Ham is a delicious snack that tastes great on a sandwich, especially when combined with cheese, and cats seem to love it! The question is, can cats eat ham and is it safe for them?
Some people may think this is straight forward because cats are carnivores and eat meat. Although ham does contain protein, domesticated cats process foods different to humans, so certain human foods may may them sick or even be toxic.
Cats require a specially formulated diet made up of animal proteins as well as other essential nutrients. The problem with ham, especially the packs of ham that is used for sandwiches are processed meat the often contains additional ingredients that can wreak havoc on a cats digestive system.
So can cats eat ham? Is it safe and what are the side-effects? Lets find out.
Can Cats Eat Ham?
Technically yes, cats can eat ham as it isn’t toxic for them, providing you only feed a small amount as an occasional treat. Ham is not an essential part of a cats diet, is high in fat and salt, so for these reasons should never be used as a replacement for a cats regular meals.
You should never feed ham to your cat if it has been cooked with additional seasonings which can upset a cats digestion and make them sick. Especially garlic or onions which are on the ASCPA’s list of people foods to avoid feeding your pets as they are toxic to felines.
Can Cats Eat Raw Ham?
Feeding cats raw meat has become very popular amongst pet owners. The idea behind this is you are replicating the way your cat would eat out in the wild. This would then in turn make them happier and healthier. So can you feed your cat raw ham?
The main problem with cats eating raw ham is that they become susceptible to enteropathogens which could cause salmonellosis and clostridial diarrhea. Both the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association advise that giving your cat raw or uncooked meat is a bad idea.
Can Cats Eat Bacon?
If you cook bacon on a morning you will find that your cat follow you around looking for a nibble. Bacon not only smells good to your cat but also tastes very good. The problem lies in the fact that bacon contains high volumes of fat, grease, and salt. It is highly recommended that you do not give your cat any bacon at all.
Can Cats Eat Pork?
With bacon and ham both being pork, another popular question people will ask is can cats eat pork?. Feeding your cat raw pork can cause illness because of Salmonella and E. coli. It can also contain parasitic worms that lead to infectious diseases such as trichinosis.
Does Ham Have Any Benefits For Cats?
There are a few benefits of giving ham as a treat on the odd occasion to your cat. If your cat is generally healthy, then the sodium levels found in processed ham won’t pose much of a threat. Some of the benefits include:
- Provides natural animal protein.
- Ham contains taurine which is another essential ingredient for cats.
- Vitamin B6
- A nice occasional treat.
- Great for training purposes and learning new tricks.
Side Effects of Your Cat Eating Ham
The high salt content found in ham can be bad for your cats health. As with humans, sodium in itself is not harmful, but they should never have too much of it. Sodium is actually an important electrolyte which plays an important role not only in a cats fluid balance, but it also regulates several organ systems. A result of excess sodium includes:
- Excessive thirst
- Lethargy
- Poor appetite
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Behavior changes
- Internal bleeding
Another problem with ham is the fat and calorie content. Veterinarians recommend that treats and human foods should not take up any more than 10 percent of a cats daily calorie intake. Here’s where the problem lies.
Just one slice of deli ham contains around 46 calories which is the equivalent to 20 percent of a cats daily calorie intake. So just one slice will push the daily calorie intake over the threshold.
The average domestic cat requires 240-300 calories per day. So if you are feeding a lot of ham to your cat, along with their regular daily meals, the calories build up. This can lead to weight gain and long-term health issues such as obesity.
Each and every cat is very different with their own unique personality and different levels of tolerance to human foods. Some cats will be able to tolerate ham more than others. Some cats may experience the following symptoms after consuming ham:
- Inappetence (not eating)
- Lethargy/Sluggishness
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Hiding
If you are concerned in the slightest, don’t hesitate to contact a veterinarian for advice.
Can Kittens Eat Ham
We have looked at the question of “can cats eat ham”? but can kittens eat ham? With the information provided so far, the answer to this one is pretty obvious, but let’s take a look at it in more detail.
As a kittens digestive system is not fully developed, it is far more fragile and delicate than the digestive system of an adult cat. With this in mind, it’s obvious that feeding ham to a kitten can be more dangerous, and should be avoided. It’s best to just stick to regular kitten food which provides a balanced diet and all of the nutrients needed.
What Foods Can’t My Cat Eat?
You may also be wondering what other foods you cat can’t eat. Here’s a list of other foods which should not be given to your cat:
- Grapes
- Onions
- Garlic
- Raisins
- Avocados
- Kelp
- Anything containing xylitol, an artificial sweetener
- Chocolate
- Sugary treats
Alternative Healthy Snacks For Your Cat
Here are some choices of healthy alternatives you can give your cat in place of ham. All cats are unique and have very different personalities, so you may have to to experiment with these to see which ones your cat likes.
- Some whole grains like brown rice or barley
- Zucchini
- Celery (they love the crunch!)
- Carrots
- Scrambled eggs
- Green bell peppers
- Spinach
- Peas
- Pumpkin
It’s stated by experts that treats should only take up 10-15% of their daily diet, even if they are protein treats. Properly formulated cat food should take up a large majority of their daily diet which will provide them with balanced nutrition.
Popular Questions
Can cats have ham as a treat?
Giving ham to cats as a treat is the best way to serve it to them. A small amount of ham as an occasional treat is best, and ham should never be used as a replacement for a cats regular meals.
Is Ham toxic to cats?
Ham is not toxic to cats and is perfectly fine for them to consume in moderation. Ham only becomes toxic if it is served with additional seasonings such as garlic or onions.
How much ham can a cat eat?
It’s recommended to feed no more than half a slice of plain, unseasoned ham to your cat, every two to three days.
Why do cats like ham so much?
With cats being obligate carnivores, meat in the form of animal protein is an essential part of their daily diet, which is why they crave all kinds of meat such as ham, chicken and corned beef.
Can Cats Eat Ham Conclusion
Can cats eat ham? Just to summarise, it’s perfectly safe to give a bite or two of ham to your cat as occasional treat as it is not toxic. As ham is such a tasty treat, it’s also a good weapon to use when giving a cat medication.
Just be aware that ham should never contain additional seasoning that could be toxic to your cat such as garlic and onions. Also, ham should never be used as a meal replacement.
