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Bacon sizzling on the stove for breakfast or cooked over a campfire. No matter how it’s cooked, bacon smells great. It’s enough to bring most people running, along with cats, too! Everybody wants to eat that bacon. But what happens if a cat eats raw bacon?
Has your cat eaten raw bacon? Are you worried the raw bacon will make your cat sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your cat eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about bacon and whether it can make a cat sick. Let’s get started!
What is Bacon?
Bacon is a type of salt-cured pork made from various cuts of pork meat. This may include the belly and other less fatty pieces of the back. Bacon can be eaten alone (often for breakfast), as a side dish, or as an ingredient in other dishes.
The meat used to make bacon is usually cured by smoking or curing.
While bacon is considered safe for humans (in moderation), what happens if a cat eats bacon?
Bacon & Cats
Unfortunately, bacon can make a cat sick. The main problem is that this meat contains a high amount of fat. For this reason, bacon may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite in cats.
Moreover, some bacon is not cured, meaning the meat is raw. Raw bacon may carry certain bacteria and parasites that can make a cat sick.
Bacon is not toxic to cats, and a small piece of cured bacon won’t hurt your fur baby. However, too much bacon can cause pancreatitis, salt poisoning, and more.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Bacon Ingestion in Cats
You may notice these symptoms if your cat eats bacon:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Tremors or seizures
- Difficulty breathing
- Disorientation
- And more
If you notice these or other symptoms in your cat, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Treatment of Raw Bacon Ingestion in Cats
Treatment depends on the vet’s diagnosis. In some cases, the vet may choose to decontaminate your cat’s system by inducing vomiting and using activated charcoal. In addition, the vet may also give your cat an IV for fluids and to administer medications. They will also treat any other symptoms as they arise.
If your fur baby is in stable condition after treatment, the vet may allow her to go home. However, if she’s still having trouble, your fur baby may need to be hospitalized until she’s feeling better.
The prognosis is best for cats who receive prompt medical care. In the future, it’s a good idea to keep bacon out of your cat’s reach! You’ll both be happier for it!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
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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