What Happens if a Cat Eats Raw Bacon? The Good, the Bad, and the Dangerous

Bacon is one of those human foods that seems irresistible to cats The smell of sizzling bacon is enough to get cats begging for a bite While the occasional scrap may not cause problems, raw bacon can be risky and even dangerous for cats. Here’s a detailed look at what happens when cats eat raw bacon, the potential benefits, the dangers, and how much is safe.

Why Cats Love Bacon

Cats have a strong sense of smell, much better than humans. The tempting aroma of bacon drives their appetite wild In addition, bacon has a rich, fatty taste that cats crave due to their obligate carnivore status. While they need meat in their diet, bacon may not be the healthiest choice Here are some of the factors that draw cats to bacon

• Smell: Bacon has an intense, smoky, salty, meaty scent that cats find irresistible. Their powerful sense of smell draws them to new and appealing food sources.

• Taste: The fatty marbling and rich, savory flavor of bacon make it tasty to cats. The smokey flavor and saltiness add to the appeal.

• Texture: The crispiness and meaty chew of bacon is attractive to cats who enjoy a combination of soft and crunchy textures when they eat.

• Fat content: Since cats are obligate carnivores, they crave meat and fat. The high fat content in bacon replicates the nutrition of whole prey.

• Curiosity: Cats want to explore and taste-test any new, unfamiliar human foods they discover. The novelty of bacon captures their curiosity.

While it’s understandable for cats to be drawn to bacon, it does not mean bacon is good for them. The high fat and salt content makes bacon a unhealthy choice for cats, especially if they eat it raw.

Is Raw Bacon Safe for Cats?

In general, raw bacon is not recommended for cats. Here’s an overview of the potential benefits and risks:

Potential Benefits

• Meat-based protein: Bacon provides protein from pork, an animal-derived source cats need.

• Fat content: The fat in bacon delivers concentrated energy and satisfies cats’ higher fat requirement.

• Thiamine: Bacon contains some thiamine, a B vitamin crucial for cats. Deficiency causes neurological problems.

• Flavors/aromas: The smell and taste of bacon is very appealing and stimulating for cats.

• Novelty factor: Trying new human foods like bacon provides cats with sensory enrichment.

Potential Risks

• High fat: Too much fat from bacon can cause gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, and pancreatitis.

• Salt content: Bacon contains added salt that is unhealthy for cats and may contribute to hypertension.

• Nitrates/nitrites: These bacon preservatives and color-enhancers can be toxic to cats.

• Bacteria/parasites: Raw pork may contain Salmonella, E. coli, Toxoplasma gondii, and other pathogens.

• Gastrointestinal issues: Raw bacon is hard for cats to digest properly and may cause vomiting, diarrhea, constipation.

• Choking hazard: The thick, chewy texture of raw bacon poses a choking risk for cats.

• Nutritional imbalance: Bacon alone does not provide complete, balanced nutrition for cats.

In light of the potential dangers, most veterinarians recommend against feeding raw bacon to cats on a regular basis. An occasional scrap of cooked bacon given as a treat is safer and more appropriate.

How Much Raw Bacon Can a Cat Eat Safely?

When it comes to raw bacon, moderation is key for cats. While an occasional nibble likely won’t cause harm, regular consumption of raw bacon can be detrimental. Here are some general guidelines for how much is safe:

• For a 10-pound cat, limit bacon to 1⁄2 strip once a week or less. Adjust the amount based on your cat’s weight. Smaller cats should get less.

• Always monitor your cat when giving bacon to prevent choking. Cut it into bite-sized pieces.

• Cook bacon thoroughly before feeding more than the occasional strip to kill bacteria.

• Feed only lean, preservative-free bacon in strict moderation. Avoid bacon grease/fat trimmings.

• Bacon should never exceed more than 10% of your cat’s total daily calories. It’s a treat, not a dietary staple.

• Discontinue feeding bacon if your cat experiences any gastrointestinal upset or other symptoms.

• Don’t feed bacon every day. No more than once a week is recommended, if at all.

Your cat may beg for bacon daily after that first tantalizing taste. But resist the pleading eyes and limit it to a few small, lean, cooked pieces only occasionally. Overindulging in fatty bacon can have lasting consequences.

What Happens if a Cat Eats Raw Bacon?

Eating raw bacon may satisfy your cat’s cravings temporarily, but it comes with considerable health risks. Here’s what might happen if your cat consumes raw bacon:

• Nausea or vomiting: The high fat content of bacon is difficult for cats to digest, potentially causing nausea or vomiting several hours after eating.

• Diarrhea: Related to nausea and digestion issues, diarrhea is another possible side effect of raw bacon. Your cat may have loose stools or gastrointestinal distress from raw pork fat.

• Pancreatitis: Bacon’s high fat level puts cats at risk for developing the painful inflammation of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. Any greasy table scraps can trigger this.

• Constipation: While some cats get diarrhea from fatty foods, others become constipated. The dense pork fat in raw bacon may lead to difficult, infrequent bowel movements.

• Obesity: Feeding raw bacon frequently will greatly increase your cat’s fat and calorie intake, likely causing obesity over time. Extra weight stresses joints and organs.

• Food poisoning: Pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli from raw pork may cause food poisoning in cats. Diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and other symptoms may develop.

• Toxoplasmosis: The parasite Toxoplasma gondii in raw pork can infect cats and cause toxoplasmosis. Flu-like symptoms occur before the parasite lies dormant in tissue.

• Choking risk: Attempting to quickly gobble down fatty raw bacon increases cats’ risk for choking. Always monitor your cat when eating any treat.

• Nutritional imbalance: Bacon alone is not a complete diet. Regularly feeding it may lead to deficiencies or excesses of certain nutrients.

• Pancreatitis or other conditions: Prolonged high fat intake from bacon may increase or exacerbate issues like pancreatitis, especially in vulnerable cats.

While a single piece of bacon may not cause immediate issues in an otherwise healthy cat, regularly feeding raw bacon can have cumulative detrimental effects over time. It’s best reserved for an occasional cooked treat in strict moderation.

Signs Your Cat Ate Too Much Raw Bacon

If you notice any of the following signs after your cat ate raw bacon, it likely consumed too much:

• Repeated vomiting or gagging

• Loose, greasy stools or diarrhea

• Difficulty defecating or constipation

• Reduced appetite or refusing food

• Hunched posture, lethargy, or other signs of abdominal pain

• Increased thirst or urination

• Weight gain

• Coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing if choking occurred

• Pink or red color in vomit (digested blood)

• Fever, decreased body temperature, shivering

• Evidence of parasites in vomit or stool

If you observe any concerning symptoms within a day or two of your cat eating bacon, call your veterinarian right away, especially with signs like vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing. An exam and treatment may be needed. Provide details on how much raw bacon was ingested.

With prompt veterinary treatment, your cat has good chances of making a full recovery after eating raw bacon. However, discuss safe treat options going forward and keep bacon off the menu for your cat’s long-term wellbeing.

Can Cats Eat Cooked Bacon?

While raw bacon is generally risky, many cats enjoy small amounts of cooked bacon in moderation. Here’s what to know about feeding cooked bacon to cats:

• Cook thoroughly to 165°F internal temperature to kill bacteria and parasites. This renders the bacon safer.

• Choose bacon without added nitrates/nitrites to limit toxins. Opt for preservative-free brands.

• Remove all visible fat/grease after cooking. The lean meat portion is safest for cats.

• Cut cooked bacon into tiny, bite-sized pieces to reduce choking risk. Monitor your cat while eating.

• Limit portion to 1/2 strip bacon per 10 lbs body weight once weekly at most. Adjust amount accordingly.

• Stop feeding bacon if you notice any symptoms of gastrointestinal upset, pancreatitis, etc.

• Always combine bacon treats with your cat’s regular, balanced diet. Do not replace meals.

Cooked bacon given sparingly may be tolerated by some cats. However, it’s best to discuss treat options with your veterinarian to find safer alternatives without so much fat or sodium. Things like boiled chicken, tuna, or plain meat baby food make healthier choices.

Preventing Cats from Eating Raw Bacon

Since bacon can be hazardous to cats, keeping it away from them is wise. Here are some tips to prevent your cat from accessing and eating raw bacon:

• Store uncooked bacon sealed in the refrigerator or freezer away from where cats can reach.

• Keep cats out of the kitchen when cooking bacon or let bacon cool separately. The smell may entice them.

• Cook bacon in the microwave when possible rather than the stovetop. Less tempting aroma.

• Feed cats their normal meals before cooking bacon so they’re less likely to beg.

• Discourage bacon stealing behaviors with a firm “no.” Redirect to appropriate toys or treats.

• Carefully clean up and dispose of any bacon grease spills so cats aren’t tempted to lick.

• Give your cat a dedicated spot to relax a safe distance from cooking.

• Cover trash cans containing bacon products to keep cats from rummaging.

• If you catch your cat swiping bacon, examine its stool for the next few days for symptoms.

• Keep counters and tables wiped down after preparing bacon. Cats jump up when you’re not looking.

With planning and diligent monitoring, you can largely keep tempting raw bacon safely away from curious cats. Cook bacon fully for rare treats. Say no to sharing raw pork.

Should You Give Bacon to Your Cat?

In the end, it’s generally not recommended or worth the risks to feed bacon to cats, whether cooked or raw. The high fat, sodium, and potential bacteria make bacon an unhealthy human food treat choice for cats. No nutritional benefits outweigh the dangers. While the occasional small scrap of cooked bacon won’t harm most cats, it’s better avoided altogether.

Cats naturally crave meat, but they don’t need bacon specifically. Discuss healthier, low-sodium treat options with your veterinarian or stick with cat treats made for feline diets and digestive needs. Your cat will appreciate some cooked chicken or fish just as much! Avoid feeding raw bacon or large portions of any fatty human foods to keep your cat safe and healthy for years to come.