Can Cats Eat Vienna Sausage? Answering Your Big Q

Breakfast will never be complete without our favorites such as sausages, hotdogs, and eggs. As we devour these favorites, we usually get gentle purrs and longing eyes from our feline friends who also want to take a bite. Can we resist those purrs and those eyes? Or can we let our fur babies have a taste of this yummy goodness?

“Can cats eat Vienna sausage? Can cats eat chickpeas?” These are a few of the questions we usually ask ourselves as fur parents since we want our pets to taste the kind of food we treat ourselves with. 

There are times when we think feeding our cats human food is good for them as well. What we do not know is that there is a great difference between what food is good for us, humans, and for cats. 

The good thing about asking these questions is we become aware that there is indeed a difference in ideal diets intended for cats and humans. Not all healthy food for humans is healthy for cats. So, it is best that we never stop asking questions like “Can cats eat beans?” as educating ourselves about our cats’ diet will lead to healthy and happy fur-babies. 

What Ingredients Are In Vienna Sausages?

Vienna sausage, also known as wieners in Europe is a mixture of pork, beef, or chicken meat that is usually stuffed in a thin casing.

It is similar to cold cuts in appearance and it contains a lot of fat, additives, and preservatives. This is the reason why it is not recommended to be consumed regularly.

If sausage is not healthy for humans to eat regularly, it is even more not recommended for cats to eat it even in small quantities. It has a lot of preservatives and spices that may pose a danger to our dear cats. 

Vienna Sausage for Cats: Risks and Benefits

Vienna sausage contains protein which is needed in a cat’s diet. It is helpful in the development of its body, building strong muscles and providing more energy for it to survive and stay active.

However, although it has protein and is an attractive snack for cats, Vienna sausage is still not the best food you can give to them. 

While Vienna sausage is not toxic to cats, it is not considered healthy for them either. It has a high sodium concentration that affects your cat’s stomach and may cause gastrointestinal problems. As established, it is also high in calories, additives, and preservatives. 

Too much ingestion of additives and preservatives will affect your cat’s vitamin B1 level. A deficiency in vitamin B1 is called Thiamine and it results in neurological severe symptoms. 

What Is Necessary for a Healthy Cat?

Based on the recommendations of the Association of the American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a cat can have and maintain optimal health if given the right food that follows specific nutrient requirements.

These are the following nutrients that your cat food must have;

• Crude protein
• Crude fat
• Minerals
• Vitamins

Providing your cats with a balanced diet ensures healthy and happy active feline friends. On occasions, you can opt to feed your cat with delicious treats but still ensure a healthier option. 

What Would Be a Healthier Substitute for Vienna Sausage?

There is a lot of healthy food you can find in your home to prepare and cook for your cat.

Though these are part of your daily meals, you need to ensure that you take extra care in the preparation to avoid problems such as salmonella poisoning or gastrointestinal problems. Keep in mind that you also have to reduce the usual amount of salt. 

Here are the best substitutes for vienna sausage that will give your cats equal satisfaction but in a healthier way. 

1. Meat and fish

Cats need protein to maintain their energy, have strong muscles, and be healthy. So, meats and fishes are the best protein sources to give your cats. They also have omega-3 that helps in the regulation of heart rate and arthritis.

2. Oats

This often comes as a surprise to most cat owners but oats are a great food for cats. It is rich in protein and a lot of other important nutrients. Plus, it is easy to digest.

3. Eggs

Aside from it being a great source of protein and other essential minerals, your cats would actually like eggs as a tasty treat. You can serve it occasionally but make sure that you cook it properly and never put too much salt or any herbs in it. 

4. Vegetables

While it is not a usual sight to see your cat get excited over vegetables, they are actually great for cats. They are packed with vitamins and minerals as well as a great immune booster. They are also great for digestion. 

5. Cheese

Provided that your cat is not lactose intolerant, cheese is good for your cat as well. It is more protein-enriched than milk and can be a delectable treat for your feline friends once in a while. 

There is a lot of food that you can find in your kitchen that can be both enjoyable and healthy for your cats. All you need to do is understand how a cat’s diet works and you will have an idea as to what food is best for them.

Other Foods To Avoid Giving Your Cat

One of the many responsibilities that a cat owner must fulfill is providing the best and healthy food for them.

Aside from that, it is also of equal importance to know what food to avoid. The following are the most common and yet the most dangerous food to give your cats;:

1. Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices such as garlic and onions are poisonous to felines, as they can damage your cat’s red blood cells, and can eventually lead to anemia.

2. Raw Eggs and Raw Meat

Eating raw eggs and meat is dangerous even to humans. Allowing your cat to indulge in these raw food will most likely end them up infected with Salmonella or E. coli. 

3. Chocolate and Caffeinated Drinks

Chocolate is just as dangerous to cats as it is to dogs. It has a substance that can cause vomiting, seizures, and other fatal conditions. The same substance can be found in caffeinated drinks as well.

4. Alcohol

Alcohol should not be given to cats. It can cause serious health conditions that start with diarrhea, and vomiting and may even lead to death.

Raw dough is also a no-go. It can cause stomach expansion or may create alcohol in the stomach. 

5. Milk and Other Dairy Products

Cats have only tried milk from their mother. So, the reintroduction of lactose in their system might do more harm to them than good. Clearly, the upset stomach and other digestive issues will overshadow all other health benefits of the milk. 

6. Grapes and Raisins

For some unknown reasons, grapes and raisins cause kidney failure in our feline friends. So, avoid feeding them with these even in small amounts as they can put their lives in danger as early as 12 hours after ingestion. Some of the alarming symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and decreased urination. 

7. Dog Food 

While dog foods are not exactly dangerous to cats, they do not have the nutrients needed by a cat’s body. Dogs can survive with lesser vitamin A and protein levels.

Cats, on the other hand, need plenty of these nutrients to avoid the development of heart disease, and problems with vision and teeth. 

How To Serve Vienna Sausage for Your Cat

If you insist on letting your cats have a taste of Vienna sausage, the best thing you can do is make sure that they only take in small amounts. Only give sausages as a reward or a treat on special occasions. 

Also, do not ever feed them a raw sausage. As established, raw meats may contain salmonella or E-Coli which is very dangerous to cats. Prepare and cook your sausage well to ensure that bacteria and other harmful elements are eliminated. 

FAQs: The Purrr-fect Answers

Can Cats Consume Raw Sausages?

No. Raw sausages mean raw meats which may consist of Salmonella and E-Coli. Allowing your cats to consume raw sausages will only expose them to harmful health conditions and may even put their lives at risk. 

Are Canned Vienna Sausages Healthy?

No. Canned Vienna sausages are not healthy as they are high in sodium and have a lot of preservatives in order to have a longer shelf life. Thus, it is best they are not consumed often and are preferred not to be given to cats. 

Conclusion

Vienna sausages, although delicious and satisfying, are not the best food you should give to your cats. There are a lot of healthy choices out there that are equally delicious as sausage and other processed food.

So, minimize the risk of health problems, and, explore healthier food options for your cat.

When deciding what food to give your cats, always put in mind the ideal cat diet. This will help you decide which food is best for them and which can be harmful. Knowing this vital information will surely save you from expensive trips to the vet. 

If you are wondering, “Can cats eat goldfish crackers?” or if other similar questions are bothering you, feel free to pay this site a visit and browse for more guides.