Can Cats Eat Bacon?

Cats should not eat bacon as a treat. A tiny bite of plain, cooked bacon is unlikely to harm a healthy cat. But bacon is very salty and very fatty, and cats don’t need either. Raw bacon is the riskier choice.

Why is bacon a poor treat for cats?

Bacon has two problems: salt and fat.

Salt. Too much salt can make a cat sick. Pet Poison Helpline says salt poisoning causes vomiting and diarrhea. In bad cases it also causes stumbling, tremors, seizures, and death. The ASPCA adds that salt makes pets thirstier and makes them pee more. Pet Poison Helpline’s page lists things like salt dough and road salt, and doesn’t name bacon. But bacon is a cured, salty meat, and a cat’s body is small.

Fat. The ASPCA warns that high-fat foods can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes pancreatitis in pets. Pancreatitis is a painful swelling of the pancreas, an organ that helps with digestion. The ASPCA makes that point about nuts, not bacon. Still, bacon is mostly fat, so the same worry applies. The Merck Veterinary Manual says the cause of pancreatitis in cats often can’t be found, so no single food is the only reason.

Cornell’s Feline Health Center says cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need nutrients found only in animal foods. That doesn’t mean any meat is a good choice. A balanced cat food covers what your cat needs. The Merck Veterinary Manual says to avoid table scraps.

What if my cat only ate a small piece?

One small piece of plain, cooked bacon is not a reason to panic for most healthy cats. We didn’t find a vet source that gives a safe amount, so we can’t give you a number. Watch your cat for the next day. Call your vet if you see vomiting, diarrhea, low energy, or a cat that won’t eat.

Be more careful if your cat is small, old, a kitten, or has a health problem. Ask your vet before sharing any people food.

Signs of trouble to watch for

Pancreatitis can be hard to spot in cats. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists these signs:

• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Tiredness
• Belly pain
• Dehydration
• Yellow skin or gums (jaundice)

Some cats show no signs at all. Merck says early care helps prevent bigger problems. So call a vet if your cat seems off after eating something rich.

Other kinds of bacon

Can cats eat raw bacon?

No. Raw bacon is riskier than cooked. The Merck Veterinary Manual says raw meat is not safe for cats. Cornell agrees, saying raw meat can spread toxoplasmosis and other infections. Merck also says Trichinella worms are mainly linked to pork. Cats catch them by eating meat with the worm cysts in it. Cooking meat to the right heat helps prevent this. Merck gives 145°F (63°C) for roasts and 160°F (71°C) for ground meat, but it doesn’t give a temperature for bacon. Most infected animals show no signs, so you can’t count on seeing a problem.

If your cat ate a bit of raw bacon, watch closely and call your vet for advice.

Can cats eat cooked bacon?

Cooked bacon is the lesser risk, but it is still salty and fatty. If you give any, make it a tiny, plain piece with no seasoning or sauce, and only once in a while. Let it cool first.

Can cats eat turkey bacon?

Turkey bacon is not a better choice. We didn’t find a veterinary source that says it is safe or that it is better than pork bacon. Check the label for salt and added flavors. Because we can’t confirm it is safer, treat it the same as regular bacon: a tiny bite at most.

Safer treats for cats

Choose treats made for cats, or a tiny amount of plain, fully cooked meat with no salt or seasoning. Raw meat is not a good option. Cornell says treats should stay under 10 to 15 percent of a cat’s daily calories.

Cats can also get into other kitchen foods. See our guide to foods that are toxic to cats, or read about whether cats can eat cheese.