Can You Still Eat Raw Meat After a Cat Steals It? Is There Rabies in Cat Saliva?

If raw meat has been stolen and consumed by a cat, it's best not to eat it. The meat is likely contaminated. Cats are excellent jumpers, so ensure meat is stored where they cannot reach it to prevent them from stealing it. While cat saliva *can* potentially carry rabies, indirect contact is highly unlikely to transmit the disease.

It's advisable to discard meat that a cat has eaten. Even if it doesn't necessarily cause illness, it's no longer safe for consumption and could potentially do more harm than good. A cat’s saliva and teeth harbor numerous bacteria, and they may also carry parasites like Toxoplasma gondii. Bacteria can easily transfer to the meat and be invisible to the naked eye. Furthermore, raw meat itself contains various bacteria and microorganisms. For the sake of your health, it's strongly advised against eating it.

Is There a Risk of Getting Rabies from a Cat's Saliva?

Cat saliva *can* contain the rabies virus, and it *could* potentially transmit rabies if ingested. However, rabies is primarily transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal entering the body through a bite or scratch, and *not* through an intact skin or mucus membrane. The virus needs broken skin or a mucous membrane to enter the bloodstream. Rabies is a zoonotic disease, typically contracted from bites or scratches from infected animals such as dogs and cats. Indirect contact during daily life doesn't usually cause infection. So, accidentally eating something a cat has licked is unlikely to transmit rabies. It's best to observe yourself for a few hours for any adverse reactions. If you experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea, this could indicate food contamination, and a visit to the doctor may be in order.Follow us for updates:Pet Training