Can Cats Eat Liverwurst? What You Need to Know!

Liverwurst, or liver sausage, is a type of food much appreciated by many meat lovers. And as a pet parent, it can be tempting to give your beloved kitty a piece of it, especially when he is begging you with loud meows.

Good news, you can give your cat a piece of liverwurst, but don’t overdo it! This is because liver sausage contains nutrients that are beneficial for cats, but also ingredients that can be harmful, especially if consumed in large quantities. Let’s take a closer look at the nutritional benefits and potential drawbacks of liverwurst for cats.

What’s In Liverwurst?

Liverwurst is a seasoned and spreadable meat-based product that comes in a sausage shape. It is made of three primary ingredients: meat, organ meat, and fat. Additionally, there are several seasonings used in liverwurst, and these can vary depending on the specific recipe.

Most liverwurst contains salt, black pepper, and onion powder, but you may also find any of the following ingredients:

What Are the Nutritional Differences Between Liver Sausage and Liver?

Liverwurst is a kind of sausage with more liver than regular sausage. It is already seasoned, smoked, and ready to eat. It has a smooth and creamy texture.

For its part, the liver is a major source of essential vitamins and minerals. For example, calf liver is particularly rich in iron, vitamin A (like pork liver) but also in vitamins B1, B2, B5 or pantothenic acid, B9 or folic acid, B12, C, iron, zinc, phosphorus, and potassium. It is also a relatively low-calorie dish compared to sausage.

How Is Liverwurst Beneficial for Cats to Eat?

Liverwurst is particularly rich in proteins, vitamins A and B12, iron, and selenium. It is safe for cats to consume in small amounts and has some interesting nutritional benefits.

On the one hand, the high content of vitamin A is beneficial for your cat’s vision. In addition, the high protein content of liver sausages promotes muscle maintenance, skin cell renewal, and the growth of strong hairs in your pet. Besides, proteins represent one of the main nutrients for the diet of the cat. They constitute in large part the muscles, the bones, or the skin where they have a structural role. Thus, the consumption of proteins makes it possible to cover the requirements of essential amino acids.

Additionally, liver sausage contains high levels of vitamin B1 (thiamine) and B3 (niacin). Thiamine helps cats metabolize protein, fat, and carbohydrates, while niacin helps your feline maintain a healthy coat and skin.

Without these essential vitamins and minerals, your cat could suffer from hair loss, a less healthy coat, dander, and problems with keratin production, the main component of hair.

Are The Downsides To Feeding Liverwurst to My Cat?

Certain ingredients in liverwurst can be detrimental to your cat’s health and potentially harmful if ingested in large quantities.

For one thing, if you find onions or garlic in the list of ingredients for liver sausage, you should absolutely avoid giving it to your cat. These foods are toxic to cats and dogs, although their level of toxicity is lower when found in powdered or dried form. However, do not take any risk if you see them in the list of ingredients.

On the other hand, liver sausages contain a lot of sodium and fat. So, if you feed it to your kitty too often, it could lead him down the dangerous road of obesity, with its share of health problems.

Sodium, meanwhile, is harmful in large quantities, but especially for humans. Nonetheless, it can lead to excessive thirst in your little feline and kidney problems, especially in older cats.

In short, liverwurst is a high-fat food and contains a lot of salt. Therefore, it should be consumed in moderation rather than with each meal. So, you should only give your cat a small amount of liver sausage as a special treat.

What’s The Final Verdict?

Liverwurst is a food rich in iron, protein, vitamins A and B12, and minerals; if onions and garlic aren’t on the ingredient list, it’s safe to give your greedy cat a piece. However, its high fat and sodium content does not make it a food to promote regularly, as much for the cat as for its human parent! So, give your cat a small slice of liver sausage once a week, as a reward for his exemplary kitty behavior!

Featured Image Credit: Evgeny Tomeev, Shutterstock