Cats are carnivorous pets and animals that require at least some amount of meat to feed on regularly for being healthy. Therefore, cats can eat a wide variety of foods derived from animal sources including lamb, turkey, beef, chicken, and egg among others. A simple answer to the question “Can cats eat lamb?” is, “Yes”. However, while cats can eat meat, the diet of a cat should also fulfill all its nutritional requirements. Excessive consumption of lamb meat can be bad for your cat. Below is some more information on the subject that will help you feed the right amount of meat to your cat.
Risks
Cats can feed on meat obtained from a variety of animal sources including lamb, duck, chicken, pork, beef, bones, and organ meat among others. Cats can also consume raw meat. However, there can be certain health-related risks associated with raw meat obtained from any animal source. Food poisoning not only occurs in humans but also pets including cats and dogs.
For instance, contamination of meat by pathogenic bacteria including E. Coli and Salmonella can affect the health of your feline and cat. These bacteria may grow in raw meat if it is not stored in appropriate conditions. While these pathogenic bacteria may affect humans more than cats, there is still a health risk to cats that should be prevented. You should also avoid feeding raw lamb meat to your cat if its immune system has weakened due to any reason.
Feeding cooked meat (in optimal quantity) to your cat can be a good option. Cooked meat is less likely to harm the health of the cat and will not cause digestive problems and other health conditions. You should also ensure that the meat you buy comes from reliable sources and vendors.
The sellers should follow the necessary guidelines for maintaining hygiene and sanitation during meat handling processes. You should also handle the meat (that you purchase) carefully so that the risks are eliminated. Apart from the meat itself, you also need to sterilize the food bowls before you use them during cooking.
You must consult your veterinarian if you are feeding raw lamb and meat to your cat. If you experience symptoms including loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting in your cat, it may be a meat infection caused by bacteria or parasites. You need to seek medical advice from a veterinarian and do a vet clinic visit immediately in such a scenario.
Amount of Meat that You can Feed to Your Cat
As stated, cats can eat meat and lamb. Lamb meat is rich in a variety of minerals, vitamins, and proteins and can do good to the health of your cat. Lamb meat is also more expensive than meat obtained from other sources including chicken, pork, and beef. It is derived from sheep that are no more than a year old. It has many different vitamins including niacin and B12, minerals (including zinc and iron), and quality animal protein.
However, lamb meat is also high in cholesterol and fat. Excessive consumption of fats and cholesterol can be as bad for your cat as it is for humans. Excessive fat consumption will increase the cholesterol level within the arteries of the cat, which may be a cause of multiple health conditions such as heart ailments, eye diseases, and others.
The Best Way to Feed Lamb Meat to a Cat
As stated, you should prefer feeding cooked meat and lamb to your cat. The internal temperature of the meat should be close to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. A high and optimal temperature of meat enhances its digestibility in cats. Avoid using any kinds of seasonings, herbs, or sauces in your preparation. You should not put any onions, garlic, or salt while cooking lamb meat that is to be consumed by a cat. Excessive salt can also cause health conditions and diseases in cats.
Once all the parts of the meat have been cooked properly, you should discard the fat portions. It will ensure that the cat consumes meat portions rich in protein. Discarding the fatty parts will ensure that the cat does not get obese and has lower blood cholesterol and fat content.
If you are feeding lamb meat to a cat for the very first time, you should start by giving only small portions and a small piece to the cat. Once you feed the cat a small portion of the lamb meat, observe it for the next 24 hours for any adverse symptoms and health conditions including vomiting and diarrhea, among others. If you do not find the cat to be affected by any adverse symptoms, you can feed the feline an additional piece of meat the next time. Some of the recommended meals for feeding lamb meat to a cat include:
- Brown rice and ground lamb.
- Cooked lamb (1 or 2 pieces) as a snack.
- A wholesome meal comprising of rice, egg, and chunky meat portions.
These foods can be delicious treats for your cat. However, such meals should be avoided if the cat is currently on a low-calorie and low-fat diet and is obese. Also, you must consult your veterinarian about feeding the cat lamb meat if your cat is suffering from any medical condition currently.
Benefits of Including Lamb Meat in Your Cat’s Diet
Feeding your cat controlled and optimal amounts of lamb meat can have many benefits for the health of the pet. Some of these benefits are listed below.
- The cat will be more energetic and active.
- The immune system of the cat will improve as lamb meat contains important vitamins such as B 12 and B 6 that provide for healthy nervous and immune systems.
- Improved skin health of the cat and a strong coat.
- Better health of the cat bones and cartilages.
- Faster and improved growth of the entire body of the cat
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed raw meat to my cat?
You should avoid feeding raw meat to your cat as it may have pathogens harmful for your cat’s health. Try cooked meat or consult your veterinarian.
What are the symptoms of lamb meat-caused infections in cat?
The symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea and others. Visit you veterinarian if your car shows such symptoms after consuming meat.
Conclusion
You can feed lamb meat and other meat and foods of animal origin to your cat if it is not obese. Lamb meat is of the highest quality, expensive, and rich in protein. It can also be viable alternative food for cats that are allergic to beef and chicken.
However, you should also ensure that you visit your veterinarian at the scheduled time and discuss with the professional the dietary habits and foods that can be best for your cat.
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