Which Countries Eat Cats?

Countries Where Eating Cat Meat Is Legal and Practiced

In some parts of the world, eating cat meat is legal and still occurs—though typically within specific communities or cultural traditions rather than as a common national practice. Countries where the practice is reported include Vietnam and Cameroon, as well as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Peru in more limited or community-based contexts. In places like Australia, Belgium, Switzerland, and Denmark, the law does not fully prohibit consumption but imposes restrictions tied to animal welfare and slaughter regulations.

In some of these countries, the practice is linked to longstanding customs, festival traditions, or beliefs about health benefits. That said, legality does not necessarily mean widespread acceptance. In most cases, cat meat consumption represents a niche or localized practice rather than something reflective of broader national eating patterns.

Countries Where Eating Cat Meat Is Illegal or Rare

In other parts of the world, the consumption of cat meat is either explicitly illegal or culturally unheard of. The United States banned the commercial slaughter and sale of cats and dogs for food under the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2018. Taiwan enacted a similar ban in 2017, formally prohibiting both the sale and consumption of dog and cat meat. In much of Europe—including countries like France, Italy, and Spain—there is little to no modern evidence of cat meat being consumed, even if historical records show it occurred centuries ago.

Even where laws are not always clearly defined, social norms tend to play a stronger role. In many Western countries and urbanized societies, cats are overwhelmingly viewed as companion animals, and the idea of consuming them is socially unacceptable. In some regions affected by war or famine, such as Syria, reports of cat consumption have been tied more to survival circumstances than to cultural tradition.

Legal Gray Areas and Regulation Differences

Between outright bans and open legality lies a legal gray zone. In countries such as Australia, Belgium, Switzerland, and Denmark, cat meat consumption is not always explicitly banned—but it is heavily restricted. Laws related to animal welfare, humane slaughter, food safety, and theft often make commercial trade impractical or illegal in practice, even if personal consumption is not specifically outlawed.

In several Asian countries—including Indonesia, Malaysia, and parts of South Korea—cat meat may be legal but uncommon, typically limited to certain communities, festivals, or traditional beliefs. Enforcement also varies widely. In some places, the law focuses more on preventing animal cruelty or theft rather than targeting consumption itself. As a result, legality on paper does not always reflect how frequently—or rarely—the practice actually occurs.