Is it safe for cats to eat any kind of meat, given that they are naturally carnivorous? We know they enjoy chicken and turkey, but could we also serve them duck?
Or should duck protein be reserved as a rare treat? If you’ve ever wondered if it’s safe to feed your cat duck, you’re about to find out.
The answer is yes, duck meat is safe for cats to eat. Adding a little to your cat’s kibble every day is a great way to improve their diet.
This food can be given to them on a regular basis with fewer negative effects than other treats. There are some safety measures you should take before diving in headfirst, though.
Can Cats Consume Duck Meat?
Carnivores like cats thrive on a diet of high-quality protein, which provides them with energy and makes them feel full for longer.
They can get a lot of the protein they need from duck meat, which is a great addition to their diet. Duck is a good source of a number of nutrients, including zinc, iron, and vitamin B.
How Is Duck Good For Cats?
Due to their nature as “obligate carnivores,” felines require a diet high in protein. The nutritional needs of your cat can be met in large part by feeding it duck meat.
Zinc, iron, and B vitamins can be found in duck meat in relatively high concentrations.
Cats with chicken or turkey allergies may have a better reaction to game meats like duck.
How Can I Safely Give Duck To My Cat?
The first step is to prepare the duck in the simplest way possible. If your cat has digestive issues or is allergic to certain spices, don’t add them to the duck. Garlic is toxic to cats, so you shouldn’t use it either.
Second, while roasting the duck, make sure as much of the fat as possible is rendered off, as a high-fat diet is unhealthy for cats.
If you’re going to feed your cat duck, make sure it’s just the meat and not the skin, which is much higher in fat. To eliminate any potential choking hazards, duck meat should be shredded from the bones.
Cat owners should exercise caution when introducing any human food to their pet for fear that the animal will come to prefer it over its regular food.
How to Safely Feed Duck Meat to Your Cat
Duck, unlike leaner meats like chicken and turkey, is higher in fat.
If you want to avoid giving your cat an unhealthy amount of fat, peel off the skin before feeding it to them. Keep things as basic as possible when preparing the meat.
That’s why you shouldn’t use any seasonings or herbs that could make your cat ill. Avoid using any seasonings or oils. The duck can be cooked perfectly in just a hot, nonstick pan.
When the meat is done cooking, take it off the bones. Throw away the bones and any extra bits of fat you may have missed. Shredding the meat into small pieces helps with both of these issues by reducing the risk of choking and making the meat easier to digest.
How Is Duck Meat Different from Other Types of Poultry?
Duck breast, contrary to popular belief, is red meat, while duck legs are considered white.
This bird isn’t as lean as chicken or turkey, both of which are made up entirely of white meat.
Duck meat has a higher fat content, but the fats it does contain are healthy for your cat in moderation.
To get used to the slightly different taste of pet food made with duck meat, your pet may need a little time.
It may take your cat a while to adjust to duck because of its higher fat content.
About Duck Allergies
Some cats just can’t stomach the taste of duck. If you start feeding your cat duck and notice any strange behavior or symptoms, it may be allergic.
Ducks may look like other types of birds, but they are actually quite different. An allergy to ducks is possible in any breed of cat.
However, this allergy isn’t all that common.
Symptoms of Duck Allergies
If your cat exhibits any of the following signs, it may be allergic to ducks.
- Discomfort in the intestines
- Vomiting
- Loose stools and/or diarrhea
- Scratchy skin
- Hair loss
- Too much licking
- Head itching
- Problems swallowing
- Facial or oral swelling
- Stomach ache
- Getting leaner
Allergies to duck are similar to those to other foods. This type of reaction takes place when an animal’s immune system mistakes a particular food for an antigen or invader instead of a food source.
Allergic reactions are most common in cats with weak or overactive immune systems.
Symptoms of a food allergy range from digestive distress to skin issues like rashes and hair loss.
Other Types of Food Allergies for Pets
Cats can also be allergic to other foods besides duck. Allergies to food, the environment, and even fleas are common in cats.
Take your pet to the vet if you notice any of these signs to find out what’s setting off your pet’s allergies. You should consider the possibility that your cat is allergic to:
- Dust
- Pollen
- Meats
- Dairy
- Wheat
- Grains
- Fabrics
- Plastic
- Rubber
- Smoke
- Perfume
- Fleas
- Mites
- Supplies for Tidying Up
- Medications
What Other Meats Can Cats Eat?
Knowing that duck is safe for cats to eat, you may be wondering what other sources of protein are acceptable.
Meats like beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb are commonly fed to cats because they are considered to be safe. Cats can also safely eat game meats like venison, rabbit, and pheasant.
Due to the high salt content, pork is best given to your cat in very small amounts as a treat.
Pork that has not been processed is always the safest bet. However, fish require more caution.
Never feed your cat raw fish due to the high risk of bacteria and parasites. To avoid suffocation, you should also make sure that the meat has been thoroughly deboned.
Salmon and canned fish both have high levels of salt and oil that can be harmful to cats.
Final Thoughts
Cats don’t have to be restricted to a lifetime diet of chicken forever. Although sticking to a regular diet is beneficial, they are happy to accept a treat or two of other proteins every now and then. There are those who believe that cats should be fed exclusively on duck-based diets.
You can rest easy knowing that duck is a healthy and safe option for your cats.