Can Cats Eat Beef Jerky? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

Cats have a fantastic sense of smell, so there is, unfortunately, nothing you can do to stop your feline family members from intruding on your delicious-smelling snacks. Beef jerky is a relatively healthy human snack food that’s often highly scented and appealing to our cats, but is this a treat you should be sharing with your kitty?

Cats may need a meat-based diet to thrive, but beef jerky is not an appropriate human snack to share with your cat. It may contain potentially harmful ingredients and pose a choking risk. Read on to learn why you shouldn’t share beef jerky with your kitty.

What Is Beef Jerky?

Beef jerky is a convenient snack consisting of lean, trimmed meat cut into strips and dehydrated. The drying process typically includes adding salt to prevent bacterial growth. Jerky is a ready-to-eat snack that can be stored without refrigeration for months. It’s a relatively healthy snack for humans, given that it is high in protein and low in carbohydrates.

However, it is extremely high in sodium, with a 1-ounce serving providing approximately 22% of a human’s daily sodium allowance.

Can Cats Eat Beef Jerky?

Since cats are obligate carnivores that require meat to thrive, you’d think that beef jerky would be an ideal snack. However, the inclusion of other ingredients makes beef jerky unsuitable as a snack for cats. Let’s look closely at why you shouldn’t feed it to your kitty.

High Sodium Content

You already know that a 1-ounce serving of beef jerky provides 22% of a human’s daily sodium allowance. Cats have a much smaller sodium requirement than humans, so too much beef jerky can theoretically be dangerous. High salt intake can potentially cause extra strain on the heart, and kidneys, just like in people. If cats already have underlying heart or kidney disease, then this might make their condition worse.

Potentially Toxic Ingredients

Beef jerky is so tasty due in part to the seasonings that manufacturers add to produce different flavors. Unfortunately, many of these seasonings could be deleterious if your cat were to get into them. Things such as onion and garlic can be incredibly toxic for cats, and it is not uncommon to find these ingredients in beef jerky.

Additionally, sodium nitrate is often used as a preservative in beef jerky. Though the use of sodium nitrate is permitted by the FDA, some studies suggest that overconsumption can cause cancer. Of course, these studies are performed in humans, not cats. We always like to err on the side of caution. If it is a potential carcinogen for humans, it’s likely not the best ingredient to feed your pets.

Choking Hazard

If you’ve ever eaten a piece of beef jerky, you know how hard it can be to chew. Its tough, dry, rubbery texture isn’t at all like the food your cat is used to eating. Your cat’s small, sharp teeth may be made to tear flesh, but beef jerky’s hard texture may present a choking hazard. Your kitty may try to swallow it whole and get it lodged in his throat.

Beef is a Common Allergen

Cats can have food allergies, and the foods most commonly associated with causing allergic reactions in cats are protein-based. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, beef, fish, chicken, and dairy are the four most common food allergens in cats. The clinical signs to be on the lookout for include:

What Do I Do If My Cat Ate Beef Jerky?

In most situations, your cat will be fine after eating a bit of beef jerky, provided he isn’t choking on it. You should monitor him for signs of digestive upset, including vomiting or diarrhea.

We recommend reading the ingredient list on the packaging to see if there are ingredients of concern listed. You can call your veterinarian for advice if you’re concerned.

What If My Cat Likes Beef Jerky?

If your kitty has taken a liking to beef jerky, we recommend shifting his focus from the kind you eat as a snack to the type made specifically for cats. Catit has a cat jerky treat that some cats enjoy. It’s low in calories and made with minimal ingredients, so it’s safe for cats, even those with sensitive stomachs.

Final Thoughts

While cats are obligate carnivores that require meat to thrive, beef jerky isn’t the best type of meat for your kitty. Not only does it contain potentially harmful ingredients, but its tough and rubbery texture can be difficult for your pet to chew and digest. Instead, feed your pet cat-approved alternatives like Catit’s jerky treats, which are made with safe ingredients and are easy to eat.

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Featured Image Credit: Boltenkoff, Shutterstock