With cats being obligate carnivores, you may be wondering “can cats eat bacon?”. The short answer is yes, cats can technically eat bacon as it is not toxic.
You should only feed it them as a treat on the odd occasion, because bacon is loaded with sodium, fats, and calories that can be very bad for a cats health both short and long-term.
What are the side effects and dangers of a cat eating too much bacon? Is turkey bacon or bacon bites a healthier alternative? Everything will be revealed inside of this post to provide you with information to ensure the health of your cat is the number one priority.
Bacon Nutrition Facts
Before we look into cats and bacon a bit more, let’s first take a look at the nutrition facts of bacon.
Bacon Nutrition Facts | |||
Nutrition | 1 slice (11.7g) | 2 slices (23.3g) | 3 slices (35g) |
Calories: | 53.7 | 107.3 | 161 |
Sodium: | 193.7mg | 387.3mg | 581mg |
Carbohydrate: | 0.2g | 0.4g | 0.6g |
Total Fat: | 4g | 8g | 12g |
Protein: | 4g | 8g | 12g |
Bacon is part of the pork family and is loaded with fat, calories, and sodium that can be harmful to a cat if given in large quantities or on a regular basis.
Is It Ok For Cats To Eat Bacon?
Technically it is okay to feed bacon to your cat but you have to be aware of the dangers. Too much bacon in one sitting can make them ill. Giving cats bacon on a regular basis can also lead to negative long-term effects.
We will the dangers and side-effects in a section below, but just to quickly summarise, the main problem lies in the quantity of salt found in bacon, as well as fats and calories. With cats sleeping anywhere from 16 to 20 hours per day, they are nowhere near active enough to burn off foods with such a dense calorie profile such as bacon.
That being said, a small piece of cooked bacon given on the very odd occasion as a treat will most likely not harm your kitty.
Can Cats Eat Turkey Bacon?
Although turkey bacon has slightly less fat and sodium than regular bacon, it is still too high to be safely given to your cat on a regular basis. It should be treated like regular bacon and only given once in a while as a treat.
Turkey Bacon Nutrition Facts | |||
Nutrition | 1 slice (8.1g) | 2 slices (16.2g) | 3 slices (24.3g) |
Calories: | 30 | 60 | 90 |
Sodium: | 164mg | 328mg | 492mg |
Carbohydrate: | 0.3g | 0.7g | 1g |
Total Fat: | 2.1g | 4.2g | 6.3g |
Protein: | 2.4g | 4.8g | 7.2g |
Can Cats Eat Bacon Bits?
Bacon bits are delicious pieces that you can sprinkle in salads or on jacket potatoes. Just like the other variations of bacon, these should be completely avoided due to them being over-processed and fill of sodium which are bad for your cats health.
Bacon Bits Nutrition Facts | |||
Nutrition | 1 tbsp (7g) | 2 tbsp (14g) | 3 tbsp (21g) |
Calories: | 33 | 66 | 99 |
Sodium: | 124mg | 248mg | 372mg |
Carbohydrate: | 2g | 4g | 6g |
Total Fat: | 1.8g | 3.6g | 5.4g |
Protein: | 2.2g | 4.4g | 6.6g |
Can Cats Eat Bacon Raw?
Technically your cat could eat raw bacon, although we would very much recommend you do not do this. The main reason for this being that pork products generally need to be cooked thoroughly to avoid parasites.
What happens if my cat eats raw bacon?
They should be fine, but a cat eating a raw piece of bacon that is contaminated and not fresh could make them ill. If you notice your cat has consumed a piece of raw bacon, just make sure to keep a very close eye on them for any signs of illness. To be on the safe-side you could also contact a veterinarian for advice.
Cats Can Eat Bacon as Treats?
As we mentioned above, it is only advised to give your cat bacon once in a while as a treat. Bacon treats are great for rewarding good behavior, nail-trimming, or trips to the vets. As cat owners we want to spoil our furry little friends but we never really consider the effects or calories of treats that they are consuming.
A perfect alternative that you should consider is the Purina Friskies Party Mix treats which come in egg, bacon, cheese flavor as well as a selection of other great flavors.
What Happens If Cats Eat Bacon? Side-Effects And Dangers
As much we love treating our little fur balls, giving them too much bacon can lead to both short and long-term side effects. Let’s take a look at the dangers of feeding a cat too much bacon.
1. Processed Meat:Â Numerous studies and research have proven that regular high intake of processed meat can lead to the following health issues:
- Heart disease
- Cancers of the lungs, breast, liver, and colon
- Obesity
- Diabetes.
2. High In Salt:Â If you notice in one of the tables above, you will see that 1 slice (11.7g) of bacon contains 193.7mg of sodium. Consuming a high amount of sodium can lead to the following complications in a cat:
- Frequent thirst
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Obesity
- Elevated blood pressure
- Clogged blood
3. High In Fat:Â Bacon contains a high percentage of unsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and a lot of cholesterol. Here are some of the problems and risks with a cat consuming bacon:
-
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Clogged arteries
- High blood pressure
4. Preservatives: Another big risk to your cats health is the added preservatives such as nitrates, nitrites, and nitrosamines. Research has proven that these compounds can lead to the growth of cancerous cells.
Can Kittens Eat Bacon?
Our honest opinion is to not give a kitten any bacon whatsoever. The reason for this is that a kittens digestive system is a lot weaker than an adult cats. Just a small amount of bacon could upset their stomach. Also, another big problem with this is that cats can develop a taste for bacon, which means they could refuse to eat their regular food.
This is bad enough for an adult cat, but especially bad for a kitten as it is crucial that they eat specially formulated kitten food.
Healthy Alternatives To Bacon
Here are some safe, alternative foods you can feed your cat if you are looking for a bit of variation in their diet.
• Plain and thoroughly cooked ham, beef or turkey
• Some whole grains like brown rice or barley
• Zucchini
• Celery
• Carrots
• Scrambled eggs
• Green bell peppers
• Spinach (Filled with vitamins A, C, and K!)
• Peas
• Pumpkin
• Broccol
Never use these foods as a replacement for their regular diet. Only feed in small quantities and always consult with a veterinarian before introducing new foods.
Conclusion
Just to summarise, never feed bacon to your cat on a daily basis. Too much can lead to short and long-term health issues for your kitty. Only use bacon as a treat from time to time as a reward for good behavior. Do you feed bacon to your cat? Let us know in the comments section below.
