Well, it is a type of pork, which is an animal protein. We do not recommend this route at all due to the greases high sodium and saturated fat content. View all posts by Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, MRCVS, 10 Herbs That Are Toxic To Cats (And 7 That Are Safe), 15 Tips To Help Your Cat Adjust To Your Home, New Research Proves Owning A Cat Is Good For Your Heart. This is one of those questions that must be answered very carefully. Technically speaking, yes, cats can eat bacon in that they have the ability to chew it up and swallow it. This is why your cat may go crazy the second they pick up the scent of any raw meat or cooked meat. Some foods are not only inappropriate but also dangerous. Can Adult Cats Eat Kitten Food? Well, the short answer is no, cats shouldnt eat bacon. Cats may eat bacon, however, like with other human meals, they should only consume it in moderate amounts. Additionally, this food is very greasy and can clog up your cats digestive and circulatory systems. For example, cooked turkey or chicken breast are much lower in salt and fat, and your kitty will still think theyre yummy. They need animal protein to survive and crave its taste. Lets find out more. When it happens, it does not harm your cats at all. A sliver the size of your little fingernail is plenty to offer, even if your cat enjoys the taste. Too much sodium in a cats diet can cause a host of unfortunate symptoms for your kitty like: You may notice the following signs of digestive upset if your cat has eaten bacon: Anyone who thinks dogs are the biggest beggars of food in the pet world clearly hasnt met a cat! Ive never seen a cat love bacon as much as my cat does. Overweight cats. In fact, Canadian bacon is about 50% fat. Removing visible fat from the bacon will help, but bacon grease is full of fat, and dont forget that cooking oils and fats will also make your cat unwell. A small piece of bacon wont hurt your cat, though it might awaken the bacon-loving fiend inside of them. The element of saltiness never fails to put a smile on our face at breakfast time. Artificial bacon bits are even worse of course since they dont even have real bacon in them! We have consideration surrounding cats consuming bacon. Its not recommended to give your cat bacon due to the high fat content. The tip-top shape of cooked will most likely will not harm your cat in any way. } A bacon is more similar to ham than a bacon made from pigs, but it is much more expensive to cure. Eating too much can be a problem and lead to some long-term health conditions, including obesity, dehydration, high blood pressure, and clogged blood vessels. They should only be given one or two pieces at a time and serve with small spoons rather than pencil erasers. Weve learned the consequences of too much salt or fat, typically causing clogged arteries, obesity, and high blood pressure in cats. So how much food does your cat need? None of that black pepper or honey BBQ stuff. Keep reading to learn more about when its okay to offer bacon to your feline family members. Artificial bacon bits are even worse of course since they dont even have real bacon in them! Simply put, can cats eat bacon as treats? border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(240, 179, 87, 0.5); These might sound like great benefits, but for cats, the nutritional downsides of bacon are far more significant. It is important always to use caution when feeding felines human foods. Bacon contains a lot of salt and fat, which can make your cat sick, especially if eaten in large amounts. Clinical symptoms of hypertension in cats include blood inside the eye chamber, pupils that fail to constrict when in contact with light, and worst of all, blindness. A small piece of cooked bacon is not harmful to your cat. Pour en savoir plus sur notre utilisation de vos informations, veuillez consulter notre Politique relative la vie prive et notre Politique en matire de cookies. What You Need to Know. Kitties who are fed cured meats regularly will not be as lucky. If your cat requires too much sodium, bacon is usually too high in sodium. Because Canadian bacon strips are much leaner, they contain a lower amount of calories than normal bacon. Overweight cats. Ive even caught her stealing bacon off my plate when Im not looking! Bacon is a fatty meat, though, and can cause health problems for cats if given in large quantities. The artificial bacon bits you eat which you may sprinkle on salads are both over-processed and rich in salt which pose health complications for your cats well being. Because bacon contains toxic chemicals such as PCBs, cats may become ill if consumed in large quantities. Its a win-win for you, really! In addition to a balanced diet provided by commercial cat food, you can offer some foods as treats. Once that is complete, you will tear off a small piece the size of a pencil eraser and offer it to your cat. Expect that the smell of bacon cooking will surely turn their heads and stimulate their taste buds. As it cooks, the fat renders off, though some remains. It is prepared without eliminating the fatty content. Lets take a look. Find Out Here! Cross your fingers and hope that our cats can indulge with us. .summary-table .table-item img{ Cats on a food elimination trial. Cats can eat raw bacon, but only if its fresh and from a clean source like a good butcher. The truth is that there are much healthier foods that you can offer your cat that contain the same nutrients. Another risk is related to the fat content of bacon, and this is the risk of pancreatitis or an upset tummy. They can experience stomach pain, excessive thirst urination, vomiting, decreased appetite, diarrhea, lethargy, incoordination, and in severe cases, seizures and even coma. WebNot all cats can eat bacon, some underlying health conditions or prescription diets may exclude treats, this includes: Kittens (unweaned and weaned) Cats with high blood pressure. Its not a good idea to give your cat bacon because its very high in fat and salt. When bacon is fed to your cat, it becomes overweight due to its high fat content. To begin with, there is a lot to consider when feeding cats human foods, especially things like bacon, which are not considered to be super healthy. No, bacon is not good for cats. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they require animal protein to survive. There are quite a few risks when it comes to feeding your cat bacon. Bits from the kitchen counter can mess with this important mixture, particularly foods like bacon that are high in calories and salt. The grease contains lots of saturated fat and sodium, which your cat is better off without. So it makes sense to give them that. In some cases, sugar may be mixed in. A piece the size of your fingernail might seem stingy, but its more than enough for your cat. This is the reason why bacon, and even bacon treats for cats, should be served on a rare basis. In fact, there are numerous better alternatives if you want to treat your cat to something delicious. Salt in extremely large quantities has the potential to be poisonous to felines. Yes. In fact, some pet owners even pour bacon grease on top of their pets dry food to make it more appetizing. Its best not to give your cat bacon at all. 8 Reasons for This Behavior, Can Adult Cats Eat Kitten Food? Maybe its the saltiness or the smokiness, but most cats cant get enough of it. So it makes sense to give them that. Cat owners often ask, can cats eat bacon? Find Out Now! Bacon is a fatty meat, though, and can cause health problems for cats if given in large quantities. She loves to write and wants to empower owners to make the best decisions for their pets by giving them all the information they need. That said, continue reading to find out what the risks are if you decide to feed bacon to your kitty. With a few considerations. It is not harmful to your cat to eat a small amount of bacon as a one-time snack. Cats are obligate carnivores which means they must eat meat to survive. It will likely cause them some digestive distress for several days, so avoid feeding them this if possible. They can drink all their water, and if youre not home to serve them more, or you simply forget, they could end up dehydrated. Currently parent of three adopted cats and one small mutt. So, can cats eat bacon? A cat should not eat turkey bacon. Firstly, raw bacon may contain parasites or harmful bacteria that might cause your cat to become sick. Cats can eat raw bacon, but only if its fresh and from a clean source like a good butcher. If you want to treat your cat on occasion, feed him cooked bacon. Simply put, can cats eat bacon as treats? However, felines should not eat this food. It is possible for cats to eat bacon, but only on occasion. Pepperoni is another example of a cured meat that is not advisable for kitties to consume. For cats, it is recommended that they consume no more than 800 milligrams of sodium per day, but bacon contains approximately 137.4 milligrams of sodium. Turkey bacon is not a better alternative to pork bacon- small, bite-size pieces are OK, but nothing beyond that. Fatty foods are not healthy for your cats digestion, and eating foods that are high in saturated fats can cause cats to experience digestive stress. Be careful to not give too much meat because as with anything, your cat can get an upset stomach. Well, the short answer is no, cats shouldnt eat bacon. Healthy foods for cats provide all the sodium intake a cat needs. If you decide to give your cat a small amount of bacon, you should make sure that its cooked bacon rather than raw bacon and remove any visible fat. So, is it okay to offer your kitty a taste of your salty, crunchy, and delicious bacon? Actually, veterinarian Ivana Crnec advises that: Its acceptable to feed bacon when trying to give your cat a medicine. Cats are finicky eaters, and hiding a pill in a bacon made blanket is a nice and efficient trick. Raw bacon should be fed to your cat on occasion, but it is best to leave it out of the refrigerator until it is thoroughly cooked. For cats, it is recommended that they consume no more than 800 milligrams of sodium per day, but bacon contains approximately 137.4 milligrams of sodium. Yet, bacon bits have been created artificially. Yes, your cat can derive some nutrition from the bacon that you feed them. Cats are natural meat-eaters, and the aroma of bacon, as well as the flavor of the flesh, should attract them. That said, however, bacon needs to remain an occasional treat and not something they get every day. Because bacon is not toxic to cats, eating a small piece will not harm them. WebFatty meat even if cooked can give cats an upset stomach and even result in diarrhea or vomiting. And, if your cats are indoor felines, they are not going to get as much exercise as, say, barn cats or outdoor cats who only come inside at night. Raw bacon is definitely a no-no, but a small piece of cooked bacon will not harm your cat. If you REALLY feel inclined to give your cat bacon (its better not to), tear off a small piece of fully cooked bacon that is no bigger than a pencil eraser. In severe cases, they may also experience pancreatitis. Ideally, it should only be given as a treat and not a frequent meal. Moreover, can cats eat raw bacon? Additionally, bacon is a known carcinogen, as with many other processed types of meat. Cats can eat a wide range of vegetables, which can be prepared in a variety of ways. You shouldnt give your cat bacon often, but once a month is unlikely to do them harm. This is animal protein, so kitties will be attracted to the smell and taste, but this is not the high-quality kind of animal protein that felines need. But bacon should not be given to your cat on a regular basis. But bacon is a processed meat that is loaded with fat and salt. When Chantelle isnt snuggling her cats on the couch or taking pictures of them being hilarious, shes outside exploring in the Rocky Mountains, binging the same shows on Netflix over and over, and reading about whatever random topic pops into her brain. A small piece of bacon wont hurt your cat, though it might awaken the bacon-loving fiend inside of them. These are not always made from real meat and often contain a lot of artificial ingredients and chemicals. Bacon is also high in fat, which is a definite no-no when it comes to feeding your furry friend. Is Pork Healthy or Even Safe for Cats. How Much to Feed: Supplemental What you need to limit on is giving large quantities of bacon because of the meats high salt and fatty content. One ounce of Canadian bacon is roughly 30 calories with less than 1 gram of fat. Signs of digestive issues include soft stools, diarrhea, vomiting, and indigestion. Always discuss giving your cat raw meat of any kind with your veterinarian first, if possible. The general verdict is that yes, your cat can eat bacon. Even cooked, it is high in fat, calories, salt, nitrates, and triglycerides. Many people love to eat bacon. Your email address will not be published. Pieces of bacon given as treats would be the best way to regulate their bacon intake. Moreover, can cats eat raw bacon? If you want to feed your cat something tasty, there are several alternatives. These delicious snacks are made with real bacon and are sure to tantalize your cats taste buds. A small piece of bacon wont hurt your cat, though it might awaken the bacon-loving fiend inside of them. Pieces of bacon given as treats would be the best way to regulate their bacon intake. Bits from the kitchen counter can mess with this important mixture, particularly foods like bacon that are high in calories and salt. Your pet will likely love the raw taste of this food, but it will not add much to their diet nutritionally. While bacon is one of the favorite choices of breakfast food, how can bacon be not a great option for our fur babies? Technically speaking, yes, cats can eat bacon in that they have the ability to chew it up and swallow it. On the flip side, if thinking about using bacon as a treat, look further there are far healthier alternatives. width: 25px; WebNot all cats can eat bacon, some underlying health conditions or prescription diets may exclude treats, this includes: Kittens (unweaned and weaned) Cats with high blood pressure. 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