As with all domestic animals, cats have a special list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to food safety. Common problems associated with feeding cats human foods is obesity, allergies, and feline toxicity. Here’s a catered list of safe foods to feed your cat:
1. Whole grains
Grains can be an important source of essential amino acids that help keep a cat’s diet nutritious. However, be wary of any allergies the feline might have when it comes to specific grains that you might be feeding them.
2. Cooked meats and eggs
Cooked lean meat such as chicken, beef, or turkey is a great source of iron and vitamin B. They can also be a good substitute for treats because regular cat treats are high in fat.
3. Cucumber
Vegetables such as cucumber, as well as asparagus, or broccoli are great sources of fiber and water that aid in digestion. However, felines don’t typically eat fruit due to the lack of taste buds.
4. Cooked fish
Fish contains a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids. This helps improve a cat’s vision, kidney, and heart, but it’s only a good idea to give them fish as a treat.
5. Cheese in tiny amounts
Small amounts of cheese. Cheese can be high in protein which is the primary energy for feline’s, but since most cats are lactose-intolerant, too much cheese will cause them to have upset stomachs.
6. Harmful foods for cats
The following unsafe human foods for cats may cause stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, food poisoning, kidney issues, anemia, and even death:
- Raw meats, eggs, and fish:Cats are susceptible to food poisoning when consuming raw meats due to the high amount of bacteria that is sourced within these foods.
- Grapes and raisins: If a feline eats grapes or raisins they have a chance of developing kidney failure. Even the tiniest amount can make a cat become ill.
- Onions and garlic: This type of food can have a negative effect on the red blood cells within felines, thus causing them to develop anemia.
- Milk and dairy products in large amounts: The majority of cats are lactose intolerant so giving a feline large amounts of milk or dairy will likely result in an upset stomach which then leads to vomiting and diarrhea.
- Chocolate: Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which is not natural to a feline’s metabolism. Too much theobromine can lead to toxic levels of build-up within a cat’s digestive system.
- Macadamia nuts: Similar to grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts can very easily cause a cat to become ill and have an upset stomach.
- Alcohol: Alcoholic drinks can lead to ethanol poisoning which causes cats to develop a myriad of symptoms such as respiratory failure, coma, and even death.
- Raw dough: Raw dough can cause a feline’s stomach to expand and swell which results in extreme pain. Yeast dough can also produce alcohol in the cat’s digestive system which then leads to alcohol poisoning.
