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Beef can be a part of a healthy diet, and you can enjoy it as steak, burgers, and more! But sometimes, you may need to toss raw beef in the trash. What happens if your cat happens to find that raw beef? Will it make her sick?
Has your cat eaten raw beef? Are you worried that raw beef 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 raw beef and whether it can make a cat sick. Let’s get started!
What is Raw Beef?
Raw beef is meat that comes from a cow. It may be ground, cut into steaks, or other parts. Some people love to eat raw beef, while others prefer it cooked.
Raw or cooked beef is an excellent source of nutrients, including:
- Iron
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Zinc
- Copper
- Selenium
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Choline
- Vitamin B6
While cooked or raw beef can be eaten by humans, what about cats? Can raw beef make a cat sick?
Raw Beef & Cats
First, we must remind you that cats are descended from wild cats who preyed on other animals. In other words, they ate raw meat. Our domesticated cats may still hunt and eat raw meat today! So, cats are made to digest raw meat. But what about raw beef?
Our feline friends do need plenty of protein in their diets; however, raw beef is not highly recommended for them. Raw beef, especially ground meat, can carry specific pathogens that can make a cat pretty sick. What’s more, if the raw beef has been unrefrigerated for an extended period (such as meat thrown in the trash), there’s a higher chance it will make a cat sick.
So, it’s not recommended that cats eat raw beef. There are exceptions to this, but that’s for another article!
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Raw Beef Ingestion in Cats
You may notice these symptoms if your cat has eaten raw beef:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Depression
- And more
If you notice these or other symptoms in your cat, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Treatment of Raw Beef Ingestion in Cats
If the vet diagnoses your fur baby with some type of food poisoning, they will give her medications to stop vomiting and diarrhea. The vet may also give your fur baby an IV for fluids (to rehydrate her) and to administer medications. They will treat other symptoms as they arise.
For cases of uncomplicated food poisoning, your feline companion will be allowed to go home. However, for more serious cases, your cat may need to be hospitalized until she’s in stable condition.
The prognosis is best for cats that receive prompt treatment after eating raw beef. In the future, it’s a good idea to keep raw beef out of your cat’s reach. Cooked meat is a safer option. You’ll both be happier for it!
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