Can cats eat chicken?

Updated 12/05/2023

If there’s one thing we know about our feline friends, it’s that they love their meat. If you’ve got a kitty who longs to share your chicken dinner, you may be wondering this: can cats eat chicken, or is it something that’s best avoided for feline friends?

While cats are carnivores, it always pays to be prepared when it comes to human foods. So, does adding poultry to your kitty’s plate really bring anything to the table? Let’s take a look…

Is chicken safe for cats?

Yes - cooked chicken is perfectly safe for cats to eat, and it can even be a great, healthy treat for your feline friend. That said, it really does depend on how the chicken is prepared...

To be considered safe for fluffy friends, chicken should be completely plain - that means no sauce, no seasonings, and definitely no peri-peri! Sauces and seasonings can include ingredients which are toxic to cats, such as garlic or onions. It should also be fully cooked all the way through.

Can cats eat raw chicken?

What about raw meat? Technically, yes, but it doesn’t come without its risks...

The ASPCA advises not to feed your kitty raw or undercooked meat. That’s because raw meat can carry nasty bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, which can be harmful to both you and your kitty. But wait - can cats get food poisoning from chicken? Yes - much like in humans, consuming raw meat like chicken can lead to food poisoning,  which can include a whole host of nasty symptoms like fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and more.

Bottom line: only feed your cat cooked, plain chicken. Or, if you’ve truly got your heart set on a raw cat food diet, opt for a commercially available raw cat food already on the market, that will have passed the necessary safety standards.

Can cats eat chicken bones?

That’ll be another ‘nope’ from us. Chicken bones pose a serious choking risk, and  there's also a chance your pet may injure themself should the bone splinter or become lodged in their throat or digestive tract. Bones can be dangerous both cooked and raw.

Health benefits of chicken

Cooked chicken is high in protein and low in calories - it can also provide additional health benefits such as helping to boost your kitty's immune system, and maintain a healthy heart, vision, and reproductive system. It can even help to improve their coat and bones. And so, it can certainly be a healthy addition to your cat's diet, in moderation.

In moderation is key here, however! So, how much chicken can a cat eat? While it does have its benefits, cooked chicken shouldn't form the majority of your cat's diet. That’s because chicken alone cannot provide all the nutrients that your cat needs. Your kitty should be getting all of their dietary needs met from a complete and balanced cat food - one that will be specifically tailored to their needs, age, and weight. That said, small amounts of cooked chicken can certainly be given to your feline friend as an occasional, healthy treat.

Meet our veterinary expert, Lizzie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Lizzie Youens BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS. Lizzie graduated from the University of Bristol in 2011, and has been working in first opinion companion animal practice. She has worked in a variety of clinics across the UK, from large hospitals to small branch practices. She enjoys doing a mixture of medicine, surgery and emergency work. Lizzie currently works in a small rural practice where she enjoys working in a close-knit community. 

What other human foods are safe for cats?

So, what else can cats eat? While it's best to keep human foods to a minimum, here are some other popular foods that are safe for feline friends:

• Cooked fish
• Oatmeal
• Pumpkin
• Melon (remove the seeds and the rind)