Can cats eat bacon?

Updated 21/09/2023

Salty, sizzling, and crunchy yet fatty, it’s no surprise that bacon sits at the top of breakfast menus all over the world. While it might have the delicious factor for many of us, we can all agree it doesn’t exactly scream healthy. So, can cats eat bacon, is bacon poisonous to cats, or is it best enjoyed in small amounts? Let’s find out.

Can cats eat bacon?

Technically yes, it probably won’t do your kitty any harm to nab a cheeky nibble of bacon, but they shouldn’t make a habit of it. Bacon is seriously high in salt and fat (and therefore calories), so taking in lots of the stuff will be bad news for your feline friend. It’s important to note that some cats have more sensitive stomachs than others. This means that while one cat might be able to tolerate a small amount of bacon, even a small bite could be enough to really upset the tummy of another. This may mean lots of vomiting, diarrhea, and even a very sickly cat!

Is bacon good for cats?

Feeding your cat bacon will certainly make them happy - our feline friends are carnivores, so they’re always on the hunt for meat that smells and tastes delicious. So it’s good for their happiness in the short term, but what about their physical health? Well it’s probably no surprise to you that bacon’s nutritional benefits (like protein, B vitamins and various minerals) unfortunately don’t outweigh the health costs (like the high sodium and fat content). So, while protein is vital for your cat’s health, there are healthier choices you can make for your kitty over a high-fat meat like bacon. Instead, opt for a cat food that’s right for their age, breed, and any health issues they might be experiencing.

It’s advised to contact your cat’s veterinary clinic to discuss which food is best for your individual cat. Your veterinarian and/or the other veterinary clinical staff (such as vet technicians) can help you decide on the best diet for your pet.

Is bacon safe for cats?

A small nibble of bacon may not cause your cat any harm. However, it’s important to remember as discussed previously, some cats have more sensitive stomachs than others. Bacon certainly shouldn’t be a food you’re sharing with your kitty on the regular or in high quantities, and unfortunately, any more than that is seriously bad news for our feline friends. Bacon is crazily high in salt, so if lots of the stuff is fed to your kitty, it’s likely they’ll become seriously dehydrated. 

A high salt intake can also cause high blood pressure and even life-threatening seizures for cats. Along with the salt, there’s the sheer amount of fat that’s in bacon, especially streaky. It’s no secret that our feline friends don’t find it difficult to pile on the pounds, so the high-fat content in bacon is bound to eventually cause obesity if pet parents make the wrong dietary choices.

Fatty foods can also make our cats prone to developing a very painful condition called pancreatitis. Unfortunately, if your cat gets pancreatitis once, they are at high risk of regularly suffering from it for the rest of their lives. Pancreatitis can result in a lot of tummy pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can also have a long-term effect on your cat’s appetite and energy levels.

It’s also important to realize that if your pet has any underlying or diagnosed health conditions this can also make them higher at risk of becoming sick if they eat bacon. These health conditions can include hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, diabetes, and others. Your cat’s system can be less capable of dealing with fatty, salty bacon, which can lead to your cat becoming very sick.

So, it’s not recommended to feed your bacon to your cat. But fret not - there are plenty of other, safer treats you can give your cat instead of bacon!

Meet our veterinary expert, Evie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Evie Moloney RCVS. Evie is a vet surgeon who graduated from the University College Dublin, which is the only university offering the veterinary medicine degree in Ireland. She really enjoys surgery and has also worked as an emergency and critical care vet. She is passionate about sharing education about preventative health care 
for pets, especially the importance of regular dog and cat teeth brushing at home. She also enjoys helping owners find practical solutions for keeping pets as comfortable as possible while living with conditions such as arthritis. When not working, she enjoys hiking and swimming. 

Other foods that are safe for cats

So while bacon won’t ever make a list of the healthiest foods to feed your cat, it is unlikely to do them any harm to enjoy a small nibble every now and then. As discussed previously though, there are better options to give your cat as a treat. And that narrative is similar to other human foods for cats - our feline friends are carnivores, so should only tuck into goodies meant for us humans once in a while, in small amounts. If you’re unsure as to whether something is safe for your cat, be sure to get clued up on what cats can and can’t eat.