Teriyaki chicken is one of the most popular dishes at many Japanese restaurants, and it’s also often a menu item in other Asian restaurants. The dish features chicken that has been marinated in teriyaki sauce and then cooked in the oven or pan-fried on the stovetop. You might wonder if your cat can eat teriyaki chicken or if it could become sick after eating it.
Should You Feed Your Cat Teriyaki Chicken?
For thousands of years, cats have relied on humans for food. Over time, we have learned what our feline friends like to eat and what they dislike. But sometimes, it’s hard to figure out whether or not your cat will enjoy a particular dish. So can cats eat teriyaki chicken? Keep reading to find out if you should give your cat teriyaki chicken for dinner tonight.
What Is In Teriyaki Sauce?
Teriyaki sauce is made with several different ingredients, including soy sauce and a sweetener such as brown sugar. Soy sauce contains high levels of sodium, and it’s important to check labels because some brands have more salt than others. Some commercial teriyaki sauces contain other unhealthy ingredients such as corn syrup, monosodium glutamate (MSG), or hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP). If you prefer to make your homemade teriyaki sauce, use tamari instead of soy sauce and add liquid sweeteners such as rice wine vinegar or fruit juice. In addition to these primary ingredients, many recipes include extra flavorings like fresh ginger root, garlic cloves, or sesame seeds.
Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Your Cat This Dish?
While some may think of it as little more than a tasty treat, teriyaki chicken might also be something you can feed your feline friend. Many owners swear by its health benefits and claim it helps keep their cat’s weight in check. So is there any truth to these claims, or are people simply cooking up an excuse to have more teriyaki chicken for themselves? Read on for all you need to know about teriyaki cat food.
Side Effects
If your cat loves teriyaki chicken, make sure they don’t become addicted. Excessing any food can upset a cat’s digestive tract and cause diarrhea. It’s best not to feed your kitty human food, but if you are going to, limit their consumption of teriyaki chicken and keep them away from high-fat foods that may lead to obesity or diabetes. Better yet, only give them treats occasionally or use food designed for cats when you want your cat to enjoy.
Should I feed my cat human food?
Feeding your human-cat food can be a fun bonding experience, but it also has risks. Some human foods are OK for cats to eat in moderation, while others can make them ill or even kill them. Be sure to talk with your vet before giving Fido any table scraps. They say you should and shouldn’t feed your kitty, plus a list of human foods that are good for cats. You might even consider making homemade dog treats using healthier ingredients like fruits and vegetables—and certainly no processed meat meals or artificial preservatives.
Is it safe to feed your cat teriyaki chicken?
It’s not safe to feed your cat teriyaki chicken. While dogs can eat cooked chicken, cats are pickier about what they eat, so there’s a chance your kitty will turn his nose up at food he doesn’t recognize as chicken. Aside from that, teriyaki chicken contains salty and sugary ingredients like soy sauce and honey; if it gets on your cat’s paws and mouth, he could get an upset stomach or scratch up his tongue and coat. If you want to give him some, make sure you cook it yourself (most store-bought brands have added flavorings or sauces) or ask a vet whether it’s safe first.
How Much Is Too Much?
One of the first things you need to know about feeding cats teriyaki chicken is that cats are carnivores and not omnivores, which means they do best with meat-based proteins. If your cat has a history of allergies or obesity, it’s always a good idea to consult your vet before making any changes to their diet. That said, most studies show that cats don’t require carbohydrates in their diet because they aren’t used for energy like humans and dogs are; do; however, evidence suggests that too much protein can lead to kidney problems later in life if you have an aging cat. Because of these risks, we recommend limiting how much protein comes from food sources and getting more from high-quality supplements.
Does teriyaki contain dangerous ingredients for cats?
Before you feed your cat any food, it’s essential to ensure it is safe for them. Just because teriyaki chicken is usually safe for humans to eat doesn’t mean it will be safe for cats. Many foods that are perfectly fine for humans to eat can have dangerous effects on cats. They may even contain toxic or harmful ingredients and can cause illness or death in cats if they consume too much of them. For example, garlic and onions contain allyl sulfuric acid, which can damage red blood cells in humans and animals. It’s easy to see how dangerous these substances could be if a cat consumed large amounts of either ingredient at once.