Cats are primarily carnivorous beings, and they thrive on protein-rich food. If you are on a budget and looking for a nutritious source of food, chicken is no doubt a perfect addition to your cat’s diet. However, cooking chicken or even sourcing good quality chicken can be a bit tricky. If the chicken isn’t cooked properly, it could have parasites or bacterial contamination that can make your cat very sick and need emergency medical treatment. So, how can you cook chicken for cats the right way? What are the best ways to do so? And is it really healthy for cats? Let us learn all about it!
Can Chicken Be A Standalone Meal For Your Cat?
As delicious as cooked chicken is for your cat, it isn’t enough on its own. Although it is a good source of protein, it doesn’t have all the nutrients required to keep you healthy. In order to keep your cat healthy, the chicken must be paired with other nutritional food items such as green veggies, healthy fat, and ample water to keep up the hydration requirements.
Also, you need to switch the protein type every now and then to ensure they get different types of minerals and vitamins. Chicken shouldn’t be a daily meal for your cat. So, you can switch it up every now and then with pork, beef, turkey, duck meat, and so on. However, chicken is an ideal choice for cats that tend to suffer from issues such as overweight, diabetes, or kidney disease. If you do not have a lot of time to cook chicken daily for your cat, you can opt for a healthy ready-made alternative like the Blue Buffalo High-Protein Chicken Recipe Cat Food. This grain-free formulation comprises real chicken that supports healthy skin and coat as well as a rigid immune system.
Is Chicken Nutritional For Your Cat?
Chicken is a hypoallergenic protein source that is good for cats with an upset stomach or any other disease that causes sensitivities. But how nutritious is it for your cats? Here is a complete nutrition profile of chicken meals for your cat.
| Nutrients | Muscle Meat | Organ Meat |
| Calories | 165 Cal | 205 Cal |
| Total Fat | 3.57 Grams | 9.73 Grams |
| Cholesterol | 85 Grams | 93 Grams |
| Sodium | 74 Milligrams | 93 Milligrams |
| Potassium | 256 Milligrams | 240 Milligrams |
| Protein | 31.02 Grams | 27.37 Grams |
| Iron | 1.04 Milligrams | 1.33 Milligrams |
| Calcium | 15 Milligrams | 15 Milligrams |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.114 Milligrams | 0.227 Milligrams |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 Micrograms | 0.1 Micrograms |
| Vitamin B5 | 0.965 Milligrams | 1.21 Milligrams |
| Vitamin B3 | 13.712 Milligrams | 6.548 Milligrams |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.34 Micrograms | 0.32 Micrograms |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.6 Milligrams | 0.36 Milligrams |
Organ Meat vs. Muscle Meat: Which Is Better For Your Cat?
Both organ meat, as well as muscle meat, comprises different types of nutritional benefits for cats, which ensure that the diet is balanced. Organ meat like the chicken’s kidney, liver, lungs, and heart are highly nutritious. Moreover, they serve as a good source of taurine which is an amino acid that is crucial for feline health.
On the other hand, muscle meat includes parts such as chicken breasts that aid in muscle growth, repair, and development.
When deciding between the two, it is important to feed both in moderation. Cats love to munch on organ meat more than muscle meat. This is because organ meat is loaded with fat which is necessary for their healthy hormones. However, too much of it can cause weight gain and other issues related to weight gain. So, it is important to feed both but in balance. Remember, too much of a single food item can lead to nutritional balance upset.
Should You Boil/Steam/Fry/Grill Chicken For Your Cat?
Before you start cutting up the chicken for your cat, it is important to know which cooking method is ideal for them. You can try and boil the chicken pieces, steam them, fry them, or even grill them. But which method works best?
For one, steaming or boiling is the best method to cook chicken for your cat. While an occasional grilled chicken is okay for your cat, fried chicken is a big no. The best method of all is the steaming method. Why? With the help of the boiling method, you might end up losing a big chunk of the nutrition in the water. On the other hand, both grilling and frying involve the use of a lot of oil which isn’t healthy for your feline friend.
How To Cook Chicken For Your Cat?
Simply boiling or steaming the chicken won’t cut the deal in terms of nutrition for your cat. You must cook this protein source with other nutritional food items. So, follow these steps to cook chicken for your cat the right way:
- Start by cutting up the chicken into small pieces. Wash the chicken meat thoroughly to get rid of any dust or dirt and any possible contaminants. It is better to avoid cooked bones in your cat’s food as they are very brittle and can be a choking hazard or, worst yet, injure your cat’s digestive system.
- Keep in mind that protein should at least make up for 60 to 70 percent of your cat’s meal. The rest of your cat’s meal should comprise healthy carbohydrates, fats, and fibers. Cut up some vegetables that are nutritious for your cat, which include beans, carrots, and pumpkin. Add some rice to the mix as well.
- Heat up some water and as it reaches boiling point, add everything together and let it cook till the chicken is soft enough and the rice gets all mushy and soft enough for the cat to digest with ease.
- Alternatively, you can steam all these food items and serve them once it has cooled down to room temperature.
Conclusion
Remember, when it comes to cooking chicken for your cat, overcooking is better than undercooking. An undercooked chicken can harbor several contaminants that, include bacteria or parasites. The amount of chicken needed by your cat daily can vary depending on the cat’s age, weight, and other health conditions. Regardless of the way you cook, if you ever see your cat having allergic reactions to the chicken, stop right away and consult your veterinarian at the earliest. While chicken is a hypoallergenic protein source for your cat, some felines tend to develop allergies. So, it is important to pause and let your veterinarian assess the real cause of the health issue.
