Many pet owners are choosing to feed their animals more natural diets. When choosing to do this, it is crucial to know what foods are best for cats. After all, cats are carnivores, and meat should be their major dietary source, but can cats eat veal?
Yes, cats can eat veal, but it’s best to give it to them in moderation and keep in mind that meat can cause food poisoning. Therefore, owners need to make sure any veal they feed their cat is fresh and free of any seasonings that can be harmful to their health.
Continue reading to learn more about whether cats can eat veal, the difference between beef and veal, the benefits of feeding veal to your cat, drawbacks to avoid and more.
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Can Cats Eat Veal?
Veal is an excellent choice to feed your feline friend. This meat not only acts as an excellent source of protein for your cat but will entice them to run to you when you pull out the veal as a snack.
However, while veal is a fantastic snack for your cats, it should never be the sole source of their nutrition. To maintain your cat in good health, make sure he or she is eating a well-balanced diet.
What Is the Difference Between Beef and Veal?
The distinction between beef and veal is that beef comes from older animals, whilst veal comes from younger ones. The colour of high welfare veal is also bright pink, while beef is a deeper red. Veal is typically also more expensive than conventional beef, so treat it as a luxury meal for your cat.
Are The Any Benefits to Feeding Your Cat Veal?
Veal is Extremely High in Protein
Veal is abundant in both protein and iron and has a better nutritional value per ounce than chicken or beef. However, when it comes to choosing a cut of meat, veal is rarely the first item that springs to mind.
Veal is also a flavorful meat that will persuade your feline buddy to devour their meal, no matter what cut you choose for them.
Veal Can Help Improve Your Cat’s Fur Quality
Many owners have claimed that their cat’s coat has become smoother and silkier after a few weeks of feeding their cats veal. Cats, after all, require omega-6 and omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids in their diets.
Since cats have a limited ability to generate amino acids from plant-derived precursors, they must originate these sources from animals. These necessary fatty acids found in meats like veal help to maintain healthy skin and coats, minimizing shedding and, as a result, the occurrence of hairballs.
Veal Is a Low-Calorie Meat
If your cats are overweight, veal cat food can certainly help them lose weight. When cats are fed poor-quality food, they will eat excessively to compensate for the nutritional deficits in the meal. When offered species-appropriate raw foods, like beef and veal, they usually don’t overeat since these meats not only give them joy but provide them with the nutrients they need.
As a result, adding veal to your cat’s diet will make them feel more full and content, which can encourage them to become more active and lose weight.
Feeding Your Cat Veal Can Increase Their Energy Levels
Many people also report that their cats have more energy after switching to veal cat food. A cat that used to be a couch potato, for example, will begin to run about and play. This doesn’t come as a surprise though, since cats can receive more easily available energy from their meals by eating species-appropriate foods like beef and veal.
Cats, after all, have specifically evolved to use protein to meet their energy needs. In a process known as gluconeogenesis, they basically “burn” protein by converting it to energy in their liver. So, by providing them with high-protein food, you’re effectively encouraging them to move.
Drawbacks To Feeding Veal to Your Cat
While most meats can provide good nourishment for cats, they do have certain disadvantages. Compared to “normal” pet diets, studies show that commercially produced raw and cooked meats can have higher levels of contamination with dangerous diseases like Salmonella, Listeria, and E. Coli.
As a result, owners must exercise caution while giving cooked or raw veal to their cats. However, by following proper meat handling techniques and obtaining raw meat from reliable suppliers, you may be able to reduce the danger. If you don’t believe you’ll need the raw food right away, for example, freeze it in meal-sized amounts.
How To Feed Veal to Your Cat?
Purchasing meals that have already been prepared and frozen is both the easiest and quickest way to give your cat a veal diet. The components in these meals are correctly calibrated to ensure that your cat receives a balanced diet and the nutrition they require to be healthy.
On the other hand, if you just want to give your cat veal as a treat, or make their meals yourself, feel free to buy the meat yourself and chop it up into little pieces to portion into each of their meal.
However, don’t just throw raw meat, ground bone, and a few vitamins together on the spur of the moment. If you decide to go this way, consult your holistic veterinarian for a recipe that is both healthy and appropriate for your cat. After all, the pre-prepared dishes contain a careful combination of muscle meat, crushed bone, and organ meats.
Final Thoughts
Veal is safe for cats to consume, but it’s recommended to offer it to them in moderation and remember that meat can induce food poisoning. Veal is stronger in protein and iron than chicken or beef, and it has a better nutritional value per ounce. Veal, on the other hand, is rarely the first thing that springs to mind when choosing a cut of meat.
Veal is also a tasty meal that will entice your feline companion to consume their meal, regardless of the cut you pick.
While most meats may supply adequate nutrition for cats, they do have certain drawbacks. Commercially manufactured raw and cooked meats can have greater levels of contamination with deadly infections. As a result, owners must be cautious while feeding their cats cooked or raw veal.
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.
