Can Cats have Pepperoni?

Cats are true carnivores, which means that more than 70% of their food should be meat. They really don’t need grains in their diet at all. Pepperoni is almost entirely made of meat, so as a basic food item, it does meet the needs of a cat’s diet.

Pepperoni is something that cats will eat if they get the chance. Cats like it because it has a lot of fat and protein, which makes it taste good to them. Pepperoni, whether it’s on a pizza or comes in a package or from the deli, usually doesn’t have any harmful ingredients.

Unfortunately, cats shouldn’t eat pepperoni because it has things in it that are bad for them. These foods have a lot of fat, protein, spices, and chemicals that keep them from going bad. Some of these ingredients can cause stomach pain, nausea, bloating, and diarrhea, among other symptoms. Here is a list of some of the things in pepperoni and what might happen if a cat ate them.

What is Pepperoni?

Pepperoni is an Italian sausage made from pork, beef, and spices. It is a popular topping for pizza, and many people also like to eat it as a snack. Depending on what is used to make it, pepperoni can have different amounts of nutrients. Most of the time. But cats shouldn’t eat pepperoni because it is high in fat and salt and not very good for them.

Read More: How Doxycycline Ruined My Life

Is Pepperoni Safe for Cats?

If your cat gets a bite or two of pepperoni, it probably won’t make a big difference. When cats start eating pepperoni often, that’s when it becomes more dangerous. Again, cats can eat small amounts of pepperoni without getting sick, but it’s not something you should give them on purpose.

Interesting Facts About Pepperoni

Pepperoni is a salami made from pork or beef that has been dried.

As one of the most popular pizza toppings in the U.S., pepperoni is thought to be on about half of all pizzas that are ordered. The word “pepperoni,” which is the Italian word for “bell pepper,” is where the word “pepperoni” comes from. So, if you try to order a pepperoni pizza in Italy, you might get bell pepper slices instead of pepperoni sausage.

What Are The Harmful Ingredients in Pepperoni?

If you don’t know what goes into making pepperoni, you might be wondering what could be bad for cats. Some of the harmful things in pepperoni are:

1. Nitrates

Since pepperonis are made from reconstituted meat, they often have nitrates added to them to make them last longer and stop bacteria from growing.

Unfortunately, cats can also get sick if they eat enough nitrates in large amounts. This is another good reason to keep your cat away from that pepperoni pizza.

2. Sodium

Pepperoni is a type of meat that has a lot of salt in it. There are more than 24 milligrams of sodium in just two grams of pepperoni. Less than 45 milligrams of salt is all a cat needs each day. If your cat ate a lot of pepperoni, you might want to call your vet to make sure you don’t have to take them to the hospital.

3. Flavorings and Spices

Last but not least, the spices and flavors that give pepperoni its very hot kick aren’t the best thing for your cat, all things considered. Pepperoni is likely to have ground pepper, dark pepper, and garlic in it, all of which are bad for your cat. Garlic is one of the many flavorings that can be used, but it is the only one that might be bad for your cat. Garlic is bad for cats and can make them pale and give them stomach problems.

Signs to pay special mind to include:

Slobbering
Pain in the middle area
Regurgitating
Loss of control over the bowels
Pale gums
Torpidity
Breakdown
A bigger pulse

Sometimes it takes a couple of days for these symptoms to show up in cats. If your cat is showing any of these symptoms and you remember that they ate something garlicky recently or nearby, you should try to get in touch with your vet right away.

4. Spices

You also need to think about the different spices that give pepperoni its flavor. These meats often have peppers and garlic in them, which could cause stomach problems. If your cat has any of these symptoms, you should take it to the vet right away:

Slobbering
Vomiting
Loose stool
Pale gums
No heartbeat

How many Pepperonis Can a Cat Eat?

We’ve already talked about how important it is to limit how much pepperoni your cat eats. In general, cats shouldn’t eat more than 1-2 ounces of pepperoni per week.

If you want to treat your cat with pepperoni, you can give it a small piece (no more than 1-2 inches). You can also add other healthy foods to it to make it tastier.

Some good options to mix with pepperoni include:

Lean sources of protein like grilled chicken or turkey
Fruits and vegetables that are fresh
Low-fat milk and cheese
Bread or pasta with whole grains

What if your cat likes it a bit too much?

If a cat is really interested in pepperoni, can it eat it? When your cat likes a certain food, he may want more and more of it. When your cat jumps on you whenever you bring pepperoni into your house, you’ll know he’s crazy about it. Just the smell of it will drive him crazy.

This doesn’t happen very often, but it is certainly possible. In these situations, you need to keep it away from him, even if that means not bringing it into your house at all. He won’t be able to keep his temper in check. Your cat friend will eat so much of it that he’ll throw up right in front of you. He just doesn’t have a way to stop.

This could happen if he doesn’t get enough nutrients in his body, like sodium, so he’ll eat anything that can make up for it. He will get poisoned, and no vet will be able to save him after that. Don’t even buy it to be safe.

Read More: Is Baby’s Breath Toxic to Cats

Are There Any Benefits of Pepperoni for Cats?

Pepperoni is a good source of protein, which is the only real reason why a cat would want to eat it. As you already know, a cat needs to eat a lot of protein to stay healthy. Pepperoni could help make up for a lack of protein in some situations, but there are safer ways to do this.

If you had to give your cat pepperoni, it would be best to give them natural pepperonis with little seasoning that won’t hurt them or make their stomachs upset.

What Should I Feed My Cat Instead Of Pepperoni?

If you want to, you can give your cat beef pepperoni. But there are lots of other ways to keep your cat busy besides giving her so much salt. Cats like to play with things that look like strings, so a piece of uncooked spaghetti or something similar would be a great toy for them to chase.

Here are some food items you can feed your cat instead of pepperoni:

Turkey
Sardines
Tuna
Salmon
Uncooked chicken
Pork
Shrimp

Conclusion

It’s hard to say no to your cat’s begging face. All you want to do is make sure they have everything they want. Unfortunately, you have to sometimes make the harder choice and not give them foods that will hurt them. Pepperonis are not a good choice for your cats to eat, especially since there are so many other foods that are easy to find in most homes. Try not to give your cats pepperoni as a treat. Instead, give them some freshly cooked turkey or salmon.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) about Can Cats have Pepperoni?

Can I give my cat a piece of pepperoni?

And while chicken, beef, and fish are all good choices, does the list also include salami? Salami is a type of cured sausage that is usually made with both beef and pork. It is safe for your cat to eat, and so is pepperoni, a popular pizza topping that is related to salami.

How much pepperoni can a cat eat?

Let’s compare how much sodium is in a small piece of pepperoni to how much sodium your cat needs every day. Your cat needs no more than 21 mg of sodium per day if it is an adult. You’re right: One slice of salami, which seems harmless, has more than 1.5 times the amount of sodium your cat needs in a day.

Can I give my cat some pizza?

Most likely, it won’t hurt your cat to eat a little bit of cooked pizza crust. But you should never let your cat eat raw dough because the yeast can cause the stomach to grow and make alcohol, which can kill the cat. Your cat probably won’t care much about either plain pizza crust or raw dough, though.

What meat can cats eat?

You can give them cooked beef, chicken, turkey, and small amounts of lean deli meats. Your cat could get sick if you feed it raw or spoiled meat. Don’t give your pet anything you wouldn’t eat yourself. Oats are easy to make and have a lot of protein per calorie.

What human foods can cats eat?

Whole grains like oats, corn, brown rice, and even couscous have a lot of protein and can be eaten by cats.

Can cats eat pickles?

No, cats shouldn’t really eat pickles, is the short answer. Most pickles are made from cucumbers, which aren’t poisonous to cats on their own. However, pickles have way too much salt for a cat’s diet, and the liquid used to pickle them might contain garlic, which is also bad for cats.

Can Cats have Pepperoni Cats have Pepperoni