Cats are good pets and great companions to the people who are always engaged in their work. They certainly need less maintenance as compared to dogs. It makes the owner stress-free and puts them in a good mood. And living a stress-free life can certainly improve heart health. Playing with your feline friend is such great fun. Owning a cat can certainly enhance a person’s well-being offering a great companionship. It is said that a cat purrs, having a range of 20-140 Hz, is well known to be a medical remedy for human illnesses. They also help to relieve stress, reduce elevated blood pressure, heal infections and bones. They keep our home rodent-free. Besides the benefits of owning a feline friend, it is necessary to keep their diet full of nourishment to live happily and healthy.
Can cats eat raw pork?
Cats are called obligate carnivores, which means they fetch all the nourishment they need by eating other animals. Indisputably, pork is a great meat for the feline. It is observed that most of the cats love pork. It acts as a novel protein, but it must be introduced slowly and properly as a new food. A cat can eat raw pork, but it holds up the risk of parasites and health issues. It must be given without seasoning and should be fresh. You can feed your cat with pork as it is safe for them. Nourishing your feline friend with a little pork on occasion will not cause any health hazards to them. But only occasionally, the cats should be given the treat of pork; otherwise, it may cause some health issues if given too often, it’s not at all a regular choice to feed your cat.
Pork is a high-protein meat source. While pork is not harmful to cats, it comprises a high quantity of fat and sodium compared to skinless turkey or chicken. The high dose of fat could be hazardous for the cats and may certainly lead to health-related issues. Although felines can eat raw pork, it can be dangerous to felines and comprise parasites. Cats can surely consume raw pork but you must avoid feeding ham or bacon. A smoked, grilled, or salted meat should never be given to your cat as they contain a great level of smoke flavorings, nitrates, sodium, and preservatives.
The pork meat cuts- loin, butt, boneless rib meat, shoulder- are excellent protein sources. The raw pork loin can be a good protein source and is also rich in amino acids. Though the feline can eat raw pork but never feed them commercially ground meat of any type.
Myths of raw pork
There are certain misconceptions regarding the feeding of raw pork they are as follows-
- Pork has too large fat globules, this is the oldest one. The assertion is that pork has larger fat globules than other meat fat globules, which can clog the blood vessels of pets, especially dogs.
- Pork is too fatty. On a dry basis, pork cut to one-quarter inch fat is approximately 79% of protein and 18% fat. But if compared to other meats, it is clear that pork is not an extremely fatty option among the commercially available meats.
- Pork is high in saturated fats. Besides the fact that the cat’s natural diet has a distinct fat profile than most flesh raised commercially for human consumption, felines can deal with the fats very well and do not have similar physiological metabolism that can clog or block the arteries from the saturated fats. The fat content in the trimmed one-quarter pork is the lowest alternative for the saturated fat content of any meat available in the market except the skinless chicken breast.
- Cats will get trichinosis. This is the most popular reason why people are uncertain about feeding raw pork to their cats. Trichinosis is induced by the trichinella, which is a roundworm parasite. It should be frozen for at least three weeks to kill trichinella or other parasites at -20°C (-5° F).
The above-mentioned reasons are why most cat owners worry about feeding their cats with raw pork. With the normal fat and less saturated fats than other red meats, pork is suitably good for the felines. So let your cat enjoy the treat of raw pork without any fear.
What does pork provide for cats?
A common myth is that pork contains high-fat, but this is not completely factual since fat depends on the distinct cuts. If it is a lean cut, then the fat quantity would not be high. Besides fats and proteins, it also contains vitamin B6, thiamine, niacin, and minerals like zinc, iron, selenium, phosphorus and even contains creatine, glutathione, taurine, and cholesterol. As it contains these many aspects it is undoubtedly nutritious. To feed your feline with raw pork, go for a lean cut, avoiding adding flavorings such as garlic and onions that may be harmful to them. Do not replace the whole regular diet of cats with any meat alone. If the lean cut of pork is provided to the feline, it is good as it doesn’t contain much fat, and if it is fresh, it will also be free of preservatives and salt, which is certainly good for cat health.
Whether to give cooked pork or raw pork?
The cooked pork is thoroughly suggested for the cats as cooking at 130° F and above temperatures can kill any parasite or pathogen. The contamination while handling could cause an effect on the cat’s health, so a raw one is not recommended. A healthier cat’s digestive system can certainly eradicate those pathogens due to acidic gut, but it may affect the immunity of the feline body. Freezing raw pork at -20° C for three days is the best option as it kills the pathogens but not the parasites due to contamination before freezing.
Final words
Vast criticisms of raw pork always pour out from some common myths and misconceptions. Though we can feed the cat with raw pork, it should not become part of their normal diet, only occasionally, the pork treat should be given. Rather than giving raw pork, cooked pork would be a better option and if feeding them with raw pork pieces, give them lean and fresh chunks. Most importantly, consult the vet before feeding any new treat to your cat to be conscious of their health.