The quick answer is “Yes” but with restrictions. Cats, dogs, nor humans should never eat raw or undercooked pork at any time. This meat may be infested with trichinella parasites that can cause stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and other uncomfortable side effects.
Cats are carnivores, they get all their nutrition from eating other animals. Feeding a little pork to your cat is not going to hurt it. There is no need to panic if he grabs that chunk of cooked ham and heads for the hills. It is not the best meat choice for your cat on the other hand.
Make sure there are no bones, like with chicken, as cats are known to choke on small slivers. Pork is high in fat and contains a high amount of sodium. The globules of fat[1] in pork can quickly contribute to your cat’s weight gain. This fat can also block your cat’s arteries if consumed too often. If they eat too much salt they can develop hypernatremia, also known as sodium poisoning. Fluid therapy is often needed to correct the imbalance caused by excessive sodium intake.
On the positive side, make sure your cat gets pork in extreme moderation, it is full of the protein they need. Pork is high in vitamins B6 and B12 which are essential for the proper function of their nervous systems, immune systems, and digestive tracts.
Dogs are omnivores, they eat plants as well as animals. While it won’t hurt him to have some pork occasionally add-ons, such as seasonings and spice rubs that contain onion powder, nutmeg, and garlic powder are extremely dangerous, due to the fact they are highly toxic if ingested. BBQ sauce is not recommended for dogs and should be avoided. Many sauces are high in salt and sugar and contain added flavoring, such as garlic and onion.
Another reason to keep doggie pork consumption on the low side is that pork is rich in a type of fat that is difficult for dogs to digest, which can lead to indigestion and inflammation of the pancreas. And, while dogs love bones, there is a chance that splinters can break off the bigger pieces that could cause harm.
Yes, you can safely feed pork to your cat or dog. No, you cannot do it as often as you think. Pork ceases to be safe to eat when it is overconsumed due to its content.
Footnotes
- Globules of fat are the individual pieces of intracellular fat inside cell types other than adipocytes (fat cells). Intracellular fat is bound in the globular form by phospholipid membranes, which are hydrophobic. This means that fat globules are insoluble in water.
Sources
Excited Cats
American Kennel Club
Cooper Pet Care
Dog Food Guide
