As a pet parent, it can be tough to not give in when your furry friends are begging for a snack. However, not all food is good for cats (or humans for that matter).
So, should you give in and let them have a taste? Well, that all depends on the food! In this article, we’ll be talking about chicken nuggets and what they mean for your furry friend’s health.
We all know that chicken is a popular food ingredient in most cat foods. So, that means that chicken nuggets are okay for felines right?
Well, not so fast. There’s a big difference between plain old chicken meat, like what’s found in your cat’s normal diet, and a chicken nugget from Mc Donalds!
Can cats eat chicken nuggets?
Maybe. The problem with chicken nuggets is that you can really be sure what’s in them.
While cats are okay to eat chicken, there’s no way of knowing what’s in the breading. There are many seasonings, such as garlic, which are not healthy for your cat at all, and they can even make them sick.
Regardless, chicken nuggets are not the healthiest choice for a cat anyway. So, if you do plan to give your friend a taste, make sure it’s only a small amount. Even a whole chicken nugget is too much! Cats are small creatures, and that’s a lot of calories for their small bodies.
However, giving them a bite of the chicken likely won’t hurt them. It is however, recommended that you remove the breading. You also might want to think about the fact that cats are not accustom to eating oil. Since chicken nuggets are deep fried, it is possible it could upset their stomach. (Even humans can have troubles with this sometimes!)
If you find that your cat has puked up the nugget later you should not give them more. Cats won’t refuse food just because it makes them sick. So, it’s your job to make sure kitty doesn’t eat something they can’t handle. Try offering them a substitute treat that’s better for them. (My cat goes crazy for these chicken bites!)
While feeding your cat some table scraps won’t kill them, in most cases. It’s not recommended to do it all the time. Human foods contain a ton of salt and fat, which cat bodies won’t do well processing. So, keep that in mind!
Your cat may also start to refuse their normal food if you make giving them junk food a habit. So, avoid getting them hooked on stuff that they will not be able to eat regularly.
BUT, do cats like chicken nuggets?
The answer to that one seems to be yes. There are actually quite a few videos on social media sites like Twitter and Reddit about cats thieving their owners chicken nuggets. Chicken is a pretty standard food item for cats, and it’s probably the most popular cat food ingredient, so that’s no surprise.
My cat stealing chicken nuggets from r/aww
How about a healthier alternative to chicken nuggets instead?
If you want to feed your cat some chicken, there are healthier options though. A bite of boiled or oven baked chicken could be okay if you go light on the spices and salt. (Avoid garlic entirely as it’s bad for cats.)
Whole meat chicken that is minimally processed is a better choice. This is safer to share, and it’s healthier for you and your cat!
However, if you’re looking for an even easier route, there are tons of kitty friendly cat treats out there. Some chicken jerky or freeze dried chicken pieces will be well received, and they’ll forget all about those unhealthy nuggets.
