We all want to spoil and treat our cats, but we also want to make sure they are healthy and happy. Your cat might be interested in some of your food, but not everything on your plate is good for them, so you might not want to give it to them. As we all know, cats mostly eat meat. But what about the fatty meats we like, like sausage? Is it okay to give your cat sausage?
The answer is yes, but it’s hard to find the right sausage because of all the steps you have to take. So it might be best not to give your cat sausages because many of them have ingredients that are bad for cats. Find out more about why cats shouldn’t eat sausages and which ingredients are the worst by reading on.
As cat owners, we want to give our furry friends treats that they’ll love. But when it comes to people food not everything we enjoy is safe for cats. Sausage rolls in particular are a popular snack for humans but should you be sharing them with your feline companion? Can cats eat sausage rolls safely?
The short answer is no – sausage rolls are not a healthy treat for cats. While the meat filling may be fine, the pastry casing can cause problems. Read on to learn more about the potential risks of feeding sausage rolls to cats.
Why Are Sausage Rolls Unhealthy for Cats?
There are a few reasons why sausage rolls aren’t a great option to feed your cat:
The Fat Content is Too High
Like regular sausages sausage rolls are very high in fat. The meat filling is fatty and the pastry casing adds even more fat. Too much dietary fat can lead to obesity and other health issues in cats.
Feline livers are not well equipped to process large amounts of fat. Eating high fat foods frequently can overload the liver and cause long-term damage over time.
The Pastry Casing is Problematic
The casing on sausage rolls is usually made from refined wheat flour. This type of flour has little nutritional value for cats. The carbohydrates can also cause digestive upset like diarrhea or vomiting when consumed in large amounts.
Some cats may have wheat allergies and experience itchy skin, ear infections, or asthmatic symptoms after eating wheat products.
The casing can also be difficult for some cats to digest properly. Pieces of pastry casing may pass through the digestive tract undigested, potentially causing constipation or obstruction.
High Salt Content
Like regular sausages, sausage rolls contain a lot of sodium. While cats can tolerate more salt than humans in their diet, too much can still cause issues like high blood pressure, kidney problems, and dehydration over time.
May Contain Onions or Garlic
Some sausage roll recipes contain onions or garlic, both of which are toxic to cats. Onions and garlic can damage red blood cells and lead to a dangerous form of anemia called Heinz body anemia. Even small amounts can be harmful, so sausage rolls seasoned with these should always be avoided.
Raw Dough Risks
If you’re making homemade sausage rolls, be aware of the risks of raw dough. Raw yeast dough can expand in the stomach and cause painful bloating. Eating uncooked flour or eggs also poses a risk of food poisoning or salmonella infection. Keep cats away from raw dough and make sure baked goods are fully cooked before offering any to your cat.
Healthier Treat Alternatives for Cats
While sausage rolls aren’t recommended, there are many other tasty treats that are safer for cats:
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Lean cooked meats like boneless, skinless chicken or turkey breast. Opt for low-sodium options.
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Canned fish like tuna or salmon, packed in water. Choose fish low in mercury.
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Low-fat dairy products like plain yogurt or cottage cheese. Make sure your cat isn’t lactose intolerant first.
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Commercial cat treats made with high-quality ingredients and limited additives. Look foroptions specifically formulated for weight control or digestive care if needed.
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Fruits and vegetables like cooked sweet potatoes, blueberries, banana, or carrot. Introduce new foods slowly in case of sensitivities.
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Oils high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon oil or krill oil. Use just a small amount and avoid cod liver oil which has too much vitamin A for cats.
When changing your cat’s diet or offering new foods, go slowly to give their digestive system time to adjust. Limit treats to 10% of daily calories so they don’t become obese or unbalanced.
Can Cats Eat Sausage Meat?
Plain sausage meat without the pastry may be less problematic than a full sausage roll. However, most commercial sausage meats are still too high in fat, salt, and preservatives to be a regular part of a cat’s diet.
Look for organic, preservative-free options with 10% fat or less when choosing sausage meats to share occasionally as a treat. Make sure to pick fully cooked sausages, not raw. Remove any tough casing before feeding to your cat.
As with any treat, only feed small bite-sized portions of sausage meat and account for the extra calories so your cat doesn’t gain weight. Introduce new foods gradually to monitor for allergic reactions or tummy trouble.
Signs of Illness From Sausage Rolls
Though sausage rolls are not recommended for cats, if your sneaky feline manages to steal one anyway, watch for these signs of sickness:
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Decreased appetite, lethargy, hiding – Can indicate nausea, digestive upset or feeling unwell
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Vomiting or diarrhea – Dietary indiscretion, food poisoning, or allergy may be the cause
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Itchy skin, rashes, hair loss – Potential food allergy symptoms
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Coughing, trouble breathing – Onion/garlic toxicity can cause anemia and airway inflammation
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Bloating, straining to pass stool – May signal intestinal obstruction or constipation
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Excessive thirst, increased urination – Could point to kidney problems from high sodium
If you notice any of these symptoms after your cat ate sausage roll, call your vet right away. Treatment options will vary depending on the underlying cause but may include:
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Anti-nausea medication
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Probiotics or digestive enzyme supplements
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Antihistamines for allergic reactions
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IV fluids and supportive care for dehydration
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Laxatives or enemas for constipation
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Surgery if intestinal obstruction is present
With prompt veterinary treatment, most cats recover fully after eating people food they shouldn’t have. In the future, be sure to keep sausage rolls well out of your cat’s reach!
The Bottom Line
Can cats eat sausage rolls? It’s best not to share these fatty, salty snacks with your feline friend. The high fat content can overload your cat’s liver over time. Onions and garlic seasoning may also be toxic. While a small piece of sausage meat alone likely won’t cause major harm, there are far healthier treat options to choose from. When in doubt, stick with high-quality commercial cat foods and treats designed with your cat’s nutritional needs in mind.
What About Sausage With Low Fat Content?
If fat seems to be the problem, are turkey and chicken sausages safe for cats? They tend to have less of the fat we try to avoid and that our cats shouldn’t eat too much of. Therefore, you may think that sausage made with less fatty meat is generally healthier for your cat.
However, another health concern with feeding your cat sausage of any kind is the presence of sulfites, nitrates, and other preservatives. Experts maintain that these preservatives (which are particularly abundant in sausage and deli meats) can be quite detrimental if consumed in high quantities or long term by cats and other pets.
The combination of fats, sulfites, and nitrates makes the majority of sausage products unhealthy and unsuitable for cats.
Are Any Sausages Healthy for Cats?
As the high fat content and high number of preservatives in sausage are the main health concerns, the only sausage that could be safe for your cat is one that is made without any preservatives and preferably one that is low in fat. There are many kinds of sausage that don’t have any added preservatives. If you want to make your own, choose a base meat that is lower in fat than pork. Still, you’ll want to feed your cat this lower-fat, preservative-free sausage in small quantities to avoid any issues. Also, never give your cat spicy sausage. The spices in the meat can make their stomachs upset, their mouths irritated, or their bodies hurt. This is true no matter what kind of meat was used to make the sausage.
There are a lot of sausage-flavored cat foods and treats that are made just for cats if your cat seems to really enjoy the smell or taste of it. So while some sausages might be safe for your cat, it might be best to let a vet handle the diet and choose complete and appropriate cat food instead.
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Human Foods that Are Actually Good for Cats
FAQ
What to do if my cat ate sausage?
Do cats like cooked sausages?
Can cats eat cured sausage?
Can a cat eat bread?
Can cats eat sausage?
While the answer is technically yes, the hoops you have to jump through to find the right sausage are difficult. So it may be best to avoid giving your cat sausages, as many will contain harmful ingredients for cats. Read on to hear more about why sausages are not appropriate for cats and which ingredients are most problematic.
How often can a cat eat sausage?
How often a cat can eat Sausage depends on the type of Sausage and the cat’s overall health. Most sausages are made with pork, beef, or chicken. They also contain fat, salt, and spices. These ingredients can harm cats if they overeat them. Too much fat can cause pancreatitis in cats. Salt can cause dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance.
Can cats eat chicken instead of sausage?
Chicken is a fantastic alternative to sausage when it comes to feeding your feline friend. Packed with protein and low in fat, fresh chicken provides the essential nutrients that cats need for a healthy diet. Plus, it’s all-natural and free from harmful chemicals or ingredients.
Can cats eat turkey sausage?
Turkey and chicken sausage generally have less of the fat we try to avoid ourselves and limit our cats. Therefore, you may think that sausage made with less fatty meat is generally healthier for your cat. However, another health concern with feeding your cat sausage of any kind is the presence of sulfites, nitrates, and other preservatives.