Yes, cats can eat beef!
Plain cooked lean beef is a safe protein treat for cats. Cook it through, drain the fat and avoid seasonings, onions and garlic.
| Can cats eat it? | Safe |
| Calories | About 12 kcal per 1 teaspoon cooked lean ground beef |
| Main benefit | High-quality protein, iron and zinc |
| Main risk | Fatty cuts can cause stomach upset |
| Kittens? | In tiny amounts once on solid food; kittens have sensitive stomachs |
Free · instant · based on veterinary formulas
Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One 1 teaspoon cooked lean ground beef has about 12 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult cat could have in a day if beef were the only treat.
| Cat weight | Daily treat budget | Max beef per day |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | 18 kcal | 1 × 1 teaspoon cooked lean ground beef |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 22 kcal | 1.5 × 1 teaspoon cooked lean ground beef |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 26 kcal | 2 × 1 teaspoon cooked lean ground beef |
| 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 30 kcal | 2 × 1 teaspoon cooked lean ground beef |
| 14 lb (6.4 kg) | 34 kcal | 2.5 × 1 teaspoon cooked lean ground beef |
Eating more than the recommended amount usually causes nothing worse than an upset stomach: soft stool, gas or vomiting. Skip treats for the rest of the day, keep fresh water available and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your cat seems unwell.
Check your cat's full daily needs with the cat food calculator.
Yes. Plain cooked lean beef is a safe protein treat for cats. Cook it through, drain the fat and avoid seasonings, onions and garlic.
Raw meat carries a risk of Salmonella, E. coli and other bacteria for cats and people. Cooked is safer.
Yes, in very small amounts once they are eating solid food. Kittens have sensitive stomachs, so offer a tiny piece and stop if you see loose stool. Most of their calories should come from a complete kitten food.
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This guide is general information for healthy adult cats. Cats with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.
Safe
Yes. Plain cooked lean beef is a safe protein treat for cats.