Can Cats Eat Boiled Chicken? Here’s the Answer!

It’s rare that meat isn’t good for them, but can cats eat boiled chicken? Here’s what you need to know before serving some to your kitty!

Cats will come running at the smell of almost any type of meat your prepare. Chicken has a yummy aroma even when you don’t add any spices, so your cat is sure to want to bite! Like me, you probably like treating your kitty, but doing so without compromising their health is important.

In this article, I explain whether the boiled chicken is safe for cats to eat and how to serve it best if you decide to add it to their menu. 

Can Cats Eat Boiled Chicken?

Cats are carnivores, and chicken is a slice of meat right up their alley. They need proteins and meats in their diets, and occasionally some boiled chicken prepared the right way would be the best way to give it to them. 

When prepared correctly, boiled chicken is safe for cats to eat in large quantities.

The Health Benefits Of Boiled Chicken For Cats

Chicken is a lean protein source that is low in sodium and fat. It also contains vitamins and minerals that are good for your cat’s overall health.

Vitamin B6 

Vitamin B6 generates glucose and helps cats metabolize amino acids, fatty acids, and carbohydrates. It also allows your cat’s red blood cells to function better and reduce their chances of developing anemia.

Omega 6

This fatty acid helps keep your cat’s skin, joints, and coat in a healthy condition. It maintains the exterior water barrier that keeps skin moisturized and decreases the chance of skin infections and inflammation. 

Phosphorus 

The phosphorus traces found in the chicken are great for your cat! It binds with calcium to create calcium phosphate, which keeps bones and teeth healthy. Phosphorus also helps keep your pet’s liver, kidneys, and central nervous system up and running.  

Selenium

Cats use selenium to produce antioxidants which helps them fight off chemicals that cause damage to their bodies. Without selenium, your kitty will have a weak immune system. 

How To Feed Boiled Chicken To Cats 

Cats should consume boiled chicken that’s fully cooked, bland, and boneless. I also recommend removing all fat trimmings before your boil the chicken.

Fully Cooked

Chicken should be properly boiled to eliminate all traces of bacteria or parasites that may harm your cat.

Bland

Even though it may not have the best taste, bland chicken with no salt, spices, or sauce is best for your pet. 

Some spices may harm your cat, and too much salt in a day (cat food already contains some) could make your kitty ill.

Boneless

Cats are carnivores and are known for their hunting skills. When they eat their prey, they know their way around the bones.

When you boil chicken, its bones become brittle, and your cat might struggle to navigate this. Before you know it, your kitty might choke on a bone or end up with splinterings in its intestines. 

No Fat Trimmings 

Too much chicken fat is bad for cats, and it could lead to diseases like pancreatitis. Your cat should only consume healthy fats in moderation.

How Much Boiled Chicken Can Cats Eat

Cats can eat a relatively big portion of boiled chicken, but you shouldn’t serve it every day. Although it has many health benefits, the amount of phosphorus in chicken can become too much, and an overload could damage your cat’s kidneys.

You shouldn’t use boiled chicken as a regular replacement for cat food because it doesn’t contain enough taurine to nutritionally benefit your pet. Unlike humans, cats don’t produce taurine, and the best source of it is regular store-bought cat food.

A taurine deficiency can cause issues like tooth decay and hair loss. It may also lead to severe problems with your cat’s reproductive and cardiovascular systems. 

Symptoms of Taurine Deficiency in Cats

Taurine deficiency takes a while to show, but some clear indicators warrant a check-up at the vet. If you notice any of these, make an appointment!

• Digestive Issues
• Fetal Abnormalities
• Low Birth Weights in Litter
• Small Litter Size
• Delayed Development in Litter
• Retinal Degeneration

Learn more about Is Science Diet Good For Cats?

Other Meats That Are Healthy For Cats

Cats need protein to maintain a strong heart, good vision, and a healthy reproductive system. Luckily, there are many great protein-packed types of meat besides chicken!

Beef

Beef is an excellent source of nutrients and essential amino acids cats need to stay healthy.

It’s filled with vitamins and minerals like protein, iron, manganese, zinc, and selenium. It also contains vitamins A, C, and B and enough taurine to keep your cat’s levels up.

Turkey

Turkey is delicious and can enhance your cat’s mood and general health. It contains many proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals like taurine, vitamin B6 and B12, selenium, zinc, and niacin. 

In Ending

Boiled chicken is easy to prepare, and you can cube it up or make a delicious puree to freeze and feed to your kitty at a later stage. They’ll get many health benefits from this meat, so including it in their diet is an excellent idea!

After reading this article, I hope you have the answer you were looking for. If you have any more questions about feeding chicken to cats, or the safety of other meats, ask them in the comments, and I’ll get back to you!

Learn more about Is Chicken Meat Good For Cats?