Pork is a versatile meat that is commonly used in various day-to-day dishes. Cat owners may want to share this meat with their feline friends. However, can cats eat pork? Is it bad for their health?
Not the Best Choice of Meat
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need animal proteins to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. One way to obtain this is by eating meat.
Does that mean feeding pork to your cat is a good choice? No, it is not the ideal type of meat for them.
Some parts of the pork are high in fat. If cat owners are not careful, they might unknowingly feed their pets fatty portions of the meat. This can lead to unhealthy weight gain.
Pork also has larger fat globules compared to other types of meat. Allowing cats to consume pork regularly will cause fat globules to build up in their arteries.
Can pork kill cats? Yes, it can if negligently fed to cats. The high-fat content of pork can hasten the development of numerous health issues such as obesity and heart disease.
For these reasons, pork is rarely used as an ingredient in commercial cat foods. Healthier alternatives are chosen instead, such as chicken, turkey, or beef.
Looking at the Brighter Side
Pork does have several downsides that pet owners should be wary of. However, it does not mean that it must be completely kept out of your cat’s diet. Feeding her pork once in a while can be good for her health.
Pork is an excellent protein source, essential in keeping your furry friend strong and healthy. Protein supports the development of muscle mass too.
Pork is also full of amino acids that help maintain the vital functions of different body organs. Several nutrients can be found in pork, including vitamins B6 and B12, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc.
Selecting Suitable Pork Cuts for Your Cat
Feeding your cat small amounts of pork once in a while will not hurt her. However, make sure to choose lean cuts such as pork tenderloin, loin chops, and loin roast since they have significantly lower levels of fat.
Needless to say, avoid choosing pork cuts with high-fat content. Pork belly and pork shoulder chops belong to this category.
Overindulging Your Cat Is a No-No
Does pork make cats sick? Yes, it can if consumed in excessive amounts. Always remember that pork is an occasional treat that should be served in moderation.
If you suspect that your cat has eaten too much pork, watch out for the following symptoms:
- Appetite loss
- Diarrhoea
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
These are signs that your cat’s stomach is having a hard time digesting the pork. Generally, the symptoms will go away after 24 hours. However, if it lasts for more than a day, time to get your cat checked by the vet.
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What Types of Pork Can Cats Eat?
Pork can be prepared and cooked in many ways. Be careful, though, as some of them are not safe for your furry friend.
Can cats eat raw pork?
Yes, you can feed your cat raw pork. However, utmost care should be taken when preparing it for your feline friend. Raw pork hosts many infectious bacteria such as salmonella and trichinella roundworm.
Get raw pork specifically made for your cat’s consumption from a reputable source. Wear gloves when preparing the raw meat. Make sure to throw away the gloves properly and wash your hands afterwards.
Cleaning and sanitising everything that comes in contact with raw meat, including your cat’s food bowls, is also important.
Can cats eat cooked pork?
Yes, cats can eat cooked pork. Boil the raw meat in hot water with a temperature above 149°F for 10 minutes or more. This will eliminate all the bacteria found in the meat.
Once the pork is fully cooked, serve it plain to your cat. Skip adding other ingredients such as oil, salt, spices, and seasoning, as these can cause stomach problems for your furry friend.
Never feed undercooked pork to cats as it can still contain dangerous bacteria and parasites.
Can cats eat pork fat?
No, pork fat is bad for cats as it can cause many health issues. In minor cases, your furry friend will experience digestive problems after eating pork fat.
Its long-term side effects are far more drastic. Frequent consumption increases the risk of many diseases, including arthritis, cancer, hypertension, and pancreatitis.
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Can cats eat pork liver?
Yes, it is safe for cats to eat a small amount of pork liver from time to time. Avoid feeding pork liver to your cat constantly since it has high levels of vitamin A. Excessive consumption can result in vitamin A toxicity.
Can cats eat pork chops?
Yes, cats can eat pork chop every now and then. Do not regularly give it to your furry friend as it has high fat and sodium levels.
Can cats eat pork sausage?
No, do not feed pork sausages to cats. These often contain harmful ingredients such as onions and garlic, which are toxic to cats. Pork sausages also have compounds that are difficult for cats to digest, such as nitrates, sodium, and sulfites.
Can cats eat pork jerky?
No, do not let your cat get her paws on pork jerky. It has extremely high concentrations of salt that can cause dehydration, kidney damage, and sodium toxicity.
Search for Healthier Alternatives
Since pork is not the healthiest food for cats, consider looking for other options. But before you do that, it is important to address the question “What meat is bad for cats?” to narrow down your list of choices.
In general, fatty trimmings from any meat are bad for cats. Processed pork products and other processed meats should be off-limits to them too.
These include bacon, ham, jerky, salami, and sausages. They contain harmful chemicals that are linked to deadly diseases such as cancer.
With that out of the way, let us focus on the topic: “What meat is best for cats?” Lean meat loaded with proteins and low in fats is the best choice for cats. Chicken, duck, rabbit, quail, and turkey belong to this category.
These are healthier alternatives to pork. Just make sure they are served plain, skinless, and boneless to your furry friend after cooking to save her from problems such as choking and digestive upset.