Can cats eat chicken bones?
Quick verdict
Unsafe
Key risk
They splinter and can cause choking or internal injuries.
Why
Cooked chicken bones are dangerous for cats and must be avoided.
Can cats eat chicken bones, and why?
Cooked chicken bones are dangerous for cats and must be avoided. They splinter and can cause choking or internal injuries.
Cats are obligate carnivores: they must get most of their nutrition from meat and need nutrients such as taurine that only animal products provide. They lack some enzymes for processing plants and carbohydrates, so fruit and veg offer little benefit and can upset their stomach; many cats are also lactose intolerant.
Warning — what to watch for
They splinter and can cause choking or internal injuries.
If your cat has eaten chicken bones, don’t wait for symptoms — contact your vet immediately, or call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (24/7, UK). Signs of a problem can include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, lethargy, tremors or loss of appetite.
More foods cats might eat
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Frequently asked questions
Can cats eat chicken bones?
Unsafe. Cooked chicken bones are dangerous for cats and must be avoided.
What happens if my cat eats chicken bones?
They splinter and can cause choking or internal injuries. If your cat has eaten chicken bones, contact your vet or the Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) straight away — don’t wait for symptoms.
Is chicken bones poisonous to cats?
Unsafe. Cooked chicken bones are dangerous for cats and must be avoided.
Check chicken bones for another pet