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Can Cats Eat It?

Can Cats Eat Ground Beef?

By Pettings · Sources checked Nov 2, 2026

Yes, in small amountsTreat size for a 10 lb adult cat: 1/4 ounce cooked lean ground beef, drained (a few calories)

Cats can eat small amounts of plain cooked ground beef. A spoonful of lean ground beef, browned with nothing added and drained of fat, makes a simple treat for most adult cats. Hamburger meat as people usually eat it is another matter. Burgers and meat sauces tend to include onion, garlic, salt and plenty of fat, and the ASPCA lists onions and garlic as foods to keep away from cats.

Raw ground beef in a glass bowl
Photo: Angele J on Pexels

What Ground Beef Offers a Cat

Ground beef is beef muscle and fat ground together. The Cornell Feline Health Center notes that cats rely on nutrients found only in animal products and evolved on prey high in protein with very little carbohydrate, so plain beef fits a cat's diet in a general way. The difference between ground beef and steak is the fat. Packages range from very lean to fairly fatty, and the fattier blends carry far more calories per bite. Ground beef alone is not a balanced diet, so it works only as a small treat.

How Much Ground Beef Can a Cat Have?

WSAVA advises that treats stay under 10% of a cat's daily calories, which is about 22 to 25 calories a day for a 9 to 11 pound adult. For a 10-pound adult cat with no food allergy and no medical condition, about 1/4 ounce of cooked, drained lean ground beef, roughly 1 level tablespoon, is a sensible portion. Calories depend on the fat percentage on the label, so choose the leanest blend you can find and keep to this amount. Reduce the cat's regular meal to make room for it. Kittens, seniors and cats with diabetes, kidney disease, urinary stones, pancreatitis or food allergies should get their veterinarian's advice before trying it.

How to Serve It

Brown the meat in a dry pan with no oil, salt or seasoning, and break it into small crumbles. The Merck Veterinary Manual recommends cooking ground meat to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit and advises against feeding cats raw or undercooked meat. Pour off the fat and blot the meat on a paper towel, then let it cool. Merck suggests low fat treats for cats with pancreatitis, so draining matters. Do not share hamburger patties, meatloaf, taco meat, chili or spaghetti sauce, since these usually contain onion or garlic. Merck reports that less than a teaspoon of cooked onion has poisoned cats.

Ask your veterinarian before offering ground beef to a cat with a medical condition or a special diet.

Common Questions

Can cats eat hamburger?

Cats can have a small amount of plain cooked hamburger meat, but not a seasoned burger. Most burger patties contain salt and often onion or garlic, and the ASPCA lists onions and garlic as foods cats should not eat. Buns, cheese and condiments add more problems. If you want to share, brown a little lean ground beef with nothing added, drain it and offer a spoonful.

Can cats eat raw ground beef?

Raw ground beef is not recommended for cats. Grinding spreads surface bacteria through the meat, and the Cornell Feline Health Center advises against raw meat for cats because of toxoplasmosis and other infections. The Merck Veterinary Manual recommends cooking ground meats to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit before feeding. Cook it through, drain the fat, and let it cool first.

Can cats eat taco meat?

Cats should not eat taco meat. Taco seasoning usually contains onion powder and garlic powder along with salt and chili, and the Merck Veterinary Manual says concentrated dried forms of onion and garlic cause most poisonings in cats and dogs. Cats are the most sensitive species, Merck adds. If your cat ate a bite, watch for weakness or pale gums over the next few days and call your veterinarian.

Can cats eat ground beef every day?

A cat can have a small spoonful of plain, drained ground beef daily only if it fits the treat allowance and the regular food is reduced to match. WSAVA says treats should be less than 10% of daily calories, about 22 to 25 calories for a 10-pound adult cat. Ground beef by itself is not a complete diet, so it should never become the main meal.

Can kittens eat ground beef?

Kittens can taste a small amount of plain, fully cooked and drained lean ground beef, but their growth food should supply nearly all their calories. Crumble it finely and let it cool. Kittens have small stomachs, and rich foods can upset them, so keep the amount tiny. Ask your veterinarian how much your kitten can have before making it a habit.

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