Can Cats Eat Pork Rinds?

Pork rinds are not a good snack for cats. A cat that steals one bite will most likely be fine. But the sources I read warn about salt, fat, and onion or garlic seasonings, and many snack foods have them. Skip pork rinds, and check the label if your cat got into a bag.

Why are pork rinds a poor snack for cats?

The Merck Veterinary Manual says cats are meat eaters, so you might think a meaty snack is fine. But the same page says to avoid giving table scraps. Cats do best on a complete and balanced cat food, and a snack bag is neither.

I did not find a veterinary source that talks about pork rinds by name. So the advice here comes from what the sources say about salt, fat, and seasonings. Those are the things that make this snack a poor choice.

Salt

The ASPCA says too much salt can make a pet very thirsty, make them pee more, and upset the balance of minerals in the blood. In larger amounts it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, and seizures. In severe cases it can lead to death.

The Merck Veterinary Manual says salt poisoning is unlikely when fresh water is always available. So keep your cat’s water bowl full. A single bite is not the same as a big dose. But a cat that eats a lot of a salty snack is a reason to call your vet.

Fat

The ASPCA says fatty foods like nuts can cause vomiting and diarrhea in pets, and in some pets may lead to pancreatitis. That is a painful swelling of the pancreas, an organ that helps with digestion.

To be clear, the Merck Veterinary Manual says the cause of pancreatitis in cats is usually unknown, and it does not name fatty food as a cause. Even so, a greasy snack gives your cat nothing it needs.

Onion and garlic seasonings

Flavored pork rinds may have seasoning mixes. The ASPCA says onion, garlic, and chives can upset the stomach and damage red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. It says cats are more at risk than dogs. If you can’t read the ingredients, treat the snack as unsafe.

What should I do if my cat ate pork rinds?

1. Take the bag away and check the label for onion, garlic, or chives.
2. Note how much was eaten. The ASPCA asks you to have this ready when you call.
3. Give fresh water and watch your cat.
4. Call your vet or a poison hotline if your cat ate more than a bite or two, or ate a flavored kind.

Signs to watch for include vomiting, diarrhea, being very thirsty, peeing more, being tired, and not wanting to eat. Shaking or seizures need a vet right away. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists the pancreatitis signs as tiredness, not eating, vomiting, belly pain, and a yellow tint to the skin or gums. Call your vet if you see any of them.

What can I give my cat instead?

Plain, fully cooked meat with no salt, oil, or seasoning is a better treat. See our guides on plain cooked chicken and plain pork. Cornell says treats are fine once in a while, but should stay at about 10 to 15 percent of your cat’s daily calories. Cornell also calls obesity the most common nutrition problem in cats.

For more risky foods, see our list of foods that are toxic to cats.