Can Cats Eat Venison?
By Pettings · Sources checked Nov 2, 2026
Cats can eat small amounts of plain cooked venison. Deer meat is lean, and a bite or two cooked with nothing added can serve as a treat for most adult cats. The bigger questions are where the meat came from and whether it was cooked. Wild game can carry parasites, and the Merck Veterinary Manual names raw infected meat and wildlife carcasses as sources of trichinellosis in cats.
What Venison Offers a Cat
The Cornell Feline Health Center notes that cats rely on nutrients found only in animal products and evolved on prey high in protein and very low in carbohydrate. Venison is a lean red meat, so it provides protein and water with less fat than many cuts of beef or lamb. It does not supply anything a complete cat food lacks, and plain muscle meat is short on calcium and some vitamins. That keeps venison in the treat category.
How Much Venison Can a Cat Have?
WSAVA advises that treats stay under 10% of a cat's daily calories, 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 lean cooked venison, roughly 1 level tablespoon diced, is a sensible portion. Reduce the regular food a little that day so the total stays the same. Kittens, seniors and cats with diabetes, kidney disease, urinary stones, pancreatitis or food allergies should see their veterinarian before any new treat.
How to Serve It
Cook venison plain, with no salt, oil, garlic, onion, marinade or game seasoning. Merck recommends cooking roasts to at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit and ground meat to at least 160 degrees, and it notes that freezing cannot be relied on to kill parasites in meats other than pork. Remove every bone and bone fragment, which can be common in home-processed game; the ASPCA warns that bones can injure or block the digestive tract. Skip venison jerky, sausage and summer sausage. These are usually salted and seasoned, often with garlic or onion powder, which Merck lists as concentrated forms of a plant cats are most sensitive to. Keep field scraps and trimmings away from outdoor cats.
If your cat has a medical condition or follows a special diet, ask your veterinarian before sharing venison.
Common Questions
Can cats eat raw venison?
Raw venison is not recommended for cats. The Merck Veterinary Manual names raw infected meat and wildlife carcasses as sources of trichinellosis, and the Cornell Feline Health Center says cats can get toxoplasmosis from raw meat. Merck adds that freezing does not reliably kill parasites in meats other than pork. Cook venison all the way through before giving your cat a small piece.
Can cats eat venison jerky?
Venison jerky made for people is a poor choice for cats. Jerky is dried with salt and usually seasoned, often with garlic or onion powder. The Merck Veterinary Manual says dried, concentrated forms of onion and garlic cause most poisonings in cats and dogs, and the ASPCA warns that salty foods can cause vomiting, diarrhea and tremors. Plain cooked venison is the better option.
Can cats eat deer bones?
Cats should not chew or swallow deer bones, cooked or raw. The ASPCA warns that bones can injure the digestive tract or cause a blockage that may require surgery, and WSAVA lists bones among things to avoid as treats. Home-butchered venison can contain small bone chips, so check meat carefully with your fingers before sharing any with your cat.
Is venison good for cats with food allergies?
Venison is not a fix for food allergies on its own, and a home-cooked bite is not a substitute for a planned food trial. An allergy trial needs a strict diet with no other foods for several weeks, and extra treats can spoil it. Talk to your veterinarian before adding venison if your cat has itchy skin or ongoing stomach upset.
Can kittens eat venison?
Kittens can try a very small piece of plain, fully cooked venison, but their growth food should provide almost all their calories. Cut the meat into tiny pieces, check for bone fragments, and skip anything seasoned. Because wild game can carry parasites when undercooked, cook it thoroughly. Ask your veterinarian how many treats your kitten can have.