What Do Cats Eat? Everything About Cat Food

Food is an important factor in any animal’s life. It defines the pet’s health and sometimes life expectancy. However, a cat’s diet is somewhat different from dogs and humans. So, what do cats eat? Can they eat human foods? So many questions storming in your head, right? 

A cat usually depends on the protein items. It can eat fish, meat, and sometimes fruits too. Like humans, a cat can be a picky eater. If you are a cat parent, you must have noticed this already. 

This article will focus on what a cat can eat and what you should feed it. If you just have adopted or bought a cat, this article can help you a lot. So, let’s start. 

What Do Cats Eat? 

I have mentioned above that cats depend on proteins, so that makes the species carnivorous. If you do not know about cat food, you can go for commercial foods according to the feline’s age and health. You can also consult a vet just to be sure you are feeding the pet right. However, a cat will never survive on a vegan diet. You must keep this in mind. 

Here are some food items that you can feed your cat:

• Meat 
• Wholegrain 
• Mackerel 
• Turkey 
• Pheasant 
• Beef 
• whitefish 
• Trout 
• Salmon 
• Herring 
• Eggs 

There are many more items that your cat can eat. Let’s talk about these. 

Meat:

Cats are absolute meat lovers. They will eat meat in any form. They get a lot of protein from the meat. The meat protein helps the cat develop a strong heart, healthy reproductive system, and good vision. But you should never feed the feline raw or spoiled meats. This is poisonous to it and makes the pet sick. 

Can cats eat beef?

Yes, they can. But some owners do not prefer giving the cats beef. If you are a vegetarian, cooking beef meat for the pet will be pretty disgusting for you.

Can cats eat chicken?

It can seem a little odd, but chicken is one of the most favorite foods of a cat. Chicken is an abundant source of lean meat. This is low in sodium and fat.

If you think veggies and fruits are the only sources of minerals, then you are wrong. Chicken is enriched with nutrients like vitamin B6, selenium, and phosphorus. These minerals and vitamins will develop the immune and digestive system of the cat. The phosphorus also makes sure the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys of the cat work perfectly. 

So, yes, you can add chicken breast to your pet’s meal. Besides beef and chicken, you can offer your cat turkey, pheasant too. 

Whole grain

Many cat owners have confusion about the whole grain. Some of them think whole grains can give cats allergies. But is that right? 

Experts claim that felines can eat whole grains like corn, wheat, wheat berries, corn meals, etc. These items are easy to make and provide a good texture for the cat. If you are worried about allergies, then do not. 

A study was conducted, and it showed that allergies from whole grain are rare in cats. However, corn can be the least source of allergy. 

Can cats eat rice?

The answer can be both yes and no. See, rice is not something that will harm your cat. It means if your cat accidentally eats gulps rice, it will be fine. But you need to consider the cat’s age and health. 

No matter if you are offering the kitty white or brown rice, you must consider its choice first. If your cat avoids rice, do not force it. The most renowned cat food companies prefer making foods grain-free. So, I suggest you not add rice to the cat’s meal. 

Some cats can suffer from diarrhea after eating rice. On the other hand, rice and chicken is the most favorite dish of some cats. So, you can not tell for sure what a cat will like. Go with your feline’s choice. One thing I can assure you is that rice will not harm your cat’s health. 

Can cats eat fish?

Obviously, they can. You must have seen in cartoons that cats are stealing and enjoying the piece of fish. 

Fishes are a great source of omega 3 fatty acids. This nutrient helps the cat develop sharp eyesight and even reduces the chance of having arthritis, kidney, or liver damages. But if the fish is enriched with high fatty acid, it will harm the cat. Feeding fish regularly may develop vitamin E deficiency in felines and lead to a painful condition. 

A cat can eat tuna. Mackerel, and some other fishes too. Mackerel is a deep water fish. So these fishes are fresh and less harmful to the felines. Cats enjoy eating the Mackerel occasionally. 

Can cats eat salmon? Cats enjoy cooked salmons without any herbs or spice. Feeding them raw or canned salmon can upset their stomach. Also, do not feed them this fancy fish regularly. 

Eggs

Eggs are another source of protein for cats. You need to cook them before feeding the felines. Raw eggs can upset the cat’s tummy, just like raw meats. 

Can cats eat veggies?

Cats can eat vegetables, but you should not feed them. Some veggies can be toxic to cats like chocolates. But sure, vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, and fibers. You can offer the cat pieces of cucumbers, boiled broccoli, cantaloupe, or asparagus if you want. 

What do cats eat? We have seen quite a lot of options. But what about drinks? Do cats drink milk? 

Milk is actually bad for the cats. You will be surprised to know that most cats are lactose intolerant. That means drinking milk can cause vomiting or diarrhea. But the good news is, some commercial milk is prepared especially for the cats. You can try those. And yes, cats drink water to stay hydrated. 

What do cats eat, or which food items will be safe for the felines? With this article, I hope your confusions are clear now. Each kitty has a different taste and preferences. Know your cat and offer the foods it loves the most. 

Related: What Can Cats Eat? What Your Cats Can and Cannot Eat