You’ve probably heard a lot about raw diets for pets. After all, more pet owners than ever desire to provide their pets a healthier diet! Given that wild cats frequently consume raw meat, it stands to reason that your domestic cat would benefit from similar meals. However, feeding uncooked meats, such as raw chicken, is hard and risky.
There are clearly benefits to feeding raw chicken to cats, but it’s also vital to recognise the issues and consult with your veterinarian about your cat food plans so that you can make the best dietary option for your animal. Can cat’s eat raw chicken? Yes. However, the topic of whether it is safe to serve raw chicken to cats is more important to address.
Why raw food appeals to cat owners
Raw chicken for cats does have some benefits. It lacks the fillers and additives found in many commercially accessible foods, and chicken is a healthy source of protein. Many cat owners feel that because cats are carnivores, they should be fed foods that are as similar to what they would have eaten in the wild as feasible in the kitchen. Raw proteins, such as chicken, appear to be a natural solution. However, there are significant hazards associated with feeding raw foods to cats, particularly chicken, that may render them unsuitable.
Why is raw chicken a problem?
Even while wild cats have no problem eating raw meat, feeding raw chicken to cats might be problematic, especially if the chicken is not fresh. Chickens can spread salmonella, which can make cats (and humans) very sick. Even if the chicken hasn’t gone bad, it might still harbour bacteria and irritate your cat’s digestive system.
While unlikely, your cat may absorb small pieces of chicken bones while eating. These can be problematic if they become lodged in his digestive tract or throat, which is just one reason to scrutinise the meat you give your pet, whether raw or cooked.
While wild cats frequently consume raw meats, your domesticated cat is accustomed to processed, cooked diets. Introducing uncooked meals may upset his stomach. Furthermore, if you plan to feed your cat a diet consisting solely of raw chicken, it may be difficult to balance your cat’s nutrition. You’ll most likely need to supplement the meat with vitamins and minerals, which can be challenging.
If you want to feed a raw-only diet, commercially available raw cat food may be a better option. These products are designed to meet your cat’s nutritional needs, so you won’t have to bother about adding vitamins and minerals.
Veterinarians’ Perspective on Raw Diets for Felines
As a brief Internet search will reveal, a raw diet is not suitable for all pets. Cats that are ill, taking medicine, or undergoing immune system suppression should avoid a raw diet since they are more susceptible to food-borne illness. In general, however, some vets are less concerned about cats falling ill as a result of raw meat than humans are.
According to veterinarian Andrea Tasi, the anatomy and physiology of cats were created to eat and digest raw meat. Cats have a higher acidic stomach pH and a shorter gastrointestinal track, which makes them less susceptible to many food-borne germs.” While she has seen cats with illnesses improve within few weeks of starting a raw food diet, some doctors do not believe the potential advantages outweigh the risks.
A pair of veterinarians from VCA Animal Hospitals published a clinical result that revealed that around one-quarter of commercially available raw pet food was infected with bacteria. They noted that owners must exercise caution when dealing with cats on raw diets, as even caressing them hours after they’ve licked themselves might carry bacteria from feline to person.
A safer way to provide raw food to your cat.
If you wish to provide raw chicken to your cat, you should take all necessary procedures to ensure its safety. If you don’t need to buy commercial raw pet food, search in the organic aisle and get the freshest chicken you can find. Feed this to your cat right away since the longer the chicken sits, the more bacteria it develops.
Avoid excessive meat handling, which can promote to bacterial growth, and use correct food preparation practices. Cut the chicken with a clean knife on a clean, sanitary surface.Make sure to remove any bones before serving it to your cat.
After you’ve fed him the chicken, make sure to clean up any leftovers right away. Once the leftovers have reached room temperature, discard them and feed only what your cat can eat in one sitting. It’s also critical to properly clean your cat’s bowl with soap and hot water after he’s eaten. Dishwasher-safe containers are ideal for this.
While giving your cat chicken from the grocery may be handy, purchasing a commercially produced raw chicken product for pets offers benefits. These items are made utilising procedures such as flash freezing, which assist to eliminate microorganisms. There is also minimum preparation required at home, which decreases the possibility of the food carrying bacteria when fed to your cat.
Feeding your cat raw meats can be difficult, especially if your kitty has health issues or wants to reduce weight. Before making any modifications to your feline’s food, please consult with your veterinarian. Your cat’s doctor can advise you on the meals that are most beneficial to your cat, as well as identify any health hazards associated with the adjustments you intend to make. As with any menu change, introduce new foods gradually while progressively reducing the amount of old foods you feed your cat. This gradual shift can help reduce intestinal distress and make the move simpler for him.