Can cats eat raw meat?
No, raw meat is not recommended for cats. Even though wild cats eat raw prey, raw meat can carry germs such as Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli, and parasites such as Toxoplasma, which can make cats and people ill.
Updated:
Why
Cornell and the Merck Veterinary Manual both advise against raw meat for cats, as food or as a treat, because it can spread toxoplasmosis and other infections. Contamination of raw meat by bacteria is common, and some cats seem fine but shed the bacteria in their stool, which can spread to people and other pets. Supermarket meat for people is meant to be cooked.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea, sometimes with blood
- Fever
- Not wanting to eat
- Lethargy
What to do
If your cat ate a bit of raw meat, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, not eating or tiredness, and call your vet if any appear. Wash your hands and clean surfaces and bowls well.
Questions and answers
Cats eat raw prey in the wild, so why not?
Raw meat can carry bacteria and parasites that infect cats and their owners, and Cornell says raw diets have no clear health benefit for cats.
Who is most at risk?
People at highest risk of serious illness are the very old, the very young and people with weak immune systems.
Related foods
All foods: What can cats eat?Sources
- Cats and human foods — Cats Protection
- Feeding Your Cat — Cornell Feline Health Center (updated 2026-04-30)
- Proper Nutrition for Cats — Merck Veterinary Manual, Cat Owners (N. Roman; 2025-07)
- A raw deal: The dangers of feeding raw meat to cats — VCA Animal Hospitals (no date shown)
- Avoiding Raw Food in Cats — VCA Animal Hospitals / CAVN (updated 2025-03-07)
- Toxoplasmosis and cats — International Cat Care (2024-06-21, updated 2025-09-26)
General information from the sources below, not reviewed by a vet and not a substitute for veterinary advice. When in doubt, call your vet.
How kids practise this in PetPrep
In PetPrep a child looks after a realistic cat: meals at the right times, water, walks and care. Knowing what is safe to share is part of being ready for a real pet.