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Your house cat would probably want to devour a hot dog or two, but can cats eat hot dogs? The answer is no; your cat cannot eat hot dogs. They are not healthy and are made from processed foods only. Read on to find out more.
Are Hot Dogs Bad for Cats?
Hot dogs are bad for cats in many ways, and one of them is their processed meat content. Cats are obligate carnivores and eat natural meat for health, growth, and development. Processed meat contains high levels of chemicals like salts, preservatives, and flavoring, which are dangerous for cats.
Another main issue that makes hot dogs bad for cats is their high-fat level. According to ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, cat food should contain high protein and low-fat content.
Feeding your puss fatty food can affect them in different ways. Like in humans, food with high-fat content can lead to weight gain and obesity in cats. Although feeding your cat a hot dog once in a while will not cause obesity, doing so regularly will result in a significant gain. Obesity in cats is dangerous as it can result in diabetes and osteoarthritis.
1. Digestion difficulties
The second issue your cat may experience because of fatty food is digestion difficulties. Your feline’s digestive system cannot deal with excess fat levels because their bodies don’t have abundant fat-digesting hormones. As a result, feeding cats fatty food, such as hot dogs, can affect their stomach and lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
2. Inflammatory Disease
Additionally, fatty foods can cause an inflammatory disease of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, whose common symptoms are abdominal pain, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Please don’t give your cat hot dogs or other food rich in fat to save them from these effects.
3. High Salt Content
Besides being fatty, hot dogs are not suitable for cats because of their high salt (sodium chloride) content. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) posits that an adult cat needs about 0.5 grams of sodium per 1,000 kcal for good health and well-being, and amounts higher than this can be harmful. On the other hand, a single hot dog contains 567 mg of sodium per serving, too high for cats.
Excess sodium content in cat food is harmful, resulting in dehydration. A high sodium level can also lead to high blood pressure and exacerbate the signs of heart disease in cats. Higher levels can have more detrimental effects like cerebral edema, coma, or death.
4. Undercooked ingredients
Some hot dogs have undercooked or raw chicken and beef that may contain harmful bacteria, such as E. Coli, Yersinia, and Salmonella, which are notorious for causing infections. Eating hot dogs with raw or undercooked meat can pose adverse health issues to your kitty.
Since all allium species can be toxic to felines, your cat shouldn’t eat hot dogs because they contain onion and garlic. That’s because consuming onions and garlic causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal system, mouth irritation, abdominal pain, nausea, and other health effects. Additionally, onions have a toxic component, N-propyl disulfide, that can cause oxidative damage to your pet’s red blood cells by attaching themselves to their oxygen molecules.
5. Choking hazard
Lastly, hot dogs are not great for cats because they are a choking hazard. Smaller cats can chock on hot dogs because of their tiny mouths and windpipes, while bigger ones can get easily chock when they swallow hot dogs without chewing them.
Food for Cats: Did You Know?
Felines are not actually picky eaters as one might think. Therefore, we have looked at several different foods and tell you if it’s safe for your cat to eat or not. Like this one: Can Cats Eat Celery?
What to Do if Cat Eats Hot Dog?
There is no cause for alarm if your cat accidentally eats a hot dog. Your kitten might experience some abdominal pain or digestive issues, but these symptoms will go away after a few hours. You should, however, take your house cat to see a pet doctor if the symptoms persist.
Be sure to provide your cat with plenty of water because the salt in the hot dog will surely leave them dehydrated and thirsty. It would be best to be on the lookout for your cat at all times to prevent them from eating hot dogs without your knowledge.
Are Hot Dogs Safe for Cats?
Again, the answer to, can cats eat hot dogs? Is no; cats cannot eat hot dogs. Avoid giving your cat hot dogs to ensure their health and safety.
