Cats love chicken feet.
Due to their dense structure, they’re a healthy treat for cats of most sizes. However, they can harm your dog and cat if ingested in excess.
If you feed your cats chicken feet occasionally, they may enjoy them as an occasional late-night snack. So, can cats eat chicken feet?
Cats love chicken feet—often more than other meat products—but they can harm your cat if ingested in excess. If you feed your cats chicken feet occasionally, they may enjoy them as an occasional late-night snack.
However, cases of feline pancreatitis and gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV) have been linked to the consumption of chicken feet or uncooked poultry parts. In other words, feeding your kitty uncooked chicken can cause stomach problems for them.
Can Cats Eat Chicken Feet?
In moderation, chicken feet should be safe for your cat to eat; however, you should not give them to your cat every day as an occasional treat.
Chicken feet may become a choking hazard for cats; so, it’s wise to keep them out of their reach after they’re cooked.
If your furry friend is overweight, avoid giving him or her too much chicken.
Chicken feet may easily get lodged in your cat’s intestinal tract, causing blockages or life-threatening obstructions.
Furthermore, bones might cause an intestinal blockage if swallowed accidentally or allowed to pass through the cat’s digestive system undigested.
Chicken bones, particularly roasted chicken bones, can splinter into sharp shards that your cat can accidentally swallow or chew on while eating her meal.
This is very hazardous, especially if the shards get stuck in the intestines or windpipe.
Furthermore, chicken feet include sauces and seasonings that cats are not accustomed to and which may lead to vomiting and digestive disorders if ingested in large amounts.
Garlic is dangerous to cats; therefore, it’s advisable that you remove it from chicken feet before feeding them to your furry friends.
While tiny doses of soy sauce may go down well for your feline, too much will cause digestive issues.
Are Chicken Feet Bad for Cats?
As with any diet, there’s only so much you can omit or complain about before you’re left with nothing but chicken feet and plain water.
They don’t have as many nutrients as other types of meat, and they leave very little room for variation.
Chicken feet are rare in meat-only eating establishments, and many people find them disgusting.
Whatever the case may be, leaving out entire categories of food from your cat’s diet is unsafe and unhealthy and can provide for your kitty’s nutritional needs only.
Why Are Chicken Feet Harmful For Cats?
If you like deep-fried food, then chicken feet are right for your alley.
However, we all know that deep-fried food is bad for us humans; therefore, why wouldn’t it also be bad for cats.
When it comes to cats, it’s a double-edged sword.
Deep-fried meals, such as chicken feet, are delicious; however, the turnover and excessive fat can cause a myriad of health problems in cats.
These may cause an increase the chances of your cat developing dangerous illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, and kidney dysfunction.
This raises your cat’s risk to develop heart problems and high blood pressure.
In addition, your cat may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting and constipation.
Health Benefits Of Chicken Feet For Cats
Enhances the Health of the Skin and Coat
Your cat’s hair may shine brighter once he or she starts consuming chicken feet on a regular basis.
Aside from that magnificent fluff, collagen is a significant component of a strong and shiny coat.
It keeps the coat of your cat always well-conditioned and well-maintained.
Improves Joint Health
Chicken feet include the nutrients needed by cats and are an excellent source of protein.
These are in charge of joint health.
These drugs may help in reducing the pain and stiffness of arthritis in cats.
There are various glucosamine-rich treats in the market today; however, these should be in moderation as electrolyzed water may cause upset stomach in cats.
Don’t be concerned about glucosamine for dogs and glucosamine injections since these are safe to cats.
Chicken feet contain around 900 mg per each 3 ounce serving and are composed of 19 amino acids that are essential for the muscles and joints of your cat.
Chondroitin, like glucosamine, is only able to penetrate to the joints once the cat consumes it orally.
Furthermore, chicken feet are high in phosphorous that aids in the formation of healthy bones.
Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken Feet?
Cooking meat causes the fibers and connective collagen in the tendons and bones to break down, which eliminates the nutrients that cats need.
Because bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli may be found in raw chicken feet, cats should only consume cooked chicken feet.
coli might be present, raw chicken feet may lead to infection in cats because of the salmonella and E. coli.
If you boil chicken feet appropriately, their food is safe for cats to eat and should be available in pet stores that sell cat treats.
Cooking chicken feet makes them simpler for your feline to consume and it will also get rid of any bacteria that can be found on the surface of the meat.
Cooked bones break more smoothly than uncooked bones.
So, theoretically, your cat can break down cooked bones easier and quicker into gelatinousness than uncooked ones, and this makes it easier for the cats to absorb.
Also See: Can Cats Eat Raw Chicken Hearts?
Conclusion
So, can cats eat chicken feet? Yes they can—but in small amounts. If you give your cat chicken feet occasionally as a treat or serve them organic chicken feet as a side dish, they probably won’t have any adverse effects.
But if you frequently give your cat raw or uncooked chicken feet or serve them whole as a meal supplement, they may suffer from serious stomach problems.
Cooked, unseasoned, deboned chicken feet are a healthy treat for cats.
They are also an excellent addition to your cat’s diet if you have concerns about feeding them commercial cat foods.
This benefits your feline pet because it provides them with both needed minerals and vitamins and because it gives them the animal protein they need to stay healthy and strong.
Just be wary of the bones in chicken feet and buy only deboned chicken feet or meaty chicken breast.
Garlic and soy sauce are other great sources of protein for your feline pet but should be adequately refrigerated and consumed in moderation.
Make sure that your pet does enjoy eating chicken feet and does not have any problems with their digestive system.
Garlic, even in little amounts, is not safe to cats and garlic supplements can be toxic to them.
Furthermore, the salt concentration in soy sauce and other types of Asian foods can also be harmful.
