Cat Licks My Food Can I Eat It? [Explained]

It has happened to every cat owner at least once. You finish cooking dinner and go out to dine. When you turn back, your cat is eating the leftovers you left on the counter. You don’t want to waste away all that food even if you don’t know if you will become sick. What follows is a self-question: Here the question arises; cat licks my food can I eat it? If you want to get its answer, you are at the right place. 

You should not worry about the food if your cat just remains indoors. If your cat is a frequent walker, it might be wise to refrain from sharing the food that your cat has licked.

Most outdoor cats have a possibility to acquire hazardous microbes, and they may easily transport those germs into your body, which is the main reason for illness. 

So, in this situation, it is advised to be cautious and politely avoid the food item while putting your health first. Your baby is meowing at you, therefore you need to be aware of the probable consequences before you eat anything. If you have a cleaning compulsion, you could throw out your favourite food. But if not, take a brief pause.

Cat Licked My Food Can I Still Eat It? 8 Facts

1. Ailing Kitten

Ailments that can currently or in the past be passed between people and cats are covered in this. If the disease has been completely eradicated, it is safe, but if a cat is sick, it is strongly advised not to eat.

2. Ablutophobia 

Cats often remove the filth from the region around their body using their tongues. To show them even more attention, think about giving them a full bath. Try cleaning her up with a wet towel. Cats commonly use their tongues to clean themselves, however, they usually struggle to reach some places, such as the head, back, and rear.

Mother cats usually help their young offspring clean up these messes. A beautiful, clean towel should be soaked in warm water. Check to see that the towel isn’t too scratchy if you don’t want to irritate your cat.

3. It’s Time to Feel Alarmed

In the worst situation, though, ingesting cat saliva might lead to infections, gastrointestinal discomfort, or a skin patch. Cats can spread roundworms and hookworm to one another by eating or licking one another’s faeces or anuses. And we have all seen it happen.

So, as you may have probably guessed, when cats lick you, they pass these parasites along. Rashes, itching, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea, fever, and exhaustion are some of the symptoms that these parasite infections can cause.

4. Cryptosporidiosis

The cause of cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic worm infection known as Cryptosporidium parvum. Cysts are formed by parasitic organisms in the faeces of infected people and animals. The cysts, which are frequently seen in lakes and streams, may endure moist conditions for two to six months. The faecal-oral route is how the parasite spreads.

By consuming contaminated food, drinking tainted water, or getting into close contact with ill cats, people and animals can catch an infection. The illness usually goes away on its own in healthy individuals, but it can last longer and be more severe in those with weakened immune systems.

5. Origin Matters 

Cats who want to stalk may be readily satisfied by playing with them regularly, giving them their favourite toys, keeping them occupied, and giving them the exercise they need to be safe and comfortable. Only indoor cats that spend most of their time with you may be your cat. Cats who live outside are more likely to develop deadly illnesses and infections.

The most delicate animals, cats, are prone to disease and can easily introduce pathogens into your body. Imagine a cat wandering about and smelling trash cans biting your favourite pizza.

6. A little Care Everyday Prevents Illness

The cat’s mouth and teeth need to be regularly maintained by the owner. The accumulation of tartar, infections and other problems brought on by poor dental care can be unpleasant to touch. At the age of three, 70% of cats already exhibit signs of oral and dental illness. 

In your kitten’s mouth, there are more than 300 different kinds of bacteria that live there naturally. As the bacteria consume food, saliva and minute food particles join forces with them to produce plaque. The first step in maintaining your kitten’s dental hygiene is regular brushing. Remove the plaque from your kitten’s teeth to prevent the development of tartar.

7. Use of My Kitten-Consumed Water

The greatest thing is that it’s quite improbable that drinking after your cat would harm your health. Cats may drink enough water, but there is no way to estimate how much one cat will consume in comparison to another. You might be surprised to find that cats occasionally consume water, particularly if they are consuming wet food.

8. The Notorious Cat Scratch Illness

The most common cause of felinosis, often known as cat-scratch illness, is a cat bite or scratch. The Bartonella henselae bacteria, which the cat is known to spread by its saliva, is considered to cause cat scratch illness. Young cats are more at risk than senior cats in this situation. After feeding your kitten, be careful not to exhibit any of the typical signs of this illness.

You Might Also Like to Read: Can Cats Eat Human Food?

Can Cats Transmit Diseases to Humans?

Zoonotic refers to any ailment that may transfer from animals to humans. The most well-known and feared zoonotic disease is rabies. 

A few examples are pathogenic E. coli infections, rabies, capnocytophaga, pasteurellosis, cat scratch disease, ringworm, sporotrichosis, tularemia, plague, Q fever, campylobacteriosis, salmonellosis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, toxoplasmosis, and MRSA.

Interesting Read: Can Humans Eat Cat Food? Is It Safe?

How Can You Get Your Cat to Quit Eating Your Food?

You can stop your cat from licking your food by doing a few things.

• Unattended food should always be covered.
• Never put food out for your cat unsupervised.
• Your cat should be taught to distinguish between cat food and human food.
• Place food in a place that your cat can’t easily get, like the refrigerator.
• Keep your dinnertime and your cat’s feeding periods apart.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line on Cat Licks My Food Can I Eat It

Since cats carry harmful bacteria with themselves; it is recommended to be careful about your eating habits for you and your kitty. Thoroughly cleaning themselves could be the best option if their owners eat the food they licked.

Due to cats’ inclination to often lick their fur, residue from popular household cleansers frequently develops in their saliva after unintended contact with the fur. This might be the reason why your cat starts to drool excessively or foam at the mouth.