Can cats eat raw meat?

Updated 2026-08-07 · Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets; FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine · Free · No sign-up

Not toxic, but be careful — raw meat isn't poisonous to cats, and it comes with caveats that matter.
If your cat may have eaten something harmful — or any part of a lily — call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right now — don't wait for symptoms. A consultation fee may apply to the ASPCA hotline.
Verdict for catsCaution
Severity3 / 5 — Risky — more than a taste can cause real illness.
Safe amountA taste at most
CategoryProtein
SourceASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets; FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine · reviewed 2026-08-07 · confidence: high

Why

Same bacterial risk for cats and for the household. Raw feeding is a decision to make with a vet, not on the strength of a web page.

Signs to watch for if your cat has eaten raw meat

Signs can lag by a day or more, so no symptoms does not mean your cat is clear — call rather than watch.

What to do now

Don't make it a habit. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea or a lost appetite over the next day and call your vet if it doesn't settle or your cat seems unwell.

Never induce vomiting and never give any medicine unless a vet tells you to — it can do more damage than the poison. What we will and won't tell you.

Safer treats made for cats

If you're sharing food because you want to treat them, a treat formulated for cats does the job without the guesswork.

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Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It never appears on a toxic or unsafe verdict and never changes one.

Safer alternatives for cats

What about dogs?

Can dogs eat raw meat? — Feed with caution to dogs.

This page is a reference, not veterinary advice or a diagnosis. Verdicts are transcribed from the cited source, never inferred, and a finding in one species is never copied onto the other. How we source and decide a verdict.

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FAQ

Can cats eat raw meat?

Not toxic, but be careful — raw meat isn't poisonous to cats, and it comes with caveats that matter. Same bacterial risk for cats and for the household. Raw feeding is a decision to make with a vet, not on the strength of a web page.

What happens if a cat eats raw meat?

Watch for: Vomiting; Diarrhea or loose stools; Loss of appetite; Belly discomfort or unusual tiredness. Some signs lag by a day — call, don't wait.

How much raw meat is dangerous for a cat?

More than a taste can cause real illness, and the risk rises with the amount and with a smaller pet. The safe amount is a taste at most — if your cat has had more, call your vet.

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