If you are like many cat owners and love your pet, you may have seen your cat looking longingly at your snack with big, cute eyes, and you might think, “Can cats eat pepperoni? Just a little bite won’t hurt, right?”
In our fondness for our cats, we sometimes want to share our foodie experiences with them, especially when they appear to be so enthusiastic and encouraging.
But before you give in, it’s important to know what’s really in that tempting treat. However, pepperoni, that delicious little slice of spicy, tasty meat, may not be as innocent as it appears.
Let’s explore why pepperoni is not the healthiest snack for your cat and how you can keep your pet’s chin whiskers fueled with comfort and joy.
What’s in Pepperoni?
Pepperoni isn’t just one piece of meat. It is a dried salami made from either pork or beef, filled with salt, spices like red pepper and garlic, and preservatives such as nitrates.
These ingredients not only provide the flavor to pepperoni and help it to last longer on the shelf, but they also make it harmful for cats.
So, while pepperoni may smell delicious and have your Maine Coon begging for a bite, the mixture of salts, preservatives, and spices makes it unsafe for cats.
You should keep the pepperoni far away from your cat and only give your cat treats specifically formulated for cats or plain cooked meat without seasoning.
Can Cats Eat Pepperoni?
No, cats should not eat pepperoni. Pepperoni is highly processed, salty, and has spices and preservatives that can upset a cat’s digestive system and can cause serious health issues, including dehydration or pancreatitis.
Despite being a carnivore and likely being drawn to the smell and taste of pepperoni, it is not safe food for your cat.
Avoid giving your Maine Coon, or any cat, pepperoni and stick with only cat food specifically formulated to meet their dietary needs or human safe foods that are specifically recommended for cats.
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4 Reasons Why Pepperoni Is Not Safe For Cats
1. Sodium Overload
One of the greatest drawbacks to pepperoni is the sodium content. A small bit of pepperoni (only 2 g) contains about 31.6 mg of sodium, about the amount of sodium a small cat should have in an entire day.
Cats like Maine Coons, probably the largest cat breed, could handle greater sodium levels without salt poisoning, but it wouldn’t likely be good for them.
Signs of salt poisoning in cats include:
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Excessive thirst and urination
- Tremors or seizures
- Poor coordination
In severe cases, too much salt can even be fatal.
2. Nitrates and Preservatives
Pepperoni has a lot of preservatives that contain nitrates and nitrites. These are all safe for humans, but if consumed in large amounts, these can be poisonous to cats.
Nitrate poisoning causes digestive upset, weakness, and more serious health problems than just feeling sick.
Big cats like Maine Coons have a stronger constitution than average cats, but if they were to eat some of the pepperoni in higher quantities, they would be at risk.
3. Spices and Garlic
Pepperoni’s kick comes from spices, like red pepper and black pepper, in conjunction with garlic. While garlic is poisonous for cats, it can lead to anemia- a loss of red blood cells, stomach pain, vomiting, and lethargy. Cats are sensitive to garlic, and even a little will cause a problem.
4. Fat and Calories: It’s NOT a Healthy Treat
In general, Pepperoni is high in fat and calories. For a cat, they could add up fast.
While Maine Coons are large cats, they are not immune to becoming too fat – or suffering the pain of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) after fatty, greasy foods. Too much fat can upset your cat’s stomach and lead to diarrhea and discomfort.
I still recall the first time my Maine Coon made a lunge for a slice of pepperoni from my plate. He made chirps, he stretched, and then tried the “sad eyes” approach to peak my interest.
However, now that I know better, I am glad I didn’t let him steal my lunch. It can be risky for your cat, no matter how convincing.
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What If Your Cat Eats Pepperoni by Accident?
If a cat eats pepperoni by accident, it will most likely experience gastrointestinal upset because pepperoni contains ingredients that are toxic to cats. A small amount may not kill a cat right away, but pepperoni is not good for them.
Monitor Your Cat
Watch carefully for any vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drinking, lethargy, tremors, pale gums, or lack of coordination. These signs may indicate salt poisoning, garlic toxicity, or pancreatitis.
Call Your Veterinarian
If your cat has any signs or you know they ate a significant amount of pepperoni, call your veterinarian as soon as possible. The veterinarian can guide whether immediate veterinary care is necessary, as garlic has particular toxicity issues if substantial amounts have been ingested.
Avoid Pepperoni Again
While a tiny accidental chomp will likely do little if any harm, pepperoni should never be a normal treat because of its unhealthy characteristics.
Is Any Type of Pepperoni Safe?
No type of pepperoni is safe for cats, including turkey pepperoni — all versions have high salt, high fat, preservatives, and seasonings that are unsafe for cats.
Instead of feeding your Maine Coon pepperoni, feed him plain cooked meats such as chicken or turkey, without any salt or seasoning.
Can Cats Eat Cooked Pepperoni?
No, you shouldn’t give your cat cooked pepperoni. Raw or cooked, pepperoni contains all sorts of ingredients that can harm your cat and cause major health problems.
Cooking pepperoni will not remove or reduce the high amounts of salt, fat, spices, and preservatives, and all of these substances risk your cat’s health.
Healthier Treat Options
If you’re going to treat your Maine Coon, only use safe options:
- Plain cooked chicken (no seasoning) or plain cooked turkey
- Commercial cat treats that are higher quality and catered to cats’ specific dietary needs
- Small amounts of plain fish on occasion
You should always avoid processed meats, salty foods, and foods with garlic or onions when it comes to your cat.
Love Means Saying No to Pepperoni
The answer is definitely no. We love to share our food with our cats, but health is wealth. Pepperoni may be delicious for us, but it is not a safe food for our cats to eat.
Get your Maine Coon something safe, and rest easy knowing that you are taking good care of them!
References:
- https://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/cat/dr-coates/2015/december/too-much-salt-dangerous-cats-33345
- https://hemopet.org/nitrates-nitrites-pet-food-dog-food-cat-food/
