Cats are incredibly loving pets, but at times they are picky when it comes to eating. Cats are wild animals, often seen catching and eating birds and bones. This behavior misleads the cat parents when it comes to feeding cooked chicken bones to their cat. However, the matter of fact is that these bones are a great source of minerals for these cats.
Thus, it would be great if a cat ate chicken bones. But at the same time, it is imperative to understand that cooked and raw bones are different. A bone goes through a significant change when cooked. Hence, it’s not suitable for the cat.
Read this article to learn more about chicken bones and whether they are good for your cat.
Raw Vs. Cooked Chicken Bones
There is a significant difference between cooked and raw chicken bones regarding your cat food. You cannot feed your cat any bone without knowing its benefits and harmful effects.
Pets are like a baby; thus, they must be taken care of similarly. Cats are carnivorous animals which means they feed on meat and meat-related products. However, when the cats have domesticated, their natural hunting instinct gets affected, but they still need meat in their diet.
Cooked chicken bones are delicious but can cause health hazards for your cat. Raw bones, on the other hand, are good for their health as they have certain minerals and vitamins which keep them healthy and strong.
Can Cats Eat Chicken Bones?
The answer to this question is yes, but only raw bones. As stated before, cooked chicken bones can threaten the cat’s health, but raw chicken bones can make excellent food. Raw bones are rich in various vitamins and minerals and are a great calcium source. Thus, always ensure to feed your cat with fresh raw chicken bones.
However, to properly eat the bones without choking, you should give your pet the food in elevated bowls. Kitty City Raised Cat Food Bowl is an excellent choice for your little fur buddy, as it comes in an oval design with a raised elevation to reduce the cat’s neck tension and offer a comfortable posture for eating.
Benefits of Raw Chicken Bones for Kitties
Cats are wild animals and, thus, when in their natural environment, are often seen hunting and eating bones. Hence, raw chicken bones are suitable for their health when given in the right amount.
Here are some benefits of eating raw chicken bones.
Improves Overall Health
Raw chicken bones are rich in natural minerals such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, which is great for the cat’s health. Calcium from raw chicken increases the bioavailability of other minerals in cats, such as zinc, copper, vitamin A, vitamin E, and D. These vitamins are great for organ, muscle, and brain health. All these minerals help in improving the overall health of the cat.
So, here is a tabular representation of the nutritional benefits of chicken bones and how it improves cats’ overall health.
| Nutrients in Chicken Bones | Benefits |
| Calcium | It strengthens cats’ bones and teeth. |
| Magnesium | It fosters energy production in them. |
| Vitamins | These elements boost the cardiovascular system of cats. |
| Phosphorus | It repairs cells and tissues. |
Fortifies Bones
Calcium is abundant in chicken bones, which benefits your cat’s health by strengthening its bones and making it healthy. Calcium deficiency in cats can lead to skin problems and bone issues such as arthritis and heart problems.
Good for Oral Health
Chewing raw bones can significantly improve the cat’s oral health. Cats are wild animals; thus, chewing raw bones satisfies their need to hunt while keeping their teeth strong and away from plaque.
However, keep in mind excessive amounts of anything are not good, and the same supplies to raw chicken bones. Giving your cat a large quantity of raw chicken bones can cause intoxication. Moreover, drinking water on top of it can lead to serious health issues. Thus, you should never put excessive chicken bones in your cat’s diet to save them from health problems.
Harmful Effects of Cooked Chicken Bones on Cats
Cooking brings significant changes in chicken bones, which can cause health hazards in cats. While cooking, the composition of the bones changes, which becomes dangerous for the cat’s health. Thus, it is better avoided.
Here are some of the reasons why cooked bones should not be given to cats.
Cooked Chicken Bones are Brittle
Cooking makes the chicken bones softer and more brittle, which becomes dangerous for the cats. Rather than bone being naturally broken down gets snapped into tiny shards, which quickly get lodged in the cat’s throat leading to choking or suffocation. These shards can also lead to cuts in the cat’s mouth and esophageal lining. Even if the cat can eat the bone successfully, it can further lead to other health issues such as intestinal damage, bloody stool, gas, bloating, vomiting, and bone shards in the stool.
It Contains Toxic Ingredients for Felines
We add a lot of tastemakers and spices to the chicken while cooking it for us, which makes the chicken toxic for the cats. Cat’s body is not designed in a way to digest the seasonings and spices that our body can digest easily. These spices become toxic for the cats and might end up in the hospital.
How to Feed Raw Chicken Bones to Your Kitty?
First, ensure the raw chicken bone you are offering your cat is fresh. You can feed it with chicken wing bones or homemade broth in perfect proportion. However, don’t feed your cat chicken bones every day.
Occasionally feeding the cat with raw bones can help them become strong and healthy. Excessive chicken bones might have harmful side effects. However, while providing the cat with raw chicken bones, make sure that you choose the bones of the proper size so that it can gnaw and chew them easily.
Chicken wing bones are the best size for the cat. They fit perfectly in their mouth, and chewing these bones cleans and strengthens their teeth. However, keep an eye on your cat while eating the raw bones. When you feed raw chicken bones to your cat, check on them afterward to ensure proper digestion.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that raw chicken bones suit your cat’s health but in moderation. Cooked chicken bones should be strictly avoided. Moreover, keep in mind all the details about chicken bones mentioned above to save your cat from health hazards.
However, if your cat accidentally eats cooked chicken bones, observe them for a few days to check for side effects and consult the vet if needed.
