What To Do If Your Cat Eats Bacon Grease – 14 Tips for Safety and Recovery

As any cat owner knows, our furry friends can get into places and things they shouldn’t. One common scenario is when a curious cat gets ahold of leftover bacon grease. While delicious to humans, bacon grease can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting in cats. If your cat ate bacon grease, don’t panic. Here are 14 tips to keep your cat safe and help them recover if they ingest bacon fat.

1. Evaluate the Amount Consumed

First, try to determine how much bacon grease your cat ate A small taste or lick likely won’t cause an issue. However, a tablespoon or more can lead to digestive problems. If you find an overturned container or missing grease, assume they ate a substantial amount.

2. Monitor for Symptoms

Watch your cat closely over the next 24-48 hours for symptoms like vomiting diarrhea, loss of appetite or lethargy. If you notice any of these call your vet, as treatment may be needed. Lethargy along with vomiting or diarrhea can signal dehydration.

3. Avoid Food for a Few Hours

If your cat ate more than just a taste withhold food for 2-4 hours to give their stomach time to settle. Avoid giving fatty foods which could worsen GI upset. Stick to their regular diet once symptoms improve.

4. Provide Plenty of Fresh Water

Ensure your cat has unlimited access to fresh, clean drinking water to prevent dehydration from fluid loss. Use a fountain if your cat prefers flowing water.

5. Offer a Bland Diet

Feed small, frequent meals of bland food like boiled chicken and white rice once hunger returns. This gentle food helps calm the GI tract. Mix in some canned pumpkin for fiber.

6. Limit Physical Activity

Restrict activity for 24 hours to give your cat’s belly time to recover. Cats may seem subdued after an upset stomach too. Keep them calm and comfortable.

7. Watch for Dehydration

Contact your vet if symptoms worsen or if you notice signs of dehydration like lethargy, dry gums, weakness, or sunken eyes. Dehydration needs prompt veterinary treatment.

8. Administer Medications Per Vet

If prescribed by your vet, give any medications as directed, like GI protectants, anti-nausea meds, probiotics, or subcutaneous fluids. These provide relief and help recovery.

9. Keep the Cat Confined

Until back to normal, confine your cat to one room with food, water, litterbox and bedding to limit activity and observe them. Make sure children leave the cat alone.

10. Clean Up Accidents Properly

Be prepared for vomiting or diarrhea outside the litterbox. Disinfect soiled areas thoroughly. If needed, temporarily switch to easy-to-clean floors like tile.

11. Discourage Repeated Behavior

Once recovered, prevent repeat incidents by keeping bacon grease in the refrigerator in tightly sealed containers out of paw’s reach. Never leave grease unattended.

12. Remove All Temptations

Put other tempting human foods like butter, meat, and oil away too. Place trash cans up high or use pet-proof lids. Veggie oil can also cause stomach issues.

13. Invest in Interactive Puzzles

Provide mental stimulation with food puzzles instead of unhealthy human food. Work their brain at mealtimes to prevent boredom eating.

14. Contact an Emergency Vet If Concerned

If symptoms seem severe or persist more than 24-48 hours, don’t hesitate to visit an emergency vet clinic, especially if your cat seems in distress.

While bacon grease may smell tempting to our cats, it’s simply too rich for their digestive systems. Stay vigilant after potential exposure, and take action to help your cat recover quickly while preventing repeat episodes. With preparation and care, your cat can happily and safely return to their normal routine.