Quail

For most cats, yes. Because it is new to them, quail can be used when a food allergy is suspected.

Quail is a small game bird, and in cat food it serves as a named animal protein. Cornell's Feline Health Center describes cats as obligate carnivores that rely on nutrients found only in animal products, and quail meat is one such source. It turns up in only a few foods. If your cat has a food allergy or another medical condition, ask your veterinarian before switching.

Source: vet.cornell.edu

Quail is used as a less common protein, close in size and type to the small birds cats hunt. It supplies protein, iron and B vitamins. Manufacturers often market it for cats that have eaten chicken or fish for years and may react to them. It is still rare in dry food, so it is mostly found in limited-ingredient and specialty recipes.

Sometimes, but it is not a sure thing. Quail and chicken are both birds. The Merck Veterinary Manual says a novel protein diet should avoid ingredients the cat has already eaten and suggests avoiding species similar to ones fed before. A cat that reacts to chicken may also react to a related bird. A veterinarian can decide whether quail is distant enough for your cat.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Raw meat, including whole raw quail, can carry bacteria. An FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine study found raw pet foods were more likely than other pet foods to test positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, and FDA noted a risk to the people handling them too. Cooked quail in commercial cat food is a different product. Ask your veterinarian before feeding anything raw.

Source: fda.gov

Pettings gives quail 5 out of 5 and lists it as a named animal protein. It appears on 3 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. It earns the top score as a named animal protein. Each food's page shows how the whole recipe scores overall.