No, cats should not eat teriyaki chicken. While the chicken itself is fine for cats, the teriyaki sauce can be harmful. Teriyaki sauce often contains ingredients like garlic, onions, sugar, and soy sauce which can cause gastrointestinal upset and other health issues in cats. It’s best to avoid feeding cats any people food with added seasonings and sauces.
Nutritional Value of Teriyaki Chicken
Plain, unseasoned chicken can be a healthy source of protein for cats. Chicken is an excellent lean meat that provides amino acids cats need. It also supplies B vitamins like B6 and niacin. Minerals found in chicken include selenium, phosphorus, and potassium. So the chicken in teriyaki chicken has nutritional value for cats.
However, the teriyaki sauce negates any potential benefits. Teriyaki sauce has high amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners. The sodium content is also extremely high, which can cause problems for cats. Cats should not consume spices like garlic, onions, chili, or excessive salt. Any seasonings on the chicken make it unsuitable for feline consumption.
Is Teriyaki Chicken Safe for Cats?
No, teriyaki chicken should be avoided for cats. Here are some of the biggest risks of cats eating teriyaki chicken:
- Xylitol toxicity – Some teriyaki sauces contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to cats. Even small amounts can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver damage.
- Garlic and onion toxicity – These spices are common in teriyaki sauce. They contain compounds that can cause anemia and damage red blood cells in cats.
- Gastrointestinal issues – The rich, spicy flavors as well as the high sodium levels can irritate the digestive tract. This can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
- Dehydration – The high salt content leads to dehydration as it causes cats to urinate more. Kittens are especially prone to dehydration from too much sodium.
- Pancreatitis – High fat foods like teriyaki chicken increase the risk of painful pancreatitis inflammation. The spices and sugar also raise the risk.
Common Health Concerns for Cats Who Eat Teriyaki Chicken
For cats who do manage to eat teriyaki chicken, either due to stealing human food or misguided pet parents, here are some common health effects:
- Diarrhea and vomiting are typical as the rich spices, onions, and sugar irritate the stomach.
- Excessive thirst and urination can occur due to high sodium intake leading to dehydration.
- Lethargy, lack of appetite, and abdominal pain may indicate pancreatitis.
- Garlicky breath odor, pale gums, rapid breathing, and collapse can signal garlic toxicity and anemia.
- Xylitol poisoning causes weakness, lack of coordination, seizures, and liver failure.
- In severe cases, teriyaki chicken can cause bleeding disorders, kidney damage, tremors, and even death.
Cats experiencing any concerning symptoms after ingesting people food require immediate veterinary treatment to prevent serious, potentially fatal outcomes.
Benefits of Eating Teriyaki Chicken
There are no benefits for cats who consume teriyaki chicken. The teriyaki sauce provides no nutritional value and poses many risks. While the chicken meat itself provides protein and nutrients, the seasoning eliminates any possible benefits. It is best to never feed cats any spicy, salty human foods, including teriyaki chicken.
How to Prepare Teriyaki Chicken for Cats?
It is not recommended to prepare teriyaki chicken for cats. Even if you avoid harmful ingredients, the strong flavors and salt content make it unsuitable.
The only way to prepare chicken safely for cats is:
- Use plain, unseasoned chicken breast or boneless chicken thighs. Do not use any spices, marinades, or sauces.
- Cook the chicken thoroughly until no pink remains inside. Cut or shred into bite-size pieces.
- Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature before serving to your cat. Do not feed hot or warm chicken.
- Refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3 days. Discard any old chicken.
It’s advisable to start with very small amounts of plain chicken to see if your cat tolerates it. Not all cats do well with chicken, even without seasoning.
Tips for Feeding Teriyaki Chicken to Cats
Again, cats should never be fed teriyaki chicken or any seasoned human foods. Here are some tips for feeding cats safely and healthfully:
- Stick to high-quality commercial cat food, preferably wet food for hydration. Human food should never make up more than 10% of a cat’s diet.
- Unseasoned boneless, skinless chicken breast can be offered occasionally in tiny portions as a treat. Limit to 1-2 times a week at most.
- Introduce new foods slowly and watch for signs of upset stomach or allergic reaction. Discontinue anything that causes diarrhea or vomiting.
- Avoid fish, garlic, onions, wheat, dairy, sugar, salt, and other spices. These are unsafe and unhealthy for cats.
- Never feed cats any food meant for human consumption containing sugar substitutes, sauces, or toxic spices. This includes teriyaki chicken.
- Consult your veterinarian about proper nutrition guidelines for your individual cat based on health status and life stage.
The takeaway is teriyaki chicken should never be part of your cat’s diet. Stick to high-quality commercial cat food and treats. Only offer tiny bits of plain chicken or meat as an occasional snack after checking with your vet. Avoid all seasoned human foods to keep your cat safe and healthy.
