As anyone who has ever looked up from a leisurely lunch to see their cat eyeing their food will know that cats are just as good at begging as dogs. But before you give in and share your sandwich, you should check to see if it’s okay. Can cats eat lunch meat?.
In small amounts, deli meat can be a good treat for your cat, but it can’t take the place of a healthy diet. This article will show you how to feed your cat lunch meat and other human foods that are safe for them that they can eat.
As a cat owner, you likely experience those pleading kitty eyes begging for a taste of your food on a regular basis. It’s hard to resist sharing a nibble when your furry friend seems so interested. But is ham and other lunch meat safe for cats to eat? We’ll dive into both the benefits and risks of feeding deli meats to cats below.
Why Cats Love Lunch Meat
There are a few key reasons our feline friends tend to go crazy over sliced meats:
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Irresistible Smell – Cats have a keen sense of smell and luncheon meats have an appetizing aroma.
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Texture – The thin slices are easy for cats to chew and swallow.
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Taste – Ham, turkey, roast beef, and other deli meats have flavors cats find very palatable.
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Protein – Cats thrive on high protein food and meats are packed with protein.
It’s understandable why lunch meats appeal so much to cats. As true carnivores, their bodies are adapted to deriving nutrients from animal flesh.
Potential Benefits of Deli Meat for Cats
In moderation, lean sliced ham, turkey, chicken, and other lunch meats make healthy, nutritious treats for cats. Benefits include:
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Excellent source of protein for muscle maintenance and growth
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Contains essential amino acids cats require from meat sources
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High moisture content supports hydration
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Adds variety and interest to your cat’s diet
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Can be used as training treats or pill pockets
As long as you choose low-sodium varieties and feed in small amounts, deli meat offers some excellent nutritional perks.
Possible Risks of Feeding Lunch Meats
However, there are also some potential downsides of feeding too much deli meat to cats:
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High in fat and calories leading to weight gain
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Adds unnecessary salt to your cat’s diet
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Nitrates and nitrites may cause health issues
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Processed meats may contain preservatives unsafe for cats
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Can cause stomach upset in some cats
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May contribute to urinary tract diseases
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Richness could lead to food refusal of normal cat food
It’s important to be mindful of these risks when sharing lunch meat treats with your cat.
Tips for Choosing Deli Meat for Cats
To make sure your cat’s deli meat is the healthiest choice possible, follow these guidelines:
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Select low-sodium and nitrate/nitrite-free varieties whenever possible.
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Choose plain, unseasoned meats to avoid onion, garlic, or other harmful additives.
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Look for all-natural and preservative-free options for the cleanest ingredients.
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Pick lean, low-fat meats like turkey, chicken, or roast beef over high-fat ham or bologna.
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Avoid smoked, cured, or peppered meats, which are harder to digest.
Making careful selections will help minimize risks and maximize nutrition.
Recommended Serving Size for Deli Meat Treats
In general, treats should make up no more than 10-15% of your cat’s daily caloric intake. To avoid overfeeding:
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Refer to your cat food’s feeding guidelines for calorie requirements.
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Check the nutrition label of the lunch meat for calorie content per serving.
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Limit portions to a few small shreds or slices 1-2 times per week.
Cats only need a little for a tasty snack that won’t ruin their appetite for normal food.
Signs Your Cat Should Avoid Deli Meat
While most cats can safely indulge in moderation, watch for these signs of potential intolerance:
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Vomiting or diarrhea after eating lunch meat
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Decrease in appetite for their regular cat food
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Significant weight gain from deli meat calories
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Urinary issues like straining to urinate or blood in urine
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Allergic reaction symptoms like itching, hives, wheezing
If you notice any of these, stop feeding deli meats and consult your veterinarian.
Other Human Foods Cats Can Eat
If your cat can’t handle lunch meat or needs more variety, here are some other people foods cats can safely snack on:
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Cooked chicken or fish (no bones or skin)
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Hard boiled eggs
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Small amounts of cheese
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Plain cooked oatmeal or rice
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Steamed vegetables like carrots or green beans
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Unsweetened yogurt
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Fresh fruits like blueberries or melon
Avoid raw meats, eggs, bones, citrus fruits, onions, chocolate, and other toxic foods.
The Verdict on Deli Meat for Cats
In conclusion, the occasional shredded piece of ham, turkey, or chicken lunch meat is fine for most cats. For minimal risks and maximum nutrition, choose all-natural, low-sodium options and feed in moderation. Alternate with other healthy human snack foods for variety.
While deli meat shouldn’t make up a major part of your cat’s diet, the right kinds can provide a yummy, protein-packed treat cats adore. Always supervise your cat when feeding people food treats and stop immediately if they have any negative reaction. With common sense precautions, you and your feline can safely share the joy of lunch meat!
FAQs About Feeding Lunch Meat to Cats
Is ham okay for cats to eat?
In moderation, lean ham lunch meat is fine for most cats. Opt for low-sodium natural ham and avoid honey-glazed varieties.
Can cats eat salami or pepperoni?
No, these are too high in fat, salt, and seasonings. Plus, they may contain garlic, which is toxic to cats.
Is it safe to give cats roasted chicken from the deli?
Shredded rotisserie chicken is okay for cats as long as you avoid seasoned varieties. Choose plain roasted chicken.
Can I give my cat turkey and cheese lunch meat?
Turkey is healthy, but the cheese may cause GI upset. Give plain turkey or chicken without cheese or other add-ins.
Is bologna bad for cats?
Yes, bologna is too high in fat, salt, and nitrites to make a healthy cat treat. Opt for lean uncured meats.
How much lunch meat should a cat eat?
A few small shreds of lunch meat 1-2 times per week is sufficient. Treats should be no more than 10-15% of daily calories.
Are nitrates and nitrites in lunch meat bad for cats?
Potentially. It’s best to choose nitrate/nitrite-free natural deli meats when possible.
Feeding Deli Meat to Your Cat
When feeding your cat deli meat, choose the leanest, least processed option you can, all-natural if possible. Generally, treats should only make up 10%–15% of your cat’s total daily calories. Check the nutrition label of the deli meat you’re feeding to confirm the calories per slice before giving it to your cat.
Never feed your cat spoiled or expired lunch meat. It can make them sick just like it would a human, including from Listeria.
If your cat is overweight or has a long-term illness, you should ask your vet if deli meat is safe for them to eat. Your vet can also help you figure out how many calories your cat needs every day to stay at a healthy weight.
Your cat may enjoy lunch meat as a food garnish for their regular meals or as a snack. Just make sure your cat doesn’t get too used to the deli meat and refuse to eat their normal food. You could also use lunch meat as a training treat or to hide your cat’s pills if it needs them.
Every cat is different, and so is their digestive system. So, while deli meat may be safe to eat, that doesn’t mean it will agree with every kitty. If your cat is vomiting or having diarrhea, you may need to switch up the treats you give them or stop giving them snacks all together.
Deli Meat and Cats: The Pros and Cons
All meat, including deli meat, is high in protein. Cats are true carnivores, meaning they are adapted to absorb and digest nutrients from animal sources most efficiently. If you want to give your cat treats, you should make sure they are both tasty and good for them. Lunch meat is a good example of this.
However, processed meats aren’t as healthy for anyone—human or cat—as meat in its original form. Many deli types of meat are high in fat and salt and contain artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. With about 50% of all adult pet cats considered overweight, many owners need to be careful about how many calories their pets consume.
You may know that pregnant women shouldn’t eat deli meat because it could be contaminated with Listeria. This is because of you or someone you know who has been pregnant. Knowing this, you might wonder whether this disease impacts cats as well.
Listeria (L. monocytogenes) is a bacteria that causes food poisoning. It can contaminate many foods, including lunch meat. In humans, Listeria is most dangerous to those with compromised immune systems, like kids, seniors, and pregnant women. Many animals are also susceptible to this bacteria, but cats are only rarely impacted.
Your cat could get sick from Listeria, but the bigger risk is that they could get it without showing any symptoms and then give it to people they live with.