{"id":449350,"date":"2024-01-17T16:59:12","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T21:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=449350"},"modified":"2024-10-11T08:34:36","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T12:34:36","slug":"can-cats-eat-spoiled-meat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/nutrition\/can-cats-eat-spoiled-meat\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Cats Eat Spoiled Meat? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cats are\u00a0obligate carnivores and therefore predominantly evolved to eat meat in their diet. Many owners tend to favor feeding high-quality cat food\u2014only to see them snatch not-so-fresh meat out of the garbage. But can cats eat spoiled meat?<\/p>\n

No, cats should not eat spoiled meat. They can get sick and are also able to contract serious illness, including food poisoning.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here, we discuss in further detail why cats can\u2019t eat rotten meat and the signs that you should watch for if they do.<\/p>\n

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What Can Happen If a Cat Eats Spoiled Meat?<\/h2>\n

There are varying degrees of spoilage that can lead to varying degrees of illness. Meat becomes rotten due to exposure to temperature change and air, which enables bacterial growth. It typically becomes slimy, changes color, and emits a foul odor. It is dangerous to eat once it reaches this stage because of the harmful bacteria. (However, any amount of bacterial contamination prior to this stage can also be dangerous!)<\/p>\n

This is what leads to\u00a0food poisoning, which can occur after eating spoiled meat but is also possible with raw meat.<\/p>\n

1. Food Poisoning<\/h3>\n

Food poisoning can be quite serious and can make your cat very sick. Food that has gone bad or hasn\u2019t been cooked properly and has come into contact with feces can have organisms such as Salmonella<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Signs of food poisoning can include:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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