Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken? (What Are the Risks?)

3 min read

As cat owners, we’re always looking for ways to provide the best nutrition for our feline friends. Raw feeding has become increasingly popular, with many pet parents wondering if giving their cat raw chicken is a safe and healthy option. While cats are obligate carnivores and can digest raw meat, there are important risks to understand before serving raw chicken from your kitchen.

In this post, we’ll break down the potential benefits and dangers of feeding raw chicken to cats, what veterinary experts recommend, and safe alternatives if you’re looking to add variety to your cat’s diet.

Why Some Owners Feed Cats Raw Chicken

Cats in the wild eat prey that’s raw—bones, organs, and all. Because of this, some pet owners believe raw chicken is a more “natural” diet than processed kibble. Raw chicken is high in protein, contains amino acids cats need, and can be appealing to picky eaters due to its texture and scent.

However, domesticated cats live very different lives from their wild ancestors—and their exposure to pathogens and dietary risks is much higher when eating raw meat from commercial sources.

Risks of Feeding Cats Raw Chicken

While raw chicken may seem like a nutritious option, it carries several health hazards:

Bacterial Contamination – Raw chicken can contain Salmonella and E. coli, which may cause vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and dehydration in cats. These bacteria can also spread to humans in your household, creating a public health risk.

Nutritional Imbalance – Raw chicken alone does not provide all the nutrients cats require. A balanced feline diet needs taurine, vitamins, and minerals in precise amounts—deficiencies can lead to heart, vision, and immune system problems.

Bone Hazards – While raw bones are softer than cooked ones, they can still cause choking, tooth fractures, or gastrointestinal blockages.

Weakened Immune Systems – Kittens, senior cats, or cats with health issues are more vulnerable to infections from raw meat.

What Veterinarians Recommend

Most veterinarians and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) advise against feeding raw meat due to the risk of bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalance. If you’re committed to a raw diet, work with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to ensure it’s balanced and safe.

They may suggest a commercial raw diet that has been high-pressure processed (HPP) to kill harmful bacteria while retaining nutrients, or a cooked homemade diet formulated to meet feline nutritional needs.

Safer Alternatives to Raw Chicken

If you want to give your cat the taste of chicken without the risks, consider:

• Cooked chicken breast (boiled or baked, no seasoning, skin, or bones)

• Freeze-dried raw treats that have been pathogen-tested

• Commercial balanced diets labeled as “complete and balanced” for cats

• Wet cat foods with chicken as the first ingredient

Key Takeaways

🐾 Cats can technically eat raw chicken, but it comes with significant health risks for both pets and humans.

🐾 Feeding raw chicken alone will not provide a balanced diet for your cat.

🐾 Safer options like cooked chicken, freeze-dried raw, or balanced commercial diets can offer the same flavor appeal without the danger.