If your family feline is a champion hunter or a best-in-class napper, they still get hungry. Whether your cat is food motivated or finicky, you want to be sure your kitty friend is eating not just what they like but also what is good for them. Here are some tips for what you can feed your cat and what cats should not eat.
What Do Cats Like to Eat?
Cats have just lately become human companions, in contrast to dogs, cows, goats, and other domesticated animals. According to DNA sequencing, there is really little difference between a wild big cat and your typical housecat. It’s true that you have a tiny savannah or jungle cat on your couch.
How does this relate to the foods your cat is allowed to eat? Cats, whether wild or semi-domesticated, consume a lot of protein. Natural carnivores, family cats have only evolved to be omnivores by consuming the kibble that they can easily entice from people with a few chitchats and pecks on the cheek.
The small rodents and birds that cats normally hunt and kill in the wild provide a diet that is low in carbs and high in protein and calcium, which is what the cat’s digestive system and metabolism are made to consume.
What Should I Feed My Cat
Most cats and kittens do best on a combination of dry food and wet or canned cat food, according to veterinarians. Cats who only eat dry food may experience problems with their urinary tracts due to the lack of moisture in their diet. Whereas kibble is more plant-based and, well, dry, wet food contains more water and is usually more meat-based.
The secret is to be mindful of what you give your cat and to use moderation either preparing your own cat food or giving them some of your human food. In addition to the high sodium and fat content of canned fish, you should be on the lookout for hidden sugars in dairy products. Healthy homemade alternatives to commercial wet or dry cat food can be used as a supplement or replacement with a little preparation and attention.
What Meats Can Cats Eat?
Keep in mind that cats cannot be vegetarians or vegans. Because they are obligate carnivores, cats need meat to survive. Cats only consume meat in the wild, and their digestive systems are all designed to process it. Big cats and their domestic cousins differ greatly in one important way: don’t give your family cat raw meat. They may become ill as a result.
The following meats (cooked fresh, not canned) are generally acceptable for cats to eat in reasonable amounts if you’re wondering what foods they can eat outside of cat food. However, you should always consult your veterinarian regarding your cat’s diet.
1#Chicken: Most cats like cooked chicken, which is a main ingredient in many canned and dry foods.
2#Turkey: Giving your cat some of your Thanksgiving turkey, either ground or chopped into little bits, is acceptable. However, exclude the cranberry sauce and gravy.
3#Fish: Opt for fresh, entire fish that hasn’t been breaded, such as salmon, cod, or tuna. If you’re sharing with your cat, omit the spices and only sometimes eat canned fish or seafood because the high sodium and oil content can cause digestive issues for your cat.
4#Shrimp, Lobster, or Other Seafood: Cats can eat shellfish as long as it’s cooked, not raw, and served without sauce or butter.
Meats to avoid for cats include canned or smoked meats, processed meats like sausage, hot dogs, pepperoni, or salami, and the majority of deli meats since they are rich in salt.
What Other Human Foods Can Cats Eat
Other meals that cats could like in moderation include the following, but make sure to consult your veterinarian about what is best for your cat and their particular health requirements:
1#Eggs that have been cooked: Your cat can consume a modest quantity of eggs that have been cooked without the use of butter or spices. Before seasoning, spoon out a tiny piece of scrambled eggs and allow it to cool so the cat can nibble on it.
2#Most cats can tolerate cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt in moderation, but like people, many cats have lactose intolerance, which can worsen with age. Since the natural process of making yogurt eliminates lactose, you and your cat can share tiny amounts of high-protein, plain, whole-milk yogurt that is unflavored.
3#veggies: Some cats genuinely enjoy eating specific veggies, and little portions of them are generally acceptable. Just keep in mind that cats require meat protein to stay healthy and are not vegetarians. Cats have been known to like steamed green beans, peas, broccoli, asparagus, and fresh lettuce or cucumber.
What Foods Should My Cat Not Eat?
In contrast to dogs, cats typically don’t care about eating and won’t eat unhealthy foods. The likelihood of a cat rejecting food that is unusual or could cause gastrointestinal distress is significantly higher. However, if your cat is enticed to sample any of the following things, you don’t want to leave them there for them to eat.
1#uncooked chicken. Salmonella and other microorganisms that can make cats (and people) ill may be present. Any chicken you offer your cat should be cooked.
2#canned fish or beef (but only in moderation). When you open a can of salmon, tuna, oysters, sardines, or shredded chicken, your cat might run. However, canned fish, particularly tuna, has greater amounts of mercury and canned meat has a high sodium content, both of which are bad for cats. Wet cat food is a better option, but tiny amounts occasionally are definitely acceptable.
3#Chocolate. Chocolate is poisonous to cats, just like it is to dogs. Theobromine can result in convulsions, tremors, and even death. Don’t let your cat lick your ice cream sundae dish or share your cake, brownie, or chocolate bar.
4#Grapes, raisins, and cherries. They’re not for cats, even though you might adore them. These fruits are hazardous to dogs and cats and contain a lot of sugar, which can cause kidney failure.
5#Garlic, onions, and chives. If you’re thinking about sharing human food that contains these typical flavoring additives (such onion or garlic powder), don’t do it. Your cat probably won’t be interested. Cats who consume aliums may get anemia or, in more severe cases, onion poisoning.
6#either alcohol or caffeine. Keep cats away from your wine glass, coffee, chocolate, and snifter. Cats are poisoned by these toxins.
7#Bones and cooked fat trimmings. Don’t feed your cat merely the bones, fat, or skin from your food. In addition to causing vomiting and diarrhea, cooked chicken bones (as well as other bones) can shatter and injure the cat’s intestines or throat.
8#uncooked eggs. Raw egg whites include a protein that can impair a cat’s capacity to absorb nutrition, in addition to potentially dangerous microorganisms.
9#liver. Again, most cats can tolerate partially cooked ground liver in little, cat-sized doses, but only in rare instances. However, a cat that eats too much liver may get too much vitamin A.
10#Dog food. Dog food cannot be used in place of cat food, but it will be acceptable if a cat periodically shares Fido’s kibble. Don’t mix and match; each is designed to meet the dietary requirements and digestive systems of a dog or cat.
11#Meats from Deli. The majority of deli meats are high in salt and may contain preservatives that are bad for your cat, but if the chicken or turkey is 100% natural and has no added nitrates, it should be safe for your cat. Salami, bologna, ham, and other processed or smoked meats should not be given to cats.
12#Uncooked fish. A tiny quantity of sushi-quality, extremely fresh fish is probably safe, but otherwise, raw fish can be tainted with microorganisms that could injure your cat.
This is not a comprehensive list. Consult your veterinarian before allowing your cat to test a food if you’re unsure if it’s safe for them to eat.
How Can I Tell if My Cat’s Stomach is Upset?
Like people, cats can occasionally experience upset stomachs from eating too much, too quickly, or something that didn’t sit well with them. Additionally, they can have an intestinal infection caused by a virus or bacteria. The following are indicators that your feline is experiencing nausea or digestive issues:
1#Not eating
2#Diarrhea
3#Vomiting
4#Licking lips
5#Lethargy
Temporary nausea or unsettled stomach is common in humans and usually goes away. See your veterinarian for assistance if your cat is experiencing problems drinking enough water or if these symptoms persist.
What to Do If Your Cat Has Eaten Something It Shouldn’t
You keep enticing food that isn’t for cats out of reach and limit your cat’s diet to only healthy foods. However, despite your best attempts, your cat may occasionally consume something they shouldn’t. Keep the phone numbers of the nearest emergency veterinary clinic, your neighborhood veterinarian, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 handy in case this occurs.
Cleaning the Cat Litter if Your Cat Has Had Diarrhea
It’s advisable to empty your cat’s litter box, clean it, and then replenish it with fresh litter if your cat has experienced diarrhea or has received treatment for an intestinal virus. Consider this similar to cleaning your bathroom or sheets after being ill.
As always, try one of these ARM & HAMMERTM cat litters made with baking soda and cutting-edge odor neutralizers if you’re searching for cat litter that reduces odor for seven days, absorbs moisture fast, and is simple to scoop with hard clumps.
