Can Cats Eat Bacon?

The short answer: Yes, but it is not recommended.

The long answer: A type of salt-cured pork taken from various meat cuts, bacon is a fatty dish that can be eaten as is or mixed in to add flavour to other dishes. Though cats should have a diet that is high in protein, it’s not a good idea to serve them cooked bacon on a regular basis. Bacon is loaded with sodium, fat, cholesterol, and phosphate, which are not good for them. Plus, some of the seasonings and preservatives used to cure and flavour the bacon might be lethal for cats.

Some people suggest hiding pills within a small piece of cooked bacon, or giving bacon as a treat after a visit to the veterinarian. These instances are okay as long as they are done occasionally, and you get your veterinarian’s consent. Eating bacon with regularity can cause your cat to suffer from dehydration, high blood pressure, obesity, clogged blood vessels, and salt poisoning.

As for raw bacon, speak to your vet before offering it to your cat. Raw bacon may be okay for consumption only if it is fresh and uncured. There’s also an issue of making sure the raw meat does not have bacteria, or else it might end up harming your cat.

What to do if your cat accidentally eats bacon: Check your bacon package for the ingredients used to season the meat. Watch for symptoms of excessive thirst, decreased appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy (signs of salt poisoning), weakness, high heart rate, panting, and blood in urine (signs of garlic or onion poisoning).

In summary: Bacon may be given to your cat as a rare treat. High in sodium and fat, it is not good for your cat to consume these indulgent treats all the time. Do not replace your high-quality cat food with raw or cooked bacon, or your cat will end up suffering from health complications. Instead of bacon, feed your cat properly prepared and cooked pork.