Who doesn’t love bacon? The smell is enough to make you hungry just about any time! And the same goes for our cats. Our feline friends also enjoy the aroma of bacon cooking on the stove! But can cats have bacon?
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Has your cat eaten some bacon? Are you worried the bacon will make her sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll take a look at bacon and whether or not it’s safe for your cat. Let’s get started!
What is Bacon?
Bacon is a type of meat that comes from a pig’s back or belly. The meat is salted to cure (preserve) the meat. It can be enjoyed on its own or as an ingredient in dishes of all kinds! Bacon goes with just about anything!
While many pet parents enjoy bacon, it’s not something that should be eaten too often. The reason is that bacon contains high amounts of fat and salt. The fat in bacon is healthy, though it shouldn’t be eaten too often due to the number of calories it contains. Salt, on the other hand, is a problem. Too much salt can cause problems with the cardiovascular system. It can cause high blood pressure and more.
But is bacon safe for cats? Can bacon make cats sick?
Bacon & Cats
So, is bacon safe for cats? Yes, bacon is safe for cats; however, it should only be enjoyed as a once-in-a-while treat. We’ll take a look at the reasons in just a moment.
If your cat has eaten a small piece of bacon, she should be OK. It is possible that a cat with a sensitive stomach could experience some digestive upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), but that’s rare.
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Ask a Vet Live NowBacon Every Day for Cats is Not Recommended
OK, now we’re ready to take a look at why cats should not eat bacon every day. The main reason a cat shouldn’t have bacon too often is that the meat is high in fat and salt. Both of these can cause health problems in cats.
When cats have too much salt in their diet, they can develop health issues similar to pet parents. These include high blood pressure, salt poisoning, clogged vessels (due to high amounts of cholesterol), and more.
Another problem with bacon is that it contains high amounts of fat. Cats are omnivores; however, they require leaner meat. Too much fat in the cat’s diet can lead to digestive problems. Over time, if a cat eats too much fat, they can become obese.
So, if your cat has eaten a small piece of bacon, or even an entire slice, she will be OK. However, try to keep her from accessing bacon on a regular basis, as it could make her sick and/or obese.
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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