Updated
Cat food safety
Can Cats Eat Deli Meat? Usually Skip It
Avoid
Usually skip deli meat. It is processed, often salty, and may contain seasoning that does not belong in a cat treat.
Deli MeatCall for alliums, amount, or symptoms
Call your veterinarian if the deli meat contained onion, garlic, heavy seasoning, your cat ate a lot, or appetite loss or vomiting follows.
Salt is not the only issue
Garlic, onion, smoke flavor, spices, fat, and preservatives are common in deli meat.
Do not use it for appetite loss
A cat that is not eating needs a veterinary plan, not salty processed meat.
Check the label
- Do not use deli meat as a routine treat.
- If your cat stole some, identify the meat and check for garlic, onion, spices, smoke flavor, and heavy salt.
- Use plain cooked boneless meat instead when a treat is appropriate.
Skip processed meat
- Cured meats, smoked meats, peppered turkey, salami, ham, bologna, seasoned deli meat, garlic, onion, spice rubs, fatty slices, and large servings.
- Deli meat for cats with kidney disease, heart disease, urinary diets, pancreatitis risk, obesity, prescription diets, or digestive disease unless your veterinarian approves it.
- Using processed meat to tempt a cat that is not eating.
Watch
- Vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, refusing food, belly pain, lethargy, or behavior that feels wrong.
Portion
No routine serving. A tiny stolen plain bite is different from using deli meat as treats.
Helpful food-safety supplies
Optional tools for measuring, storing, serving, and cleaning up tiny portions safely.
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