Can cats eat ham?

Updated 02/11/2023

Can cats eat ham or any other deli meat? Determining what cats can and can’t eat can be difficult, particularly when you’re pet sitting someone else's fluffy fur baby. Our precious purring predators may look as if they’re designed to eat almost any meat, but even the most hardcore hairball-maker can be sensitive to many everyday human foods.

Cats are carnivores, but is ham good for cats or is it a tricky toxin for cats that is best avoided? We’ve done the paw work to solve this meaty matter for all pet parents. Let’s jump in…

Can cats eat ham?

First off, ham is not toxic to cats. These cute carnivores are fine to nibble on the occasional cooked meat now and again, however, it should not be a regular part of their diet. 

According to the Association of American Feline Practitioners, meat and protein are an essential part of our cute carnivore’s balanced diet. Ham does contain healthy amino acids. However, although the odd taste of table scraps now and again is fine, ham is very high in fat and salt which is not good for any kitty.

Can kittens eat ham?

If your tiny tail tott is weaned and has begun to eat cat food, a small amount of home-cooked, high-quality ham is okay now and again. Don’t make this a regular thing, however, as our tiny tigers have very sensitive stomachs. Ideally, if you want your kitten to try any kind of lunch meat or deli meat, make sure it is low in salt and thoroughly cooked. 

As a rule of thumb, if you’re unsure if you can feed your kitten something, contact your vet straight away. Never feed them human food or non-cat food without consulting a veterinary professional.

When is ham bad for cats?

Although it’s not toxic for cats, ham has very high salt and fat content. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, too much salt and fat can lead to deadly salt poisoning. Similarly, many processed lunch meats are highly processed and contain a lot of salt. If you want to share some deli meat with your furry friend, it’s best to serve them home-cooked ham as you’ll know what went into it, what was used to season it (if at all), and whether it was cooked through.

Never give them raw meat. If you own an outside cat, this might be hard to understand if you own a backyard hunting machine. However, even if they are a crafty creature catcher, raw meat and whether cats can eat raw meat is another subject altogether. Uncooked meat can be risky to serve to cats. Raw meat may contain harmful bacteria or parasites which could make your cat very ill. Always talk to your vet before serving up any snack to your cat.

When can ham be good for cats?

The overall answer to ‘is ham safe for cats’ is ‘yes’ - but only in moderation. It is important to ensure you feed your cat meat that is high-quality, low in salt, and cooked through. Yep, only the finest cuisine for our fabulous felines!

Cats should only ever have a very small amount of any human food, even if it’s been vet-checked. Ideally you should stick to cat food. It won’t be surprising for cat carers to learn their purr-baby has a small and sensitive stomach. All the nutrients they need can be found in a balanced diet of cat food (dry and wet) with plenty of water. Feeding the table snacks should not be a regular part of their food plan.

Meet our veterinary expert, Emma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS. Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.

Which foods are dangerous or toxic for cats?

Here are some more well-known foods that are bad for cats and must never be fed to them:

• Chocolate
• Onion
• Garlic
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Raw meat products and bones

If you’re already a TrustedHousesitters member and you’re ever concerned about your furry friend, you have constant access to our 24/7 Vet Advice Line to chat with an expert. Haven’t you signed up yet? Why not check out the latest cat sitters in your area who are full-time feline fans, just like you?