Cats are carnivores, but can Persian cats eat cooked chicken?
Many human foods are not harmful to your cat, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are healthy. So is chicken good for Persians, and if so, how often can you give it to your cat?
Cooked chicken can be fed to your cat without concern, but it should not include any spices like salt or garlic.
It should be cooked and not contain bones. However, the cooked chicken should never be fed as a meal replacement and only as a treat.
Chicken is absolutely unharmful for your cat, but that doesn’t mean you should give it to her all the time! It’s necessary to know how to feed your cat a balanced diet, especially if you have a Persian cat.
Read on to learn the safest way to feed your Persian cat cooked chicken and how to provide your feline with a balanced diet.
Can Persian Cats Eat Cooked Chicken?
The Persian cat is one of the largest domestic cat breeds in the world.
These cats originated from Persia known as Iran today.
Persian cats need formulated cat food that contains all the protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Because Persians are a little bit large, they need a large amount of protein to stay healthy, and they should have a minimal amount of carbohydrates and a moderate amount of fat.
Can cats that are carnivores eat chicken? Yes!
Cooked chicken is a great treat to give your cats from time to time, and there are many reasons why it’s good for them.
Here are some of those reasons:
- Rich in protein: Protein is the most important nutrient for cats, especially Persians. Every living creature needs protein for muscle development, energy, and oxygen transport in the blood. Protein is particularly important for cats because it promotes coat growth and supports the nervous system.
- Rich in vitamin B6: Chicken meat is high in vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine. This vitamin supports the cat’s metabolism, nervous system, and red blood cells.
- It contains many other nutrients: Chicken is also rich in zinc, copper, iron, and vitamin B12, all of which are necessary for cats.
Although chicken is good for cats, it must be prepared properly to ensure the safety and health of your cat.
Too much chicken can lead to malnutrition or even provide too many nutrients for your cat.
In addition, undercooked or spoiled chicken can lead to serious illness or even death.
How Much Cooked Chicken Can I Feed My Persian Cat?
Chicken should never be part of your cat’s regular meals, such as dry food or wet food. Rather, you should use chicken as part of your cat’s treats.
Treats should only make up about 20% of your cat’s total diet.
In general, cats need between 25 and 35 calories per pound of body weight.
For example, an adult Persian cat weighing about 15 pounds needs about 450 calories per day. This means that they should eat no more than about 90 calories per day of chicken.
Of course, the amount of chicken you can give your cat depends a lot on her weight.
For example, an overweight cat should eat smaller portions of treats per day, while an underweight cat may need to eat more than average.
Age can also influence how much your cat should eat. Kittens need a lot of calories to grow, while older cats usually eat small amounts of food each day.
Lastly, you should feed your cat more or less chicken depending on his or her individual nutritional needs.
For example, treats for diabetic cats should only involve about 10% of their total diet, but chicken is considered a good idea for a treat because it’s high in proteins and low in carbohydrates.
Can I Feed My Persian Cat Chicken Every Day?
Cats love chicken, but that doesn’t mean THEY should EAT it every day!
Chicken should only be given intermittently as a treat or side dish, and never as a full meal. Instead, the chicken should make up no more than 20% of your cat’s daily diet.
Technically, you can feed your cat chicken every day if it does not surpass 20% of their total diet.
However, it is best to offer your cat a varied diet. This will enrich and stimulate your cat and also provide a more balanced diet.
In general, it’s best to feed your cat chicken only two or three times a week, rather than every day. This way, your cat can eat a variety of nutrients and get a more balanced diet.
This will also avoid your cat from getting bored eating the same food daily.
How to Cook Chicken for Cats
The perfect way to cook chicken for your cat is by boiling it.
The reason is that you don’t need to use extra fat like butter or oil and you can instead cook the chicken in water or chicken broth (as long as it doesn’t contain sodium, garlic, or other additives).
1. Avoid bones
Second, never give your cat chicken with bones!
Chicken bones become brittle if cooked and can splinter when your cat eats them.
Splintered bones can break down in your cat’s digestive system, causing serious injury and even death.
2. Avoid spices
One of the most important things to remember when preparing chicken for cats is that you should not add extra spices like garlic or salt.
Instead, it’s better to feed your cat plain chicken.
3. Lean meat
It’s a good idea to feed your cat chicken breast because it’s the leanest part of the chicken.
Be sure to remove the skin and trim the fat before cooking it to make sure your cat gets plenty of protein and little fat and carbohydrates.
4. Cook the chicken
Put the chicken in a pot of water or broth and cover it. Make the heat over a medium level for about 15 minutes, depending on the size and quantity.
Make sure the chicken gets at least 170 degrees Fahrenheit before giving it to your cat.
When you open it, the chicken should be white through and no longer pink. This will ensure that there are no bacteria left behind that could make your cat sick.
You can give your cat fresh chicken or freeze it so she can enjoy it cold.
However, remember that cooked chicken will only keep in the refrigerator for about three to four days.
Don’t try to give your cat old or spoiled chicken. So make sure the chicken is still good before feeding it to your cat.
It is also crucial that you pay close attention to this list of ” foods that your Persian cat should never eat“.
What Age Can Persian Kittens Eat Cooked Chicken?
When your Persian kitten is about 8 weeks old, she is fully weaned.
This means you can feed your kitten boiled chicken starting at about two months of age.
Because kittens have particularly sensitive stomachs, it’s best to give them only very small portions of chicken in the beginning.
Can Persian Cats Eat Chicken Bones?
Although cats often eat bones in the wild, you should not give them to your feline.
Here are the two reasons why your cats should keep away from chicken bones:
1. Pathogens
The first reason Persian cats should not eat chicken bones is that raw chicken bones may have pathogens.
Cats in the wild can eat raw meat, but because we humans package meat and store it for long periods of time, raw meat is more likely to contain bacteria that can make your cats sick or even kill them.
2. Brittle bones
Second, cooked chicken bones are incredibly harmful to your cats.
When we cook chicken, the bones become brittle and more probably to splinter.
If your Persian cat swallows part of a chicken bone, it can break off and rupture your cat’s intestines, causing dangerous injury or even death!
What to Do if a Persian Cat Eats Chicken Bones?
Eating chicken bones can be fatal to cats because they can splinter and cause cracks in your cat’s digestive tract.
If your Persian once eats chicken bones, you should take the following actions instantly:
The urgent action you can take is to call your veterinarian and have your cat treated immediately.
If you just suspect that your cat has eaten chicken bones, never wait until symptoms of an injury appear before contacting your veterinarian.
By the time you realize something is wrong with your cat, it may already be too late.
Boiled Chicken for Persian Cats with Diarrhea.
Some Persian cats have naturally sensitive stomachs, and changing the diet may cause nausea and diarrhea.
Stress, intolerances to some foods, and certain medications may lead to diarrhea in cats, too.
If your cat is suffering from diarrhea, cooked chicken may be the best home remedy!
Boiled chicken for cat stomach is an old remedy, but you should only use it if your cat has mild diarrhea symptoms that are not indicative of other problems.
For example, if your cat is also lethargic, has a fever or her feces contain blood, it’s time to take her to the vet right away!
If your cat has had diarrhea for less than 48 hours and has no other worrisome symptoms, you can give her cooked chicken with rice.
Chicken and rice are bland foods that will not further worsen your cat’s upset stomach. They also help absorb moisture, which will firm up your cat’s stool.
They are soft and easy to digest.
Boiled Chicken Recipe For Persian Cat
Mix equal amounts of cooked shredded chicken with cooked white rice.
Give your cat one cup of the mixture per 20 pounds of body weight in place of her regular food.
You should feed this mixture for up to two days, and if diarrhea continues, you should take your cat to the vet immediately.
Do Persian Cats Eat a lot?
Like all other cats, Persians need a balanced diet in order to maintain their health.
Cats need about 25-35 calories per pound of body weight per day, which means, if your Persian cat weighs 10 pounds, then she should be eating 200 calories every day.
If your Persian feline weighs 15 pounds, then she should be eating approximately 300 calories per day for maintaining good health.
If you are concerned that you are feeding your cat too much or too little, you should consult your veterinarian to make sure your cat is getting the right amount of food.
This is especially important because the Persian cat is prone to obesity if fed too much.
Although Persian cats are so lazy you may give them lots of exercises, such as walks on a leash and with a harness, and lots of daily play.
Therefore, your Persian cat needs many more calories than the average cat.
While most cats reach their full size at about 12 months, Persian cats reach their maturity a little bit later.
They need two years to reach their full size! During this growth period, it is very important that your Persian cat receives plenty of calories so that her growth is not stunted.
Do Persian Cats Need Special Food?
The Persian cat is one of the big domesticated cats in the world. thus, many owners wonder if this breed needs a special diet.
Because Persians grow slowly, taking two years to reach their full size, they require more calories than the average cat.
Overall, Persian cats don’t necessarily need a special diet compared to other cats, but it’s more crucial that you provide them with the right amount of nutritional elements.
Here are the dietary requirements for a Persian cat.
- High protein amounts: All cats, but especially Persians, require large amounts of protein. Protein provides energy, helps build muscle, and contributes much more to your cat’s health. When looking for food for your Persian cat, choose one whose first ingredient is a meat source, such as beef, poultry, or fish. In general, there are eleven different types of amino acids that your cat needs to get enough protein: Histidine, Arginine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Methionine, Lysine, Taurine, Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Threonine and Valine.
- Small amounts of carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are still a necessary component of cat food, but they should be given in small amounts to prevent weight gain and malnutrition. Choose food that contains only small amounts of grains, corn, and other fillers. Remember that many low-cost cat foods use carbohydrates as the main ingredient because they are cheaper to produce and make good fillers. However, large amounts of carbohydrates only serve as empty calories and can lead to weight gain and malnutrition. Look for cat food that contains grains and carbohydrates as one of the next ingredients rather than the first.
- Dry food versus wet food: It is important to know the differences between dry and wet food. Dry food generally has fewer calories and is better for your cat’s teeth. Wet food, on the other hand, is tastier and has a higher calorie and moisture content. Although it is possible to feed your cat only dry food, it is usually a good idea to give her wet food as well. Most owners feed their cats dry food daily and also give them wet food two or three times every week.
- Vitamins: Human bodies are able of producing various vitamins on their own that are needed for various bodily functions. However, there are some vitamins that the bodies cannot produce themselves, so we must take them in through nutrition. The same applies to cats. Vitamins that cats need to get from their food include vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as pyridoxine, cobalamin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, riboflavin, biotin thiamin, and choline.
- Minerals: All cats need the following minerals in their diet: sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, chloride, copper, zinc, iron, manganese iodine, and selenium.
- Moderate amounts of fats: cats need omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Fats provide energy, allow the cat to absorb certain vitamins, regulate skin and coat health, provide cell wall structure and perform many other substantial functions in the cat’s body.
Can Persians Eat Normal Cat Food?
Persian cats can eat regular cat food, but it is important to buy high-quality cat food.
Many cheap brands of cat food contain a lot of fillers like corn and other grains. These ingredients are cheaper but provide about the same amount of calories. However, they contain many more carbohydrates and therefore do not provide enough protein.
You should feed your Persian cat high-quality food that is high in protein, moderate in fat, and low in carbohydrates.
This means that the food will be more expensive for your cat, but it will help ensure that your furry friend has a long life.
Can Persian Cats Eat Chicken Breast?
We’ve already mentioned that Persian cats can eat chicken, but you may be wondering: is it good to feed my Persian cat chicken breast?
Cooked chicken breast (better boiled) is an ideal food for your cat! since it is the leanest part of the chicken.
It will provide your cat with enough protein without too much fat.
Can Persian Cats Eat Bad Chicken?
Persian cats can eat cooked chicken, but can they eat old chicken?
Surely not!
You should never feed your cat old or bad food.
When it comes to human food, the rule of thumb is: what you wouldn’t eat yourself, you shouldn’t feed to your cat!
Cooked chicken will last just about three to four days in the refrigerator and about four months in the freezer.
Make sure the chicken is still good before giving it to your cat to avoid illness.
Can Persian Cats Eat Chicken Skin?
Persian cats can eat chicken skin, but it’s usually not recommended.
Here are the main reasons why you should not feed your Persian cat chicken skin:
First, the high oil content of chicken skin can make it hard to digest.
Second, chicken skin is high in fat and doesn’t contribute much to your cat’s diet.
Can Persian Cats Eat Seasoned Chicken?
When feeding your cat chicken, the rule is: less is more.
Extra spices and seasonings can truly be harmful to your feline!
Some of the spices that cats will not tolerate are:
- Onion
- Garlic
- Salt
- Chives
In general, you should not give your cat any spices because they do not add anything to her diet and can even harm her.
These other foods are also harmful to your Persian cats.
Can Persian Cats Eat Canned Chicken Breast?
Canned chicken breast is a useful way to feed your Persian cat’s already cooked chicken.
However, in many cases, canned meat contains more sodium.
Be sure to buy canned chicken breast that doesn’t contain extra sodium or spices.
Can Persian Cats Eat Fried Chicken?
Persian cats should not eat fried chicken since it is full of fat and sodium.
Stick to plain chicken with no spices or frying!
Can Persian Cats Eat Chicken Broth?
It’s possible to give your cat a small amount of chicken broth as long as it doesn’t contain garlic, onions, or sodium.
Some people also freeze chicken broth in ice cube trays to give their cats a nice treat on hot summer days.
Can Persian Cats Eat Chicken Nuggets?
Persian cats can eat chicken, but they should not eat chicken nuggets!
Chicken nuggets, like all fried foods, are absolutely too fatty and have a lot of amounts sodium.
Can I Feed My Persian Cat Raw Chicken?
It may surprise you to KNOW that feeding your Persian cat raw chicken is not a good idea.
Cats eat raw meat in the wild, but you should not give them raw meat from the supermarket.
The reason for this is that we humans tend to pack and store food for much longer than a cat in the wild, giving more opportunity for bacteria to grow.
It is important to boil the chicken to kill all the bacteria before feeding your cat. Otherwise, your cat can get sick and even die from a foodborne illness.
If you are willing to feed your Persian cat a raw diet, you are not alone! Feeding your cat a raw diet doesn’t have to be harmful while following the right rules and health tips.
Final Thoughts
Cats are carnivores, but can Persian felines eat cooked chicken?
If prepared properly, it is perfectly safe to give your cat cooked chicken. Just make sure it has no bones, no salt, no spices, and has been cooked at the proper temperature to avoid foodborne illness.
Although chicken is good for Persian cats because it contains a lot of protein and various vitamins and minerals, it should never be given as an alternative for real meals.
Instead, the chicken should be considered a treat and should not exceed 20% of your Persian cat’s daily diet.
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