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Kočky jsou notoricky vybíravé. Mnoho koťat bude ohrnovat nos i nad prémiovými značkami krmiva pro kočky s nádechem nevkusu. Pokud vaše vybíravá kočka říká „ne“ komerčním krmivům, tak proč to nezkusit okořenit vaší kočkou lidskými potravinami?
Krmení komerčního krmiva pro kočky každý den se zdá všední nejen pro vás, ale i pro vaši vybíravou kočku. Mnoho majitelů domácích zvířat má skutečné obavy ze složek a výrobních procesů příliš zpracovaných komerčních potravin. Přírodní krmiva jsou pro domácí mazlíčky atraktivnější a chutnější. Jaké lidské potraviny však mohou kočky jíst?Zkuste se stát osobním kuchařem vaší kočky. Dopřejte si přípravu jídla na míru s následujícími nejlepšími zdravými a přirozenými lidskými potravinami pro kočky. Energetická hladina Kitty se zvýší a její srst bude vypadat zdravěji díky přidaným vitamínům a minerálům.
Proč nevložit své kočce do kroku nové jaro a nepodráždit chuťové pohárky kočkovitých šelem přidáním chutných a zdravých lidských potravin?
Ano, kočky mohou jíst určitou zeleninu. Pokud vlastníte pokojové rostliny, je pravděpodobné, že jste přistihli svou kočku žvýkat listy. Většina koček přechází na zelené krmivo v přirozené snaze přidat vlákninu do své stravy. Listy svých pokojových rostlin můžete nahradit (a ušetřit poškození listů) tím, že doplníte krmivo pro kočky malými porcemi zeleniny bezpečné pro kočky.
Kočky jsou obligátní masožravci a pro optimální zdraví potřebují živočišné bílkoviny. Jejich trávicí trakt je uzpůsoben ke konzumaci masa. Špatně tráví přebytečný rostlinný materiál, ale pro optimální zdraví potřebují určitý stupeň vlákniny ve stravě, a proto se kočky často spásají listím a trávou.
Zatímco kočky mají ve své každodenní stravě velmi malou potřebu zeleniny, mohou být stále prospěšné jako příležitostný pamlsek nebo doplněk k jídlu. Zelenina obsahuje významné množství vitamínů a živin, které mohou pomoci zlepšit zdraví vašich koťat.
Přidání malého množství zeleniny do stravy kočky s nadváhou může být užitečné, protože vysoký obsah vody a vlákniny v zelenině pomáhá kočce cítit se déle sytou, což snižuje její přejídání a chuť na jídlo.
Při nákupu zeleniny pro kočky se snažte vybírat bio, bez pesticidů. Vždy důkladně omyjte zeleninu, než ji dáte svému chlupatému příteli. Zde je několik druhů zeleniny pro vaši kočku:
Ano! Ačkoli mrkev nemusí být první zeleninou, kterou si myslíte, že krmíte svou kočku, může být vynikající svačinou. Jsou nabité beta karotenem, který je dobrý pro oči a srst vaší kočky. Jsou také zdrojem vitamínu E, draslíku a vlákniny.
Mrkev může být zdravou svačinkou, pokud je krmena střídmě. Přírodní cukry v mrkvi mohou způsobit trávicí potíže u koček, pokud jsou překrmovány.
Celé nebo velké kousky tepelně neupravené mrkve jsou velmi tvrdé. Pokud je vaše kočka zvyklá na křupavé přírodní žvýkačky, můžete zkusit nabídnout své kočce tenký proužek mrkve ke žvýkání, ale mohou také představovat nebezpečí udušení, pokud se vaše kočka rozhodne spolknout velký kus.
Někdy. Ačkoli bílé brambory nejsou nabité živinami jako jiná zelenina na našem seznamu, je bezpečné je krmit jako velmi příležitostnou pochoutku. Ujistěte se, že krmíte pouze oloupané a vařené brambory. Slupka brambor a nezralá nebo tepelně neupravená dužina brambor obsahují toxin zvaný solanin.
Brambory jsou běžnou ingrediencí v granulích pro kočky, ale nemají tuny nutriční hodnoty ve srovnání s jinou zeleninou vhodnou pro kočky. Sladké brambory na druhé straně nabízejí více nutričních výhod než bílé brambory, jako je vitamín C, mangan a antioxidanty. Obsahují také rozpustnou i nerozpustnou vlákninu, takže při podávání v malých dávkách mohou být účinným pomocníkem při trávení.
Přestože jsou brambory oblíbenou přílohou k našim jídlům, mnoho způsobů, kterými jíme brambory, není pro kočky dobré. Koření, stejně jako sůl nebo česnek, není pro kočky bezpečné, takže pokud své brambory nesníte nevýrazně, neměli byste je sdílet.
Mohou kočky jíst hranolky? Určitě ne. Hranolky jsou smažené, což znamená, že při vaření nasávají oleje a mohou kočkám způsobit zažívací potíže. Kromě toho jsou hranolky velmi slané, což je v dostatečně velkém množství nebezpečné.
Takže žádné hranolky, ale co chipsy? Mohou kočky jíst chipsy? Promiň, ale pořád ne. Stejně jako hranolky jsou hranolky smažené a silně kořeněné, takže jsou nezdravé a potenciálně toxické pro kočky.
Já vím, já vím, rajčata jsou technicky ovoce, ale rajčata často používáme jako zeleninu, stejně jako to děláme s okurkou a lilkem (také botanicky ovoce), takže je na náš seznam vegetariánů. Smiř se s tím.
Mohou tedy kočky jíst rajčata? Mohou, ale jen určité části. Stejně jako brambory jsou bezpečné pouze některé části rostliny rajčat. Stonek i listy obsahují solanin, stejnou sloučeninu v bramborách, která je toxická pro vaši kočku. Nezralá nebo zelená rajčata mají také vysoký obsah solaninu. Bezpečná je pouze zralá dužina rajčete.
Rajčata jsou nabitá vitamínem C a draslíkem a také silným antioxidantem zvaným lykopen, který pomáhá předcházet oxidativnímu poškození buněk. Rajčata také poskytují zdravou vlákninu pro podporu trávení vaší kočky.
Rajčata mohou být bezpečnou pochoutkou, mnoho oblíbených jídel a koření vyrobených z rajčat nikoli. Mohou kočky jíst kečup, omáčku na těstoviny nebo rajčatovou polévku? Ne všem. Tyto produkty obsahují cukry a koření, které jsou buď škodlivé, nebo by mohly způsobit trávicí potíže u koček.
Rozhodně! Brokolice obsahuje vitamín K a vápník, které jsou oba důležité pro zdraví kostry vaší kočky. Je také užitečným zdrojem fosforu, zinku a vitamínů A. Zelenina je obvykle špatným zdrojem zinku, což je důvod, proč kompletní krmivo pro kočky bude získávat zinek z masa, vajec a luštěnin, ale brokolice může hladinu zinku trochu snížit. bit.
Brokolici lze krmit syrovou, ale mějte na paměti, že stonky jsou tvrdé a mohou být obtížně stravitelné. Syrové, tvrdé stonky by měly být očištěny nebo nakrájeny na velmi jemné kostičky. Vaření nebo vaření brokolice v páře změkčí stonky, jen vynechejte polevy, jako máslo a sůl. Měkkou vařenou brokolici lze bezpečně krmit na kostičky na malé kousky.
Určitě mohou! Okurka je nízkokalorický zdroj živin, obsahuje vitamíny C a K a hořčík. Navzdory množství videí, na kterých kočky šílí z okurek, jsou pro vaši kočku vhodnou a bezpečnou pochoutkou.
Vláknina a vysoká koncentrace vody v okurce z nich dělá skvělou nízkokalorickou pochoutku pro baculaté kočky. Mohou pomoci vaší kočce cítit se syté a snížit touhu po jídle a dodatečná vlhkost pomáhá podporovat její trávicí a močové cesty.
Můžou kočky jíst okurky? Určitě ne! Nakládané okurky se fermentují ve slaném nálevu nebo octu. V každém případě jsou pro kočky špatné a pravděpodobně způsobí zažívací potíže. Používaná sůl a koření mohou být pro kočky velmi nebezpečné, takže této chutné lidské svačině by se vaše kočka měla vyhnout.
Doporučujeme! Další „zelenina“, která je technicky vzato ovoce, dýně je nabitá betakarotenem a vitaminy A, C a E, ale největším přínosem dýně je její vláknina. Dýňová dužina je směsí rozpustné a nerozpustné vlákniny, což znamená, že objem a zároveň absorbuje vodu.
Kočkám s citlivým zažíváním prospívá dýně ve stravě, protože může pomoci při průjmech i zácpě. Dýně se používá v mnoha komerčních krmivech pro kočky, ale lze ji použít také preventivně nebo jako rychlý lék na náhlé zažívací potíže. Pro snadnou možnost krmení se podívejte na Nummy Tum Tum Organic Pumpkin Puree.
A co semena? Mohou kočky jíst dýňová semínka? Možná vás překvapí, že kočky mohou jíst dýňová semínka a skutečně si na nich pochutnat! Semena mají vysoký obsah omega-3 mastných kyselin, které mohou podporovat kůži + srst, imunitní systém a trávení.
Syrová semena obsahují kyselinu fytovou, která může snížit schopnost vaší kočky absorbovat živiny. Aby se rozložila kyselina fytová, je třeba semena buď přes noc namočit, nebo uvařit. Podrobné pokyny k namáčení semen najdete v článku Perfectly Rawsome.
Pokud zeleninu v našem seznamu 5 nejlepších vaši kočku nevzrušuje, nebojte se, existuje spousta další zeleniny, která je pro kočky bezpečná. Snaž se. Jen si pamatujte, že veškerá zelenina by měla být krmena s mírou s kompletním a vyváženým krmivem pro kočky.
Zatímco existuje mnoho druhů zeleniny bezpečné pro kočky, kočky nepotřebují ve své celkové stravě mnoho zeleniny. Kompletní a vyvážené krmivo pro kočky poskytne všechny základní živiny, které vaše kočka potřebuje, což znamená, že jakákoli další zelenina by měla být podávána s mírou, aby se zabránilo překrmování některými živinami.
Stačí krmit jednou týdně jednou porcí jedné až dvou polévkových lžic zeleniny. To vám umožní nabízet čerstvé potravinové přísady, aniž byste to přeháněli.
Všechny buňky v zelenině mají nestravitelnou vnější vrstvu vyrobenou z celulózy. To je důvod, proč se doporučuje tuto vrstvu narušit vařením zeleniny v páře, aby byla snáze stravitelná. Vaření zeleniny také změkne, takže může být pro vaši kočku chutnější.
Vaření však může vést k určité ztrátě živin, takže dobrý způsob, jak krmit zeleninu syrovou, je hodit ji do kuchyňského robotu a rozmixovat na pyré. Díky tomu se snadno používají jako topper na jídlo.
Víme, že ovoce může být nabité vitamíny a dalšími prospěšnými živinami, ale jako masožravci mají kočky ve své stravě ovoce velmi malou potřebu. Přesto to neznamená, že občasné ošetření vašeho mazlíčka nějakým ovocem bezpečným pro kočky může být stále prospěšné.
Barevné a živé ovoce může nabídnout přírodní zdroje beta-karotenu, ve vodě rozpustných vitamínů a vlákniny, ale má také přirozeně vysoký obsah ovocných cukrů. Pokud jde o ovoce, je to trochu daleko a ovoce by mělo tvořit jen velmi malou část stravy vaší kočky – například 1 % nebo méně.
Díky tomu může být ošetření vaší kočky ovocem náročné, ale pokud víte, které ovoce je pro vaše kočky bezpečné a prospěšné, můžete najít způsoby, jak své kočce příležitostně nabídnout čerstvé a chutné ovocné svačinky.
Mnoho druhů ovoce je pro kočky bezpečných, a protože ovoce jíme syrové a čerstvé, je to jedna z jednodušších svačin, kterou můžeme sdílet s našimi mazlíčky. Ale to, že kočky mohou jíst ovoce, ještě neznamená, že by měly. Zjistěte, které ovoce je pro kočky bezpečné a jaké množství každého z nich je bezpečné krmit.
Ach ano! Banány jsou skvělým zdrojem vlákniny a draslíku a v malých porcích mohou být užitečným pomocníkem při trávení pro kočky, ale vysoký obsah cukru v banánech znamená, že mohou způsobit více problémů, než napravit, pokud budete krmit příliš mnoho. Snažte se nepřekračovat jednu až dvě porce týdně.
Kočky jsou velmi hmatatelné jedlíky, a proto banány nepatří mezi ovoce, ke kterému kočky obecně přitahují. Kašovitá textura může být pro kočky rušivá, takže hodně štěstí přimět je, aby snědly kousek banánu tak, jak je. Možná budete mít větší štěstí smíchat banán s více žádoucími příchutěmi nebo texturami, abyste zamaskovali ovoce.
Pokud jde o přípravu, slupka banánu není toxická, ale může představovat nebezpečí udušení a pravděpodobně způsobí podráždění břicha. Banánová slupka je velmi obtížně stravitelná, takže je pravděpodobnější, že způsobí problémy, i když ji vaše kočka dokáže rozkousat.
Ano, mohou! Kromě toho, že jsou jahody bohaté na antioxidanty, obsahují vitamín C, mangan a draslík. Bohužel, jahody mají také vysoký obsah přírodních ovocných cukrů, takže krmení ve velkém množství může vést k zažívacím problémům.
Ujistěte se, že jste odstranili všechny listy nebo stonky, protože mohou způsobit podráždění pokožky kvůli zubatému tvaru listů. Jahody nasekejte nebo rozdrťte a přidejte bobule do dalšího jídla vašeho mazlíčka.
Mimochodem, jahody nejsou jediné bobule bezpečné pro kočky. Mohou kočky jíst borůvky? Co třeba maliny, brusinky nebo ostružiny? Mnoho bobulí je pro kočky bezpečných a je nabitých vitamíny a antioxidanty, které mohou pomoci zlepšit zdraví vašich koček.
Například brusinky jsou užitečným doplňkem pro podporu zdraví moči u koček. Brusinky v prášku, stejně jako Cranimals, jsou snadným způsobem, jak přidat brusinky do jídla vaší kočky. Brusinka se také často používá v pochoutkách pro kočky, jako jsou ty od Emerald Pet.
Bobule by se měly umýt a nakrájet, rozmačkat nebo rozdrtit, aby se zvýšila stravitelnost a vstřebávání živin. Kvůli jejich sladké a kyselé povaze by měly být bobule krmeny s mírou a vždy se vyhněte sladkým ovocným směsím, jako je džem, želé nebo náplň do koláčů.
samozřejmě! Možná vás překvapí, že meloun je ve skutečnosti jedním z nejoblíbenějších druhů ovoce pro kočky. I když je to pro nás sladká pochoutka, kočkám se obvykle líbí struktura čerstvého melounu, takže možná zjistíte, že vaše kočka bude prosit o chuť, až příště rozlousknete sezónní meloun.
Vodní melouny obsahují 90 % vlhkosti, takže jsou skvělou volbou, jak udržet vaši kočku správně hydratovanou. Meloun má také přirozeně vysoký obsah vitamínu C a antioxidantů, ale také přírodních ovocných cukrů. Bez ohledu na to, jak moc touží vaše kočka po kousku vašeho melounu, držte se malých porcí, abyste předešli zažívacím potížím.
Jiné druhy melounů jsou také bezpečné pro kočky. Mohou kočky jíst meloun nebo medovku? Stejně jako meloun jsou pro kočky v malých porcích bezpečné. U všech melounů se ujistěte, že jste odstranili veškerou kůru nebo semena, a krmte pouze zralou dužinou melounu.
Ano! Jablka jsou pro kočky bezpečná ke konzumaci, ale pouze pokud jsou oloupaná a zbavená jádřinců. Slupka je těžko stravitelná, ale semena v jádře obsahují amygdalin, který obsahuje kyanid. I malé množství kyanidu může být pro kočky extrémně nebezpečné, proto se ujistěte, že jste odstranili celé jádro.
Jablko má velmi vysoký obsah ovocných cukrů, zatímco ve velkých dávkách to může být špatné a může to vést k podráždění bříška kočky. Jablka také obsahují rozpustnou vlákninu zvanou pektin. V malých množstvích může pektin pomoci podpořit trávení tím, že vyživuje zdravé bakterie ve střevech vaší kočky.
Mohou kočky jíst jablečný protlak? Většinu ovoce doporučujeme pyré, aby se maximalizovala stravitelnost, takže jablečný protlak se jeví jako ideální volba. Ale buďte velmi opatrní, abyste zkontrolovali seznam složek na předbaleném jablečném pyré. Často se používají další cukry nebo konzervační látky, které nejsou pro kočky bezpečné.
Mohou kočky jíst jablečný koláč? Určitě ne! Jsou to další přísady, které dělají potraviny na bázi jablek pro kočky nebezpečnými, a to platí i pro jablečný koláč. Cukry, koření a kůra mohou být pro kočky buď nezdravé, nebo jen toxické.
Ano, kočky mohou bezpečně jíst avokádo a mnohé si na něm dokonce pochutnávají. Podávejte pouze malé množství masa. Slupku ani semínko kočce nedávejte. Slupka a pecka avokáda obsahují osoby, které jsou toxické pro psy a kočky.
Avokádo je bohaté na tuk, vitamíny E, A a B6 plus aminokyseliny. Mohou pomoci zlepšit srst a kůži vaší kočky. Některé kočky však mají citlivý žaludek, který nemusí dobře reagovat na vysoký obsah tuku obsažený v avokádu a mohl by zvýšit riziko, že se u zvířete rozvine zánět slinivky, takže se držte malých a občasných porcí.
Mohou kočky jíst guacamole? Zatímco dužina avokáda je bezpečná, naše oblíbené avokádové jídlo, guacamole není. Vápno, sůl a česnek jsou pro vaši kočku škodlivé, takže se držte pouze obyčejné, nekořeněné dužiny avokáda.
Jak již bylo řečeno, ovoce by mělo tvořit pouze velmi malou část stravy vaší kočky, takže bez ohledu na to, které ovoce bezpečné pro kočky vaše kočka miluje, buďte velmi opatrní, kolik a jak často je krmíte. Jedna až dvě lžičky pyré týdně jsou pro masožravou kočku hodně.
Dobrým pravidlem je, že ovoce by se mělo oloupat, vyjmout jádřince a odstranit všechny slupky, listy, pecky a stopky. Dužina ovoce je jediná část, kterou by měla být vaše kočka krmena. Měkké ovoce, jako jsou maliny, lze nakrájet na kousky o velikosti sousta a krmit, ale stejně jako zelenina se všechno ovoce lépe tráví, když je rozmixováno.
Další věc, kterou je třeba mít na paměti, je, že vaše kočka nemusí mít zájem o ovoce. Nepreferují sladké chutě, takže vybíravé kočky mohou ohrnovat nos nad čerstvým ovocem nebo ovocným pyré. Vždy nechte svou kočku vyzkoušet ovoce, než si ho přidáte do jídla, protože ho může odmítnout jíst.
Mnoho majitelů domácích zvířat se při přípravě snídaně ptá:„Můžou kočky jíst ovesné vločky? Ano, kočky mohou jíst celá nebo nerafinovaná zrna, ale rafinovaná zrna postrádají nutriční hodnotu celých zrn, která jsou nabitá železem, vlákninou a vitamíny.
Stejně jako zelenina, ani kočky nepotřebují obiloviny ve své stravě, ale to neznamená, že nemají žádnou nutriční hodnotu. Mnoho celých zrn nabízí vitamíny, minerály a užitečnou vlákninu na podporu trávení.
V ideálním případě by obiloviny neměly tvořit více než 5 až 10 procent kočičí stravy. To je podobné tomu, co by žrala divoká kočka, a to buď pastvou na trávě a jiném rostlinném materiálu, nebo ze žaludku a trávicího obsahu divoké kořisti, kterou konzumují.
Existuje mnoho důvodů, proč krmit obilím, které je plné vitamínů, železa a vlákniny pro optimální nutriční hodnotu. I ta nejzdravější zrna je třeba krmit s mírou, zvláště pokud vaše kočka již konzumuje stravu s vysokým obsahem sacharidů. Zrní jako pamlsky se nejlépe hodí jako zdroj vlákniny na podporu trávení, nebo jako přísada do pečených či domácích kočičích pamlsků.
Mohou! Rýže je jednou z nejběžnějších obilnin používaných v krmivu pro kočky. Je bohatý na vlákninu a je levnou přísadou do granulí pro vaši kočku. I když to může být pro kočky bezpečné, rýže je často nadměrně používána v krmivech pro domácí zvířata, takže byste se měli vyvarovat krmení více rýží, pokud vaše kočka již konzumuje stravu bohatou na sacharidy, jako jsou granule.
Přestože to není skvělá pochoutka, může být součástí užitečné domácí stravy pro menší zažívací potíže u domácích zvířat. Nevýraznou dietu, jako jsou jednoduché náhražky babičky Lucy, obvykle sestávající z vařené rýže a vařeného kuřete, můžete krmit několik dní, abyste své kočce pomohli překonat záchvat průjmu.
Bílá rýže nabízí omezenou výživu, kromě vlákniny, ale hnědá rýže může být nahrazena jako alternativa s nižší glykemií, aby se snížily výkyvy hladiny cukru v krvi a poskytla kočce pocit plnosti, pokud drží dietu.
Technicky ano, ale neměli by. Zatímco pšenice je hlavní složkou mnoha našich oblíbených sacharidů, rafinovaná pšenice je na glykemickém měřítku velmi vysoká a pro kočky není skvělá. Lepší je celozrnná pšenice, ale stejně vaší kočce nenabídne nic jiného, než že ji nezíská z čerstvých živočišných bílkovin a některé zeleniny.
To znamená, že chléb a další potraviny na bázi mouky, i když nejsou toxické, jsou jen velkým množstvím prázdných kalorií. I když mohou být v pořádku, příležitostná svačina, pro vaši kočku existují mnohem lepší a výživnější lidská jídla.
Alternativní mouky, jako je mandlová nebo kokosová, jsou pro kočky také bezpečné a mají nízkou glykemii, ale mají vysoký obsah tuků, takže by měly být omezeny na pouze příležitostné ošetření.
Určitě! Oves je nabitý rozpustnou vlákninou a antioxidanty. Mají také nižší glykemii než mnoho jiných oblíbených obilovin, ale nejlepší jsou ve své celozrnné a minimálně zpracované formě. Ideální volbou je ocelově řezaný oves.
To znamená, že vaše ranní instantní ovesné vločky pravděpodobně nejsou tou nejlepší volbou. Balíčky jsou často ochucené nebo slazené, což u koček způsobí zažívací potíže. Pokud si doma vyrábíte vlastní ocelový oves, odložte si malou porci bez sladidel a koření pro kočku a před podáváním ji zcela vychlaďte.
Rozhodně! Dobře, technicky vzato je quinoa semínko, ne zrno, ale jí se jako zrno. Quinoa je jedním z nejvíce podceňovaných sacharidů pro domácí mazlíčky. Je to jediné zrno, které je považováno za kompletní protein, což znamená, že obsahuje všechny esenciální aminokyseliny, které kočky potřebují, kromě jedné - taurinu.
Je také nízkoglykemický, takže je lepší volbou zařadit do běžné stravy vaší kočky než obiloviny na našem seznamu. It's high in protein and fibre and offers vitamins and minerals like manganese, phosphorus, and B vitamins.
If it's so great, then why isn't it more popular in cat food? Like most things, it comes down to price and availability. Grains like corn, oats, and rice are much more cost-effective, so they are preferred by the pet industry.
Maybe. This one is controversial, to say the least. Corn gets a bad name in the pet industry, and while many of the concerns are totally valid, corn isn't toxic to cats. Cats have no dietary need for corn. It's not the best ingredient to include as a regular part of your cat's diet, but a little as a treat, it is safe, and contrary to popular belief, does actually offer some important nutrients.
Despite its high glycemic effects, corn is a source of vitamin C, protein, and fibre, which is why it's a common ingredient in pet food. The nutrients in corn may be sound appealing as a diet booster, but there are better sources of these nutrients in meat, vegetables, and fish, all of which are easier to digest.
Another thing to consider, and one of the reasons that corn is not a preferred cat food ingredient is the high risk of mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are produced by fungus and mould spores and are very common in corn crops.
Feed producers need to have stringent regulations and procedures to minimize and manage mycotoxin-infected crops. While these regulations reduce the risk, mycotoxins can still be a risk when feeding corn products to your pet.
Feed all grains in moderation. Grains are best fed cooked to soften them. Hard grains like rice or corn will be difficult to digest, and even soft grains like oats will break down faster if they are cooked or at least hydrated. Feed only a tablespoon once or twice a week, at most.
Use grains sparingly and only as treats or meal toppers rather than a regular addition to your pet's daily meals. While whole grains are safe for cats to eat, the majority of your cat's nutrients should come from animal proteins.
If you are looking for a healthy and popular way to use grains to treat your cat, try different types of cat grass, like barley grass, ryegrass, or oat grass like in the Catit Senses 2.0 Cat Grass Kit. These offer some soluble fibre, vitamins and minerals, and can help improve your cat's digestion when fed as an occasional treat.
If you are already feeding a kibble diet or a diet high in carbs, then skipping grains as treats altogether is the best practice.
We've been led to believe for a long time that cats love milk, and even if they do, milk doesn't love them back. While some cats can eat dairy without issue, most cats show symptoms of lactose intolerance. Some cats experience gas, vomiting, or diarrhea after consuming dairy products like milk or cheese.
The good news is that not all dairy products are a no-go for cats. Find out which of your favourite dairy treats are safe to share with your kitten, and which ones may actually be beneficial.
No. At least not cow's milk. You may have heard a rumour that cats are lactose intolerant. Even though cats show signs of lactose intolerance, it's actually because the pasteurized cow's milk that we drink is missing an important enzyme, called lactase, that breaks down lactose in milk.
Goat's milk on the other hand is safe for cats to consume. In fact, raw goat's milk is an excellent digestive aid for cats. Raw goat's milk is loaded with lactase, making the lactose in the goat's milk digestible.
Goat's milk also contains a different kind of milk protein, called casein, than cow's milk. This type of milk protein is easier to digest and not linked to the same allergy and digestive issues.
While goat's milk can be fed daily, it should be done in small servings to balance with their regular diet. One tablespoon per 10 lbs of body weight is a good daily amount. A more shelf-stable option for giving your cat goat's milk is The Honest Kitchen Goat's Milk Booster. It's a powdered goat's milk that can be made in single servings at a time by simply adding water.
Technically no, but kind of. Like milk, cooked or pasteurized cheese products are going to lack the lactase needed to digest the milk sugars in cheese. So should cats eat cheese? No, but can cats eat cheese? Very sparingly.
The type of cheese can also be a factor. Hard cheeses tend to be very salty, which is not good for your cat, while super soft cheeses have higher lactose contents.
Can cats have goat cheese? Goat dairy can again be the solution to the cat-dairy conundrum. Unpasteurized goat cheese can be a safer and more digestion-friendly option for cats that love cheese as much as we do. Check out brands like Happy Days for some ready-made cat-safe goat cheese treats for dogs and cats.
Surprisingly, yes! Yogurt is made from cow's milk, but the fermentation process involved in making yogurt starts to break down the lactose into more digestible sugars. But why would cats need yogurt? Well, it turns out that yogurt is a good source of protein, calcium, and contains digestion-friendly bacteria.
Stick to plain yogurt that leaves out the fruity flavours or added sugars. The natural sugars are more than enough already. Yogurt can be fed as a daily digestive aid, but keep your portions small. One tsp per day is enough to offer the digestive benefits of probiotics.
No. Butter isn't toxic to cats, but it's most definitely not good for them either. Butter is made from cow's milk, but it's a concentration of the fat and protein in milk. It's generally low in lactose or other milk sugars, but the high-fat content can lead to digestive upsets and pancreatitis if fed in large quantities.
Even small amounts of butter can lead to your cat having a soft or runny bowel movement. Keep butter covered or tucked away in the fridge to prevent a curious cat from stealing a taste.
For the most part, very small amounts of dairy from cow's milk is not likely to cause any major issues, so an occasional piece of cheese is fine, but to be safe e and get a nutritional benefit from your cat's treats, stick to goat's milk products instead.
Goat's milk will not only satisfy your cat's dairy addiction but when used regularly as a treat or meal topper, goat's milk and goat's milk products will support your cat's digestion. Even still, small portions are key. Goat's milk should be less than 10% of your cat's daily diet to prevent overfeeding or unbalancing your cat's total nutrition.
Cats thrive on a diet that includes certain meats such as chicken, beef, turkey, and duck. Meat contains the protein that cats require for a strong heart, good vision, and a robust reproductive system.
Always buy meat from a reputable source that is known for safe meat handling. If you feed meat, always wash, and sanitize the food bowls after the cat finishes dining on the meat to ensure good and safe hygiene.
Meat can be fed cooked or raw as a treat. As carnivores, cats are well suited to consuming animal protein, especially raw meat, because it is unaltered by heat that can denature or degrade nutrients. Feeding cooked meat as a treat is usually safe, so long as you skip all the seasoning and oils that you would normally use to cook meat for yourself.
Meat contains certain nutrients that are either difficult or impossible to find in plants ingredients. This is part of what makes cats carnivores. Some essential nutrients, like zinc and iron, are most abundantly sourced or most biologically available from meat.
Your carnivorous feline might not be picky about the kind of meat that you offer them, but some meats or cuts of meat might not be the ideal healthy snack for your cat.
First and foremost, stick to lean cuts of meat. While cats can handle a moderate amount of fat in their diet, excessive fat can lead to digestive issues, or even pancreatitis when fed in large quantities. Lean meats are a great way to provide long-term energy for muscle maintenance and are a desirable treat for picky cats.
Absolutely! Chicken is one of the most popular animal proteins used in commercial cat food. This is partially due to its cost and availability, but also because it's considered a biologically appropriate protein choice for cats. Wild cats often hunt birds, so your domesticated cat is well suited for digesting poultry.
Chicken can be fed either cooked or raw. If you choose to cook the chicken, skip the spices and cooking oils to keep the meat cat-safe. Breaded prepared chicken products like chicken nuggets or fried chicken are a no-go as well. Plain white chicken breast is the safest way to treat your cat with chicken.
Can cats eat chicken bones? Some pet owners give their cats bones to chew on, but you should opt for raw bones like chicken wings or necks. Cooked bones can splinter and cause injury to a cat’s gums or gastrointestinal tract. Only feed under supervision. Never leave your cat alone to chew on a bone.
Definitely! Though it's not as common an ingredient in many cat diets, beef is safe and nutritious for cats. Choosing the right cut of beef is important because beef can be very fatty in certain areas. Lean ground beef found at the grocery store typically has about 17% fat or lower which is suitable for cats.
You can cook the ground beef but make sure you leave out any spices or oils that can be harmful to your cat. This means that you can't just share your spaghetti and meatballs with your cat when she begs. The same rules apply to other kinds of beef.
A nice juicy steak may be one of your favourite ways to eat beef, but can cats eat steak too? While nutritionally, steak is fine for cats to eat, you will need to make sure that you cut the steak into small, bite-sized pieces to make sure that your cat can't choke.
Can cats eat raw beef? Cats can eat raw meat safely. While raw meat can contain bacteria that are harmful to us, your cat is built to eat raw meat and fight this bacteria in their gut. As a treat, raw meat should be fed in small pieces. Ground beef is soft and easy for your cat to chew, so it's the ideal format for cats that aren't accustomed to eating raw.
Yep! Unlike other red meats, lamb can be quite fatty. Choosing lean cuts is going to be important if you are using lamb as a treat for your cat. Ground lamb has a similar fat content to regular ground beef, so feed in moderation.
Like beef, lamb can be fed either cooked or raw safely. Lamb is a popular choice for cats with food allergies that need to avoid the most commonly used meats in cat food, like chicken and beef. If you choose chops or other whole cuts of meat, trim off any excess fat to make sure the lamb won't upset your cat's tummy.
Oh ya! This one might be surprising because, in the past, pork has been thought to carry parasites and be a generally poorer quality of meat. This is because pork is a known carrier of a parasite, called Trichinella. Fortunately, we've learned a lot about how to prevent and manage the risks of this parasite.
Firstly, thoroughly cooking pork is the way that we keep pork safe for ourselves, so cook up some pork, no spices or oils, for your kitty as a tasty treat. Feeding raw pork is also safe for cats, so long as the pork is frozen at temperatures below -15 C for at least 20 days. This is why raw pork diets for cats are becoming a popular option.
Pork can also be too fatty for cats, so make sure you stick to lean pork cuts. Ground pork can be inconsistent in its fat content, so as a treat, feed in moderation.
Much like chicken, turkey is a safe and popular meat option for cats. The fat content in turkey varies depending on the cut of meat. White meat is leaner, so look for lean ground turkey that will have more white meat and less dark. Turkey can be fed either raw or cooked to cats, just make sure you avoid any seasoning or oil during cooking.
When it comes to allergies, we often lump all poultry together, but that's not always the case. Cats with chicken allergies may not have the same reactions to turkey or other poultry, so don't discount turkey as a protein source for your cat's diet or as treats too quickly.
Avoid feeding precooked or processed turkey which is high in salt and other preservatives. This includes deli turkey or ready-made products in the freezer section of the grocery store.
Yes! Duck is an ideal source of vitamins, protein, and minerals for cats. While duck is often thought to be high in fat compared to other poultry, the majority of the excess fat is between the skin and muscle layers. If you do choose to treat your cat with a piece of duck, remove the skin and fat layer, offering only the lean muscle meat.
Duck is considered to be a novel protein, meaning it's uncommon in commercial cat diets. This is why it's often used in elimination diets for cats with suspected food allergies. Like other poultry, duck can be fed raw or cooked to your meat-loving cat.
Oh ya! Liver is just one of many animal organs that are not only safe for cats but extremely beneficial as a regular part of your cat's diet. As carnivores, cats are fully capable of getting their nutrients from animal ingredients, and liver is an especially important part of that.
Liver is loaded with iron and vitamins A, B12 and B6, and it's a flavour that cats tend to go crazy for. Liver has become very popular for cats, which is why it's easily found in cat treat formulas and as single-ingredient, freeze-dried cat treats.
Don't overdo it with liver snacks though, because vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning that your cat's body will start to store excess vitamin A and could lead to toxicity. Other organs like heart, kidney, and tripe are also suitable snacks for cats. Organs can be fed raw or cooked.
Many pet owners want to feed their cats an all-natural diet that consists of meat on a daily basis, and while different types of diets will offer different levels of meat inclusion, meat is one of the safest human foods to feed as a treat.
Meat is calorie-dense and filling, so don't go overboard. Meat can be fed daily as a treat or meal topper, but cut the meat into small treat-sized pieces and stick to treating only a few a day. This should be less than 10% of your cat's daily intake, so keep your portion sizes small.
Some of our favourite meaty treats are actually some of the worst things to share with your cat. Cured and heavily processed meats are filled with extra ingredients that are harmful to cats, even in small amounts. Plain, fresh meats are always the safest option. Here are a few meat products that you should never feed to your cat:
Sadly, no. Bacon is high in sodium which can lead to hypernatremia in some cats. Avoid feeding bacon or other cured meats to your cat. The high-fat content of bacon is also a concern. It could lead to digestive issues or even pancreatitis if your cat consumes enough bacon or consumes it regularly.
Probably not. Ham is also remarkably high in sodium and should be avoided. While it's not quite as risky as most cured meats, ham is still not a good treat for cats. As a very occasional treat, it is probably fine, but there are much better options for treating your cat.
No. Salami is filled with additives like salt, flavour enhancers, and artificial colourants. It contains seasonings like garlic and paprika which are toxic to cats. Salami is high in saturated fats which causes rapid weight gain in felines. Ideally, you should avoid giving your cat salami.
Can cats eat pepperoni? Double no. Pepperoni is also not good for cats because a single slice often has over 35 mg of sodium which is much too high for your cat. No matter how much your cat begs for a bite of your pizza, this is not a snack you can share.
Definitely not. Commercial jerky contains spices and prominent levels of salt. Jerky can contain garlic and onion which are both toxic to cats. Even if you make your own jerky at home and skip the spices, jerky is tough to chew and is likely a strong choking hazard for cats because of how they chew (or in this case, don't chew).
It's not recommended. Avoid feeding hot dogs due to the additives and salt. Plus the contents of a hot dog are likely to contain meat sources of unknown and questionable quality. Though hot dogs are less dangerous than cured meats, they should not be regarded as a healthy snack for cats.
Don't. Sausage contains nitrites, sodium, and excessive fat which make them a no-no for cats. Sausage may also contain garlic or onion which is toxic to cats. Even the most natural of store-bought sausages are likely to contain something that is not good for your cat.
Eggs are often referred to as a superfood because they contain iron, protein, and vital minerals. Many commercial cat foods actually add eggs as a primary ingredient. Cats typically love eggs. In the wild, many cats will raid birds' nests to steal the eggs which they eat whole.
Eggs can be a great meal topper to boost protein and other nutrients in your cat's diet, or they can be a great treat if you love to offer some table scraps to your begging kitten. Just keep in mind, the eggs should be unseasoned to make sure they are safe to offer.
Eggs are packed with the following nutrients:
Eggs can be included in your pet's meals 2-4 times per week but in small portions (1 tbsp). Cooking the eggs is the safest way to feed them. Scramble the eggs without seasoning and let them cool completely before offering any to your cat.
Can cats eat raw eggs? Maybe. This is a hotly debated topic for a few reasons. The more well-known argument for avoiding raw eggs is the bacteria risk. Just like raw eggs for us, bacteria, like salmonella, can be present in raw eggs.
The thing to keep in mind is that eggs sold for human consumption are pasteurized, which means that are heat-treated to kill bacteria like salmonella. This isn't a guarantee though. Just like when we eat raw cookie dough, drink eggnog, or eat hollandaise sauce, the risk of consuming a raw egg product is still real.
The other argument for avoiding raw eggs is egg whites. Egg whites are high in avidin, which is a biotin inhibitor. This means that large amounts of avidin can stop your cat from digesting biotin in their food. Fortunately, egg yolks are very high in biotin, and some research suggests that this is enough to counterbalance the effects of avidin.
The nutritional difference between cooked and raw eggs for cats is minor, so if you'd prefer to play it safe, especially if you have an immune-compromised pet, then go ahead scramble and cook those eggs before serving.
Media often portray cats as fish obsessed, and most felines do enjoy a smelly, fishy snack. Fish is an ideal food for your cat, but it should not be the pet’s sole source of protein or vitamins. Fish often lacks sufficient protein to meet a cat’s needs, plus it is deficient in key minerals and vitamins.
The omega fatty acids in fish oil offer numerous benefits for cats, like improved skin and coat, anti-inflammatory properties, better immune function. Fish are also highly palatable and can help to improve eating habits in picky cats.
Fish can be fed either cooked or raw, but be cautious of bones that could be a choking hazard. Small fish, like sardines, are fine to feed bone-in, but larger fish like salmon need to be scaled and deboned before feeding.
Many people are concerned about heavy metals in fish, like mercury. While this can be a problem, choosing the right kind of fish can make it safer to feed fish on a regular basis. The smaller the fish, the lower the mercury content. Sardines, herring, and anchovies are ideal.
Bigger fish, like salmon and tuna, can still be fed but should be less frequent and in smaller quantities to prevent mercury build-up.
Small and wild-caught fish are generally going to be the best option for treating your cat. They have a better omega 6 to 3 ratio than farmed fish because of their more natural diet. Offering your cat a small piece of your fishy dinner is probably fine, but be cautious of the extras, like oil, butter, and spices that are harmful to your cat.
Here are a few of the most common cat-safe fish, and a few less common ones:
Of Course! Cats love tuna but they can contain heavy metals so should not be consumed more than a few times per week. Some cat diets, especially canned cat foods, use tuna as a base protein. Tuna can also be a great treat if your cat is not already eating a fish-based diet, and can be fed either cooked or raw.
Don’t spoil your cat too much with tuna, though, because some cats will become obsessed with tuna and refuse other food types by going on a hunger strike. This is very common in cats that are fed canned tuna for humans. Canned tuna often contains other ingredients like salt, oil, and spices, so check the ingredient panel before you share your tuna.
Oh ya! Similar to tuna, salmon can also be a great snack for kitties. Canned salmon is likely to contain salt, spices, or preservatives, so fresh-cooked salmon is ideal, just make sure to skip the seasonings.
Raw salmon can also be fed as a treat, but less frequently. Raw salmon, like all fish, contain an enzyme called thiaminase, that breaks down thiamine, an essential B vitamin. When fed regularly and in large quantities, can lead to thiamine deficiency in your cat. Cooking the fish destroys the enzyme, making it safer to feed fish more regularly.
If your cat is not a huge fan of fish, which may seem odd, but isn't that uncommon, you can still offer her valuable nutrients from salmon oil, or other fish oils. They have a milder flavour and are easy to add to your cat's dinner unnoticed.
Definitely! Sardines are one of the best fishy treats for cats because they are high in EPA and DHA, two omega 3 fatty acids that are beneficial for growth and cognitive function. Additionally, sardines are a more sustainable fish, meaning they are not overfished, like larger fish that are popular in human cuisine.
Canned sardines are one option for treating your cat, but be cautious of what else is in the can. Oils, salt, and other seasonings are not good for cats. 1-2 fresh sardines per week is safe, and they can even be fed raw. Whole small sardines make a great treat for cats that love to chew, but freeze-dried sardines are a less messy choice to protect your furniture and carpets from raw fish juices.
Yes, but fresh only. Anchovies for people often come canned and heavily salted or in brine. These are a definite no-go for cats. Fresh anchovies are the only safe option for cats.
As a smaller fish, anchovies are much more sustainably sourced and have lower mercury and heavy metal content than larger fish, so they can be fed more frequently as a treat or as a meal topper to boost your cat's nutrition. 1-2 small anchovies per day if fine as a treat, so long as your cat isn't already eating a fish-heavy diet.
Cats love fish for the taste, and we love fish for the health benefits, but what about the other creatures of the sea. Are the rest of our favourite ocean delicacies safe for cats too?
The good news is that lots of them are. Though you may not be eating many of these fancy dishes every week, it's good to know which ones you can offer your cat a taste of whenever you do splurge on a seafood dinner. Like with fish, seafood is safest when cooked without spices or oils. Boiling the seafood in plain water is the best way to prepare seafood for your cat.
Here are some of our favourite cat-safe sea creatures:
They can, though they may not like the texture. Squid isn't for everyone, especially without the breading and dipping sauce that your cat can't have. The chewy texture might be off-putting for some cats.
Shrimp and prawns are one of the more affordable seafood options for humans, but they can be a tasty snack for cats too. Boiling the shrimp is the safest way to cook them for cats because you can easily skip any oils or butter that are often used in frying. Absolutely no tempura or other deep-fried shrimp.
Lots of shellfish are cat-safe and nutrient-dense. Make sure that shells should always be removed and the shellfish should be boiled for safety. Popular cat-safe shellfish include crab, lobster, clams, scallops, and mussels. Skip the typical toppings and dips though. No butter, seafood sauce, garlic, or hot sauce for cats.
Fish can be part of your cat's regular diet, but most are best fed as an occasional treat. 2-3 times per week is safe for most fish and other seafood so long as the portion you feed isn't more than 10% of your pet's total food for the day.
Feeding fish as a treat is best if your cat is not already eating a diet that is rich in fish. Some fish, like anchovies, can be fed more frequently, but don't let your cat's fishy treat unbalance their regular diet. Remember that you are just supplementing, so small portions.
Feeding fish oils daily is a good option for cats who don't need the extra calories of eating fish as treats. Fish oils can be helpful in reducing inflammation, conditioning skin and coat, improving digestion, and supporting your cat's development as they age.
They can! This one might seem odd because you wouldn't think of nuts as a common ingredient in your cat's diet, but nuts can offer beneficial nutrients and in certain raw diets, help to properly round out the nutrition of the diet. Nuts might just be a tasty snack for you, but they are loaded with healthy fatty acids, fibre, and fats that your cat's body can use as energy.
That being said, too much fat can be an issue for cats, so nuts should be an occasional snack that is fed in small portions. Avoid salted and seasoned nuts, and always remove the shells.
The best way to feed nuts, much like seeds, is to soak them overnight to remove anti-nutrients like phytic acid and grind them to make them easy to digest. Whole nuts can easily be a choking hazard for a cat and will be harder to digest if they are not chewed.
Many of the most common nuts are safe for cats, but there are a few that are toxic. Make sure you know which nuts to avoid feeding your cat. Nuts are high in fat, so even those that are non-toxic and nutritionally beneficial need to be fed in small amounts to prevent digestive issues or more severe problems.
Yep! Peanuts are high in protein, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium help to support your cat's bone health, and the high, but healthy, fats can provide an energy boost for active cats.
Can cats eat peanut butter? They can, but natural is always best. Peanut butter can have lots of extra ingredients like sugars, or worse, toxic artificial sweeteners like xylitol. Stick to plain, natural, single-ingredient peanut butter.
Absolutely! Almonds are a great source of protein, magnesium, and copper. Adding nuts to your cat's meals can boost fibre too, which can help your cat feel fuller for longer, which is great for cats that need to lose some weight.
They can! Cashews offer similar vitamins and minerals to almonds, but also contain types of antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation. The fat in cashews helps provide energy for the brain and body.
Yup. Pecans are the dessert nut, so when you want to give your cat a "sweet" treat, pecans are a great way to do so. Pecans are very high in fat, even compared to other nuts on our list, so you need to stick to small portions and only as an occasional treat. The high fibre content of pecans can help with digestion and weight loss too.
Nuts are high in fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that are all beneficial for your cat, and even though several nuts are safe for cats to eat, you need to be very careful about how they are prepared.
Nuts need to be shelled and unsalted or unseasoned, but feeding whole shelled nuts can still pose a choking risk. It's best to grind or chop them finely and use them to sprinkle over their meals.
Additionally, nuts contain phytic acid which is an antinutrient, meaning it prevents other nutrients from being digested. To remove the phytic acid, the nuts should be soaked overnight and drained and dried before being ground.
Some nuts are toxic for cats, like walnuts, so stick to only cat-safe nuts, and feed in small portions. Nuts can be fed as a treat or make a great dietary booster. 1/4-1/2 tsp per day, a few times per week can add flavour and nutrients to your cat's diet. Other cat-safe nuts include brazil nuts, pine nuts, and pistachios.
We like to use spices, herbs, and sweeteners to make our food more palatable, but you may not know that many of these aromatic and flavourful food additives actually offer some health benefits as well.
Of course, your cat doesn't need the flavour additives when they are eating a high-quality, meat-rich diet, but you may find that some of these cat-safe spices and condiments are actually quite good for them.
Not many spices are cat-friendly. Some are toxic, while others are an unpleasant smell or taste for cats and might make your cat turn her nose up at her spiced-up dinner. check out two spices that can be used to boost your cat's health.
Yes. This one is technically a vegetable, but you most likely use it as a spice in your cooking. Ginger has many health benefits, and because it's non-toxic, you can use ginger as a meal additive to help support your cat's health. The most well-known benefit of ginger is its anti-nauseant properties. It can be used in combination with digestive aids to help soothe your cat's tummy, like Fruitables SuperBlend Supplement.
Additionally, it contains anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to support digestive issues, skin and coat issues, and even joint and mobility problems. Ginger is potent, so your cat won't need much. A little goes a long way, and this "spice" has a potent flavour and aroma, so 1/8 tsp is plenty to add to your cat's meal.
In small doses. Cinnamon isn't considered toxic for cats but can be an irritant when your cat is exposed to large quantities. Consuming very small amounts of cinnamon is unlikely to be an issue, but large doses, inhalation, and even skin contact can be irritating for cats.
Cinnamon does have some benefits though, most popular is its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to soothe digestive issues and improve nutrient digestions.
All in all, keep cinnamon, including cinnamon sticks and cinnamon essential oils, out of reach from your cat. If you choose to feed cinnamon for its digestive benefits, then add just a sprinkle (1/16 to 1/8 tsp).
When you think of snacks for yourself, you might crave something sweet. A few drops of honey in your tea or a drizzle of maple syrup in your oatmeal are a great way to take a boring treat and make it special, but can you use sweeteners to spruce up your cat's meals too?
In general, we don't recommend sweetening your cat's food or treats. Partially because cats don't have a preference for sugar or sweet tastes, so what's the point, but mostly because sugary ingredients will cause digestive issues. Sugars feed gut bacteria and can quickly lead to some uncomfortable digestive reactions.
That being said, some naturally sweet ingredients can have some beneficial properties for your cat.
Yes, but they shouldn't. Sugar is a quick source of energy, but it's often more than your cat will use. This can lead to weight gain. Even more, excess sugar feeds bacteria in your cat's gut which can cause digestive issues. All in all, sugary foods should be avoided for cats.
Other very sugary foods, like maple syrup and molasses, are not toxic either, but they still offer way more sugar than your cat is built to handle. You may see them as an ingredient in some cat treats (more often in dog treats), but they will be extremely small quantities. It's best to avoid these sweeteners for cats.
Yes, but sparingly. Honey is sometimes used in specialty cat treats, and in small doses it's safe. Raw honey has many helpful properties, like as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal remedy, and is a good source of antioxidants, but the typical honey we use to sweeten our tea is pasteurized and doesn't offer the same benefits.
If you do feed honey to your cat for its healing or immune-boosting properties, stick to raw Manuka honey and only feed in very small quantities - 1/4 - 1/2 tsp per 10lbs of body weight mixed with their food.
We use many herbs to flavour our food, and while they do contain essential oils that can have health benefits, cats don't benefit the same way because they are difficult to digest due to their carnivorous digestive system. Lots of herbs are non-toxic for cats, so if you grow your own herbs, your cat may be curious enough to give them a try, so it's important to know which ones are safe to leave out for your cat to nibble.
Find out which herbs are safe for cats to eat, and if there is any nutritional benefits to feeding them.
Yep! Basil is totally non-toxic for cats, so if your cat likes to sample your indoor herb garden, then don't fret. Basil contains a very aromatic essential oil, and it can act as a repellant for cats, but some cats are just too curious to care about the smell.
They can! Another potent smelling herb, cilantro is not likely to be your cat's favourite snack, but if she is willing to give it a nibble, then don't fret. Cilantro does offer small amounts of vitamins and minerals, but not enough to be used as an effective nutritional aid.
It's not recommended. Cats are often attracted to the scent of mint because of its similarity to catnip, a member of the mint family. Garden mint contains peppermint oil which can be toxic in large quantities. A small amount of mint may only cause minor irritation, but if your cat is chowing down on fresh mint, or concentrated essential oils, you will have big digestive problems.
If you grow your own mint, make sure you keep it out of reach of your kitty. Instead, make sure you have some catnip on hand to give your cat a much safer, and funner alternative. To find out more, check out our Ultimate Catnip Guide.
Oh ya! This is one of the rare herbs that can actually be beneficial for cats, but not in the way that you'd think. Parsley has natural antibacterial properties that can be an effective breath freshener for cats. Adding a small chopped-up sprig to your cat's food can help ditch that kitty breath and improve dental health.
This dental trick will not replace regular dental care habits, like brushing your cat's teeth, but can still be helpful. It is also a natural diuretic, which can help support urinary care health by increasing urination and flushing out unwanted bacteria from the urinary tract.
Cats are typically drawn towards green leafy herbs, and while there are some cat-safe herbs, like the ones above, but most don't fill any nutritional need for cats, so feeding them as treats or meal toppers isn't necessary or an effective way to boost your cat's health.
Fresh ingredients are a great way to help boost your cat's overall nutrition, and while there are many human foods that are safe and nutritious for cats, but there are many that are highly toxic and should never be fed to your kitty. Take a look at some of our favourite foods that are toxic for your kitty.
Definitely not! While chocolate is one of the ultimate human treats, it's not safe for your cat. Chocolate of all kinds contains theobromine. Cats (and dogs) are very sensitive to the effects of theobromine. In humans, it acts as a mild stimulant, but for your cat is can lead to intense digestive issues, seizures and even death if your cat eats enough of it.
The darker and purer the chocolate, the more theobromine is present. Dark chocolate could have 3-4 times the levels of bromine than milk chocolate, but no matter how potent, all chocolate should be avoided for cats. If you really want to give your cat a sweet treat for a special holiday, then stick to small amounts of carob instead.
Obviously not! Alcohol, in any form, is very dangerous for cats (and dogs!). Ethyl alcohol can cause your cat's central nervous system to slow down and could cause respiratory distress. Never, ever, ever offer your cat any booze, beer, or spirits of any kind.
Rubbing alcohol and other products, like cleaners and hand sanitizers, contain a different kind of alcohol, called isopropyl alcohol. These are even more dangerous for cats, so make sure you keep your cleaning agents out of reach of your kitty.
Absolutely not! This is one of the more well-known toxic foods for cats. The strange thing is that we don't totally know why grapes, raisins, and currants are toxic for cats (and dogs). All we know is that damage is done to the kidneys.
There is speculation that it could be mycotoxins or naturally found compounds that could decrease blood flow to the kidneys, but to date, we just don't know. What we do know is that grapes should never be fed to dogs and cats.
So no grapes, but can cats eat raisins? Still nope. Though dried and shrivelled, raisins are still just as toxic as grapes, so keep them out of reach. This also goes for sultanas and currants, too.
Reactions to grape poisoning vary on an individual basis, so even though some pets can sneak a grape or two without consequence, others may suffer reactions from even a small amount of this toxic fruit and its cousins.
No. No matter how many vitamins citrus fruits may have, you should not offer your cat a taste of these sour and acidic fruits. The natural essential oils in many citrus fruits, like lemon, are toxic to cats. Symptoms of citrus poisoning include vomiting, digestive distress, weakness, and even skin reactions.
Citrus fruits that you should steer clear of offering your cat include lemon, lime, grapefruit, and oranges. If your cat accidentally sneaks a taste of some citrus fruit or juice, the chances are the reaction will be mild, but you should monitor them for worsening symptoms. Never give your cat citrus fruits.
It's not recommended. There is a lot of questions about whether or not garlic, in small doses, is harmful to cats. While we know that dogs can benefit from small doses of garlic, but what about cats? The truth is garlic may be beneficial to cats, but can still be dangerous if you feed too much.
In general, feeding garlic to your cat is not recommended, but it won't do your cat immediate harm if she steals a small nibble of food that contains garlic. Even if your cat can tolerate small amounts of garlic, chances are the small dose would provide fewer health benefits than using other cat-safe supplements.
Newp! In the same allium plant family as garlic, onions are toxic to cats. This also includes shallots and leeks. Though tiny amounts of onion are likely not going to be harmful to your cat if she happens to sneak a taste, there is no nutritional benefit from onion, so why take the risk.
Onions are a common ingredient in many sauces and premade foods that you may eat, so be mindful of any foods you share with your cat.
Never. Some of our favourite unhealthy snacks, like chips, candy, ice cream, and soda are especially bad for your cat. There are a number of dangerous ingredients that are used in these packaged goods, like sugar, salt, garlic, and artificial ingredients.
Any human foods you feed your cat should be healthy and natural. Anything heavily processed is guaranteed to have something bad for your cat, so absolutely no sharing.
While toxicity and digestive reactions may vary depending on the potency of the ingredient and your unique pet, you should never, ever, intentionally feed your cat foods that are known toxins. If your cat ever accidentally ingests (or steals) a bite of one of these toxic foods, you should monitor their behaviour and digestion for the next 24 hours for any issues, and call your vet immediately if your cat has ingested large quantities of them.
Now that you know which of your snacks and favourite foods are safe to share with your feline friend and which ones should be avoided, you can start to boost your cat's nutrition with some fresh ingredients, or just spruce up her treat routine.
Fresh ingredients are a great way to boost your cat's nutrition, but everything in moderation. If you are feeding a high-quality cat diet already, then adding additional fresh ingredients isn't required, but can still be beneficial.
Cats enjoy a varied diet so adding cat-safe human foods not only offers nutritional benefits but also gives the kitty something to look forward to each meal. You can add a little human food mixed with quality commercial cat foods to ensure you are meeting all of your cat’s dietary needs.
If you only offer table scraps and human foods for flavour, be cautious of how dependant your cat may become on those flavourful additions. You may find that your cat starts to develop some picky eating habits if she's been too spoiled with yummy extras.
If you find your cat is getting addicted, then stop giving human foods as meal toppers entirely, and limit treats to specific reasons, like rewards for training or chewing and dental health.
What is your cat's favourite human food? Let us know in the comments below!
Celer byl vždy propagován jako výživná zdravá potravina. Zelené, listové stonky jsou plné vitamínů a minerálů a také antioxidantů. A jeho uspokojující křupání z něj dělá skvělou, nízkokalorickou možnost občerstvení bez pocitu viny. Přestože je celer považován za bezpečný pro lidi, kočky se od nás do
Jahody jsou bohaté na vitamíny, minerály a antioxidanty – ty, které chrání mozek a srdce a také předcházejí rakovině. Ale mohou kočky jíst jahody? Ještě lepší otázka – MĚLY by kočky jíst jahody? Přečtěte si o výživě a souvisejícím výzkumu týkajícím se jahod pro kočky. Mohou kočky jíst jahody? Krá