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Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: Tiggy's Mum on March 13, 2010, 14:51:16 PM

Title: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on March 13, 2010, 14:51:16 PM
I bought a large gammon joint which I have just cooked, I will never get through it all so was going to give some to the boys but it's very salty so was wondering whether it was OK for them to have some?

I don't ever use salt (not even when cooking veg) so it could be me being overly salt sensitive but it does taste extremely salty to me  :shy:
Title: Re: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on March 13, 2010, 14:53:48 PM
I would think it a bit salty but a little shouldnt' harm them.
Title: Re: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on March 13, 2010, 14:55:18 PM
 :thanks: Susanne, I'll give them a few pieces then - was hoping they would demolish more than a little of it though as it's massive!
Title: Re: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: Kay and Penny on March 13, 2010, 15:02:53 PM
it'll freeze beautifully though

 if you chop it up and spread it out in the fast freeze draw, it will be very easy then to put the bits into a bag and remove some as you need them
Title: Re: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: Janeyk on March 13, 2010, 15:03:11 PM
I agree a liitle bit shouldn't harm.  I'm like you though Helen, don't even add salt to veggies and if I get ham I usually soak it first 'cos don't like too salty.
Title: Re: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on March 13, 2010, 15:12:55 PM
I've never cooked a gammon joint before and did read about soaking it for 24 hours but the fresh bread was cooking in the breadmaker and I wanted to combine the two :drool;

trigger - what would you do with it once de-frosted, have it hot or cold?
Title: Re: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: Kay and Penny on March 13, 2010, 15:24:41 PM
if you're a pasta fan, you'll find small pieces of gammon go very well with tinned tomatoes and red pepper to make a sauce - with a bit of chilli too if you like it

Title: Re: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on March 13, 2010, 15:41:02 PM
If between me and the boys I don't manage to plough through it, I might just give that a go!
Title: Re: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: Janeyk on March 13, 2010, 15:57:25 PM
If I freeze it I serve it cold with chips and veg and in sandwiches, it's nice  :)
Title: Re: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: Yvonne on March 13, 2010, 21:00:39 PM
I don't think it will do them any harm but they probably will not like it.

Mine don't like bacon and gammon is quite similar 
Title: Re: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: maryas on March 13, 2010, 22:17:05 PM
I don't have salt in the house - mum coming for lunch tomorrow and will have to bring her own salt :rofl: :rofl:

I agree with Helen - before cooking soak it in cold water for about 24 hrs. Not sure if you can buy UNSMOKED gammon like you can Unsmoked bacon - I buy it for that reason but get smoked for my mum when I do her shopping as she loves her salt.

Can't see it harming cats - maybe just put more water down for them.

Mary
Title: Re: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on March 14, 2010, 10:19:10 AM
I personally wouldnt, partly due to the salt content and partly due to the fact that ham isn't the best meat to feed cats.
Title: Re: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on March 14, 2010, 11:48:44 AM
Well Riley had a few tiny pieces from my sandwich which he inhaled so he didn't notice the saltiness! Lu was asleep but I know he likes ham so will give them both a little bit today, won't give them too much as I know it's not ideal for them.
Title: Re: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on March 14, 2010, 13:06:19 PM
The boys just had great fun and enjoyed the gammon, I chopped some into tiny pieces and threw them individually in the garden. They had to chase it and then sniff it out before being rewarded with the prize!
Title: Re: Is gammon OK to give to cats?
Post by: Janeyk on March 14, 2010, 13:25:02 PM
 :evillaugh: Our Penny used to love me to do that with biscuits!