Can Cats Eat Prosciutto? Is It a Healthy Choice?

Rate this post

“In a cat’s eyes, all things belong to cats” – let it be fish, meat, or milk.

It’s a common fact that finding the right cat food is the crux of cat parenting. Now, like a human, cats also need nutrition. And meat indeed offers an ample amount of nutrition.

However, can a cat eat any kind of meat? Can Cats Eat Prosciutto?

Cats are meat lovers, and prosciutto is meat. So, of course, they can eat prosciutto; however, not regularly.  Yes, it is a great source of protein; eating them daily or in large amounts is unsafe for your cat. Too much prosciutto can cause your cat’s upset stomach, vomiting, seizure, etc.

This article has covered every detail on prosciutto, why you should treat your cat with it occasionally and why you should avoid it daily. So if you want to grab more information, keep reading. 

Can Cats Eat Prosciutto?

Cats Eat Prosciutt

Cats are fussy eaters. They don’t like every food you provide. But they like meats very much. That does not mean that every meat is safe for cats. 

Your cat needs micronutrients like carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. And as a carnivore, they need a significant amount of good animal protein.

So, your cat can eat prosciutto occasionally, which can help with its great amount of protein. But larger portions or regular consumption of prosciutto can be very harmful to your cat.

In short, give your cat prosciutto as a treat, not regularly.

What Meat Is Prosciutto Made Of?

What Meat Is Prosciutto Made Of

Prosciutto is nothing but an Italian word for ham. Ham is leg meat of pork that is preserved by curing by salting. Additionally, you can include smoking and seasoning to enhance its taste and flavor.

However, many often ask, “is it bad for cats to eat ham?”

The answer is not straightforward. In fact, the reply consists ‘a yes’ and ‘a no.’ let’s dig deeper into if ham or prosciutto is healthy for your cat.

How Healthy Proscuitto Is for Cats?

Cured meat like prosciutto is not very good food for your cat. However, the meat doesn’t impose any greater risk; prosciutto as a daily diet may cause harm.

Now, prosciutto for cat indeed has positive aspects. However, it has drawbacks, like a thorn in the rose.

Health Benefits of Proscuitto

Health Benefits of Proscuitto

We searched for some positive reason why your cat should eat prosciutto often. And found some positive facts which are worthy of remark.

  • Nutrients

Cured meat is full of nutrients. It can help your cat to become healthy. Like, it has amino acid that helps to build muscles.

It also has various vitamins and minerals, such as zinc, iron, thiamine, vitamin B6 and B12, and phosphorous, which is excellent for your cat’s health.

  • Long Shelf-Life

We know that cured meat has a long shelf-life. So you can serve it as a food supplement if you often procrastinate going to the local store.

  • Taste

Cured meat is tasty, and your cat will like it. If your cat is bored with cat foods, give it teeny-weeny prosciutto. An excellent way to treat your cat!

Negative Aspects of Proscuitto

Negative Aspects of Proscuitto

There is nothing without a negative side. But prosciutto has more negative sides than its positivity. Let’s see them,

  • High In Salt

Cured meat is very salty. Salt is used as a preservative to store prosciutto for a long period. Now, salt makes people thirsty; the same for your cat. However, the dehydration caused by the excess salt is way too dangerous than that for humans.

Besides, a large amount of prosciutto can cause internal organ failure, increased heart, etc. And if your cat already has kidney disease, treating it with prosciutto is out of the question.

Now, however, not an acute danger, too much salty prosciutto in their diet can cause sodium ion poisoning. But it’s a rarity. However, it can encounter several symptoms – vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, shortness of breath, etc.

  • Not Cooked

Prosciutto is unsafe for your cat because it is not cooked. So, there is a high possibility of contamination by harmful bacteria in cats.

The two most dangerous bacteria are Escherichia Coli and Salmonella. These can cause lymph node swelling and diarrhea or severe life-threatening sickness.

We know that the curing process of prosciutto kills parasites and bacteria. But the harmful parasites and bacteria can be back in meat if the handling procedures are poor.

But that will not be a big deal if you handle it with strict hygiene and freezing before giving it to your cat. Also, you can buy them from reputable sources. They preserve with great processing.

  • Spicy

Cured meat can be spicy. Sometimes, pepper, garlic, and juniper are used for the curing process. 

Though spices are not that harmful to your cat, they can cause stomach upset. Garlic can destroy red blood cells in cats. 

Is Prosciutto Good For Cats?

The above discussion shows that prosciutto is not good for cats. But your cat can have prosciutto occasionally as a treat. 

Little consumption of prosciutto occasionally is okay for cats. It will help your cat with its protein and micronutrients. 

But before giving your cat prosciutto, make sure that the amount is small and will not cause any harm.

You may ask, how much prosciutto is safe for your cat?

Well, it shouldn’t be more than 10% of a cat’s daily diet, around 20-25 calories. To be precise, give a tiny piece of one slice.

Which Meat Is Bad For Cats?

Which Meat Is Bad For Cats

Even fussy cats like meat. So, you might give it to your cat after looking at its interest in meat. But be cautious about meat before giving it to your cat. Not every meat is good for your cat—especially fish and raw meat.

  • Fish

Are you surprised? But yes, fish is bad for your kittens. Even if your cat is excited about fish, you should not let them eat it. 

Firstly, fish has a lot of bones and thorns that may cause digestive problems in cats. Moreover, fish has a high amount of histamine. Histamine is a bad protein for cats because it triggers allergies in them.

Salmon and Tuna fish contain heavy metals like mercury. So these fish are not only bad for kittens but also for pregnant women and children.

  • Raw Meat

Your cat can be very attracted to the smell of raw meat. But do not allow your cat to eat raw meat. In cats, raw meats can cause neurological problems like lethargy and seizures.

Moreover, raw meats and eggs contain dangerous microscopic organisms like E.coli, salmonella, etc., which cause food poisoning.

In addition, raw meat’s enzymes destroy thiamine or vitamin B. and Vitamin B gives the energy for neurological function and movements in cats. Not only that, but raw meat can also cause diarrhea and vomiting.

What Meat Can You Feed Your Cat Instead Of Prosciutto

Cured meat is never a healthy option for your cat. And as a caring parent, you should give that food to your cat that will keep them healthy and fulfill all their nutritional needs.

So, what should you feed it if not prosciutto? Feed the meat that is high in protein and low in saturated fat. And most importantly, feed them cooked meat.

A healthy protein diet for your cat includes-

  • Chicken
  • Pork
  • Turkey
  • Shrimp
  • Tuna
  • Beef
  • Egg

What Food Cats Should Not Eat?

Cats mostly eat all they see. However, you should be careful when you give your cat human food. Some of the foods are toxic for cats. Let’s see these foods,

  • Raisins and Grapes.
  • Chocolate 
  • Nuts
  • Dough of bread
  • Alcoholic Beverage
  • Garlic 
  • Onions
  • Candy 

FAQ’s:

  • What deli meats can cats eat?

Deli meats refer to cooked or processed meats for lunch. Like ham or prosciutto, deli meats are not very good for your cat’s health. Deli meats contain a high amount of sodium, which is unhealthy for your cat. Even for humans, deli meats are not a great thing to eat, let alone cats. 

If you want to share your deli meat with your cat, give in a small portion.

Parma ham is the finest ham. But same as ham or deli meats, parma ham is also not the ideal option to give your cat to eat. It is not unsafe, so you can give it to your cat occasionally as a treat.

  • Can cats eat ham slices?

Yes, your cat can eat ham slices. But a large number of ham slices can cause health issues.

You can give your cat a cooked ham without adding seasoning and salt. But do not give it as a daily meal.

  • Is there any contamination risk if my cat eats ham?

Uncooked ham can cause contamination. We know that the curing process of ham kills parasites and harmful bacteria in meat. But if it is not appropriately preserved, dangerous parasites and bacteria can be returned and cause contamination. So, to avoid contamination, give your cat a cooked ham.

  • Can cats eat human food?

Human food is not ideal for cats. But it is not unsafe either. You can give your cat cooked chicken without adding any seasoning or salt, cooked beef (without seasoning and salt), cheese, cooked egg, and a small number of veggies (N.B onions and garlic are not good for cats), etc.

But, cat food is the safest and best option for your cat to eat. Keep cat food in your cat’s daily meal, and add a little human food if your cat likes it.

Bottom Line

Cats are cute; however, caring for them can make you confused, especially about food. A common question arising often is, “Can Cats Eat Prosciutto?”

The answer is not so simple. Your cat can eat prosciutto; it’s not a healthy option. Proscuitto contains excess salt, fat, spice, and a high chance of bacterial contamination. Therefore, it poses several health risks.

But if you still want to feed prosciutto to your cat, give a small amount occasionally as a treat.

Always be cautious before giving any food to your cat. We wish your cat a healthy life.

Happy cat parenting.

Leave a Comment