Updated: November 16, 2023 by CanCat Eat
Can cats eat bacon? Meat, like bacon and ham, is the greatest processed food of all time for humans. They have a great smell to the taste of the crunch. They are one of the great foods, like pumpkin. They are not only healthy but still appreciated for their taste. This is a salty treat for us and also brings a smile to many of our faces at the breakfast table. But can cats eat bacon safely as one of our furry members? Should we share bacon with our kitties? Let’s cross our fingers and hope that cats can eat bacon with us. And if not, then it’s all right; we have to find other healthy alternatives for them.
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Can Cats Eat Bacon? Yes, But, Not Recommended
The good news is that bacon is not toxic to cats. Therefore, it is completely safe to eat for your feline friend. However, bacon should only be okay to give as a treat. Cats are obligate carnivores. Care must be taken, though, with our furry companions, like cats. Cats need other animal meat in their diets. So, what is the problem with bacon? Bacon appears to contain too much salt for your feline friend. But a small piece of cooked bacon will not do any damage to your cat. So, they are fine as an occasional treat. But we do not recommend you feed bacon as a daily treat for cats.
But bacon is not a healthy food for cats. They have too much fat, too much cholesterol, and too much phosphate. The phosphate is especially bad for male cats. Because it worsens the formation of struvite crystals.
credit: https://www.traegergrills.com/smokenomics/everyday-bacon-day-infographic
What Are The Concerns With Cats Eating Bacon?
Cats can eat bacon. But the biggest concern about bacon is the extremely high amount of salt. Research shows that one small slice of cooked bacon contains nearly 137.4 milligrams of sodium. That is close to ten times more than the daily sodium intake recommended for cats. Normal, high-quality cat foods provide all the sodium content a cat needs. So, extra sodium is never needed in a cat’s diet. More than that can cause trouble for cats and their health. If your cat is eating too much salt, it can lead to:
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Dehydration
- Salt Poisoning
- Clogged blood vessels
Bacon has too much fat, but bacon is extremely fatty. This processed meat comes from the belly of a pig, or the side and back. Bacon is completely covered in fat, and it is prepared without removing the fat. This fat is wildly unhealthy, especially for our cats. Their small bodies can’t adjust to this large amount of fat.
Can Cats Eat Turkey Bacon
Other processed meats, like turkey bacon, are considered a healthier alternative to pork bacon. They also contain high levels of grease and sodium. So, they are not good for our feline friend’s health. If your cat has too much fat in their daily food diet, then this can lead to digestive problems, obesity, and other more serious health-related issues in your cat. You should try to avoid feeding bacon to cats.
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Can Cats eat Bacon Raw
Every serving of regular pig bacon isn’t totally free of health benefits, thanks to the presence of complex B vitamins and minerals like selenium and zinc. If you are thinking about feeding your cat any type of raw meat, we will always tell you to consult with your veterinarian before giving any kind of raw meat to cats. Raw meats like raw bacon can be fine for your cat, but only if the meat is truly raw and not cured. And, most importantly, the meat must also be fresh. You have to make sure to take the necessary precautions for your kitty by feeding it raw meat. Some tips, Make sure your knife, cutting board, and cat bowls are clean.
Can Cats Eat Cooked Bacon
Cats can eat cooked bacon. As we discussed, Bacon is safe for cats. You can give your cat cooked bacon as an occasional treat. But you should make sure cooked bacon contains a low amount of salt. Bacon normally contains too much compared to the amount of sodium your cat needs. So, the best choice is to avoid feeding bacon.
Will Raw Bacon Hurt My Cat
If the meat is fresh, then raw bacon would not hurt your cat. Too much fat is not good for your cat. Because bacon contains too much fat, it would not do well for your little feline. You should take advice from a vet before giving any raw meat to your cat.
What Happens If A Cat Eats Raw Bacon
Your cat will be completely fine if she eats a few pieces of fresh, raw bacon. If they are not fresh meat, you should be worried about them. Because only fresh, raw meat is safe for cats to eat. Otherwise, you should contact a vet immediately without wasting a second.
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My Cat Ate Raw Bacon
Raw bacon is not safe for cats. They contain a lot of fat, and raw meat could contain bacteria. If the meat is fresh and she just ate a little bit of it, then it is good news. Then you do not have to worry about it. Otherwise, you should take advice from a vet immediately.
Can Cats Eat Ham
Ham is one of our favorite popular processed meats. Most people enjoy their holidays like Easter and Christmas with Ham. Ham is made out of pork. So, you might think it is a good idea to share it with your carnivorous cat. But, can cats eat ham? The quick answer is no. Ham is toxic for cats, and it is not okay for cats to eat it either.
But, Why? Ham is not much different from bacon. Both of these two processed meats contain a lot of salt. You should know that 100 grams of ham contains around 1,200 milligrams of sodium. So, this way, it is too much for a cat.
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But it is okay to give your cat a small piece of ham as a treat now and then. But it wouldn’t do her any good. Because it will encourage your cat to eat this kind of food more and more in the future as well. It’s best that you avoid giving even a small piece of ham to your cat.
Foods containing too much salt are not healthy for cats or humans. There are a lot of health-conscious people around the globe who would buy low-sodium ham or low-sodium processed food. Low-sodium ham is okay for your cat as an occasional treat. But not very often, because even low-sodium hams have too much salt for your feline friend. So, you should give her a moderate amount, not every day.
So, Can Cats Eat Ham Slice
Your feline friend will appreciate it if you believe feeding her ham is a treat. Because of the high sodium level in ham, we do not recommend giving more than half of a slice of ham every two or three days. More than that, there is too much unhealthy fat contained in ham, which is not good for your cats. This may impact her body.
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Can Cats Eat Sausages and Spam?
Bacon and ham are not the only processed meats that we like to eat. Sausages and even spam are also popular among us and around the world. So, you might wonder if it would be okay to share these meat products with your cat. Spam is not good food for cats. They are extremely high in sodium. But sausages can be okay for cats. It depends on a few things.
There are many different kinds of sausages made around the world. A sausage is okay for the cat to eat or not. It depends on the ingredients used to make a specific sausage. Some things you should check are the sodium content in it and if the sausage contains onion or garlic powders. Because, as you know, onion and garlic is toxic for cats.
As you learned and know, cats can’t eat a lot of sodium-rich food. Therefore, sausages containing a lot of sodium are not safe for your feline friend. And onion and garlic powders should not be added to the sausage you are giving to your feline friend. So, any sausages or foods containing these two ingredients are definitely not safe for your cat.
What if a sausage contains very little salt and no onion or garlic powder? Can I give sausage to my cat then? Yes, you can give a small piece to your cat, which is safe. But it is better to feed your cat commercial-quality cat treats instead of sausages. That way, you can always be sure you keep her safe and take care of her needs and diet. You can cook scrambled eggs in your kitchen for your cat as a treat. There are some foods cats can’t eat. You should avoid feeding them to a cat.
Can Cats Eat Scrambled Eggs
Yes, cats can eat scrambled eggs safely. But make sure you do not add much salt. It is better without salt. Cats normally love to eat egg yolks. Egg yolks are good for their skin and fur. So, you can give scrambled eggs to cats as an occasional treat.
An egg recipe like scrambled egg is healthy and also beneficial to your cat’s diet as a treat.
Can Cats Eat Tuna
Most cats can get addicted to tuna. Even if they are packed for cats or for humans, your cat will try to eat them. Some tuna now and then won’t hurt your kitty. But a tuna that is prepared for humans is not a good choice for your kitty. This will lead to malnutrition for cats. Because they don’t have all the nutrients a cat’s daily diet needs. And most importantly, too much tuna can lead to mercury poisoning in cats. There is a list of foods cats can’t eat that we have mentioned above. So, What Can Cats Eat.
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Can cats eat raw bacon?
No, it is not recommended for cats to eat raw bacon or any kind of raw meat, for that matter. Raw meat can contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli that can cause food poisoning and make your cat sick. Additionally, bacon is high in fat and can cause digestive problems for cats if they consume too much. It is best to stick to a balanced and nutritious diet specifically formulated for cats and avoid giving them human food whenever possible. You can also give pancakes and yogurt to your cats.
Conclusion
Raw bacon is not safe for cats. Raw bacon can be fed to a cat under proper guidelines by a vet. Fully cooked, small-sized bacon could be given to your cat as an occasional treat, but it contains too much salt and fat. Too much is not good for your feline’s health, nor is too much fat. And do not give your cat raw bacon if it is fresh meat. So, you could also cook bacon with a very low amount of salt for your cat. But it is better to avoid bacon; rather, you could give her some other healthy treats.
Food like bacon contains fat. It is best that you find a different alternative than feeding bacon to your cat. I hope this article helps you find your answer related to “can cats eat bacon“. If this article is helpful for you, then kindly share this article with other cat lovers like you.
Black Cat Eats Bacon For the first time.
This post is useful for me. And I just got new kitten.I want to use bacon for kitten. But I don’t know how use best for kitten?
If your kitten is under 18 months then you should avoid feeding bacon. Bacon has fat content in them. So, If you are going to share some bacon with your cat. Just give her in a small amount every now and then.
And, do not share bacon with under 18 months kittens because of fat content.