If you are thinking of getting a furry friend for the first time, you must be wondering what can cats eat. Cats are obligate carnivores. This means that they need a steady diet of meat to survive. Despite the fact they only need protein in their diet, they enjoy eating a variety of foods that could contain everything from protein to carbohydrate. But feeding a cat isn’t an inconvenience at all and it won’t require any unnecessary efforts. So, if you are looking for a healthy cat snack to feed your cat, you don’t need to look further than your fridge in most instances. In this guide, we will talk about what cats typically love to eat that you can start feeding them. We will also take a look at foods cats can’t eat so that you will have a clear idea of what you cannot give to your cat.
What You Should Feed Your Cat
12. Fish
While your cat shouldn’t start feeding out of your aquarium. fish is a great source of protein for them. It will help its eyesight, joints, and brain. Salmon is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. It is a tasty treat for your cat and it will love to devour it as soon as you feed it. But always remember to cook the fish you are serving your cat and never serve it raw.
11. Eggs
To save time let’s make one thing clear here. Never serve the protein raw to your pet. They may contain harmful bacteria like E. coli and cause diseases to your cats that may prove fatal. But as long as eggs are well cooked, it will be an excellent source of protein for your cat. They are rich in B vitamins and they completely see for your cat to eat.
10. Chicken
Yes, cats do love their protein. Chicken is a great source of protein and it makes a healthy and tasty treat for your cat to eat. So, if you were wondering if can cats eat chicken, the answer is an obvious yes. Cook the chicken thoroughly and remove the skin before feeding it to your cat.
9. Spinach
Even though cats don’t need vegetation, they can get essential nutrients from it and it can help with them with digestive issues. Spinach is rich in vitamins and minerals and it is a safe food for your cat.
8. Carrots
Your cat may love to eat cooked carrots. Cut them into small pieces and feed them to your cat. But avoid feeding raw carrots to your cats as they might turn out to be a choking hazard.
7. Pumpkin
Pumpkins will make great food for your cat as it is low in calories and high in fiber. It is also a great treatment for cats who suffer from abnormal stool.
6. Peas
This is one of the rare ones that you can feed your cat raw. Peas are high in fiber and rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C. They are a great snacking option for your cat.
5. Blueberries
The next item on this list of what can cats eat is blueberries. They are high in antioxidants and they are a great source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C.
4. Bananas
If you wanted to know if can cats eat bananas, then the answer is yes, they can. Bananas are high in potassium and soluble fiber and they are a great treat for your cat. Though it is a completely safe option for your cat to eat, it should only be a special treat because of the high sugar content present in it.
3. Apples
Apples are rich in Vitamin C and they are also great cat-safe food. You can feed them to your cat after removing the skin.
2. Cheese
There is a lot of confusion regarding whether cats can have milk and dairy products. There are usually two extreme answers to it. One group will say that it is great for them and the other will say that most cats are lactose intolerant and you should avoid feeding cheese to it at all costs. Both of these are wrong and the answer lies somewhere in the middle. Hard cheese like cheddar and gouda are safe for your cat. But you should actively avoid products like cow’s milk, soft cheese, and anything that is high in lactose
1. Oatmeal
Oats are a great source of Vitamin B and fiber for pets. But just like us, some felines may not like the taste of oats. So, if you want to incorporate this into your diet the trick is to do this slowly and introduce it in small doses before they become a regular part of your cat’s diet.
What You Shouldn’t Feed Your Cat
Now that you know what can cats eat, it is equally important what kind of food may harm them so that we can steer clear of those options. Cats are like the members of our family to us. We see them as our companions and that is why it is natural for us to want to spoil them. But their some foods that can be a great health risk for them. We need to know what they are and make sure that we don’t do anything to harm our cats. So, let’s take a look at the list of items that we should actively avoid feeding our cats.
1. Chocolate
Though we look at chocolate as a delicious treat, our feline friends definitely look at it the same away. Chocolate has theobromine and caffeine and these two ingredients are toxic to cats. Consuming chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats. In some cases, it may even lead to seizures. So, avoid feeding this to your cat and keep it for yourself.
2. Raw Eggs. Meat & Fish
We may think that raw is natural but it is far from the truth. Raw items can contain harmful pathogens like E. coli and salmonella bacteria. In some cases, this injury can prove to be fatal.
3. Certain Fruits
Grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage to cats. So, steer clear of these two fruits when feeding your cat. Citrus based foods like lemon and oranges may also cause an upset stomach to your cat. Avoid feeding these fruits to your cat.
If you are trying to introduce new food to your cat, it will be difficult at first because they can be picky eaters at times. So, the idea is to do it slowly until it becomes a regular part of their diet. And on the flip side, if you want to avoid feeding certain things to your cat, then know that that they are curious by nature and they might end up ingesting something that is bad for them. So, keep the items that are harmful to them away from their reach.
