Can Cats Eat Chicken Breast?

Chicken breast is a great fit for cats

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means animal protein needs to be the foundation of their diet. That's why chicken breast — low in fat and rich in protein — makes a well-suited treat for cats. In fact, chicken is the main ingredient in many cat foods and treats. That said, it's strictly a treat, not a meal. Feeding chicken breast alone throws off the balance of essential nutrients like calcium, so cover your cat's daily nutrition with a complete and balanced cat food and use chicken breast only as a supplemental snack.

Four rules for serving it safely

• Cook it fully, with no seasoning — boil or steam it in plain water without salt, pepper, or sauces. It must be cooked all the way through.
• Never give bones — cooked chicken bones splinter easily into sharp pieces that can injure the throat or intestines.
• Remove the skin and fat — they're high in fat and can cause indigestion and weight gain.
• Shred it and let it cool — tear it into bite-sized pieces and serve it lukewarm. A little of the cooking broth is fine too, as long as it's unseasoned.

How much can you give?

As a rule, treats shouldn't make up more than 10% of a cat's daily caloric needs. Cooked chicken breast has about 165 kcal per 100 g, so for an indoor cat around 4 kg, roughly 10–15 g a day (about one to two heaping teaspoons) is appropriate. Rather than every day, we recommend offering it two to three times a week. If you're curious about your cat's daily caloric needs, check our cat food portion calculator. Ten percent of the daily calories it gives you is your treat limit.

Be careful in these cases

Chicken is one of the more common food allergens in cats. If it's your cat's first time, start with a very small amount and watch for vomiting, diarrhea, or itching over the next day or two. For cats with underlying conditions such as kidney disease or pancreatitis, or cats on a prescription diet, always consult your vet before offering any treats. If you notice unusual symptoms after feeding, stop and contact a vet.