Autumn McBride Vetter, clinical assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, discussed how safe it is for cats to eat ham with Kinship.
While small amounts of ham may not be extremely harmful for cats, Vetter warns against making it a large part of your pets’ diet. Ham increases the risk of pancreatitis, diarrhea and vomiting.
“Ham is a fattier meat that is also high in sodium, which can each cause their own set of health problems,” she said. “Having too high fat content can affect cats’ digestive tract, especially their pancreas, and cause a great deal of stomach upset.”
However, ham can serve as a small, occasional treat for cats as it is packed with the protein that they crave in their diets.
“Cats are obligate carnivores, and most actually prefer meat-based treats for this reason,” Vetter said.
Pet owners who decide to give their cat ham, it should be unseasoned.
“If offering it to kitties, I would recommend fully cooked, sliced ham which is not on the bone, ideally torn into small (smaller than one inch) strips for easier consumption and less of a choking risk,” Vetter said. “Try to avoid the fattier pieces altogether.”
Because the ham will be soft and moldable, it is a good way to get your cat to take a pill.
Though it can be useful, Vetter still recommends avoiding ham altogether when feeding cats. Cats tend to under-consume water, and salt-rich foods can lead them to become more dehydrated. Cats with health problems such as kidney, heart or urinary issues should especially avoid ham. Ham cooked in seasonings such as onion or garlic are toxic to cats and can cause various health issues.
