Cats are amazing creatures with a loving nature but can be a little picky when it comes to their food. Hence, many pet owners nowadays seem to be quite concerned and worried about their diet.
However, there’s no need to worry, we’re here to clarify any concerns that you may have regarding your furry friend’s diet!One of the major questions raised by the owners is, can cats eat chicken nuggets? Generally, it’s okay
Even as a cat owner, it is very important to take care of your cats and give them the food that keeps them healthy and tailored to their dietary requirements. Well, cats are carnivores- Carnivores are animals that consume meat to fulfill their requirements and don’t need any food that we humans like, such as chicken nuggets.
We know that you want the very best for your cat and don’t want to end up feeding them something that isn’t good for them. So here’s a breakdown on can cats eat chicken nuggets or is it better to completely avoid them!
Without much further ado, let’s get right into the mix of things.
Can Cats Eat Chicken Nuggets?
Cats are mostly carnivores, and love to eat meat. Generally, in the wild, a cat’s diet will contain mostly protein and water. Of course, they need other nutrients as well but these are the main essentials.
Why Do Cats Need Protein?
Cats may be small in size but they’re capable of expending ridiculous amounts of energy in short bursts. They also tend to have a faster metabolism in comparison to other animals. Consequently, it’s essential to feed your cat a protein rich diet to help keep it as healthy as possible.
Is Chicken Good for Cats?
Cats are meat-eaters which mean that the chicken can be a great source of protein for your cat. The protein from chicken meat helps cats maintain their great vision, a healthy reproductive system, and a strong heart.
What Sort Of Chicken Is Better For Chickens To Eat?
Cats have an ultimate love for chicken. Many veterinarians mainly suggest that you should feed your cat a protein rich diet. Based on our research, we have combined the list of what kind of chicken cats should eat. These include the following portions of chicken:
- Ground chicken
- Chicken breast
It is to be noted that these meats should be cooked beforehand as feeding your cat uncooked meat can expose them to diseases.
Until now, we have discussed the cat’s natural diet and their nutritional requirements. Looking at those facts, it might be easy for someone to assume that chicken nuggets are actually good for cats.
However, before coming to any conlcusions, let’s first take a look at the common ingredients that you find in chicken nuggets.
What Are The Major Ingredients Of Chicken Nuggets?
We, as humans, love to eat nuggets. Right? So, are these nuggets also suitable for our pet cats? It is a big question to solve, and the answer depends on the nutritional composition of nuggets.
Generally, chicken nuggets tend to feature a ton of synthetic ingredients instead of completely natural ones. The nuggets nutritional profile primarily consists of:
- Fats
- Cholesterol
- Sodium
- Carbohydrate
- Protein.
After seeing this nutritional profile, you might be thinking that nuggets are perfect for my cat as it has protein which is the major requirement of all cats. However, it’s important to take a closer look at what’s beneath the surface.
While chicken nuggets may have a significant amount of protein, but it’s not enough to cover your cat’s needs. Moreover, the chunksmostly contain synthetic ingredients that add more toxicity and can harm your cat if used for a long period.
Also, there are many chemical compounds that the restaurants use to boost up the taste, and those chemicals are hazardous for the cat. Thus, the long-term use of the nuggets can be so harmful not only for cats but also for humans.
Several fast-food chains claim that their nuggets are free from all toxicity and are made from completely natural ingredients. However, these are only claims.
We all know that not all these points are true. Most people tend to get their chicken nuggets from fast-food places.
So, let’s take a look at whether cats can eat chicken nuggets from these food chains or not?
Can Cats Eat Chicken Nuggets From KFC?
KFC chicken, despite its marketing, is very similar to the chicken that you’d conventionally find at other fast-food restaurants.
The chicken from KFC has ingredients that are harmful to the cats, and thus it is best to keep your cats away from the restaurant. However, a small number of nuggets without breeding can be slightly adjustable.
Is It Good To Eat Chicken Nuggets From McDonald’s?
Again, the answer is “No,” as McDonald’s chicken also features some chemicals that boost the taste. However, they might not be as bad as some of the other fast-food restaurants.
McDonald’s nuggets are safe for cats allergic to milk products. As McDonald’s doesn’t use any milk source in the nuggets manufacturing.
Even though the nuggets might not contain any milk products, they still aren’t the ideal food to feed your cat. McDonald’s nuggets are generally deep fried in hydrogenated oil and contain high amounts of cholesterol.
While a nibble here and there might not do any harm to your cat, it’s best to keep them away from these chicken nuggets!
Are Vegan Chicken Nuggets Good For Cats?
Cats are carnivores and are supposed to eat meat.. Thus, it means that they can’t digest plant protein as well as humans and other omnivores. Therefore, vegan chicken nuggets are not a good option for your cats.
Why Do The Cats Owners Believe Vegan Chicken Nuggets Are Good For Their Cats?
There are various reasons for this. The three main are the following:
- The misunderstanding of the fact that it is healthy
- Cats can’t understand the difference between vegan and meat
- Turnover to vegan for some religious purposes
Thus, we came to the point that it is good to only stick to the meat-based protein as they are the best from nutritional purposes.
Which Part Of Chicken Nuggets Are Safe For Cats To Consume?
Generally, chicken nuggets tend to feature a breaded portion and white meat underneath. While the white meat is okay for them to eat, the breaded portion can potentially lead to problems.
What Would Be The Result If The Cat Eats The Chicken Nuggets?
Although the nuggets are not a good option, a small amount is safe for consuming nuggets. If the cat eats nuggets 3 times a month, it is safe, but overfeeding can lead to certain complications. ’.
Excess consumption could result in the cat’s stomach bloating and may even cause intestine disease or vomiting. It may be even surprising, but excess consumption can cause the cattype 2 diabetes as well.
What Precautions You Should Take Before Feeding Chicken Nuggets To Cats?
As a cat lover, we know that you would be looking for precautions to make your cat happy.
The first thingto note is that all cats love to eat chicken, but if your cat becomes aggressive or turns their nose up at a dish, it’s a clear indication that they don’t like the food.
Moreover, check the ingredients before feeding your cat any nuggets as many restaurants use gluten wheat which can be harmful if your cat is allergic or sensitive.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it’s fairly safe to say while your cat can eat chicken nuggets, they aren’t the best food choice. They tend to contain several ingredients that can end up being detrimental to the cat’s overall health.
You’re better off feeding your cat high quality cat food that will help ensure they can live the healthiest life possible!
