Are you looking for a healthy snack for your cat? Luckily, you don’t have to look much further than your pantry to find some cat-friendly foods for your pet. And once you figure out what human foods your cat can tolerate, you can get creative and make delicious cat treats yourself.
Read on to find out which cat-friendly human foods experts recommend so you can feed your cat like any other member of the family.
List of Human Foods Cats Can Eat
1. eggs
Eggs are also a good source of protein and B vitamins, and are safe for your cat to eat, says Dr. Wismer. To reduce the risk of foodborne illness, you should boil any eggs you feed your cat.
2. fish oils
Break out the fish oil-based cat supplements! According to an Emmy-winning vet, Dr. Pet owners tend to feed their dogs more often than cats, but fish oil can help both types. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, which come in a variety of options including salmon and cod liver oil, can help prevent dry skin in winter and keep your cat’s coat healthy all year round.
Naturally caught fish supplements like PetHonesty Omega-3 Fish Oil Immune, Joint & Skin & Coat Supplement for Dogs & Cats support healthy skin and coat with natural fatty acids.
3. spinach
Spinach is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and K, iron, and calcium, and according to Dr. Wismer can be a healthy and suitable treatment for cats. However, if your cat has had calcium oxalate bladder stones in the past, you should not feed them spinach.
Several cat foods also include spinach as an ingredient due to its tremendous health benefits. Purina Beyond Grain-Free Ocean Whitefish and Spinach canned cat food contains spinach as one of the top five ingredients in natural cat food for adult cats.
RELATED: Can Cats Eat Lettuce? Is Lettuce Safe For Cats?
4. salmon
A good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, salmon can be a delicious and tasty treat for cats that’s commonly found in commercial cat foods, according to Dr. Tina Wismer, Medical Director, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. While some cat-friendly human foods can be fed raw, you should only feed your cat cooked salmon, says Dr. Wismer.
With PureBits Freeze Dried Salmon Cat Treats you can easily feed your cat salmon – with all the benefits and without the hassle of cleaning up.
5. cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is rich in antioxidants and beta-carotene, which supports skin and eye health. according to dr Wismer, cantaloupe is one of many fruits that are safe for cats.
6. chickens
Because cats are obligate carnivores and have a diet of mostly meat (unlike dogs, who are omnivores and can feed on a variety of different foods), their bodies cannot digest fibrous foods as easily as dogs’, and they dislike them always as a variety of foods that dogs like, according to Werber. But any kind of meat, such as B. Chicken, is good for them.
Chicken is a good source of lean protein and can be a good choice for your cat as long as it’s well cooked and the skin, which can be greasy, is removed, says Werber. Chicken is another ingredient commonly found in commercial cat food.
7. cheese
Are cats lactose intolerant or do they tolerate cheese from time to time?
If your cat shows interest in this cat-friendly food, Dr. Wismer feeds her a hard cheese like Cheddar, Swiss, or Gouda. These cheeses are high in calcium and protein and are easy to bake into treats or feed your cat raw in small amounts.
8. strawberries
In moderation, strawberries are a “fun and perfectly acceptable treat” for cats, says Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ, a small veterinarian in Silverthorne, Colorado. The juicy fruit is a good source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Read more about strawberries for cats.
9. peas
High in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin A, peas are another safe food for cats. They are often found in commercial cat food, but can also be fed to your cat frozen or raw.
10. blueberries
Blueberries are a good source of vitamins A and C and can be found in some types of cat food, e.g. B. in grain-free American Journey salmon dry food, and some cats even like frozen blueberries, according to Dr. Wismer. Read more about blueberries for cats.
11. watermelon
Rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B1, B5, and C, as well as potassium and magnesium, watermelon is a safe treat for cats in moderation. Read more about watermelon for cats.
12. turkey
Another lean protein, turkey, including cooked turkey breast or sliced meat, is a safe snack for cats.
13. rolled oats
Oatmeal is a source of energy and B vitamins for your pet, and another human food is found in commercial cat foods like the low-calorie Natural Balance Fat Cats food. Since oatmeal, while safe for cats, is not to the liking of all cats, we recommend introducing these foods slowly and making sure they enjoy them before they become a regular part of your cat’s diet.
14. pumpkin
Can cats eat pumpkins? In addition to being low in calories and high in fiber, pumpkin is an effective treatment for cats suffering from abnormal bowel movements. You can incorporate pumpkin into cat treats as it is both safe and healthy.
Commercially available cat supplements make it easier to incorporate pumpkin into your cat’s diet. Weruva Pumpkin Patch! the supplementary feed for cats and dogs is a puree to support stool quality and healthy intestinal motility in portion bags.
15. bananas
High in potassium and soluble fiber, bananas are a safe snack for cats, according to Wismer. While bananas are a healthy treat, (like all of the products on this list) they shouldn’t make up more than 10 percent of your cat’s daily caloric intake, he added.
16. bread
For a good source of protein and fiber, some cats enjoy nibbling on bread, a feline-friendly human food, according to Dr. Recruiter.
17. apples
Apples are full of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. They can be fed to cats in moderate amounts without hesitation. Be sure to remove the skin and seeds as they can contain small amounts of cyanide, which is toxic to cats.
18. Pears
Although pears are high in sugar, they also contain vitamins and fiber that protect your cat from infections and tumors. Make sure you feed it in small quantities and remove the skin and seeds. Like apples, pear seeds contain cyanide, which is toxic to cats.
19. Raspberries
Not only are raspberries high in fiber and low in sugar, but they also have anti-inflammatory properties which make them a great treat for cats, especially older ones. However, it should be noted that raspberries contain high levels of xylitol, a natural sweetener known to be harmful to pets. The amount of xylitol in raspberries is negligible, so if given in small amounts and occasionally, they shouldn’t do any harm.
20. Cranberries
Cranberries are rich in vitamin C, magnesium, and fiber. You can give your cat raw or cooked cranberries, but you should avoid feeding cranberry sauce or juice, as they contain a lot of sugar and can cause stomach upset.
21. Pineapple
Pineapple is rich in many vitamins and minerals and is very beneficial for the immune and digestive systems. However, this southern fruit is also quite sugary, so it should only be fed in small amounts after the peel and hard parts have been removed.
How to feed cats human foods
We recommend limiting the amount of treats your cat is given each day, even if they are healthy.
“Treats should be limited to 20 calories per day, which is the equivalent of two teaspoons of salmon or cooked chicken or 25 blueberries, but don’t give them all the berries,” said Dr. Wismer. “You can mix human treats with cat treats to get that number.
However, if your cat is gaining weight from human-derived treats, you should reduce the amount of treats you feed her, he added.
When you introduce a new food to your cat, you should expect her to experience some gastrointestinal distress, says Dr. Recruiter. If it’s a food they’ve never eaten before, their bodies may not be used to digesting it yet and they may be a bit picky about what they eat.
The advice of Dr. recruiter? Give them some variety to see what they like and make sure you do everything in moderation and avoid any kind of seasoning. To ensure your kitten is properly nourished on a daily basis, continue to feed them cat food in addition to human-derived snacks.
What can cats not eat?
Some foods common to humans can be very dangerous for cats and can lead to serious illness if consumed continuously and in large quantities. Infections, obesity, bladder, and urinary tract problems, and liver and nervous system damage are some of them. Some types of mushrooms, on the other hand, can be poisonous and even cause death. Below is a list of all the foods your cat should stay away from.
Cherries
All parts of the cherry tree except the ripe fruit are considered poisonous to cats. This includes the kernels, stems, and leaves.
Plums
The seeds, stems, and leaves of the plum contain cyanide. Prunes are always poisonous to our feline companions, but they are especially dangerous when they wither because during the wither they have higher concentrations of the toxin.
Vegetables
Onion and garlic
All members of the Allium family (including chives and leeks) are toxic to cats when eaten in one large portion or when repeatedly nibbled in small amounts over time. Garlic is considered to be five times more toxic to cats than onions.
Other foods
Xylitol
Xylitol is a sweetener commonly used as a sugar substitute in many human foods. While it’s not proven to be harmful to cats, it’s known to be toxic to dogs, so it’s best to stay away from it.
Nuts
While nuts are not toxic to cats, the high-fat content can harm your pet’s digestive system. Cats who eat nuts and almonds frequently or in large quantities may experience diarrhea and vomiting, as well as long-term pancreatitis.
What human foods are dangerous for cats?
While it’s hard to ignore our cats’ adorable antics when they ask for snacks, there are a number of foods that should never be fed to cats due to their dangerous nature. Here is the list of toxic foods that are dangerous for your cats:
- alcohol
- chocolate
- Coffee
- citrus fruits
- coconut pulp and water
- Grapes and sultanas
- peanuts
- Salt
- xylitol
Can cats eat bread?
Although cats can occasionally eat bread (yeast-free and gluten-free bread) without adverse effects, it should not be used as a substitute for regular cat food.
Eating yeast or raw bread dough is not safe for cats as the dough can rise in the stomach and cause severe digestive problems.
What Vegetables Can Cats Eat?
It is well known that cats do not like vegetables. So if you offer them vegetables directly, there’s a chance they won’t like them, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try to eat their vegetables.
The other alternative is to feed your cat vegetarian snacks, which are an excellent source of nutrients like vitamins and fiber, as well as water. Below is a list of vegetables that are safe for cats and are also high in vitamins.
- Carrots cut into pieces
- Peas
- Corn
- broccoli
- Green beans
- zucchini
- spinach
- winter squash
- pumpkin
What fruits can cats eat?
Cats may occasionally consume a variety of fruits, but care should be taken to ensure the fruits are cut into small, easily digestible pieces. Giving your cats fresh fruit also helps them cool off on hot days. The top five fruits that are good for your cat include:
- apples
- bananas
- blueberries
- cantaloupe
- Seedless watermelon
conclusion
As a cat parent, you must ensure that your cat is fed a healthy diet so that it can live a long life. In addition, it is our duty to protect them from potentially harmful ingredients.
Take a look at the Petcube human-grade cat meals that come in a variety of flavors. Our foods are carefully prepared and contain quality ingredients for your cat!