Many people enjoy eating pork and may have wondered, “Can cats eat pork too?” Since cats are obligate carnivores, it’s natural to consider offering them protein-rich foods. Pork is one such option, packed with high-quality protein and an essential nutrient – taurine – that cats need to stay healthy.
So сan cats have pork? Mostly, yes. Cats can eat pork, but as a responsible feline parent, you must understand how to feed it to them. You must learn how to prepare or buy pork that is safe for your furry pal to consume.
Is Pork Safe for Cats?
Cooked pork is generally safe for cats. It benefits your cat in numerous ways. Firstly, pork is an excellent source of protein. 100 grams of cooked pork contains almost 27 grams of protein. Moreover, pork is a great source of vitamins like thiamin, niacin, and riboflavin, and minerals like phosphorus, selenium, potassium, and zinc.
As mentioned earlier, cats are obligate carnivores. This means that they need animal protein to thrive. This reason alone makes pork an excellent food choice for felines. Another important reason why pork is beneficial for cats is its taurine content. Cats need a lot of taurine for maintaining healthy hearts, vision, and immune function. Pork is also easy to digest for most cats and usually does not trigger any allergies.
Let us study the health benefits of feeding well-cooked pork to cats.
Benefits of Feeding Pork to Cats
High-Quality Protein Source
Cats need protein to maintain their muscles. Wild cats mainly feed on animal meat and rarely eat carbohydrates. By following the same protein-rich diet for our domesticated cats, we can ensure our feline friends stay in the best of health. Protein-rich foods like cooked pork provide energy to your cat and also maintain their muscles and overall well-being.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
Cats can also benefit from the vitamins and minerals found in pork. B vitamins and minerals like iron, selenium, and zinc present in pork help your cat in crucial bodily functions like growth, tissue building, hormone regulation, metabolism, immune function, and overall health.
Risks and Precautions
Now that you know the answer to “Can cats eat pork meat?” let us consider the risks and benefits of feeding too much pork to your cat.
High Fat and Sodium Content
The fat content of pork varies based on the level of trimmings and other factors. However, as a cat parent, you need to know that pork, like other red meat varieties, does contain both saturated and unsaturated fats in equal amounts. Additionally, processed and cured pork, bacon, and ham contain a lot of sodium or salt.
Both these ingredients, salt and fats, are harmful to cats, especially in excess. A cat's diet should not contain more than 20% fat (although lactating cats and young kittens can have up to 40%). A fat-rich meal can cause stomach issues in cats and, with time, can also result in obesity, pancreatitis, joint issues, etc.
Similarly, cats should not have more than 0.2-0.4% sodium, and excess sodium can harm their kidneys and hearts.
Raw Pork and Parasite Risks
Raw pork, no matter how carefully you inspect it, could contain dangerous parasites like trichinae. These tiny worms settle in the folds of the cat’s muscles and can develop into trichinosis. There is no cure for trichinosis, and symptoms include complications of the heart, brain, and lungs.
The risk of parasitic infection is the main reason you should only feed cooked pork to your cat. Cooking destroys the trichinae worms and makes it a lot safer to eat and digest for your pet.
Processed Pork and Seasonings
When asking, “Can cats have pork?” or “Is pork bad for dogs?” remember to avoid processed pork (bacon, ham, or cured pork) entirely.
Processed pork is high in fat and can make your pets sick. It also contains excessive salt, which can lead to kidney issues in cats and dogs. Processed pork can also contain seasonings, which can trigger allergies or food sensitivities in pets. Some of these seasonings can also be toxic to your fur babies.
How to Safely Serve Pork to Cats
Best Practices to Introduce Pork In Your Cat’s Diet
The first thing to do before adding pork to your cat or kitten’s diet is to check with your vet. Once your vet gives you the go-ahead, start with a small quantity.
Cook the pork thoroughly and ensure that its internal temperature is about 145° F or 63°C.
Once cooked, you can mince the pork and add it to your cat’s food. You can also give them a few pieces of cooked lean pork as a treat. Mixing minced pork with cat food is beneficial for picky cats who are hesitant to try something new.
Recommended Portion Sizes
Here are the portion size guidelines to follow when feeding pork to your cat:
As a treat, the quantity should not exceed 10% of your cat’s total daily calorie intake.
In case you use pork cat food topper, feed them no more than a teaspoon or two to a medium to large cat. For small cats or kittens, this size should not exceed that of a pea. Your cat should also get balanced food specially formulated for cats.
Frequency: Offer pork to your cats only once or twice a week.
Other Meats Cats Can Eat
Cats need meat as they are obligate carnivores. Chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, and beef are all great choices of meat that cats can eat in addition to pork. Just make sure to cook them properly and avoid seasoned, processed, and cured meat.
If your cat has an allergy or food insensitivity, you can opt for feeding exotic or novel meats like rabbit, venison, alligator, emu, kangaroo, etc. All these are excellent protein sources for cats.
Conclusion: Should You Feed Your Cat Pork?
The answer to the question “Can cats eat pork?” is generally yes, as long as the pork is properly cooked and not overly processed. Note that cured, fried, and smoked pork can cause health issues in cats. Raw pork can also cause dangerous parasitic infections like trichinosis in cats.
Always practice moderation even when feeding lean, cooked pork meat to cats, as it can, in excess, lead to obesity. Make sure your cat gets a balanced diet and, if in doubt, do check with your vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cats eat bacon?
Bacon, with its high fat and salt content, is not an appropriate food to feed your cat.
Is it true that cats can die from eating pork?
Raw pork could cause illness and even death in cats if it is contaminated with parasites like Trichinella spiralis.
Is it safe for cats to eat pork floss?
Cats could have pork floss occasionally. However, pork floss does contain salt as well as harmful preservatives and additives like onion and garlic powder. These ingredients are not healthy for your cat.
