Can Cats Eat Raw Meat?

🚫 Not Recommended

⚠️ Educational info only. If your pet just ate something and looks unwell, skip the reading and call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (US): (855) 764-7661.

No. Plain raw meat from the kitchen exposes cats to bacteria and parasites.

Why it’s a problem

Raw beef, pork and poultry can carry salmonella, campylobacter, listeria and, in pork, Aujeszky’s disease, which is fatal to cats. Cats that eat raw meat can also shed toxoplasma oocysts, a risk for pregnant people in the home. Cats tolerate meat, but "raw from the cutting board" is not the same as a tested, balanced raw diet.

How to serve it safely

Cook all meat you share. If you are interested in raw feeding, discuss a complete commercial raw diet with your vet rather than improvising.

Warning signs to watch for

Vomiting, diarrhea, fever and lethargy within days of eating contaminated raw meat; severe cases cause dehydration and collapse.

When to call the vet

Call your vet for vomiting or bloody diarrhea, and mention the raw meat — it changes the testing your vet will consider.

Common questions

Aren’t cats meant to eat raw prey?

Wild cats eat fresh prey immediately; supermarket meat has often been handled for days and carries different microbial risks. Domestic cats do best on cooked or properly formulated food.

More foods for cats

Salmon✅ SafeYes, when fully cooked and unseasoned. Salmon is a nutritious fish most cats enjoy.Tuna⚠️ In ModerationOccasional small amounts only — tuna should be a treat, never a meal.Cow’s Milk🚫 Not RecommendedBetter to skip it. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant and milk gives them stomach upset.Garlic☠️ ToxicNo. Garlic is poisonous to cats — even more potent per gram than onion.Cooked Eggs✅ SafeYes, fully cooked and plain. Eggs are a protein-rich treat cats usually enjoy.Cheese⚠️ In ModerationSmall bites are usually fine, but many cats cannot digest dairy well.

This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is different — if your animal ate something concerning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away.