I recently bought some deli turkey and gave some to my cat. I was surprised that she liked it a lot because she won’t eat any wet cat food I buy. She eats dry cat food, but I’m wondering if I can add plain turkey deli meat to her diet.
While your cat might enjoy the taste of deli turkey, it’s important to feed it in moderation and with caution.
Reasons for Caution:
- Sodium Content: Deli meats are often high in sodium, which can be harmful to cats if consumed in large quantities.
- Preservatives: Some deli meats contain additives and preservatives that may not be suitable for cats.
- Nutritional Imbalance: Deli turkey alone cannot provide all the necessary nutrients for a cat’s balanced diet.
Safe Alternatives:
- Consult Your Vet: Before making any significant changes to your cat’s diet, consult with your veterinarian for tailored advice based on your cat’s specific needs.
- Commercial Cat Food: High-quality cat food is formulated to meet all of your cat’s nutritional requirements.
- Homemade Cat Food: If you decide to prepare homemade food, consult with a vet or a qualified pet nutritionist to ensure it’s balanced.
Deli turkey can be an occasional treat, but it shouldn’t replace a complete and balanced cat food. Always prioritize your cat’s overall health and well-being.
It’s okay as long as there aren’t a lot of fillers in the meat (especially gelatin). Also, I would stay away from giving her pork. We fed my dog salami and paid out the ass for it when he got worms. Pork = worms. No pork. I cannot stress it enough… stay away from the pork.
They are obligate carnivores, but my foolish lot will try deli meat, yogurt, milk, and other things. As soon as they are not allergic to dairy (some are), you should be good.