Beef jerky has been around since ancient Egypt. It is essentially a dried version of the original, fresh meat.
Since refrigeration and canning technologies are quite recent discoveries, removing the moisture from the meat was the most reliable way to ensure that it could be preserved. After all, none of us could eat that whole buffalo, but it would be a waste to let it go to waste.
Currently, beef jerky has become less of a necessary form of preservable nutrition and more of a tasty snack. It is still pure meat, so cats, the little carnivores that they are, may come running when their noses catch a whiff of beef jerky after the package is torn open.
Can I Give My Cat Beef Jerky? Answer: Occasionally.
Cats are pure carnivores and beef jerky is essentially not anything more than dried meat, so you can feed it to your cat. Of course, in some cases the beef jerky may contain preservatives or additional ingredients. These additional ingredients could potentially be hazardous to your feline friend.
Spiced beef jerky may contain garlic or onion powder, which is always toxic to cats. To be on the safe side, it is best to avoid any flavored jerky. Furthermore, beef jerky is often salted to remove the moisture and cats are extremely sensitive to large amounts of sodium. Beef jerky with additional preservatives should always be avoided.
Makes Cats Thirsty
Dried, salty snacks are guaranteed to increase the amount of drinks you will want, a fact that is often exploited by cunning bar managers. The same goes for cats, but they are not naturally big drinkers. Make sure they have enough water nearby when you give them an aromatic beef jerky treat. Our furry friends also love drinking from flowing water, so if you can install a pet fountain for them, it will encourage them to drink more.
You could also leave the tap open for them, but don’t hint on anything bath-related because they may flee the scene. Dehydration occurs easily in cats and can have severe consequences. Any time you feed them dry food or snacks there should be plenty of fresh water nearby for them to satisfy the ensuing thirst.
Fatally Flavored Beef Jerky
For safety reasons any unidentified flavorings are best avoided. Some foods that are perfectly fine for human consumption can be hazardous and even downright fatal to cats. Garlic, onion, chives and roots of similar nature are the biggest offenders. Often used to flavor snacks like chips and beef jerky, they are poisonous to cats. They destroy the red blood cells in cats, resulting in Heinz Body Anemia.
Salt is often found in large quantities in beef jerky because is enhances the tastes and helps preserve the meat. As mentioned before, too much sodium causes an electrolyte imbalance in cats. Sodium is not usually present in a cat’s natural diet and they are easily upset by small quantities.
Safe Alternatives
Pet stores sell safer versions of beef jerky made especially for cats. It is basically the same as the beef jerky you would eat, but without the additives that could potentially be harmful to your cat. Although the occasional beef jerky treat made for human consumption is fine for cats, snacks tailored to them are healthier and they might even enjoy them more.
Watch for Silica Gel
It might be written on the package that you shouldn’t eat the packet of silica gel, but unless you have a very exceptional cat, they won’t be able to read it. Since all of it smells of delicious, meaty snacks your cat may accidentally ingest the silica package in his or her enthusiasm.
Particularly if your clawed companion has managed to get to the beef jerky before you did. The good news is that silica gel is not toxic to cats. The bad news is that if the cat ate the whole packet it might cause an obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract. If they swallow the whole packet contact your veterinarian for further instruction.
In Small Quantities as a Treat
Cats are the quintessential meat lovers and beef jerky is among their favorites. The pungent smell draws them to you as soon as the packet is opened. As carnivores they have no problem eating the meat itself, but the spices and additives could be toxic to them. Their delicate electrolyte balance is also easily disrupted by too much sodium. They will love the beef jerky treat, but make sure to check the ingredients before you feed it to your cat.
We already knew to avoid onions and garlic, so we had already ruled our particular jerky out (it being Teriyaki and flavored with both). Our cat was so eager to have some that it’s good to know we can find it made just for cats.
I found this info very interesting. My 10 month old kitten loves to chew much to my dismay. Her teeth are sharp enough without the beef jerky!
Thank you for the information. My little buddy really enjoys eating jerky. I was a bit spooked when I read that flavored types should be avoided. I had just given him some Luckily the flavored one I had did not use any of the fatal ingredients, so he’ll be fine.
Right? I was scared until I read the ingredients! I only gave her two little chunks from the jerky I was eating, and she seems to be in love now.
What about pork/bacon jerky?
My cat loves it! He opened the package on his own.
I feed my cats Old Trapper Old Fashioned Beef Jerky every so often as a treat. It’s naturally smoked and has a pretty simple ingredient list including beef, brown sugar, water, salt, beef stock, hydrolyzed corn protein, vinegar, and sodium nitrate.