Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Can Cats Eat Duck? Vet-Approved Nutritional Facts & FAQ

Can Cats Eat Duck

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need meat in their diets to get all the nutrients they need to survive, such as vitamins and minerals. Animal protein is essential for their overall well-being, but is all meat safe for them? Can cats eat duck meat? Is it healthy for them?

Yes, cats can eat duck meat. Duck meat can be a nice addition to your kitty’s kibble for an extra surprise, and odds are your cat will lap it up. Duck meat provides a vast amount of protein, vitamin B, iron, and zinc.

divider 1 paws

Can Cats Eat Raw Duck Meat?

The short answer to this question is, no, they should not eat raw duck meat. Cats should never consume raw meat of any kind because raw meat and raw fish contain harmful bacteria that can make your kitty very ill. If you feed your cat duck meat, ensure it’s cooked all the way through and avoid adding spices.

In the wild, cats hunt and eat prey, but when they do, they consume it immediately after the kill, and the meat is not processed. They also consume the organs, muscles, and bone, which gives them the extra nutrients they need to survive.

Domesticated cats do not need to hunt for food; they rely on humans to provide them with the proper nutrients they need. That’s why you must feed them a well-balanced diet and avoid feeding raw meat because of the potentially harmful bacteria it may contain.

roasted duck meat
Image By: MYCCF, Pixabay

Is Duck Better For Your Cat Than Chicken?

Duck meat is dark meat, whereas chicken is leaner and has a lower fat content. Chicken is an excellent source of amino acids, which aid in building muscle and many vital body functions. Some cats may be allergic to chicken, and duck meat is an excellent substitute if that’s the case.

Duck meat contains many nutrients for your kitty, including taurine. Taurine helps cats maintain healthy vision and a healthy heart. However, duck meat has more fat than chicken, and if your kitty likes chicken and is not allergic, chicken is better to feed regularly.

If you feed chicken to your cat, remember to cook the chicken without any spices. In short, both types of meat provide nutrients and protein your cat needs to be healthy. A veterinarian can also give you good advice on how to prepare these meats for your cat properly and safely.

Need veterinary advice but can't get to the clinic? Catster recommends PangoVet, our online veterinary service. Talk to a vet online and get the answers and advice you need for your cat without having to leave your living room — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content for PangoVet2 save money

Can Cats Eat Raw Eggs?

Absolutely not! Feeding raw eggs is not advised because of the potentially harmful bacteria, such as salmonella. If you want to feed your cat eggs, make sure you cook them first. Cooked eggs are high in calories, so we recommend feeding cooked eggs to your cat sparingly as a special treat.

What Is The Healthiest Meat For a Cat To Digest?

Cooked chicken, cooked beef, lamb, and turkey are terrific choices for your cat’s digestibility. Chicken and turkey are lean meats, and most cats digest them well. Usually, as a rule, you’ll have to experiment to see what works better for your cat. Some do better with chicken, while others do better with turkey.

grey cat eating meat
Image By: Chendongshan, Shutterstock

Can A Cat Have A Duck Allergy?

Cats can be allergic to several types of food, including duck. Food allergies in cats are rare and are usually caused by a protein rather than a carbohydrate source. Unfortunately, you won’t know if they are allergic until you feed it to them. However, it’s wise to monitor your cat after giving them something new.

Here are some common symptoms to watch out for after giving your cat duck, or any new food, for that matter.

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Head scratching
  • Itchy skin
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Hair loss
  • Swollen face
  • Abdominal pain

If you suspect your kitty has a food allergy, it’s best to let your veterinarian do an examination. While a food allergy has no cure, other methods can be implemented to avoid the allergy, such as changing their food.

divider 1 paws

The Bottom Line

Duck meat is perfectly safe to feed your cat, especially if your cat is allergic to chicken or any other type of meat. If your cat doesn’t have a chicken allergy, it’s best to feed them chicken or turkey because of the leanness of those meats.

Feeding your cat a well-balanced diet will ensure they get all the vitamins and minerals necessary to live a healthy, long life. Duck meat is healthy for cats, and if you want to add it to your cat’s kibble, there’s no harm in doing so, as long as your cat doesn’t have a duck allergy.

See also: 

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

12 Holiday Dangers for Cats & Vet Approved Safety Tips

The holidays may be a magical time for us, but they can be a dangerous time for our kitties. There are many holiday...

Does Chlorine Safely Kill Fleas on Cats? Vet-Reviewed Effectiveness & Safety Explained

Fleas are a big problem, and finding out that your cat has them can make you turn to the cupboards for a quick...

What Do Cats Really Think About Hugs? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Preferences

Most of the time, cats are irresistible. I can’t help but want to give my cats a big squeeze when they’re doing something...

7 Best Covered (Hooded) Cat Litter Boxes in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

If you have a cat, you know that they can make quite a messy kicking litter out of their boxes. Some cats also...

More related

15 Best Cat Breeds for First-Time Owners: Vet-Reviewed Info, Facts & Pictures

As a first-time cat owner, you might be nervous about whether you can meet all the needs and expectations that your new kitty...

How to Prepare Your House for Someone Allergic to Cats: 7 Easy Ways to Prep Your House

You may think that living with a cat will prevent all people with cat allergies from visiting your home. While there are cases...

How to Detect and Prevent a Cat Attack: 4 Signs & Prevention Tips

We’ve all been there. You’re relaxed, petting your cat, when they suddenly turn and scratch, bite, or swat at you. It may seem...

Is Lethargy Normal After Surgery In Cats? Vet Approved Care & Health Facts

Whether it’s a routine operation or major surgery, cats need time to recover after any surgical procedure. They need extra care and attention,...

Keep reading

Can I Get a Prescription for My Cat Online? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Have you ever had a sick kitty and wondered if you could simply get a prescription for your feline friend online? The answer is no, but you can get a prescription from your normal vet and fill that online. Most...

man-with-cat-using-laptop

Why Did My Kitten Throw Up? 7 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

If you have a kitten, you’ve most likely experienced waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of your little darling gagging and retching. While all cats are known to vomit occasionally, it gets worrisome trying to...

British Chinchilla kitten throwing up

How to Tell if My Cat Has Worms? 5 Vet-Reviewed Signs

Parasitic worms are repulsive to think about, but they’re a common health problem for cats. Along with being off-putting, worms can cause severe complications for your cat if left untreated. Fortunately, worms can be treated safely and effectively in cats,...

cat owner belly rubbing her cat

Why Is My Cat Peeing on the Carpet & How to Stop It: 7 Vet-Approved Reasons

If your typically pristine and proper cat is suddenly ignoring their litter box and peeing all over your carpet, it can become a frustrating (and smelly) problem for cat parents. The strong odor and constant carpet cleaning can definitely take...

cat with pee stain on carpet

10 Best Kitten Brushes of 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Kittens, believe it or not, are delicate creatures, even if they somehow manage to get into trouble more than almost every other creature—usually in the space of just a few minutes. They are active, adorable, and sweet, and once you...

Domestic Long-haired kitten on the floor

Why Does My Cat Act Like My Child? 10 Reasons

Our relationship with our feline companions has evolved dramatically through the ages. They’ve gone from wild animals to ratters to beloved pets. About 95% of people think of their companions as family members.1 Some may do the job that endeared...

Siamese cat with kids

9 Best Fish Oil Supplements for Cats in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Finding the right fish oil supplement can be a challenge for cat owners. The benefits of supplementing with fish oils are extraordinary and more and more owners are introducing this supplement into their feeding regime. It is always best to...

hand giving ginger cat some supplement using dropper

Raw Paws Pet Food Review 2025: Pros, Cons, & Verdict

Raw Paws Pet Food is a company that makes dog and cat foods. They offer frozen food that comes in rolls, patties, or ground, freeze-dried food, as well as grain-free kibble for dogs. They also offer food toppers, chews, supplements,...

Raw Paws Cat Food Review