Can cats eat chicken bones?

Cats should not eat chicken bones or bones of any kind. Bones, especially chicken and turkey bones, can splinter and possibly become stuck in a cat's throat. Bones also have sharp edges that can block or pierce a cat's intestines during digestion.

A bone may pass through the digestive system without causing any problems, but if it does get stuck, it may not be apparent for a few days. By then, surgery is often needed to correct the problem. If, after eating bones, a cat vomits, has diarrhea, refuses to eat or has a swollen abdomen, the pet owner should immediately consult a veterinarian.