Can Cats Eat Sausage: Is It Toxic To Them? 

Your little feline friend might want to share your food while you eat. You will want to keep them happy and treat them with a few pieces from your plate, but you should know that not all human food is healthy for them. 

Cats are carnivorous animals. They might want a piece of the sausage when they get the smell of it. They might bug you till you give them a piece. But can cats eat sausages? 

Before you give in, you need to know whether it is suitable for them. You might even see them savoring a piece, but is it healthy for them?  

Can Cats Eat Sausages?

Cats love meat, and a sausage is no exception. They will eat it up in no time if given the chance. However, vets do not recommend giving a cat sausage.  

It contains salt, spices, and fat, which makes it a delicious snack but not a healthy one. But if you still want to give them a piece, you can give it to them once in a while, but do not turn it into a habit.  

Their diet and needs are different than ours. There might be something on your plate that they are drawn to, which might not be safe for them.  

Is It Toxic To Cats? Can It Be Dangerous?

A cat’s natural diet is a balance of different food groups, and when this balance is hampered, there can be serious consequences. But here are the contents of a sausage that can pose a threat to your feline friend. 

• Fat content 

• Meat quality 

• Salt and other flavors 

• Use of fillers and cereals 

• Artificial additives and preservatives 

1. Fat Content 

Fat can be an amazing secondary source of energy, but too much fat content can lead to heart issues and obesity. Cats have high HDL cholesterol levels.  

Moreover, the calorie level in their diet should never be more than 20%. However, sausages often contain 30% of calories, which can increase the risk. 

2. Meat Quality 

There is no way you can be sure of the kind of meat that has been used in the sausage. It might not be a big issue for us humans, but cats can suffer because of this. This risk is higher if your cat is sensitive or has a tendency towards food intolerance.  

Your feline friend can suffer from food allergies, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, digestive issues, and vomiting. Senior cats and kittens are at a high risk of suffering from digestion-related issues.  

Moreover, in case of a kitten, their immune as well as digestive system might not be completely developed, and seniors might already be losing functionality with time. This leads to slow development and rapid weight loss, which can be fatal. 

3. Salt And Other Flavors 

Cats survive on a bland diet and does not need much salt in their food. Sodium is necessary to maintain a water balance in the body, and excess salt is generally excreted as urine.  

However, too much sodium can turn out to be an issue, more so if your cat suffers from liver diseases, kidney disease, urinary tract infections, and bladder stones. 

Other added flavors and herbs should be avoided as well, as they offer no nutritional value and can be dangerous. For instance, garlic and other vegetables like chives and onions can be toxic to cats. 

4. Use Of Fillers And Cereals 

Mainly, the fillers used in sausages are carbohydrates, which are again unhealthy for your cat. Carbs are a good source of fast-burning energy for various activities like fleeing or hunting, but when unused, they are stored as fatty deposits. 

A diet rich in carbs can cause them lethargy as their entire body struggles to deal with the huge sugar influx in their blood. Moreover, it can lead to weight gain.  

This might go unnoticed initially, but regular consumption can use pancreatitis, diabetes, liver ailments, and mobility issues.  

5. Artificial Additives And Preservatives 

Many sausages contain additives and preservatives to improve their shelf life. However, all these preservatives are fit for human consumption, but they can be detrimental to a cat.  

The nitrates and sulphates used in salami, sausage, and similar products can harm them and cause serious issues. Too much sodium sulphite, sulfur dioxide, and potassium sulfate in their nutrition can cause a deficiency of thiamine and Vitamin B1. 

Thiamine deficiency can be connected with neurological disorders, and even a small amount of sulphite can destroy the thiamine level in the diet. 

What About Sausages That Has Low Fat Content?

Fat content is an issue with sausages. But there are some sausages that has low fat content. Can cats eat turkey sausages? Well, these have less amount of fat and it is easy to assume that these are healthier for cats. 

However, any kind of sausage contains nitrates, sulfites and other kind of preservatives. This is what causes the issue when consumed in a high quantity. The nitrates, sulfotes and fats make most of the sausages unhealthy for cats. It is better to avoid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can cats eat sausages? Well, now we have the answer to that but there are some common questions that people ask when discussing this topic.

Are There Any Healthy Sausages?

Can cats eat sausages? Is there any safe option for them? Well, there might be some cat-healthy options available that do not add harmful additives, or excess fat. 

Still, if you are giving them, give it as an occasional treat. Before giving it to them check the ingredients. Moroeve, if possible consult your vet before you make a decision.  

So, it is safe to say that it is not a healthy snack for them, so avoid giving them regularly. Moroevr, if they consume raw sausage there is a chance that they can make the whole family sick as they will be shedding pathogens without even showing any signs of sickness.