Meat & fish
Can cats eat chicken?
Cats are carnivores and plain cooked chicken is ideal as a treat.
By Maya Hart
How much, how often
A few small pieces.
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of the day’s calories. Work out your pet’s calories
Serving it safely
- Cook thoroughly
- Remove skin and all bones
- No seasoning, onion or garlic
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs Safe
Yes. Plain cooked chicken is one of the most common ingredients in dog food and a good treat. Never cooked bones.
How much: As a treat, a few pieces; as part of a bland diet, as your vet advises.
Can dogs eat chicken?Cats Safe
Yes. Cats are carnivores and plain cooked chicken is ideal as a treat.
How much: A few small pieces.
The details
Cooked bones splinter and can pierce the gut. Boiled chicken and rice is a common short-term bland diet vets recommend after stomach upsets.
Questions owners ask
Can cats eat chicken?
Yes. Cats are carnivores and plain cooked chicken is ideal as a treat.
How much chicken can a cat have?
A few small pieces.
What should I do if my cat ate chicken?
A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset. Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
Is chicken safe for dogs too?
Yes. Plain cooked chicken is one of the most common ingredients in dog food and a good treat. Never cooked bones.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
