Are cooked chicken bones really harmful for cats?

[Arham131]

Hi, I am a little confused. today I read an article that said cooked chicken bones are dangerous for cats, but I don't understand, how?

When we cook something all the germs are washed away. right?

 

[SirMeow]

Hi Arham131, welcome to the forum.

Yes, they're bad for cats because the bones become brittle once cooked, so they can get stuck in the cat's throat and choke it, likely killing it. NEVER give a cat cooked chicken bones.

When uncooked, the bones are relatively soft, so the cat can deal with them. I still recommend deboning the chicken though.

 

[SirMeow]

I've just read that article and no wonder you're confused as it's garbage. It keeps flip flopping between saying that cooked bones are safe to eat and that they're not safe to eat. Ignore this article.

Your best bet is to feed your cat nutritionally complete meals from sealed packets with a little bit of dry food as a treat occasionally and never feed them bones of any kind.

The only kind of "bone" that's safe for cats is one sold as a cat toy that's been safely made for them to "kill" and chew on.

Hope this helps.

 

[Maywaters]

Cooked chicken bones can be harmful to cats, as well as other pets like dogs. When chicken bones are cooked, they can become brittle and easily splinter. If a cat ingests these splintered bone fragments, it can cause a range of problems, including:

1. Choking: A bone fragment can become lodged in a cat's throat, causing difficulty breathing or choking.
2. Internal injury: Sharp bone fragments can puncture or tear the cat's gastrointestinal tract, leading to internal bleeding, infection, or even death.
3. Blockage: Bone fragments can create blockages in the digestive tract, which may require surgery to remove.
4. Dental problems: Chewing on hard, cooked bones can cause dental fractures or other oral injuries.

While cats are natural carnivores, and raw bones can be a part of their natural diet, it's essential to avoid giving them cooked bones to prevent these health risks. If you want to give your cat a treat, consider safer alternatives like cat-friendly treats, toys, or small pieces of cooked boneless chicken.

 

[SirMeow]

Great info there, Maywaters. Welcome to Feline Forums.

 

[FF]

Thanks for the tips, Maywaters. Perhaps you might want to post an article here one day, as we rely on users to create them. No pressure of course.

 

[Anawilliam850]

Actually, cooking doesn't necessarily make bones safe for cats to eat. Cooked bones can pose a danger to cats because they are more likely to splinter and break into sharp pieces than raw bones. These sharp pieces can damage the digestive tract and cause serious health issues such as punctured intestines, constipation, or blockages.

 

[Gizmoandsooz]

Yes they are as the bones could get caught in their throat.