Can cats eat raw chicken? - Learn More

​While the controversy continues over whether we should feed our cat buddies raw chicken or not, we will go over some helpful information to help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of providing your cat raw meat. Read on to learn more.

The use of a raw diet for cats is a contentious issue. With advantages and disadvantages on both sides of the debate, it's no surprise that professionals have yet to reach a definitive resolution on whether cats should be allowed to consume raw chicken or any other raw meat. 

Here's all you need to understand about the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of diet.

Can cats eat raw chicken?

​Yes, cats can consume raw chicken. Raw diet advocates for cats frequently point out that such meal alternatives allow cats to absorb food that cats are biologically designed to digest. 

Because, after all, no one is going to be frying the mouse that a wild cat just captured for dinner. One of the primary advantages of feeding raw meat to your cat is that it resembles the diet that cats were evolutionarily built to thrive on.

Although there are some similarities between wild cats such as lions and tigers and domesticated cat breeds, there are also significant distinctions. 

Perhaps the essential issue to address is whether or not cats should be allowed to consume raw chicken or any other form of raw meat at all. In order to do so, we must consider the safety hazards that our pets and ourselves may face.

​Are there any advantages to cats eating raw chicken?

​Commercial diets that are inexpensive can contain a large number of filler items that no average person has ever heard of. 

On the other hand, Raw food allows you to avoid the preservatives and chemicals that pet food manufacturers add to their products to make a few extra bucks since you know precisely what you're giving your cat.

Cats require amino acids to sustain their health, and animal protein, such as that found in raw chicken, provides a plentiful supply. 

Furthermore, raw chicken is low in carbohydrates (as opposed to plant-based food), which means it will not promote weight gain or digestive issues in your cats when fed raw.

Vets also believe that cats that consume raw chicken will have better hydration than cats who consume dry cat food since raw chicken contains more fluid than dry cat food. 

As an added benefit to your cat's hydration, a well-studied and prepared raw diet may guarantee that your cat consumes well-balanced meals that contain the appropriate amounts of micronutrients essential for a healthy cat diet.

Additionally, raw diets have been shown to increase cats' immunity to disease while also resulting in much more predictable behavior. 

In contrast, feeding them raw chicken or other raw meat has several negative consequences.

​Is it harmful to cats to eat raw chicken?

​Every cat owner desires to make sure that their cat is well-nourished and healthy. Chicken isn't nearly as harmful as some other things that cats don't generally eat, such as chocolate or grapes, which are also toxic to them. It is, however, not the most nutritious source of protein.

Although cats are carnivores and that raw chicken is okay for them to eat, it is strongly discouraged to consistently give it to your cat.

In reality, a large number of studies have found that raw chicken is a common cause of bacterial illnesses. One such research even revealed that a cat died as a consequence of salmonella poisoning after eating raw chicken in its diet. 

According to more recent research conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 3.8 percent of young chicken samples evaluated by the USDA were infected with salmonella.

Even though farmers and businesses have taken considerable precautions to decrease the frequency of salmonella in raw chicken, the danger still exists in the industry.

​Chicken has a variety of amino acids.

​Cats' bodies require the amino acids taurine, arginine, methionine, and cysteine in order to operate effectively.

Raw chicken does not have the same nutrients and vitamins as high-quality cat chow. It is deficient in an amino acid known as taurine, which cats require in order to be healthy and avoid different health concerns such as hair loss and reproductive disorders.

​Salmonella

​Contrary to popular belief, cats can contract food illness after consuming raw chicken or poultry. Even though cats have a shorter digestive tract and strong acids, they are not entirely resistant to diseases such as salmonella. 

Salmonellosis in cats, for example, is an illness that can be contracted if a cat consumes uncooked chicken.

​Conclusion

​A dilemma might arise when feeding your cat raw meat, especially if your cat is suffering from a medical condition or is trying to lose weight. It's always a good idea to talk with your vet before making any modifications to your cat's food. 

Your vet can advise you on the foods and diets that may be most beneficial for your cat, and the vet can also determine whether or not there are any health hazards associated with the diet modifications you want to make. 

When making a diet change for your cat, always carefully introduce new food while simultaneously progressively lowering the amount of old food you're feeding him. 

This gradual shift can help him prevent intestinal distress while also making the change more comfortable for him. So, your cat can eat raw chicken as it is a good source of amino acids.