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Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken – What You Should Know

Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken – What You Should Know

Whenever you order some fried chicken for dinner, your cat starts eyeing up your chicken pieces. You decide that a small amount of your fried chicken couldn’t hurt your cat, so you tear off a piece and give it to your cat. He eats it up and waits for more! But can cats eat fried chicken?

Cats can eat fried chicken. The outside skin and bones must be removed for cats to safely eat fried chicken. Fried chicken contains grease and oil which lead to weight gain or stomachaches in cats. 

Fried chicken isn’t the best for people, and it isn’t the best for your cat either. When giving your cat fried chicken, take an extra moment to remove any skin or bones from it. Chicken is an excellent source of protein for your cat, but only when it is adequately prepared. So, let’s get into talking chicken. 

Is Fried Chicken Okay For Cats

Fried chicken is okay for your cat to eat every once in a while, but you should not give your cat the skin or bones.

If you plan on giving your cat a piece of fried chicken, you should make sure to remove the skin and any bones that your cat might eat. The skin is very greasy and salty, which can give your cat an upset stomach. Bones could also pose a potential choking hazard for your cat. 

Removing the skin and bones doesn’t make fried chicken an excellent treat for your cat. Even if you prepare the chicken properly for your cat, fried chicken should only be given to your cat every now and then. It should not become a staple of your cat’s diet. 

Is Fried Food Bad For Cats

The skin on fried foods has a lot of salt and grease, leading to an upset stomach for your cat.

Fried foods, like chicken, aren’t necessarily terrible for your cat. Fried foods aren’t toxic, which is a good thing.

However, that doesn’t mean that fried foods should become your cat’s new nightly dinner. The skin on fried food is what makes it unhealthy for cats. Fats and extra calories can lead to weight gain over a long period of time. In the short term, salt and grease could make your cat’s stomachache. More severe symptoms could include vomiting or diarrhea.  

Can Kittens Eat Fried Chicken

Kittens can eat fried chicken without skin or bones; make sure the pieces are small to prevent choking.

Once a kitten is old enough to chew solid foods like hard cat food, then a kitten can also eat a piece of fried chicken every now and then. 

Like with any age cat, remember to remove the skin and any bones that the meat might be connected to. Since the kitten is definitely smaller than older cats, take an extra moment to rip the chicken into smaller pieces. Kittens might seem ravenous and able to eat anything, but you don’t want them to choke on a large piece of chicken. 

Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken Boneless

Boneless fried chicken is suitable for cats, but only in small quantities. 

Since boneless fried chicken already has the bones removed, the bones won’t pose a problem. 

If you plan on giving your cat fried chicken that is boneless, you still need to remove any skin that your cat might eat. The chicken being boneless doesn’t make the skin on the outside any less greasy or salty. 

Boneless fried chicken should not be given to your cat any more often than any other form of fried chicken, however. It is still salty and greasy, which could hurt your cat’s stomach. Being boneless is one positive, though it does not mean it should become a new staple of your cat’s diet. 

What Age Can Cats Eat Chicken

As with fried chicken, you can begin to feed your cat chicken as soon as it is old enough to be able to eat solid foods, like dry cat food.

If the chicken is not fried, you won’t have to worry about removing the skin. You should still make sure there are no bones if the chicken is off a drumstick or breast, though. Also, any chicken that you give your cat should be thoroughly cooked. 

Gauge the size of the chicken you give your cat to the size of your cat. If your cat is still a kitten, make sure to tear the chicken into small pieces to prevent choking. A larger cat won’t need such small amounts, but you shouldn’t give your cat massive chunks either. They may not be able to eat it then. 

Is Raw or Cooked Chicken Better for Cats

There is a lot of reading that can be done on feeding your cat raw or cooked chicken, and while cats can eat either, the choice is up to you. 

If you’re thinking about feeding your cat raw chicken, know that it can be done, but it should be done in consultation with your family vet. Cats can eat raw chicken in their diet and be perfectly fine.

On the other hand, you can also feed your cat chicken that is cooked without salt or grease safely as well. As long as you’re leaving out the unnecessary addition of grease, your cat can safely eat cooked chicken.

The choice is up to you as a cat owner, but either way, make sure to do additional research to make an informed choice.

Can You Feed a Cat Raw Chicken?

Yes, cats can eat raw chicken.

Surprising, right?! Who knew a cat could eat raw chicken?

You can safely feed your cat raw chicken, but it is a good idea only to do so after talking with your vet.

Some positives of feeding your cat raw chicken are:

  • You have control over ingredients
  • You know exactly what your cat is eating
  • Your cat is getting all the protein it needs

Like with anything, there are negatives too:

  • Parasites from raw meat
  • Lack of nutrients
  • Bones that your cat can choke on

How To Cook Chicken For Cats

Chicken should be cooked thoroughly, but there should not be any salt, spices, or grease added to the chicken. 

When thinking about cooking chicken for cats, think about what you would want to eat and prepare it for your cat that way. That is, cook it thoroughly and make sure there is no pink in the middle.

I know you might also be tempted to add some salt or other fancy spice mix that you came up with, but you should save that for your own dinner! You might think your cat will like it, but salt and spices may upset a cat’s stomach. 

As boring as it might sound, plain, thoroughly cooked chicken is the way to go for your cat. 

How Much Chicken Should I Give My Cat

If your cat’s diet isn’t dependent on a chicken diet, a few small pieces of chicken are a good idea.

Whenever I give chicken to my cat – whether it is freeze-dried, fried, or baked – I like to give my cat a little less than what fits in my palm. I usually won’t give it to my cat all at once either to make it last. If my cat is still asking for more, I will provide her with another small piece.

If your cat depends on chicken, whether it is raw or cooked, you should speak with your vet first to make sure your cat is getting enough nutrients in its diet. It may be an extra step, but I’m sure your cat will thank you!

So, now you know. You can share your fried chicken with your cat – after removing skin and bones, of course. Your fried chicken isn’t the best snack choice for your cat, but a piece here and then isn’t too bad. Chicken with less grease, fat, and salt is even better for your cat too. At least now we know having a chicken dinner with our cat isn’t as strange as we always thought it was…