Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken?

Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken is an excellent protein source and is a low-fat food. Considering that cats are obligate carnivores, it is only natural if a cat owner considers chicken a staple food option for their feline friend. This might lead them to think, can cats eat fried chicken? Is this delicious food item safe for them to consume?

According to the ASPCA, fried chicken is not lethal to cats. However, avoiding giving fried chicken to felines is still recommended since it has harmful ingredients that may affect their digestive system. The discussion below revolves around feeding fried chicken to cats and explains its outcomes.

Can Cats Eat KFC Chicken?

Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken are naturally curious creatures, so you might sometimes find them sniffing and nibbling the KFC chicken you eat. Letting your cat have a few bites of it may not cause a big issue. However, it does not mean you should feed your pet KFC chicken regularly. 

Just like regular fried chicken, KFC chicken contains excessive oil, salt, garlic, and other flavorings. When fed in large amounts, these ingredients are harmful to cats. Your cat may experience discomfort, excessive thirst or urination, and other gastrointestinal issues. Therefore, play safe and keep KFC chicken out of your cat’s sight. 

Is KFC Good For Cats? 

Although KFC is super tasty, and you may like to give it to your Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken on special occasions, it is not a good food option. KFC’s chicken is deep fried and contains excess oil, making it harmful for cats when consumed. The chicken also contains excessive salt and other spices on the toxic food list the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals provides. 

Not only is KFC chicken hard for cats to digest, but they also contribute to digestive problems, obesity, diabetes, and other health complications. The bones in KFC chicken being perfectly cooked are also prone to splintering resulting in choking hazards and severe internal injuries.

What Happens If A Cat Eats Fried Chicken? 

Eating only the coatless and skinless chicken off a fried chicken does not cause issues in cats when fed in small portions. But if a Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken accidentally eats fried chicken with the coating and skin or in large amounts, there is a chance of digestive imbalance. In such cases, your cat may experience the following symptoms;

• Excessive drooling
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal discomfort and cramps 
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration. 

Other than these symptoms, there are some major risks that a cat may face while eating fried chicken. For example, cooked chicken bones are brittle, so they may get stuck in the cat’s throat, obstructing its windpipe. They can also cause laceration in the digestive tract leading to internal bleeding.

Having said that, there is no need to panic. If you find any unusual symptoms after your cat accidentally eats fried chicken, immediately seek professional help. 

Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken Skin?

No, Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken skin should not be given to cats as it is high in fats that are harmful to feline health. Moreover, fried chicken skin can contain seasonings that, although add flavor to the chicken, can upset a cat’s stomach causing abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

Other than that, the extra oil in fried chicken skin can raise cholesterol levels, resulting in obesity, heart issues, diabetes, and other complications. Therefore, it is recommended to remove the skin before serving chicken to your pet. 

Is Fried Chicken Bad For Cats?

Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken is not bad for cats if only the meat portion is given in small quantities. However, most fried chicken contains excessive oil that can make it bad for cats. Plus, seasonings like salt, garlic, etc., that add flavor to the fried chicken pose a risk to cats’ health. 

After consuming fried chicken, a cat may experience gut problems like stomach ache, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, lethargy, increased thirst and urination, and dehydration. 

In addition, the perfectly cooked fried chicken bones can put your cat into a life-threatening situation if they get lodged in the digestive tract. These brittle bones can also splinter and cause gastrointestinal lacerations and internal bleeding. 

Related Questions

Can Cats Eat Kentucky Fried Chicken?

No, cats should not eat Kentucky fried chicken. Although meat is not toxic, large portions with skin and bones can cause severe digestive issues. Therefore, it is better not to give any Kentucky Fried Chicken to your cat. 

Is KFC Bad For Cats?

KFC Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken be bad for cats as it is deep fried and contains seasonings and ingredients that can risk a feline’s digestive health. If your cat consumes the chicken with the skin or in large portions, it might experience abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. The greasy chicken may also cause obesity, cardiac abnormalities, and other life-threatening conditions if consumed daily.

Is Fried Chicken Good For Cats? 

Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken is not good for a cat’s health? Avoid giving fried chicken to cats as they have sensitive stomachs and may not digest the fried chicken properly, resulting in an upset stomach. Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken also risk developing high cholesterol by consuming fried chicken, leading to obesity and heart diseases? 

What Can I Give To My Cat Instead Of Chicken? 

Cats can be given raw chicken after consulting a veterinarian. Apart from chicken, several options can be used as alternatives, e.g., fish, beef, pork, duck, and lamb.

Conclusion

• Cats are meat-eaters, and chicken can be a good source of nutrients.
• According to the ASPCA, KFC or regular fried chicken is not toxic to cats, yet it should be avoided.
• Feeding fried chicken to cats may disturb their digestive system and cause high cholesterol issues.
• Fried chicken bones can also pose a threat of choking and splintering inside the gut.
• The fatty chicken skin and seasonings used can be harmful to felines and pose a risk of complications.