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Can Cats Eat Sausage?
Please read the risks below before offering any.
Is sausage safe for cats?
Sausage is ground meat mixed with fat, salt and seasonings, stuffed into a casing and cooked. A small piece of plain, fully cooked sausage is unlikely to cause immediate harm to cats, but it is fatty, salty and often seasoned. Cats are obligate carnivores, so they get what they need from meat and never need sausage. If you offer it at all, treat it as a rare, tiny extra.
How to reduce the risks if you offer sausage
- Check the ingredient list for garlic, onion or other seasoning before offering any
- Remove the casing if it looks tough
- Offer only a small piece, cooked through, as a rare treat
What to avoid
- Raw or undercooked sausage
- Sausages made with garlic, onion, or other seasoning
- Regular feeding, because of the fat and salt content
How much sausage can my cat have?
If you decide to offer sausage despite the cautions above, give just one tiny taste and check with your vet first, especially if your cat has any health condition. When in doubt, skip it.
Signs your cat may be having a problem
Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, pawing at the mouth, loss of appetite, tiredness, a swollen or painful belly, or trouble breathing. Contact your vet right away if you see these signs, or if your cat has eaten any of the parts listed above.
Frequently asked questions
Can kittens eat sausage?
Because sausage needs extra caution for adult cats, it is best to avoid it for kittens.
What if my cat ate too much sausage?
The most common result is an upset stomach with vomiting or diarrhea. Offer water, skip further treats, and call your vet if symptoms are severe or last more than a day, or if your cat ate any of the parts listed under "What to avoid".
Should sausage be a regular part of my cat's diet?
No. We recommend not making sausage a regular part of your cat's diet.
More questions cat owners ask
Wondering about the other pet in your home? Can Dogs Eat Sausage?