Can Cats Eat Corned Beef?

A tiny bite of plain corned beef is unlikely to hurt a healthy cat, but it is not a good treat. Corned beef is beef preserved with salt, and the ASPCA says processed meats can be high in salt. Keep it to a small taste once in a while, with no onion, garlic, or bones.

Why corned beef isn’t a great food for cats

It is salty

Corned beef is made by curing beef in salt. The ASPCA tells people to skip processed meats like lunch meat and bacon because they can be high in salt. Too much salt can make pets very thirsty and make them pee more. It can also upset the balance of minerals in the blood.

Pet Poison Helpline says too much salt can make a cat dehydrated, which means short on body water. It can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures. In bad cases it can lead to death.

The Merck Veterinary Manual points out that salt poisoning is closely tied to water. It is unlikely when an animal has fresh water and healthy body systems. A tiny bite is not the same as a bowl of salt. Still, the sources we read give no safe amount of corned beef for cats. A tiny taste is the limit.

Cats don’t need it

Cats are obligate carnivores. That means they need nutrients that only come from animal products. A complete and balanced cat food already gives your cat what it needs. Cornell says treats should be given only once in a while and should stay under 10 to 15 percent of a cat’s daily calories. Corned beef is just a salty extra.

Rich food can upset the stomach

The ASPCA warns that people food is often high in fat, and too much can cause pancreatitis. That is a painful swelling of the pancreas, an organ near the stomach. The ASPCA does not say how much fat in corned beef is too much, so this is another reason to keep it tiny.

What dishes with corned beef are worse?

Corned beef with onion or garlic

This is the biggest danger in a typical meal. Corned beef is often cooked or served with other foods, and some of them may have onion or garlic. The ASPCA says onions, garlic, and chives can upset the gut and damage red blood cells, which can lead to a low blood count called anemia. It says cats are more likely than dogs to be hurt by them.

Check how the meat was cooked and what it was served with before you share any.

Canned corned beef and corned beef hash

We did not find a source that names these foods. The same worries apply, though: salt, fat, and sometimes onion. Skip them. If your cat gets into hash, check the label or ingredients for onion or garlic and call your vet if it has them.

Bones and raw meat

Don’t give your cat bones. The ASPCA says small amounts of lean cooked meat are okay only if they have no bones and no seasoning. Cornell also says raw meat is not recommended for cats, because it can carry infections.

If you still want to share a bite

• Make it tiny, a piece about the size of a pea.
• Choose plain, with no onion, garlic, sauce, or spices.
• Remove fat and bones.
• Do it only once in a while, not every day.
• Ask your vet first if your cat has health problems, such as kidney trouble.

What to do if your cat ate corned beef

1. Find out what was in it. Check for onion, garlic, sauce, and bones.
2. Make sure fresh water is available.
3. Watch your cat for a day or two. Call your vet if your cat throws up, has diarrhea, drinks and pees much more than usual, shakes, or seems very tired.
4. Call right away if there was onion or garlic, if your cat swallowed a bone, or if your cat ate a large amount.

Better treats for your cat

• Treats made for cats
• A few pieces of your cat’s regular food, given as a reward
• A small piece of plain cooked chicken or turkey with no bones or seasoning

Keep all treats to a small part of your cat’s day. For foods that are truly dangerous, see our guide to foods that are toxic to cats. For similar questions, see can cats eat ham? and can cats eat beef?.