Looking for pork (ham) treats that are cat safe

ty3535

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My Enzo has IBD and can't eat seafood-before his diagnosis he was getting shrimp from the deli as a treat. He's very picky and I'm having a hard time finding treats that he'll eat. Yesterday he jumped up on the counter and helped himself to my ham sandwich (not a lot-i caught him almost immediately). However he then sat there and proceeded to give me those big pleading eyes asking for more ham. I know I can't give him lunch meat often as its too salty, same with the packaged hand in the deli at the grocery store. I can't find any pork related cat treats, and I'm presuming that's because of the salt content. Does anyone have any suggestions, pork related or otherwise, on treats that I could give him? Thanks for any input!
 

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ty3535

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Thank you so much! He isn't too big on freeze dried treats, he had to have several teeth removed because of decay and they're tough for him to chew. I'll check out the puffs though. I have tried chicken, he's not interested lol. Thank you again!
 

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You can re-hydrate freeze dried meat treats in water for a couple minutes for a softer texture
I bet the pork puffs could also be softened in a little water as well. The water will turn into "broth" so your cat can lick it up after eating the treat.

You can try gently poaching some pork for cat treats. Buy a whole cut of pork like a chop or tenderloin, not already ground pork. Don't season the meat or cooking water with anything.
 
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ty3535

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I ordered two bags of the puffs so see if he likes them. It's strange, he'll still eat crunchy cat treats, just not the freeze dried. Maybe it has nothing to do with his ability to eat them and he just doesn't like the texture. He's the pickiest cat I've ever met! But because of his IBD he's on a limited ingredient food (Merrick turkey) and I feel bad that I'm unable to find anything to give him some variety. I will definitely try rehydrating the puffs if he won't eat them as is!
 
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ty3535

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Do you think a pork chop from the meat section would be okay? I wouldn't season it or the water but do you think the salt content is okay in one from the butcher?
 

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My older cat is an absolute fool for anything pork and will resort to stealing it if necessary.  He has stolen packaged lunch meat ham before and I was very afraid due to the sodium content, so we are very careful now.  He's also stolen country ham!  His favorite--and I've used it as a bribe before--is a boneless, grilled pork chop.  When I grill those for us, I always leave one with no marinade just for him.  I cut it very fine for him.  He has that for his dinner as a special treat sometimes.

We joke around the house that pork must taste like mouse.  I always tell him when we are having "Grilled Mouse" for dinner.
 
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ty3535

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Hahaha!! I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him sneaking my ham sandwich because he's so picky. If the pork chop itself isn't too high in salt (certainly I won't add any type of seasoning) I'll give that a try. Thank you so much!
 

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any meat is better than grain filled commercial foods BUT some cats will only eat what they will eat.

you can try meat babyfood in ham flavor-I bet he would love it. my cats love ham babyfood. I make them lick it off my finger after a play session.

The freeze dried treats may just be too dry-its got a strange texture. my cats only like it if its crumbled ontop of their kibble or ontop of wet food. I think giving him plain cooked pork is fine. Just as long as he gets enough food from the catfood with the vitamins/minerals. It can't hurt.
 

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I also do the same with chicken (also called "grilled mouse").  I always worry about the salt content, but he sure does love it, and if he isn't eating...well...grilled mouse it is!

He is a puker if he doesn't eat--has a problem with reflux that he took meds for, just for a while, now I try to manage it by keeping him from not being empty for very long so we don't have to go back on the meds.

I think it's pretty hard to find anything from the store in the meat department that doesn't have something pumped into it, but I try, mainly because of hubby's blood pressure issues.

Me and hubby rather enjoy "grilled mouse", so we have it quite often!
 
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ty3535

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The baby food is a great idea. He eats his daily recommended serving of the Merrick limited ingredient turkey so he should be getting all his needed vitamins and supplements from that. He also gets a probiotic which seems to have really helped. I'm going to try the pork chop and the baby food (they'll only be given as treats). Thank you!
 

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Do you think a pork chop from the meat section would be okay? I wouldn't season it or the water but do you think the salt content is okay in one from the butcher?
It should be fine but read the tiny print on the label. Some meats may be "enhanced" with things like broth and sodium solutions and flavorings. If you are buying from a butcher rather than prepackged meat from the supermarket, ask the butcher if anything has been added / injected in the meat.
 

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My older cat is an absolute fool for anything pork and will resort to stealing it if necessary.  He has stolen packaged lunch meat ham before and I was very afraid due to the sodium content, so we are very careful now.  He's also stolen country ham!  His favorite--and I've used it as a bribe before--is a boneless, grilled pork chop.  When I grill those for us, I always leave one with no marinade just for him.  I cut it very fine for him.  He has that for his dinner as a special treat sometimes.

We joke around the house that pork must taste like mouse.  I always tell him when we are having "Grilled Mouse" for dinner.
Lilith adores grilled pork chops. She knows them by smell and begs shamelessly for bites. I know better than to make them with any seasoning. Sophie doesn't beg for people food and pork has proven to be too rich for Henry's tummy so Lily gets all the bites and happily takes them all.
 
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