No, not all meat is good for cats and processed meat like sausage is not a great addition to your pet’s diet. While a small bite here and there will definitely not be a problem, you should not feed sausage to your cat on a regular basis.
A significant part of being a good cat parent is knowing what the cat can and cannot eat. If you wonder whether cats can eat sausages, the answer is no. This means that sharing your sausage with your feline friend is not a good idea.
It is true that cats are naturally carnivores and love to feed on different types of meat. There are also different types of sausages on the market today. These are some reasons why “can cats eat sausage?” is a common question among many cat owners.
Why your Kitten should not eat Sausage
Your cat requires essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and amino acids. Therefore, you should incorporate meat and vegetable-based meals in its diet. These foods can be in dry and wet form and should be safe for your pet.
You might notice that your cat is always after a piece of sausage every time you cook it. Sausage always tastes delicious. However, any processed meat is not safe and healthy for cats.
When companies manufacture sausages, they salt, smoke, preserve, and package red meat. The meat loses nutrients after undergoing all these stages. Moreover, the manufacturers replace essential nutrients with salt or sodium.
This processed meat contains nitrate and sulfites that felines find challenging to process. Additionally, sausages can cause inflammation. They also contain many calories that might affect your pet’s health negatively.
Research shows that the nitrate used in most processed food causes cancer in humans and animals. If your pet consumes excess salt, it is likely to have signs of diarrhea, vomiting, and experience dehydration. Sausages can also cause salt poisoning in cats.
The sulfite preservatives in sausage meat lead to thiamine deficiency. This condition can be fatal in felines, especially when consumed in high quantities.
Sausage is not safe for cats in its cooked and uncooked form. Feeding your pet this meal makes it vulnerable to Salmonella poisoning. The bacteria cause various symptoms, such as:
- Lack of appetite
- Diarrhea
- High fever
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Hemolytic anemia
In some cases, this infection spreads to vital organs and causes meningitis or pneumonia. These cases are rare, but it is good to be on the safe side by keeping sausage away from your cat.
However, some brands manufacture healthier sausages. These types are low in salt and do not contain onion and garlic powder. You can consider giving your cat a piece or two of this healthy sausage.
Alternatively, you should consider various healthy substitutes for sausage. These include liver, cooked eggs, lamb, and bananas.
If your pet loves the taste and smell of sausage, you can feed it some sausage-flavored cat foods or treats. These foods are healthy because they are made explicitly for felines.
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 Salmon?
Should Kittens Eat Sausage?
No. Kittens should not eat even the slightest amount of sausage. These tiny creatures are not fully developed and have a fragile immune system. This means that they have a higher risk of falling sick when compared to adult cats.
The toxins found in sausage can threaten your kitten’s health and life. Therefore, your kitten should stick to its regular cat diet.
What to do if Cats eat Sausage?
If you discover that your cat has picked a piece or two of sausage from your breakfast plate, you should see an experienced veterinarian immediately. These experts will determine the right actions to take to protect your feline friend from the potential illnesses that the preservatives in sausages cause.
If not treated properly and as fast as possible, the severe symptoms that sausage causes in cats can lead to organ failure or even death.
Are Sausages Safe for Cats?
No, sausage is not a safe food for cats. As a cat lover or parent, you might feel the need to spoil your feline friend with treats and delicious human foods. This is where the question, “can cats eat sausage?” arises.
As a responsible pet parent, you should prioritize their health, happiness, and well-being by avoiding giving them processed meat like sausage. If you insist on incorporating sausage in its diet, ensure that it is a health-conscious brand that does not contain salt, onions, garlic, and preservatives.
Conclusion – Can Cats Eat Sausage?
In conclusion, cats are carnivores and need meat to survive. However, not all meat is safe for these beautiful creatures. Your feline friend should not eat sausage because it can make it vulnerable to life-threatening conditions and illnesses.
