When it comes to the treasures they can find in their preferred garbage can, a curious cat can get himself into some very unusual situations. If this happens to you, you might start to wonder what they’re up to, especially if it involves your leftovers.
You might start to wonder if certain foods are safe for your cat. Can a cat eat orange chicken, for instance?
It’s not safe for cats to eat orange chicken. The chicken itself is probably safe to eat (depending on how long it has been out), but the orange’s citrus will be the source of the problem. Too much sugar in the sauce can be harmful to cats.
What to do if your cat eats orange chicken, and why it’s best to avoid it, is discussed further down.
Can cats eat chicken?
Cats can safely consume a wide variety of cooked meats, including chicken. Because of their carnivorous nature, cats do best when fed a diet high in protein and animal products.
While the protein requirements of cats can be met with dry and wet cat food, your pet may still long for the real thing.
Yes, you can feed your pet some of the chicken, beef, or turkey you’re cooking. However, you should not feed your cat raw food because it could make them sick.
Because spoiled meat can also cause illness, you should keep it out of your cat’s reach whenever possible.
Is orange toxic to cats?
All citrus fruits, including oranges, are extremely dangerous for cats. Cats typically avoid citrus (which is why many anti-scratching sprays have a citrusy scent). The sugar content of oranges is reason enough to keep your cat away from them.
Oranges, in particular, can be toxic to your cat because of the acids and essential oils they contain.
Even though your cat may show an interest in oranges, you should not feed them to them because they are toxic to cats.
Because the volatile oils are concentrated in the peel, it is far more poisonous than the fruit itself. You should take special care with the orange rinds when disposing of them.
Keep your cat away from this part of the orange, as exposure to it can trigger an allergic reaction.
Can cats eat flavored chicken?
Flavored chicken is unsafe for cats to eat. The same herbs and spices that give chicken its delicious flavor will likely be harmful to your cat or kitten.
Your cat will probably get sick from the chicken’s seasonings if not the chicken itself.
This may manifest as nausea, vomiting, or a drastic shift in personality. On the other hand, spices like garlic and onion can be fatal for your feline friend.
Flavoring your chicken probably won’t cause any major issues, but it’s still best to keep it well out of the reach of children.
How to know if your cat ate orange chicken
Keep an eye out for the following signs, most of which will originate in the digestive system:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- GI distress
- Weakness
But if your cat consumes a lot of oranges or other citrus fruits, it can start to feel the effects on its nervous system. Some of the signs of that are as follows:
- Depression
- Light sensitivity (or photosensitivity)
- Seizure
There’s a chance your cat will develop an allergy on the parts of its body that came in contact with the orange. This condition, which can manifest as a rash, swelling, or a rough texture, is commonly referred to as allergic dermatitis.
The extent to which your cat reacts to orange exposure depends on how much of the fruit was consumed or touched.
Orange and citrus juice poisoning deaths are extremely uncommon. Most treated cats will make full recoveries. It’s important to get them to the vet as soon as you suspect anything is wrong, because prompt treatment increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.
What should I do if my cat eats orange chicken?
You should first observe your cat to see if there are any obvious signs of distress.
If your cat starts throwing up, don’t hesitate to call your vet. They can help you make sense of the symptoms and give you advice on what to do next.
They may request that you bring your cat in right away if they determine that the symptoms are serious. You can take your pet to an emergency clinic if your regular veterinarian is closed or unavailable.
It’s crucial to know exactly which section of the orange your cat devoured. If you know they have eaten or chewed on any orange rinds, you should take them to the vet immediately because the rinds are much more toxic than the fruit itself.
Knowing how much of the orange was consumed is also useful, if possible. Providing your veterinarian with as much detail as possible will help your feline friend immensely.
Citrus poisoning treatment will start right away. Your veterinarian can give your cat a special bath to remove the toxins from his skin and fur if he only touched the fruit and didn’t eat any of it.
After that, they can treat any irritated areas of skin with a topical medication.
The vet might give your cat a solution to make him throw up if he ate some fruit and hasn’t already.
Your veterinarian may choose to perform an internal stomach wash or administer medication to your cat to flush his system of the poisonous citrus. Your cat may become dehydrated from excessive vomiting.
In such a case, your veterinarian may decide to start your cat on an intravenous fluid drip.
While all of this sounds terrifying, know that deaths caused by citrus consumption are extremely uncommon. Your cat is in good hands at the vet, but they’ll still need extra attention and affection when they get home.
Things to keep in mind
Seeing a beloved animal in distress is never enjoyable. Don’t give your cat any table scraps or leftovers, and restrict access to the trash as much as possible.
But mishaps do occur, so it’s smart to keep your vet’s contact information close by.