterinary care tells Rover, cats are carnivore so animal protein is critical to their good health. Cat food should be predominantly made up of animal products. According to pet MD, chicken in small amounts is fine, but shouldn't be used as a steady meal replacement. It also should be as naked as possible, free of oils or seasonings, as those additions might upset your cat's stomach. Experts suggest boiling plain chicken until it is cooked thoroughly, and not give cats extra fat trimmings as that could lead to pancreatitis. Most importantly, do not feed your cat chicken if it has been cooked with onions or garlic, as those are toxic to cats. Can cats eat chicken bones? We may envision cats chomping on the bones as their ancestors did, but bones are also on the ASPCA toxic food list. This is because there is a high chance of bones being a choking hazard. Especially with birds or fish, sometimes small bones can get lodged in a cat's throat or puncture its digestive tract. Raw chicken. The opinion is split on whether a raw chicken is okay for a cat. Hypothetically, it can be, but remember that commercial chicken sold as part of a pet's raw food diet has usually been flash frozen to eliminate bacteria and disease. This is different from cutting a slab of raw chicken and feeding it directly to your cat. Basically, if you wouldn't serve the food to your family, you probably shouldn't give it to your cat. However, this is a matter you should absolutely discuss with your veterinarian before you attempt to feed your cat raw chicken. Even if you decide to feed homemade, raw food, you need to learn how to properly prepare it and minimize the risk of contamination or disease. Hello. This video is sponsored by Beemix Pets. Are you looking for high quality cat collars at an affordable cost? Check out BeemixPets.com. Use coupon code KittenLife to get 20% off. Can Chicken. Generally, canned chicken occasionally isn't going to harm your cat. Of course, it does depend on what is in the canned chicken. Many canned chickens are full of other substances as well, some of which may not be appropriate for your felines. Learn to read the ingredient label to figure out precisely what is in the canned chicken. When it comes to canned chicken, sodium content is the main thing we are worried about. Many canned foods contain a lot of sodium, which helps keep them fresh. However, too much sodium is not suitable for your felines in the least. It can cause significant kidney problems if eaten for an extended period. Again, though, this is only a problem if fed for an extended period. Shorter periods are typically nothing to be worried about. If you run out of cat food, canned chicken can be a safe alternative. Just don't feed it to your cat for an extended period, as this can create problems. If your cat already has kidney problems, you should avoid canned chicken. You do not want to give them much sodium at all, so we highly recommend avoiding canned chicken that contains a lot of sodium, which is most canned chicken, sadly. You do not have to cook the canned chicken before feeding it to your felines. The large majority of canned chicken has already been cooked or at least slightly cooked. It is usually put in a boiling water bath to kill the bacteria and seal the lid. Because of this, it is safe to eat right out of a can. Most canned chickens are even safe for people to eat straight out of a can. This is because they are all cooked at least a little bit. When feeding canned chicken to your cat, we do recommend rinsing it first. This will wash away some of the sodium, which will make it healthier for your cat in general. Of course, this will not get rid of all the sodium, but some will be washed down the drain. We also recommend rinsing the can off before you open it. This prevents contaminants on the outside of the can from falling onto the chicken when you open it. While the chance of this is relatively low, it can happen, so it is best to avoid it by rinsing the can. After opening, canned chicken can be kept in a separate container in the fridge for about a week. Your cat may not eat all their canned chicken at once, especially if you're supplementing with it. Just be sure to feed it to them within a week, as bacteria can start growing after this point. Canned chicken can cause obesity. Of course, you could say this about literally any cat food out there. However, canned chicken can be a particular problem because it smells delicious. This can make cats indulge a little too much, which can cause obesity. You should not allow your feline to gorge themselves on canned chicken. Not all cats will have this problem, but many food-driven felines will. You should always feed them the amount they need to meet their nutritional needs and no more. When using it as a treat or supplement, be sure to take their other foods into account as well. Alternative healthy snacks. If you'd like to experiment with some alternative treats, do so sparingly. Cats can be considerably cautious about new foods and may protest if their routine is altered. Here are some human foods you can let your cat try, according to PetMD. Plain thoroughly cooked chicken, beef, or turkey. Some whole grains like brown rice or barley. Zucchini. Celery, they love the crunch. Carrots. Scrambled eggs. Green bell peppers. Spinach, filled with vitamins A, C, and K. Peas, often found in many pre-packaged foods for cats and dogs is a vitamin-filled addition. Pumpkin, pumpkin is used often as a way to get fiber in your cat's diet. Broccoli. Veterinarians suggest that treats, even protein-filled ones, should only take up 10 to 15% of their daily diet. The large majority of what cats eat should be a balanced diet, Dr. Richter says. In general, treats are not balanced and should not make up a significant portion of their daily intake. Introducing your cat to new foods may be enjoyable for both you and your furry friend, but one should never replace full meals with human foods. Properly formulated cat food has all the nutrients necessary for a cat's well-balanced diet. Happy snacking! If you enjoyed this video, kindly press the like button. Also don't forget to subscribe with notifications on, so that you don't miss out on videos like this. Thank you for watching.