The quick reply is “no.” Whereas cats usually eat uncooked meat, uncooked bacon poses a number of well being dangers. Bacon – even cooked bacon–may be very excessive in salt and fats, which may result in weight problems or kidney issues in your cat. When cats eat uncooked bacon, they are often uncovered to micro organism like Salmonella and E. coli. There are higher choices to fulfill your cat’s longing for a uncooked weight-reduction plan.
Can Cats Eat Uncooked Bacon?
No, cats mustn’t eat uncooked bacon. The excessive fats and salt content material is just not nice for his or her system, and uncooked bacon comes with dangers of micro organism like Salmonella, which may wreak havoc on their digestive system (to the purpose of attainable fatality).
This will likely appear counterintuitive since cats within the wild are pure carnivores, however the easy truth is that not all the things uncooked will sit effectively of their tummy. Cooked bacon will be extra safely consumed, for the reason that cooking course of will usually destroy any harmful micro organism. Nevertheless, bacon in any type nonetheless incorporates excessive ranges of salt and fats. The sodium in bacon can create poisonous reactions in your cat, starting from vomiting to severe seizures. The excessive fats content material can have an effect on their digestive system and result in irritation of their pancreas. And the nitrates used for curing/preserving can, over the long run, result in most cancers.
A tiny little bit of cooked bacon is okay as an occasional deal with, however please don’t take into account it part of their common weight-reduction plan.
Dangers of Feeding Uncooked Bacon to Cats
As a lot as cats love uncooked meat, uncooked pork merchandise like raw bacon don’t sit effectively with the feline system (or any pet’s system, for that matter). Simply as with people, there are loads of food-related issues and potential diseases. The next are among the many commonest.
Raw bacon usually incorporates parasites resembling Trichinella spiralis, or roundworm, in addition to tapeworms. If ingested, they will wreak havoc in your cat’s digestive system.
Salmonella and Listeria could also be current in uncooked bacon. If cats eat it, they’re in danger for extreme gastrointestinal signs starting from vomiting, dehydration, and lethargy, as much as very severe seizures.
- Excessive sodium, preservatives.
The excessive salt content material in bacon could cause reactions in your cat, starting from vomiting to seizures. The nitrates utilized in curing and preserving bacon may also lead to digestive points or allergic reactions.
Bacon may be very excessive in fats, one cause that it’s so scrumptious. Nevertheless, it might probably result in irritation of the pancreas in your cat or different digestive upsets.
Well being Results of Bacon on Cats
Whereas a tiny piece of cooked bacon will be fed to your cat as a VERY occasional deal with, it shouldn’t be a part of their common weight-reduction plan. As for uncooked bacon, it ought to NEVER be given to your cat. Feeding your cat bacon can create a complete vary of well being points, each within the quick and over the long run.
After they eat uncooked bacon, they’re uncovered to parasites like roundworm or tapeworm. They might even be uncovered to micro organism like Salmonella and E.coli, which may result in extreme vomiting and diarrhea. When cats eat bacon on greater than an occasional foundation, veterinarians observe that they will develop long-term well being dangers, together with weight problems or points with their coronary heart, kidneys, and pancreas. The nitrates used to protect the bacon may also result in most cancers. The excessive fats and salt content material of bacon can actually do a quantity in your cat’s well being. Cats have a low tolerance for salt.
What to Do If Your Cat Eats Uncooked Bacon
Whereas cats are carnivores and sometimes eat uncooked meat, pork merchandise are one other factor totally. When cats eat uncooked bacon, they’re doubtlessly uncovered to issues like Salmonella. E.coli, tapeworm, and ringworm. These can have a right away impact in your cat’s well being. You’ll discover bother in case your cat begins vomiting or has diarrhea. They might be thirstier than regular, have tremors, or present indicators of lethargy. The salt in bacon is rarely good for cats, who’ve a low tolerance for sodium.
If it was only a small quantity of bacon (or the grease), monitor your cat intently to see if the digestive upset resolves by itself. Watch in the event that they try and swallow repeatedly, or in the event that they lick their lips greater than is regular. If their eyes are sunken, their pores and skin feels unfastened, or their gums are dry, these are indicators of dehydration and might result in electrolyte imbalances.
Nevertheless, if extra severe indicators – extreme vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, or an absence of coordination – manifest, get your cat to the vet instantly.
Are There Any More healthy Options to Bacon?
You may keep away from giving your cat bacon whereas nonetheless giving them one thing that’s a scrumptious deal with. The bonus of those meals is that they are often made a part of a wholesome uncooked weight-reduction plan, so Kitty is rarely disadvantaged of thrilling tastes and textures. These meals must be served with out seasonings or added salt (cats don’t tolerate sodium effectively).
As with something, portion management is all the time a good suggestion to make sure that your cat maintains a wholesome weight. Small parts of the next make a pleasant deal with.
- Tuna
Tuna, both cooked or served from the can (however rinsed and drained), is excessive in protein and makes a pleasant deal with.
How you can Stop Your Cat from Consuming Bacon

Everyone knows that cats – even domesticated indoor kitties – retain their searching intuition, and that features monitoring down savory goodies that aren’t essentially good for them. Like bacon.
When you’re cooking bacon for no matter cause, it’s essential to maintain it away from Kitty; due to the excessive fats and salt content material, it’s not good on your cat’s well being for them to eat bacon. And uncooked bacon can show much more harmful, with potential parasites or foodborne diseases. Put the rest of the bundle again within the fridge as quickly as you begin cooking, and regulate the kitchen so Kitty isn’t left alone with the pan (even when it’s chilly; bacon grease is simply as unhealthy).
Pet-proof your trash bins. Both use a can underneath the sink or have a super-secure lid to allow them to’t dig by any bacon leftovers.
Counter-surfing is irresistible for cats. Hold them off your counter tops by inserting noisy tin foil on them (most hate the noise) or utilizing motion-activated units that shoot a innocent burst of air.
In case your cat is craving one thing totally different, there are lots of more healthy alternate options to bacon to maintain their style buds engaged: small bits of cooked (and unseasoned) hen or beef, plus tuna, salmon, or mackerel.
Conclusion
Cats eat uncooked meat, however not all uncooked meat is sweet for them. Uncooked bacon, specifically, is harmful for cats. From parasites like tapeworms to micro organism like Salmonella, when cats eat uncooked bacon, they will severely damage their well being. Even cooked bacon is not any higher: as tasty as it’s, the excessive ranges of sodium and fats can harm their coronary heart, kidneys, and pancreas.
There are alternate options to bacon that fulfill Kitty’s intuition for a uncooked meals weight-reduction plan. Giving them the occasional little bit of cooked hen or beef, or fish, together with tuna, salmon, or mackerel, supplies them with wholesome, lean protein and fat. Simply make sure that the meals aren’t cooked with seasonings or added salt (cats have a low tolerance for sodium).
Love, Nala is all about satisfying your cat’s intuition for a uncooked weight-reduction plan, nevertheless, in types which are more healthy and even tastier. We provide scrumptious grain-free cat foods, each moist and air-dried. Try our chicken cat food and beef cat food to maintain Kitty wholesome and glad for years to come back!
