Bacon Grease is a unique product that was developed for use by cat owners.
It will benefit your feline friend by helping prevent unwanted scratching. It can be applied anywhere on your feline’s skin, such as a paw, and it tastes good too.
So, can cats eat bacon grease? Bacon grease is not healthy for cats to eat or put on their skin.
Cats cannot digest it well and it can cause pancreatitis or greasy dermatitis. These conditions are caused by an accumulation of fat in the liver or pancreas and can cause illness or even death.
Cats also cannot tolerate the flavoring added to bacon grease and it can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea if consumed.
Can Cats Eat Bacon Grease?
There is no way for a cat to digest bacon grease properly or to absorb the nutrients in it, so it should be strictly off limits to your pet.
Bacon grease is bacon fat that has been cooked until the water (or almost) has evaporated from it.
Bacon grease has a lot of saturated and monounsaturated fat, which is bad for your feline friend as it can cause pancreatitis or greasy dermatitis, and it can also clog.
Because of the high fatty content in bacon grease, it is also very high in calories, which is why it is used as an ingredient for appetizers and other tasty foods for humans.
Why Does My Cat Eat Bacon Grease?
Cats are infamous for being finicky eaters, and yet they will sometimes eat things they should not.
Bacon grease in your cat’s water dish is a mystery that may never be solved.
If you leave anything out for a long enough period of time, and your cat is a curious one, it is bound to try it.
What Is Bacon Grease?
A raw piece of bacon has water in it, and the fat that is in it is liquid at room temperature.
Liquid bacon fat will harden when it cools down.
The bacon fat will harden into white solids called lardons when the temperature drops below 40 degrees F.
As a result, bacon grease is nothing more than the cooked water taken out of the bacon so that the fat will harden into lardons.
Bacon grease’s adaptability means it can be used for baking or frying, thanks to the high smoke point of its fats.
A little container of bacon grease will last for several months in the fridge and up to a year in the freezer.
In spite of its many benefits, bacon grease should never be fed to cats.
Is Bacon Grease Bad for Your Cat?
It’s a terrible idea to give cats bacon grease because it is high in calories and contains proteins and fats that are not meant for a cat’s digestive system.
They were never meant to eat meat in the first place.
You should expect your cat to suffer a upset stomach and possibly a blockage in the digestive tract if it eats bacon grease.
Diarrhea and vomiting are likely, and bleeding of the digestive tract and ulcers may occur in the most serious cases.
There are often 24 to 48 hours to collect the fluid before they solidify into little white nuggets of lardons.
What If My Cat Ate Bacon Grease?
Vomiting, diarrhea, and a lack energy are all signs of a bacon grease overdose.
In the event that Leo continues to exhibit these signs, take him to the vet as soon as possible to rule out the possibility of severe intestine blockage or intestinal bleeding.
He should be alright if you respond quickly, but seek medical attention at the first sign of complications or deterioration.
How Can You Prevent Your Cat From Eating Bacon Grease?
Cover it Well
There are a few ways to store bacon grease if you plan on feeding it to your pet cat.
One option is to cover the container tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in a cabinet, which can be a difficult process for creatures that aren’t used to human kitchens.
Aluminum foil irritates cats’ paw pads as they can get under and chew it, so use plastic instead.
Using a Pantry
While storing your bacon grease in the refrigerator is a poor choice for obvious reasons, you can store it in a cabinet away from your cat’s reach.
Keep your cat out of the bacon grease and keep it covered well to prevent access.
Is Butter Healthier Than Bacon Grease?
Even if you don’t give your cat a tin of bacon grease, it can eat the butter you spread on its food!
It’s ok for cats to eat butter as long as you don’t give them too much of it. As the butter gets hot and melts on your table and your pet reaches for it, it might accidentally eat a little of it or lick it off of the table.
Cats can tolerate a small amount of butter in their diets, but not too much butter because this can cause diarrhea and vomiting in cats.
It doesn’t mean it’s a worse thing than regular shortening or butter, but it’s generally discouraged because it can cause vomiting and diarrhea and your cat might get sick.
Only feed your cat food that is specifically meant for them and not snacks like table scraps or treats, especially high-fat foods like butter and bacon grease that can harm your cat.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Turkey Bacon?
Conclusion
In conclusion, bacon grease is not healthy for cats to eat or put on their skin.
Cats cannot digest it well and it can cause pancreatitis or greasy dermatitis. These conditions are caused by an accumulation of fat in the liver or pancreas and can cause illness or even death.
Cats also cannot tolerate the flavoring added to bacon grease and it can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea if consumed.
For a healthy treat for your cat that helps prevent scratches on furniture or other items in your home, give your cat plenty of natural cat foods.
They are good for their kidneys and digestive system and will prevent any illnesses caused by lack of proper nutrition.
