Can Cats Eat Spoiled Meat? Vet-Reviewed Details & FAQs


Cats are obligate carnivores and due to this fact predominantly developed to eat meat of their weight loss plan. Many homeowners are likely to favor feeding high-quality cat meals—solely to see them snatch not-so-fresh meat out of the rubbish. However can cats eat spoiled meat?

No, cats shouldn’t eat spoiled meat. They will get sick and are additionally capable of contract severe sickness, together with meals poisoning.

Right here, we focus on in additional element why cats can’t eat rotten meat and the indicators that it’s best to look ahead to in the event that they do.

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What Can Occur If a Cat Eats Spoiled Meat?

There are various levels of spoilage that may result in various levels of sickness. Meat turns into rotten because of publicity to temperature change and air, which allows bacterial development. It usually turns into slimy, adjustments shade, and emits a foul odor. It’s harmful to eat as soon as it reaches this stage due to the dangerous micro organism. (Nevertheless, any quantity of bacterial contamination previous to this stage can be harmful!)

That is what results in meals poisoning, which might happen after consuming spoiled meat however can also be doable with uncooked meat.

1. Meals Poisoning

Meals poisoning may be fairly severe and might make your cat very sick. Meals that has gone unhealthy or hasn’t been cooked correctly and has come into contact with feces can have organisms akin to Salmonella.

Indicators of meals poisoning can embrace:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea (may be bloody)
  • Drooling
  • Fever
  • Lack of urge for food
  • Lack of vitality
  • Stomach ache

You must take your cat to your veterinarian or closest emergency clinic if they begin exhibiting any of those indicators otherwise you suspect they could have meals poisoning.

cat drooling
Picture Credit score: Ling Chen, Shutterstock

2. E. coli

A severe well being danger from consuming spoiled meat is the opportunity of contracting E. coli. Whereas E. coli extra generally impacts kittens, grownup cats can nonetheless grow to be contaminated.

Indicators of an infection can embrace:

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Lethargy
  • Lack of urge for food
  • Dehydration

3. Botulism

Whereas botulism is uncommon, it will probably end result from consuming spoiled meat contaminated with Clostridium botulinum kind C carried out neurotoxin.

Most cats don’t have a tendency to come back down with the extra extreme results of botulism and might get better with supportive remedy. Nevertheless, botulism can result in problem respiration, weak point, and demise in extreme situations.

sad sick cat in bed
Picture Credit score: Julia Cherk, Shutterstock

4. Parasites

Unsurprisingly, rotten meat may be stuffed with inside parasites like roundworms and toxoplasma. Cats can expertise vomiting, diarrhea, and weight reduction and pose a danger to different pets and people.


5. Mould

If the spoiled meat has had time to grow to be moldy and if the cat ingests it, it will probably result in mould poisoning. This will result in digestive upset, together with vomiting, stool adjustments, and a scarcity of urge for food.

cat food with molds
Picture Credit score: SOORACHET KHEAWHOM, Shutterstock

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Easy methods to Stop Your Cat From Consuming Spoiled Meat

In case your cat is liable to sneaking into the rubbish (or nonetheless else they’re discovering the spoiled meat), it’s best to take steps to safe your trash. Even when this implies buying a brand new rubbish can with a lock that makes it “childproof,” it’s value it in your cat’s security.

Guarantee that you’re safely storing and disposing of meals objects, particularly meats, and determine how your cat may discover entry to rotten meals so you’ll be able to take preventative steps.

When Ought to You See Your Veterinarian?

Since there are lots of totally different potential outcomes from varied sources and a few of the causes can have extreme repercussions, it’s at all times greatest to talk to your vet the second that you simply understand that your cat has eaten rotten meat. It would require a right away go to, or they may instruct you in your subsequent steps, which can possible embrace maintaining a tally of your cat for the following 48 hours.

Since consuming spoiled meat can result in vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration could be a severe concern, and your cat might have rehydration via IV fluids. Your vet may also wish to run blood and different diagnostic exams for situations which may have resulted from consuming the contaminated meat. Catching any severe issues early will give your cat a greater prognosis. Additional, treating your cat is essential as many of those foodborne diseases may also make people sick.

persian cat checked by vets
Picture Credit score: Seaside Creatives, Shutterstock

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FAQs

Will Cats Eat Spoiled Meat?

Most cats aren’t more likely to eat spoiled meat. They’re liable to being choosy about what they eat typically, and cats even have a wonderful sense of scent. Mix these two traits, and you’ve got an animal that typically received’t be fascinated by consuming spoiled meat.

That mentioned, some cats would possibly wolf it down, notably if they’re very hungry. It’s greatest to maintain it out of their approach and never danger it.

Is It Okay to Feed Meat to Your Cat Only a Few Days After the Expiration Date?

Typically, no. For those who wouldn’t eat it, neither ought to your cat.

Additional, many human meals comprise elements which are poisonous to cats, akin to garlic, onions, and the rest within the onion household like chives and shallots. It’s greatest to stay with cat meals—the more energizing, the higher.

Can Moist Cat Meals Spoil?

Completely! Moist meals ought to include an expiration date on the container, so verify earlier than feeding.

When Does Moist Cat Meals Go Dangerous?

If the meals is sitting out in your cat’s bowl otherwise you’ve left it on the counter, it needs to be eliminated after a few hours. Clear the meals bowl with cleaning soap and sizzling water earlier than filling it once more.

You’ll must refrigerate any opened moist meals, and you may heat it up within the microwave earlier than feeding it to your cat once more. Opened moist meals needs to be refrigerated for not more than a day or two, after which it needs to be tossed.

cat eating
Picture Credit score: Thomas B., Pixabay

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Conclusion

Cats shouldn’t eat carrion. Rotten meat is simply as harmful to our cats as it’s to us. A very good rule of thumb is to not give it to our pets if we wouldn’t eat it ourselves.

Spoiled meat can also be extra harmful for kittens and senior cats. In case your cat already has a well being situation, that may make them extra weak to well being issues stemming from the unhealthy meat.

Converse to your vet if you happen to’re in any respect involved about your cat’s well being, and keep in mind that desk scraps and any meat previous its prime shouldn’t be given to cats.


Featured Picture Credit score: Montholz, Shutterstock

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