Food safety
Can Cats Eat Raw Beef? Not Recommended — Cook It First
No, raw beef is not recommended for cats, even though cats are meat eaters. The Cornell Feline Health Center says raw diets are not recommended because they may carry bacteria, viruses and parasites, and VCA Animal Hospitals warns that raw meat can harbor Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli. Some cats get sick; others look fine but shed the bacteria in their stool, putting people at risk. Plain cooked beef, with the fat trimmed, is the safer way to share. Here is how, how much, and when to call a vet.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read3 sources
Why raw beef is a risk for cats
Raw meat, including beef, can be contaminated with bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli. VCA notes that some cats become ill from contaminated meat while others show no signs but shed the bacteria in their feces, and Cornell adds viruses and parasites to the list of possible contaminants.
Ground beef is the highest-risk form, because grinding spreads surface bacteria through the whole batch. Steak may look cleaner, but bacteria on the surface are still raw when they reach your cat. VCA notes that commercial raw diets carry the same contamination risk as raw meat prepared at home.
The risk to your household
A cat fed raw meat can spread bacteria to people through its litter box, its bowl, its face and paws, and the kitchen surfaces where the meat was prepared. VCA lists the very young, the very old, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, such as those having cancer treatment, as the most vulnerable.
VCA notes that the FDA, the CDC and the American Veterinary Medical Association do not recommend raw diets for pets. If anyone in your home falls into a higher-risk group, that is a strong reason to keep raw meat away from your cat.
But cats eat raw meat in the wild?
Wild cats and outdoor hunters do eat raw prey, and they also carry parasites and get ill from it. VCA's view is that domestic cats have changed over time and should not be fed exactly as their wild ancestors were. Cornell notes that raw diets offer no clear health benefit.
Cats do need animal protein, and the Merck Veterinary Manual explains they require nutrients such as taurine and preformed vitamin A from animal sources. Cooking does not remove a cat's ability to get those nutrients from a complete commercial food.
A feeding mat under a ceramic bowl keeps any shared food in one place and easy to clean up.
Kittens and raw beef
Kittens should never be given raw meat. Their immune systems are still developing, so bacteria that a healthy adult cat shrugs off can make a kitten seriously ill, and diarrhea dehydrates a small kitten fast.
Kittens also need a diet carefully balanced for growth. Plain meat alone, raw or cooked, does not supply the calcium and other nutrients kitten food contains. Use a small piece of plain cooked meat as an occasional reward and keep kitten food as the main diet.
If your cat ate raw beef
If your cat stole a piece of raw steak or ground beef, do not panic. Many cats will have no problem. Clean the area where it ate, wash your hands, and watch your cat over the next three days for vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy or loss of appetite.
Call your vet if any of those signs appear, if diarrhea contains blood, or if your cat stops eating for more than a day. Mention the raw meat, and be especially careful with litter box hygiene in the meantime if anyone at home is in a higher-risk group.
Better options than raw beef
Small pieces of plain cooked chicken, turkey, lean beef or white fish with no bones or seasoning give cats the meaty treat they love without the bacterial risk. Freeze-dried meat treats made for cats are another convenient option.
If you are interested in feeding a raw diet, talk to your vet first about the risks for your cat and your household, and about cooked fresh-food diets formulated to be complete and balanced.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can cats eat raw ground beef?
It is not recommended. Ground beef is the highest-risk form of raw beef because grinding spreads bacteria through the meat. Cook it until no pink remains and drain the fat before sharing a small amount.
Can cats eat raw steak?
Raw steak carries the same bacterial risks as other raw beef, even if only the surface is contaminated. A small piece of plain cooked steak, with fat trimmed and no seasoning, is the safer choice.
Is raw meat better for cats than cooked?
Cornell notes raw diets offer no clear health benefit and carry bacteria, viruses and parasites. Cats get the animal protein and nutrients they need from complete cooked or commercial foods.
Can cats eat cooked beef?
Yes. Plain cooked beef with fat trimmed and no salt, onion, garlic or seasoning is a safe treat for most cats. Keep it to a thumbnail-size portion a few times a week.
Can cats get sick from eating raw meat?
Yes. Raw meat can carry Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli. Some cats become ill with vomiting, diarrhea or fever, and others carry the bacteria without signs and can pass it to people.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
