Your feline bud is hardwired to sustain themselves on meat. Turkey, beef, fish, and chicken are the most common flavors that come in processed cat food. 

However, most cat parents are concerned about the long-term effect of commercial cat foods can have on their feline’s health, due to possible toxins and preservatives in cat foods. Thus, more and more cat owners are asking if feeding their cat the boneless chicken breast a healthier alternative to incorporate to their cats’ diet. 

Raw Chicken and Cats

THE GOODS

So, is raw chicken good for your feline?

In theory, yes. Raw chicken is an ideal diet for felines, given that they are obligated carnivores by nature. Thus, they need to eat pure meat in order to thrive. Eating raw meat replicates the diet of wild cats, although you won’t see domesticated felines like the Bengals attacking and eating live chicken because of its size. 

Thus, it is up to you to feed your feline. And there are certain health benefits to your cat eating raw chicken. Raw chicken breast offers pure taurine and protein and unlike process cat foods, raw meat contains no empty carbs or fillers. Also, since it is not cooked, nutrients are not killed by the heat.

In addition, dry diets are high in carbs which are stores as fat in your feline’s body. And cats need a diet with high protein, not carbs. So, if you want to reduce the risk of your feline getting obese, then it is important to alternate it with some raw meats. 

Also, raw foods tend to increase your feline’s water intake. How? Well, the average prey is made up of about 70 percent water compared to the commercial dry foods that only have at least 10 percent. This can help prevent problems related to their bladder and urine. 

THE BADS

However, it can also mean that bacteria in the raw chicken meat are not killed, including the ever-present salmonella bacteria. This causes severe stomach upset and can cause diarrhea and vomiting, lethargy and depression fever, swollen lymph nodes, and sudden weight loss. 

Not only that, but there’s also the risk of parasite infestation. There are some parasites including the toxoplasmosis gondii parasite that infects cats like Bengal kittens and can cause congenital disabilities to unborn human babies if the mom gets infected during pregnancy. 

Also, there can be some dental issues involved. When your feline eats raw chicken, they need to tear the meat apart in strips. Now the gristly and stringy parts of the chicken breast can become trapped in between their teeth, attracting bacteria that lead to tartar, plaque, and gum disease. 

What To Do?

If you wish to feed your feline raw chicken breast meat, then you need to buy high-quality meats. Ordinary supermarket chicken meat is highly contaminated with bacteria and other nasty microorganisms. Make sure to look for sushi-grade meat which is free of dangerous germs at slaughter, handled with strict standards, frozen promptly, and long enough to kill parasites. 

Also, if you’re going to transition your feline to a raw meat diet, then you need to make it a gradual process so as not to upset your cat’s stomach.