Can Cats Eat Raw Meat?

No, raw meat is not a good food for cats. The FDA, the CDC, and Cornell Feline Health Center all advise against it. It can carry germs that make your cat and your family sick, and raw meat has been linked to bird flu in cats. If you want to share meat, cook it plain and give only a small bite.

Why is raw meat risky for cats?

The main risk is germs. The CDC says raw meat and other raw protein can carry germs such as Salmonella and Listeria. The FDA tested 196 raw pet food samples. Of those, 15 had Salmonella and 32 had Listeria monocytogenes. The FDA says the best way to avoid these germs is to cook the food thoroughly.

Cornell Feline Health Center adds that raw meat can carry toxoplasmosis and other infections. It says raw diets may hold bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can infect both cats and their owners. Cornell does not recommend them, and says the evidence for health benefits is lacking.

The germs are a risk to people too. The CDC says they can spread around your kitchen and home. Children under 5, adults 65 or older, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems are most at risk. Young pets and pets with health problems are also at higher risk.

Can cats get bird flu from raw food?

Yes. The FDA says cats are “particularly sensitive” to H5N1 bird flu. Recent cases in cats have been linked to raw milk and uncooked meat, including raw pet food. The FDA says heat inactivates the virus in meat, milk, and eggs.

The FDA lists these signs of bird flu in cats, from the American Veterinary Medical Association:

• Fever
• Tiredness
• Eating less
• Red or sore eyes, or fluid from the eyes or nose
• Trouble breathing
• Tremors, seizures, wobbling, or blindness

If your cat shows any of these signs, call your vet.

Does freezing make raw meat safe?

No. The CDC says freezing, freeze-drying, and drying only reduce the amount of germs. They do not remove all of them. The FDA says to freeze raw meat until you use it, which is a handling tip. It also says thorough cooking is what kills the germs.

Other kinds of raw meat

Can cats eat raw chicken?

No. Raw poultry has the same germ risk as other raw meat. It also matters for bird flu, since the FDA links uncooked meat to H5N1 in cats. See our guide to chicken for cats for how to serve it cooked.

Can cats eat raw beef or raw steak?

No. Cornell advises against raw meat as food or treats, and the ASPCA says raw meat can carry Salmonella and E. coli. A little plain, fully cooked beef is a better choice. Read more in our guide to beef for cats.

Can cats eat raw pork or raw bacon?

No. The sources we read do not single out pork, but they all warn against raw meat in general. Raw pork and raw bacon are raw meat, so the same advice applies. See our guides to pork for cats and bacon for cats.

Can cats eat raw fish, raw salmon, raw tuna, or raw shrimp?

No. Raw fish and seafood are raw animal foods, so the germ advice above applies. The Merck Veterinary Manual also says raw freshwater fish and clams contain an enzyme called thiaminase. It destroys thiamine, a vitamin that cats need. Cooking destroys the enzyme. Thiamine deficiency can cause poor appetite, seizures, and muscle weakness. Merck says it is not generally seen in pets that eat properly made complete commercial diets. For cooked fish, see our guides to salmon, tuna, and shrimp.

Can cats eat raw eggs?

No. The ASPCA says raw eggs can carry Salmonella and E. coli. They also contain an enzyme that can get in the way of vitamin absorption, which may lead to skin and coat problems. Merck explains that raw egg white has a protein called avidin that blocks biotin, a vitamin. Merck says biotin shortage is very rare in dogs and cats. Our guide to eggs for cats covers cooked eggs.

Can cats eat raw bones?

No. The ASPCA says raw bones can hurt the stomach and gut or block them, and a block may need surgery.

How can I give my cat meat more safely?

• Cook it all the way through. The FDA says to use a food thermometer to check that homemade pet food reaches a safe temperature.
• Serve it plain. No salt, sauce, onion, or garlic. The ASPCA says onions, garlic, and chives can damage red blood cells and cause anemia, and cats are more sensitive than dogs.
• Take out all bones.
• Give only a small amount as a treat. Cornell says treats should be no more than 10 to 15 percent of your cat’s daily calories.
• Don’t make your own full-time cat food without help. Cornell says a home recipe may not have the right nutrients. A vet can point you to a recipe made by a vet nutrition expert.

How do I handle raw meat if I have a cat?

Even if your cat never eats raw meat, you can pass germs along. The FDA and CDC advise these steps:

• Wash your hands with soap and water after you touch raw meat. The FDA says to wash for at least 20 seconds.
• Clean counters and tools with hot soapy water, then disinfect them.
• Keep raw meat away from other food, and do not rinse it, since the juices can splash germs around.
• Throw away leftovers that sat out, so your cat cannot get them.
• Don’t let your cat lick your face or mouth right after it eats raw food.

If you are thinking about a raw diet, talk to your vet first. The CDC says to do this before you start.

What can I give my cat instead?

A complete cat food is the best main meal, and cat treats are an easy extra. Cooked plain meat in tiny bites works as a treat now and then. For foods to avoid, see our list of foods that are toxic to cats.