There’s no question that cats love meat. If you even smell the slightest bit of chicken, turkey, beef, or salmon, these obligate carnivores will appear next to you! Cats are natural hunters and will do almost anything to get their teeth into your home-cooked dinner.
Cats are sometimes drawn to the wrong kinds of food—ones that smell like meat but are high in fat and preservatives and don’t have the nutrients your cat needs. Vienna sausages are examples of this type of processed meat. If your cat has run off with a few chunks of sausage, you don’t need to worry, though. The only time that you should be concerned is if it happens frequently or in large amounts. That’s because too much Vienna sausage will make your cat sick, so they should eat something else instead.
This article talks about what Vienna sausages are made of and why they are so bad for cats. It also talks about what to do if your cat eats one, how healthy they are, and what your cat should eat instead.
Vienna sausages are a popular snack for humans, but can our furry feline friends enjoy them too? As obligate carnivores, cats thrive on a meat-rich diet So it would seem reasonable to assume vienna sausages, which contain meat, would make a healthy treat However, looks can be deceiving. While these little sausages may appear harmless, they can pose some risks for cats.
In this article, we’ll explore what vienna sausages are, their potential health impacts on cats, and safer meat-based alternatives for your kitty
What Are Vienna Sausages?
Vienna sausages go by many names – cocktail sausages, mini hot dogs, or weenies. But they all refer to the same type of food – small, canned sausages usually made of pork, chicken or beef. The meat is finely ground and mixed with water, salt, spices and other flavorings before being stuffed into casings.
Unlike quality meat you might buy at a butcher shop vienna sausages are highly processed. The meats used are fatty scraps leftover after processing higher quality cuts. Producers emulsify the meat scraps into a smooth paste and add artificial flavors loads of salt and chemical preservatives.
This processed meat paste is then cooked and sealed into small cans or plastic pouches. The result is a very soft, salty, spicy sausage loaded with fat, sodium and chemical additives.
While vienna sausages make a convenient, budget-friendly snack for humans, they lack the quality ingredients cats need. Let’s look at some of the potential risks.
Health Risks of Vienna Sausages for Cats
High Sodium Content
Vienna sausages contain extremely high levels of sodium, with some brands delivering over 300 mg per link! This is far more salt than a cat should have. Too much sodium can lead to hypertension, kidney strain and heart disease.
Fatty Formulation
The finely emulsified meat in vienna sausages is high in saturated fat. Too much fatty food can cause pancreatitis, an extremely painful inflammation of the pancreas. The condition requires hospitalization and intravenous fluids.
Spices and Garlic
Spices like onion and garlic flavor many vienna sausage varieties. Onions and garlic contain compounds called thiosulfates that are toxic to cats. They can cause a life-threatening condition called hemolytic anemia by rupturing red blood cells.
Nitrates/Nitrites
These chemical preservatives keep processed meats like vienna sausages looking pink and fresh. But nitrates and nitrites have been linked to cancer in some studies. Since cats have faster metabolisms, carcinogens affect them more quickly than humans.
High Calorie Count
At around 50 calories per link, vienna sausages pack a lot of calories into a small package. Regularly feeding high calorie foods can quickly lead to obesity if portions are not strictly controlled.
Healthier Meat Treats for Cats
So what meat treats can you offer your cat instead of vienna sausages? Here are some healthier options:
Plain Cooked Chicken or Turkey
Opt for unseasoned poultry for a wholesome, low sodium source of protein. Chicken breast or turkey tenders make an ideal snack. Be sure to cook it thoroughly and cut or tear into bite-size pieces.
Canned Fish Packed in Water
Canned tuna, salmon or mackerel provide omega-3s to support skin/coat health. Look for fish packed in water without added salt or oil. Drain before serving.
Beef or Pork Cubes
Lean beef or pork, with visible fat trimmed off, gives cats the hearty red meat flavor they crave. Cook it plain with no seasoning. Cut into small cubes for easy eating.
Low-Sodium Deli Meat
Check the deli counter for nitrate-free, low-sodium options like ham, roast beef or turkey. This gives cats a novel protein to add variety.
Freeze-Dried Raw Diet
Freeze-dried raw options like Stella & Chewy’s provide the benefits of raw food in a convenient form. They have minimal processing and contain single-ingredient mussels, chicken, duck or turkey.
How Much Human Food Can Cats Eat?
While the occasional nibble of human food makes a fun treat, it’s best to limit “people food” extras to no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calories. This helps ensure your kitty’s diet stays balanced and nutritionally complete.
If you want to share table scraps or snack foods with your cat, be sure you know which ones are safe and which to avoid. Some human foods can be downright toxic to cats, so do your research before treating.
When trying any new food or treat, introduce it slowly and watch for signs of an adverse reaction. Discontinue anything that causes vomiting, diarrhea or behavior changes.
The Bottom Line on Vienna Sausages for Cats
So can cats eat vienna sausages? While a bite here and there of these processed meat snacks won’t harm a healthy cat, vienna sausages are not an ideal choice. They tend to be high in fat, salt and chemical additives.
For a tasty meat-based treat, opt for low-sodium, unseasoned options like cooked chicken, beef or fish instead. Your cat will get to enjoy a flavorful protein snack without the health risks. Just be sure to keep portions small and human food extras to no more than 10% of your feline friend’s diet.
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Are There Any Benefits?
Vienna sausages offer no real benefits to cats. There are many better products and meats out there that are healthier and don’t have as many harms attached to them. We highly recommend choosing unprocessed meats and fish over Vienna sausages as treats.
Vienna sausages do contain protein, which is necessary for a cat’s diet. Protein is good for your cat’s health and helps their body grow. It gives them strong muscles and the energy they need to stay alive, play, hunt, explore, and stay active. However, other unprocessed and plain meats are much safer and healthier options for your cat.
Can Vienna Sausages Have Negative Effects on My Cat?
Your cat should be fine if it has had a small bite of a Vienna sausage today or in the past. What is dangerous is if they consume the food often or as a regular part of their diet. Several ingredients in Vienna sausages can have harmful effects on your cat. You can find garlic powder and onion powder in many foods, but eating too much of either can be disastrous. Since no amount of garlic has been proven to be safe for cats, it is best to keep them away from it all together.
Sodium is necessary for a cat’s diet, but Vienna sausages contain a high level of salt that is excessive for cats. They also contain high amounts of fat, which can cause your cat to suffer from diarrhea, stomach discomfort, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Not only can Vienna sausages leave your cat in discomfort, but their high-calorie content will also cause unhealthy weight gain if given to your cat frequently. Obese cats are at a high risk of developing diabetes, urinary problems, liver disease, and skin and respiratory issues. The average cat has a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years, but being overweight and obese can result in a shorter lifespan.
Cat VS Vienna Sausage
FAQ
Can I give my cat Vienna sausages?
Is Vienna sausage safe for pets?
Why does my cat like Vienna sausages?
Is it okay for cats to eat sausage?
Is Vienna sausage bad for cats?
The high level of sodium intake through Vienna sausage can lead to health issues in both cats and humans, including blindness, dehydration, kidney problems, and even death. Is vienna sausage good for cats?
What meat is bad for cats?
Deli meats, processed and greasy meats, and meats seasoned in spices are bad for cats – so that rules out Vienna sausage, pepperoni, hot dogs, and anything similar. If you want to give your cat some meat, hand them some plain cooked chicken or beef.
What is a Vienna sausage?
A Vienna sausage as you’d buy from a store in the U.S. is also made from a pork paste, and sometimes other meats like chicken and beef, and mixed with various spices. They are typically thicker and shorter though and do have a different taste to their European namesake.
Can cats eat Italian sausage?
In North America, Italian sausage is a sausage most commonly seasoned primarily with fennel or anise. In Italy, there are thousands of different types of “Italian sausages,” some of which are very different than the American variety. Fennel is considered safe for cats to eat in small quantities.