Whenever you tuck into a turkey sandwich, your meat-loving feline is probably keen for a bite, and turkey casseroles or soups are just as intriguing. But can cats eat turkey safely?
Chances are you’ve already seen turkey listed as an ingredient in cat food, so you probably suspect the answer is “yes”. But things get a bit more complicated if you’re thinking about offering your cat turkey that is intended for humans. Keep reading to find out when turkey is not a good idea for our furry four-legged friends. In This Article
Can Cats Eat Turkey Slices? A Detailed Look at the Pros and Cons
Turkey is a lean, protein-rich meat that many pet owners love to eat Naturally, when you’re enjoying a tasty turkey sandwich or leftovers from a roast turkey dinner, your curious kitty wants a bite too. But is it safe for cats to eat turkey meant for human consumption? Specifically, what about deli turkey slices?
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at whether cats can eat turkey slices from the deli counter. We’ll discuss the potential benefits and risks, proper portion sizes, and tips for the safest ways to feed this tasty treat.
Can Cats Eat Turkey Slices?
The short answer is yes, cats can eat turkey slices in moderation as an occasional snack or meal topper. Turkey is an excellent source of complete, highly bioavailable protein for cats since they are obligate carnivores. Their bodies are designed to metabolize and utilize nutrients from animal tissues most efficiently.
Many cat foods, both wet and dry, contain turkey as a nutritious ingredient. Turkey provides protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals cats need. So, it makes sense that fresh turkey offered as a treat can also provide health perks.
Potential Benefits of Turkey for Cats
There are several benefits turkey slices can offer cats:
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High-Quality Protein: Turkey is a complete protein containing all the essential amino acids cats require. Protein supports muscle growth and maintenance, immunity, tissue repair, and energy.
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Lean Source of Fat: Turkey breast is a healthier fat source than fattier meats. Cats need dietary fat for energy, skin and coat health, vitamin absorption, etc.
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Vital Nutrients: Turkey contains vitamins (B vitamins, selenium), minerals (zinc, phosphorus), and beneficial fatty acids cats need. It offers more nutrients than plain meat-flavored treats.
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Moisture: Deli turkey slices can provide some extra hydration for cats who don’t drink enough water, especially senior cats. Wet food also works for this.
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Palatability: Many cats love the flavor of turkey! It makes an appetizing treat, pill pocket, or meal topper for picky eaters.
Potential Risks of Feeding Deli Turkey to Cats
While deli turkey can make a nutritious snack for cats, there are some potential risks to keep in mind:
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Fat Content: Some turkey slices are quite high in fat, especially if skin is attached. This can lead to weight gain or pancreatitis. Check nutrition labels and choose lower fat options.
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Sodium Content: Deli meats often contain added salt/sodium. Excess sodium can be harmful to cats, leading to hypertension, urinary issues, and stomach upset.
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Preservatives: Deli turkey may contain nitrates, nitrites, sulfites, phosphates, etc. to extend shelf life. These preservatives may cause adverse reactions in some cats.
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Seasonings: Flavored turkey slices contain onion, garlic, spices, or other ingredients toxic to cats. Only choose plain turkey with no seasonings.
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Listeria Risk: Deli meats have caused listeriosis outbreaks in humans. Cats are not highly susceptible but can pass Listeria bacteria to people through feces.
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Veterinarian Approval: Some cats should not eat deli meats at all if they have certain medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or food allergies. Always check with your vet before introducing any new food.
Tips for Feeding Turkey Slices to Cats
If you want to share some of your daily deli sandwich with your cat, follow these tips to do so safely:
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Read Labels: Select turkey slices with the lowest fat, sodium, and shortest ingredient list. Avoid any flavors, seasonings, onion, garlic, etc.
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Portion Control: Treats should be no more than 10-15% of your cat’s daily calories. For a 10 lb. cat, that’s 16-24 calories per day. About 1 thin slice of turkey.
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Avoid Fatty Parts: Do not feed the turkey skin, which is very high in fat. Stick just to the lean turkey breast meat.
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Freshness Matters: Do not feed expired turkey. Only choose fresh slices that have been properly refrigerated. Discard any leftovers after 2 days.
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Cook Thoroughly: Make sure any raw or pre-cooked turkey is heated through to 165°F, to kill any potential bacteria like Salmonella or Listeria.
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Remove Bones: Never feed cats any bones, which can injure their mouth, throat, or digestive tract.
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Feed Occasionally: Turkey slices should only be an occasional treat, not a daily meal. They lack complete nutrition on their own.
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Individual Reactions: If your cat vomits, has diarrhea, or shows signs of an allergy after eating turkey, do not give it again. Try a different protein source.
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Ask Your Vet: Consult your veterinarian before feeding turkey from the deli counter, especially if your cat has health issues.
What About Raw Turkey?
Raw turkey meant for humans carries a high risk of bacterial contamination with Salmonella, Campylobacter, and other pathogens. The digestive tracts of cats and dogs are not equipped to handle these risks as well as humans. Do not feed your pet any raw turkey unless approved by your veterinarian for specialized homemade diets.
Make sure any raw turkey is cooked thoroughly to a safe internal temperature before giving it to your cat. Leftover cooked turkey is a much safer choice than raw.
Healthiest Ways to Feed Turkey to Cats
While an occasional slice of deli turkey can make a fine treat, there are even healthier ways to incorporate turkey into your cat’s diet. Here are some smart options:
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Canned or Dry Cat Food: Look for high-quality cat foods with turkey as the first ingredient, minimally processed. Merrick, Wellness CORE, and Blue Buffalo all offer great recipes.
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Dehydrated Turkey Cat Treats: Pure dehydrated turkey or turkey blended into crunchy cat treats offer more balanced nutrition and fewer preservatives than deli slices.
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Cooked Turkey Breast: Plain roasted, baked, or boiled turkey breast with no skin, seasonings, bones or fat is ideal. Shred for easy eating.
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Turkey Baby Food: Look for brands with turkey as the sole ingredient. Well-cooked, pureed turkey in gravy provides a flavorful, smooth treat cats love.
The Bottom Line
In general, it’s fine to feed cats an occasional slice of deli turkey as a special snack or supplement. Just be very careful about choosing low sodium, low fat, additive-free, unseasoned, properly cooked turkey. For everyday meals and treats, choose cat food and cat treats made with high-quality turkey for optimal nutrition. As always, check with your veterinarian first before introducing any new food or treat to your cat’s diet. With some common sense precautions, your kitty can enjoy the flavor of turkey safely and in moderation.
Don’t offer your cat turkey bones
Whether raw or cooked, turkey bones (or any other bones for that matter) can be harmful to cats. Bones can easily splinter and cause injuries in the mouth, oesophagus or even the intestines. It’s always important to remove all bones before offering turkey meat to your cat.
Don’t let your cat have too much turkey skin
Although cats can eat turkey, the skin of this meat is high in fat, and so it should be either avoided or offered in very small quantities as it can result in digestive upset. Also, if your cat is obese, or has underlying health issues, it’s best to avoid foods that are high in fat altogether.
Can cats eat sliced turkey?
FAQ
Is sliced turkey okay for cats?
What parts of turkey are safe for cats?
What are lean deli meats for cats?
Is turkey good for cats with sensitive stomachs?
Can cats eat turkey meat?
While a bite or two of turkey makes for a vet-approved tasty treat for your cat, there are some important things to keep in mind. Dr. Harris recommends you follow these three rules: Pull off any skin from the turkey. While turkey meat is safe, you don’t want your cat eating any spices, seasonings or sauces that may be on the bird’s outer layer.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
Can cats eat deli turkey?
Since turkey is generally okay, people often ask if cats can eat deli turkey, too. No—not unless you see it sliced behind the meat counter from an actual bird. Processed deli turkey is high in unhealthy sodium and nitrates. Any additives, such as smoke flavoring or other seasonings, aren’t good for your feline friend either.
Can cats eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
While plenty of commercial cat foods do, in fact, contain turkey, you might be wondering if that means you can give them a taste of the turkey on your Thanksgiving table. “Turkey is a great source of protein that many cats may enjoy,” says Purina veterinarian Dr. Callie Harris. “I deem it safe in moderation.”