Can Cats Eat Ham?

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

Why ham isn’t a great food for cats

It can be very salty

The ASPCA advises 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 body’s balance of minerals in the blood. The ASPCA lists vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures as possible signs of too much salt.

Pet Poison Helpline lists the same kinds of problems in cats: vomiting, diarrhea, wobbly walking, confusion, tremors, and seizures. The Merck Veterinary Manual adds that salt poisoning is tied to water. It is unlikely when an animal has plenty of fresh water. A small bite of ham is not the same as eating a bowl of salt. Still, the sources we read give no safe amount of ham for cats, so a tiny taste is the limit.

Cats don’t need it

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

What kinds of ham are worse?

Ham with a glaze, garlic, or onion

This is the main danger. The Merck Veterinary Manual says cats are the most sensitive animals to onion and garlic. Raw, cooked, dried, and powdered forms can all cause harm. Powders, flakes, and dry soup mixes are the most concentrated. Garlic is 3 to 5 times more toxic than onion, according to Merck.

Merck says problems have happened with less than a teaspoon of cooked onion. These plants damage red blood cells, which can lead to a low blood count called anemia. Signs may start several days later. Look for tiredness, not eating, fast breathing, weakness, and yellow skin or gums.

Ham bones

Don’t give your cat a ham bone. The ASPCA warns that cats and dogs can be hurt by bones, or a bone can block the stomach or gut. This may need surgery. The ASPCA also says to remove all bones from any meat you share.

Deli ham and lunch meat

Deli ham is a processed meat, so the ASPCA’s advice to avoid it applies. If your cat grabs a small piece, don’t panic. Offer fresh water and watch for upset stomach.

If you still want to share a bite

The ASPCA says small amounts of lean cooked meat with no bones or seasoning are okay. Plain cooked chicken or turkey fits that better than ham does. If you do share ham:

• Make it tiny, a small piece the size of a pea.
• Keep it plain, with no glaze, garlic, onion, or spices.
• Take off all bones.
• Do it only once in a while, not every day.
• Ask your vet first if your cat has health problems.

What to do if your cat ate ham

1. Find out what was on it. Check the label or ask who cooked it. Look for garlic, onion, and glaze.
2. Give fresh water.
3. Watch your cat for a day or two. Call your vet if your cat vomits, has diarrhea, seems wobbly, shakes, or is very tired.
4. Call right away if the ham had garlic or onion, or if your cat swallowed a bone.

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. If your cat likes to beg for human food, see can cats eat cheese? and can cats eat eggs?.