Can Cats Eat Beef Jerky?

Beef jerky is not a good snack for cats. Plain beef is not toxic to cats, but jerky is very salty, and many kinds are seasoned with onion or garlic. Both can make a cat sick. One tiny, plain piece is unlikely to cause harm, but skip it and pick a better treat.

Why is beef jerky bad for cats?

Jerky is dried meat, and it is usually cured or soaked in salty seasoning. Salt is the main worry. The Merck Veterinary Manual says too much salt can make pets sick, mostly when they don’t have enough fresh water to drink. Pet Poison Helpline says a salt overdose can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stumbling, tremors, seizures, and even death.

Jerky is not one of the sources those pages list. They name things like salt-dough crafts and salt water. Still, jerky packs a lot of salt into a small, chewy piece, and a cat is a small animal. That is our reason to keep it away from cats. The sources don’t give a safe amount of jerky for cats.

Then there is the seasoning. Onion and garlic powder are common in jerky flavors and marinades. The ASPCA says onion and garlic can irritate the stomach and damage red blood cells. That can lead to anemia, which means the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Pet Poison Helpline also lists garlic and onion as causes of vomiting, diarrhea, and red blood cell changes.

Check the label. If you see onion, garlic, or “spices” you can’t identify, treat the jerky as unsafe for your cat.

Is plain beef okay for cats?

Cats are obligate carnivores, says the Cornell Feline Health Center. That means they need nutrients that come only from animal foods. So meat itself is not the problem. The problem with jerky is the salt and the seasoning added to it.

What are the signs of too much salt or onion?

Watch your cat for these signs after it eats jerky:

• Throwing up or diarrhea
• Loss of appetite or acting very tired
• Stumbling, acting confused, or tremors
• Seizures or collapse (an emergency)
• Weakness, tiredness, or pale gums (these can point to anemia)

Pet Poison Helpline lists vomiting, diarrhea, stumbling, tremors, and seizures for salt. Anemia is the problem the ASPCA links to onion and garlic, and pale gums and tiredness can go with it. Signs can take time to show up, so keep watching your cat for the rest of the day.

What should I do if my cat ate beef jerky?

1. Take away any jerky that is left. Check the package for onion, garlic, and how much is missing.
2. Make sure your cat has fresh water. The Merck Veterinary Manual says salt poisoning is tied to water, and that it is unlikely when fresh drinking water is available.
3. Call your vet or a poison hotline if your cat ate more than a nibble, if the jerky had onion or garlic, or if your cat acts sick. Have the package ready.

Don’t try to make your cat vomit at home unless a vet says to. Pet Poison Helpline warns that salt should never be used for this.

What about flavored jerky?

Teriyaki, peppered, and barbecue jerky usually have more seasoning. That raises the chance of salt and onion or garlic. Keep these away from your cat.

What can I give my cat instead?

Plain meat with no salt or seasoning is a better choice than jerky, and so are cat treats made for cats. Cornell says treats should not be more than about 10 to 15 percent of a cat’s daily calories. Always keep clean, fresh water out for your cat.

Want to see what else is risky? Read our list of foods that are toxic to cats. Salty meat questions also come up with bacon and ham.