As a cat lover, it is probably very hard sometimes to resist those big round eyes looking at the food on your plate. Sometimes it is hard to resist spoiling your beautiful furry friend and giving it a special treat now and again, well, just because it is cute. Or maybe you ran out of cat food. Anything goes. The question here is, what human food can cat eat actually?

We know that cats are natural carnivores and that if it weren’t for the perks of modern life, they would most probably be chasing mice and other small animals and eating them gluttonously. However, since we are all slaves of the convenience, our pets have become exactly that as well, most of the time relying on us, their dear humans, to provide delicious and nutritious food for them. Unless you don’t have a scarcity of rodents in your house, feeding your cat a proper diet should be number one concern on your pet-related list.

It is widely known that cats are NOT allowed to eat: onions, garlic, raisins and grapes, anything with sugar, chocolate, caffeinated drinks, and, last but not least, alcohol. Generally speaking, if you decide to treat your cat with some human food, it should not make up more than fifteen percent of its daily nutritional needs. Now that we know the basics, let’s move on to the foods your feline friend can eat guilt free.

Generally speaking, if you decide to treat your cat with some human food, it should not make up more than fifteen percent of its daily nutritional needs. Now that we know the basics, let’s move on to the foods your feline friend can eat guilt free.

 

Salmon

While you should not feed tuna to your cat, salmon is perfectly safe! Salmon is a great source of protein (something which cats absolutely need to survive) and omega-3 fatty acids. This is a delicious treat for your beloved cat, as most commercially produced cat foods already contain salmon. Just make sure to cook it before you give it to your kitty.

 

Eggs

Eggs are a good source of protein and vitamin B, and they can also be found in many packaged cat foods you can buy in pet shops and supermarkets. Eggs are perfectly safe for a cat to eat, but, as always, make sure to cook them before feeding them to your beloved pet.

 

Spinach

Spinach is very healthy for humans, and it is not any different when it comes to cats as well. It is packed with vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin A, calcium, and iron. Spinach is a safe cat-friendly food so feel free to give it to your cat occasionally. However, if your pet has a history of calcium oxalate bladder stones, it might be best to avoid it.

 

Fish Oil

Fish oil is another safe option for cats that you can drizzle over its dry food from time to time to make it more appealing. There are a lot of options when it comes to fish oil, ranging from salmon and cod liver oil, as well as shark oil (said to be very healthy). Omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil can help if your cat has problems with dry skin, and keep its coat healthy and shiny.

 

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is packed with vitamins and minerals such as potassium, vitamin K, vitamins B1, B3, B6, fiber, and magnesium. It is a great anti-oxidant and contains beta-carotene, which can help with your cat’s skin and promotes eye health.

 

Chicken

Okay, this one is an obvious one. Cats are natural carnivores and require a lot of animal protein in order to survive. Unlike dogs, they need a lot of meat in order to be healthy, so chicken is a perfect choice as it is a common ingredient in most kitchens. Chicken is a great source of lean protein, and it is perfectly safe for your cat to eat. However, note that you should always remove the skin and cook it well before feeding it to your munchkin.

 

Whole Grains

A favorite breakfast for humans can be a nice treat for the felines as well. Oatmeal can actually be found in a lot of commercially produced cat foods since it is a very good source of vitamin B and releases energy slowly. However, most cats will probably shy away from oatmeal, so it might be a good idea to introduce it to their diet slowly, by mixing it in with their regular food, or with another human food such as meat.

Also, barley, wheat berries, and brown rice are good choices. Couscous and millet can also be introduced to your pet’s diet, as long as they are cooked.

 

Bananas

Bananas are packed with potassium and fiber that cats can digest, so they are a perfect cat-friendly snack that can be found in most kitchens. But, beware, bananas are delicious and nutritious, but they should not make up more than ten percent of your cat’s daily dietary needs.

 

Cheese

Cheese is another nice option for cat treats, so if your lovely pet shows interest in your latest artisan cheese platter, you might consider giving it some. Usually, veterinarians recommend hard cheeses such as Gouda, Swiss cheese, or cheddar, since they are high in protein and calcium. You can also bake them lightly to make an even tastier treat.

You can also experiment with soft cheeses such as cottage cheese, and even yogurt and sour cream, but make sure to do this in small doses, and, if possible, in low-lactose varieties.

 

Apples

An apple a day keeps the vet away. Okay maybe not a whole apple, but you get the point. Apples are high in vitamin C and fiber and are a cat safe treat, as long as they are skinless and raw.

 

Blueberries

Blueberries are not only a treat for us humans, but are also a cat favorite! These wonderful purple berries can be found in some commercial cat foods, you can give them to your cat raw, or even frozen. Just make sure to limit the caloric intake of blueberries (and other human foods for that matter) to 20 calories a day.

 

Peas

Peas may not be a favorite among children, but they are perfectly safe for cats to eat. They are high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber, and they can also be found in many cat foods. So, this means that you can safely feed them to your cat, frozen or raw, your choice.

 

Turkey

Turkey, like chicken, is a good source of lean protein and a nice treat for a cat. Whether served as deli meat or cooked turkey breast, it is a good snack that will not cause problems to your kitten.

 

Broccoli

You might have hated it as a kid, but as an adult, you cannot deny its benefits to your health. And now, you can even share it with your feline friend to soothe the pain of having to eat broccoli. Yes, adulting is hard, and being a cat parent can be even harder at times, which means that you should take your cat’s health into consideration apart from your own. Enter broccoli.

If you notice that your furry friend is munching on house plants, it may be craving some veggies, so why not try to give it some steamed broccoli? It will satisfy the crave for greens and keep its intestines healthy and in perfect sync.

 

Melons

Just like the aforementioned broccoli, melons can be a great treat which satisfies the craving for greens (or house plants which can be potentially harmful). Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are perfectly safe for your cat in small amounts. Just make sure to de-seed them.

 

Baby Food

Okay, this might not be your first choice, however, if you have a human baby that eats baby food, why not give some to a cat baby in your household? Baby foods that are meat based can actually be great for your cat, especially if you are trying to slip in some medicine that your pet just does not want to take.

A word of warning, before feeding baby food to your cat, make sure it does not contain onions of garlic since these are very harmful to felines.

You just got a new fluffy pet and you are stuck wondering – just how much food should a cat eat? It is perfectly reasonable to feel confused, especially if you have never owned a cat before, but even experienced cat lovers can sometimes feel as if they need a more structured answer to this question. No one wants to give too little food to their pet as that can seriously damage their health, but also, one should think about the other extreme – feeding your cat too much – which can cause weight gain and additional health issues.

Essentially, feeding a cat is not a complicated process, however, you need to have some basic knowledge of your pet’s nutritional needs. These vary depending on your cat’s breed, age, weight, activity level, pregnancy or nursing factors, and, of course, the choice of food.

Additionally, whether you use wet or dry food, the brand of kitty gourmet meals does make a difference as some are of higher quality and contain more relevant nutrients, and some, lower quality ones, do not contain as many nutritional ingredients and therefore require a larger amount on the plate. So, let’s dive in into the everlasting question and get some answers – how much food should a cat eat?

Calories in and Calories out

If you are anything like the next person you have probably been on a diet at some point in your life. Therefore, you must be familiar with the old rule of calories in vs calories out.

This amazingly simple equation means that if you want to lose weight you should eat fewer calories than you burn, and if you want to maintain it, try to keep these two level. This simple rule works for every single being on this planet, which means that it also works for cats.

If you are using a prepackaged cat food that you can buy in most pet stores and supermarkets, you may find yourself confused when trying to find caloric information on the packaging.

Various brands of cat food may not even disclose this information on the package, which means that you will have to go to the brand’s website and look for the info there. Generally speaking, a cat should eat 25 to 35 calories per one pound of body weight in order to live a healthy life.

 Feeding Too Little, Too Much, or Just Right

Now, let us see what happens when you feed your cat too little. If your pet is not getting sufficient nutrition, you will be able to see the effects that make on its body. This is mostly visible in stray cats and newly adopted animals who have spent a considerable amount of time in a bad animal shelter where they did not receive enough food.

On shorthaired cats, the ribs will be visible. The cat will have no palpable fat and have a drastic abdominal tuck. You will also be able to notice lumbar vertebrae and wings of ilia. If you notice an obvious waistline behind the ribs, the cat is underfed.

On the other hand, an overfed cat will have palpable ribs with excess fat covering. You will see that the cat’s waist is anything but slim and that it does not have an abdominal tuck. In ever more overweight cats, ribs would not be palpable and will have an excessive amount of fat covering them. They would also not have a waist, and you’ll be able to notice the rounding of the abdomen.

Ideally, your cat’s ribs should be palpable and with a minimal fat covering. You should be able to notice a waist behind its ribs, but that waist should not be too thin. A healthy cat should have a slight abdominal tuck and minimal abdominal fat pad.

How Often Should You Give Food to Your Cat?

One of the most important things a cat owner should know is how often to present a bowl of food to a cat. The most common mistake people make is just leaving a full bowl of food in the reach of their feline friend at all times. This is, in fact, the leading cause of obesity in cats and the worst thing about it is that it is completely preventable.

It is important to remember that cats are natural predators, so having food available all day long goes against their natural instincts of being a hunter. Most cats in the “wild” will get probably two or three small meals each day.

Taking this into consideration, giving your furry friend a full bowl of food two times a day is perfectly fine, but if you are a freelancer working from home, you can also divide these two meals into three or four and space them throughout the day.

When it comes to kittens, the story is a little different. As babies, kittens need more calories per pound of body weight, so make sure to read the labels carefully as to avoid underfeeding a developing kitten. Make sure to monitor your little furry baby’s weight, as their nutritional needs vary as they grow, and adjust their food portions accordingly. One the little one is six months old, you can start feeding it a regular adult cat diet.

If you have adopted a cat from a shelter or taken one from the street, make sure to feed it the same or similar amount of food that it got before it became your pet. Cats are very sensitive when it comes to diet changes, so make sure you ease her into your regular feeding schedule. At this point you should also decide which type of food will be her main source of nutrition, as there are a lot of options to choose from – wet, dry, raw, or a combination of all three.

Calories and Ingredients

When it comes to a healthy feline diet, cats mostly require a lot of protein, way more than dogs do. Most of this should come from flesh-based protein foods such as meat, poultry, and fish. If you choose to feed your cat mostly dry food, make sure it is high in animal protein and low in plant protein, which cats cannot digest properly. Carbs should not be over ten percent of the ingredient mix. Also, wet foods should be mostly made of meat, with as little fillers and other ingredients as possible.

Regarding the calorie count, a healthy and active 8-pound cat should eat about thirty calories per pound of body weight each day, which means that 240 calories per day are enough. Usually, a cup of dry food adds up to about 300 calories, and canned foods have approximately 250 calories per can. If you take this as a general rule, 4/5 of a cup of dry food, and a little less than a full can of canned food will be enough for a typical 8-pound cat each day.

If you notice that your cat is getting fat or considerably slimmer even with these precautions, you can always take it to the vet and as him or her directly what you should do. A vet will assess your cat’s physical condition and will be able to give you a good diet plan you can follow to keep your feline friend happy and healthy.

Mistakes to Avoid

In order to have a healthy pet, you should avoid some of these common mistakes even the most proficient cat owners make:

Not enough water. Water makes up almost 70% of adult cat’s body weight and a deficiency in water can lead to serious health problems. Since cats are not like dogs and usually won’t drink water by themselves, offering them wet food can solve this problem to an extent. You should always keep a bowl of fresh water in your cat’s reach, and you can encourage it to drink it by placing a bowl somewhere where your furry friend likes to be during the day. Note that some cats are fine with tap water while others will be able to detect the chlorine and refuse to drink it, so opting for bottled water, in this case, might be a solution. You can also place a few crushed catnip leaves on the bottom of the bowl to encourage your feline friend to get more hydrated.

Dry food only. Another common mistake is feeding your cat only dry foods. This again goes back to the water issue and the low thirst drive of cats. Canned foods can meet your cat’s daily water needs.

Going green. Even though vegetarian and vegan diets are perfectly healthy for humans, you must remember that these diets simply will NOT work for a cat. Cats are natural carnivores which mean that they absolutely need to eat meat in order to survive. So, even if it goes against your beliefs to purchase animal products, remember that your pet’s life is on the line here and that it must eat animal protein in order to be healthy.

We all know that eating veggies are amazingly healthy for our bodies and that the primary food group should consist of vegetables, raw or cooked. But did you know that cats can also eat them? Even though our furry feline friends are considered to be primarily carnivores, eating an occasional vegetable can improve their health and longevity, making them stay with us for a long, long time.

Now, we are not arguing that your cat should become a vegan because it most certainly should not, but sharing a bit of your food with it is not scary or dangerous, just make sure that it is safe for your kitty to eat. Giving your cat a treat from your own table once in a while is perfectly fine, you just have to find the foods that will meet your kitty’s nutrient needs.

Let’s be real here for a second. Essentially, your cat does not really need vegetables in order to survive. Cats are carnivores, not omnivores, unlike dogs, which means that they only really require animal protein to fulfill their nutritional needs. Therefore, eating a high quality commercially produced cat food should be enough, but, if you wish to cut down on the calories for whatever reason (fat cats and such), giving few fruits or vegetables to your furry friend can shed a few inches off of its waist. Just to be safe, check with your veterinarian before giving your kitten any veggies.

So, now that we know that some vegetables are safe for cats to eat, let us see which ones can we feed to our lovely feline friends

Spinach

Popeye’s favorite snack and one of the healthiest greens you can eat yourself happens to also be perfectly suitable for a cat as well. Spinach is packed with vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, calcium, iron, copper, vitamins B2 and B6, vitamin E, potassium, and manganese, among others.

This is a perfectly fine treat for cats, but, if your kitty has ever had calcium oxalate bladder stones, it might be best to avoid this one. Otherwise, go for it!

 

Peas

Peas are just amazing! They are high in fiber and a very good source of manganese, vitamin B1, vitamin K, vitamin C, folate, phosphorous, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B6. Peas are considered to be a perfectly cat-safe people food, as you can often find them in the commercially produced cat food.

However, you can feed your feline friend home-made peas as well, raw or frozen, as you wish. If you cook them though, make sure you don’t go crazy on the spices, as cats are not foodies like us humans, and too much sodium can do them harm.

 

Carrots

Carrots are not just bunny treats, your cat will love them as well! Carrots are a known source of vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, biotin, packed with fiber and healthy vitamin E and copper.

When feeding them to your cat, make sure they are cooked or baked. If left uncooked, carrots are very hard and can present a choking hazard for your kitten. They are also quite difficult to digest, so just stick them in an oven or cook them in a pan before giving them to your feline friend.

 

Winter Squash

Winter squash is a great source of many vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and B2, as well as vitamin K, and of course manganese, copper, potassium, and folate. It is also packed with dietary fiber which is great for digestion. Winter squash should be cooked before being fed to your cat.

Just keep in mind that these healthy treats should not make up over 10 percent of your kitten’s diet, even if she likes them, as the primary source of nutrients should come from meat.

 

Broccoli

Your mom used to make you eat broccoli when you were a child and it probably was not one of your favorite vegetables, but nobody can deny that it is amazingly healthy. They are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin E, phosphorus, vitamins B1 and A, zinc, calcium, niacin, and magnesium.

If you want your cat to benefit from the numerous healthy traits of broccoli, feel free to give it some, just make sure to steam the vegetables first and not give them to the cat raw.

 

Green Beans

Green beans are not only tasty but also very healthy. They are packed with copper, magnesium, potassium, calcium, niacin, omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins B1, B6, and vitamin E. So next time you have a tasty dinner which includes green beans, feel free to give some to your furry friend.

 

Asparagus

Asparagus is another healthy vegetable most humans do not eat enough of, but did you know that it is also a very good cat treat? Asparagus is a great source of vitamin K, vitamin C, and vitamin E, as well as selenium, folate, copper, iron, zinc, and pantothenic acid.

Full of nutrients and delicious, when steamed it becomes a perfect healthy treat for a cat. Note that when cooking, you should avoid adding butter and oil to the veggies to avoid making your cat an overweight one.

 

Zucchini (or courgettes if you will)

Zucchini, or if you are British – courgettes, are a well-known superfood especially helpful for weight loss since they are low in calories and high in nutrients. Courgettes (zucchini) are packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, manganese, and are an outstanding source of dietary fiber.

Zucchini is also a common ingredient in many commercially produced cat foods, therefore perfectly harmless for them. Cook them lightly and feed them to your cat without worry, or, alternatively, mix them in with your kitten’s regular food for an extra boost of health.

 

Cucumber

No summer is really perfect without fresh cucumber, and, as it turns out, cats kind of like it as well. Disregard the funny cat videos on the Internet which show various felines jump like Michael Jackson when presented with this green vegetable – in reality, they are very good for your cat’s health!

Cucumbers are a great source of molybdenum and Vitamin K, as well as a good source of pantothenic acid. They also contain copper, manganese, vitamin C, magnesium, and vitamin B1, so slice some of that lovely fresh cucumber and let your kitten much on it occasionally.

 

Pumpkin

Pumpkins have numerous benefits for your cat’s health, so it is no wonder that it is a common ingredient in higher quality cat food. Since pumpkin is a great source of fiber, it can help with constipation and diarrhea when pureed. As pumpkins also contain essential fatty acids and antioxidants, they are a wonderful source of vitamin A and beta-carotene, which means that they also help with urinary issues and are great for weight loss if you are dealing with an overweight pet.

For weight loss purposes, replace a portion of your cat’s regular food with some canned or lightly cooked pumpkin. Trust us, your pet will thank you.

 

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers, whether red, green, or yellow, are among the healthiest of foods for people, and completely harmless to cats. Since they are full of antioxidants, bell peppers can help your kitten’s overall health, as well as be a great resource if you are looking to shed off some pounds off your overweight cat.

But, as with all veggies, make sure to give only small doses to your feline friend, as too much bell peppers can upset your cat’s stomach and cause diarrhea or vomiting.

 

Lettuce

While you are having your fresh spring salad full of tasty lettuce, you might consider giving some to your cat as well. Lettuce is not toxic to cats, so it is perfectly safe for them to eat it, however, if you are dressing your salad with vinegar, avoid giving your pet the vinegary lettuce leaf. Small amounts of fresh lettuce added to your cat’s food bowl will give her a health boost, as lettuce is full of vitamin A and contains a great amount of water.

 

Cabbage

Just like lettuce, cabbage is also perfectly safe for your cat in small amounts. Fresh cabbage is packed with vitamin B6, magnesium, and calcium, all of which are great for your feline friends. But, beware, large amounts of cabbage can cause pretty unpleasant gasses to form, which are not comfortable neither for your cat nor for the person in the same room as it. Moderation is key in this case.

Your cat suffers from dry skin and has a dull coat, possibly combined with dandruff, scaly dermis and fur loss?  Dry skin and is a condition that affects cats of all ages and could be perfectly benign, a result of a number of external causes. However, it could be related to some of these internal health conditions:

• an early indicator of a more severe disease
• an allergic reaction to a number of parasites (fleas, ticks, etc.)
• a generally unhealthy organism
• an indicator of certain mental health issues related to an inactive lifestyle.

Fortunately, there’s no need for panic, as it is extremely rare for it to be anything more than a reaction to some external changes in the cat’s environment, bathing habits or simply a case of malnutrition or an allergic reaction to some substance in the cat’s meal. Before you start suspecting something more severe is at hand, try examining whether it is simply a case of inappropriate food that it eats or something that is curable by adding certain helpful substances to its diet.

How to improve poor nutrition

Poor nutrition may be a major setback to the state of the cat’s health, including skin and fur.

If they don’t intake enough vitamins, minerals, and proteins, that could be detrimental to its condition. The insufficiency of essential fatty acids, which is a key substance when it comes to cellular health, affects the skin and fur of your feline friend.

The treatment involves a protein rich diet. So, fewer carbs, more protein. Try switching to a food brand of better quality that includes the Omega 3 fatty acids, and substances that especially aid the poor skin condition. Try avoiding the food brands that lack these substances at least for a certain period of time, until you are certain that your cat’s previous diet was not the cause of the dry skin

You can also feed your cat with fresh fish (especially salmon!), as fish is food rich in these essential fatty acids. Also, try giving it small amounts of fish oil to its food every other day. This may fix the nutritional imbalance that might be the source of the cat’s ailment.

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamins and minerals are building blocks of the body and a necessary basis for a healthy organism. You may find appropriate supplements to aid the condition in limited ingredient formulas or special skin and coat aid food supplements. Pay attention to the ingredients list, and be sure to look for food and supplement products that include some or all of these vitamins – Vitamin A, E, Biotin. When it comes to minerals, the essential ones are Copper and Zinc. Also look for the essential fatty acids, namely Omega-3 fatty acid and Omega-6 fatty acid.

Obesity

Obesity may be a major influence on the state of the cat’s skin, and health in general. It is estimated that as much as 57% cats in the US fall under the category of being overweight. If the cat is mostly inactive or left alone too much, this could be not only the cause of obesity issues but also a trigger for mental health issues such as compulsive disorders and depressive episodes.

All in all, this amplifies the cat’s weight problems significantly, with skin and coat health issues being a sign of this. Obesity has a devastating effect not only on the state of the cat’s skin and coat but also to the health of bones and joints.

Neutered (castrated), middle-aged or old and indoor cats are especially prone to having excessive body fat. Cats that score more than seven points in a nine-point scaling system are diagnosed with obesity. This means that the surplus of body fat amounts between 10 and 20 percent, which means that your cat should lose 10% to 20% of its current weight to go back to normal.

Usually, sources of protein in cat food include beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, and eggs. It is crucial for the novel diet to include protein—but it must be taken from a source the cat hasn’t adapted, that is consummated previously, such as venison, fish and kangaroo meat.

It’s the same for carbohydrates – the vegetables that are frequently used in cat foods—wheat, barley, and corn —should be reduced to a minimum in the novel diet and replaced by – for instance, potato.

• Avoid leaving dry food in the cat’s feeding bowl all day
• Avoid dry food in general – dry food is mostly based on plant proteins (as opposed to animal proteins), different from the metabolic design of the carnivorous cat
• Make up an eating schedule and stick to it. If the cat finds it hard to adapt to it, try feeding it multiple times a day in smaller doses to make it easier for them to accept the introduced change
• Introduce a food brand that contains the necessary nutritional balance in accordance with your cat’s individual needs
• Buy canned food, which typically has a higher protein and lower carbohydrate content compared to kibbles. Canned food is 90 percent water – a fluid intake increase with proper nutrition.
• Do not introduce the change in the feeding habits too drastically- starving the cat or making the diet plan too drastic at the start may worsen the cat’s health. Take small steps by losing 1 or 2 percent of body weight per week.

Food allergies

Cats may be sensitive to certain foods or its components. Food allergy is the third most frequent allergic reaction in cats, one of the symptoms being rashes, fur loss, skin dryness, itchiness. The dryness of the skin may provoke incessant scratching, that may cause skin wounds.

It is unknown still scientifically uncertain why the allergic reaction to some types of foods occurs. See a vet and determine what foods could be the cause of the skin dryness and eliminate the substance from the diet.

You ran out of store bought cat food, and your furry friend has nothing to eat? Sure, not everything you have in your kitchen is safe for your cat, but this applies to much less food than you might expect.

The truth is that your cat is allowed to eat some food that the vet might tell you may be inappropriate for her organism and nutritional balance, but remember – only in small amounts! It may indeed be tempting to feed it something you see your cat really likes and always begs for, but try to dose the food appropriately. This is because in the store bought food, substances that we eat, in the form that we eat them, and which are “banned” for your cat, usually comprise a little less than 1/6 of the cat’s meal. So, keep in mind – small bites are allowed!

What not to feed your cat

Be sure to avoid at all times foods that include the following:

• Onions or garlic
• kelp
• grapes
• candy or anything with sugar
• coffee
• alcohol

What can you feed your cat instead when you’re out of cat food?

Meat

The first substitute if you run out of cat food that should come to mind is – meat. Cats are natural carnivores, which means that their meal should imitate the nutritional value of what they would eat if they were in their natural surroundings – meat of small animals.

That’s why the best thing to give your cat to eat is any sort of cooked poultry – for instance, chicken or turkey. Be sure to moderate this as well. Although rich in protein, meat may contain high amounts of fat. Even though calories in the form of protein are desirable, be aware that too much fat can cause digestive problems or diarrhea. So, abstain from giving your cat the fatty parts of your chicken and make sure that everything stays lean and clean.

You may also give your furry little feline friend meat in the processed form – sliced supermarket meat, ham, liver pâté, canned meat, you name it – she’ll eat it.

Vegetables and grass

As cats are carnivores, therefore their diet should be almost entirely made up of meat. There are some exceptions to this, because sometimes cats may opt for some green produce, in order to alleviate stomach aches, get fibers from the plants, or to help them with fur balls stuck in their throat.

The truth is, vegetables and plants aren’t inherently unsafe for the cat – it’s just that cats get more efficient energy and protein when eating meat-based food.

However, be sure to keep your precious potted plants away from your feline friend if you notice she has a tendency to munch on them – this is because these plants may have some poisonous or inadequate substances in their structure. Instead, give your cat some of the following vegetables, but make sure to bake or steam them previously, in order to help with digestion:

• Carrots
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Green beans
• Peas (both frozen and raw)
• Winter squash
• Cantaloupe
• Bananas
• Pumpkin
• Apples (without the skin or seeds)
• Blueberries (just a few of them- no more than 20 individual berries)

Dairy products

When you think of a stereotypical food that cats love and eat, what comes to mind instantaneously is a bowl of milk. However, when it comes to dairy products, you need to be careful. Although your cat may seem to appreciate when you treat her with milk, butter, yogurt, sour cream, cheese, or any other dairy product, it may cause her to have diarrhea or trouble with digestion.

As cats get older, they have the tendency to become intolerant to lactose. Therefore, be cautious with dairy products, test out whether they cause trouble to your cat’s digestive system. If they seem to tolerate dairy, feel free to give her milk products in small amounts.

There is an alternative: If you do not want to put your cat through the trouble of having digestive system problems, you can feed her low-lactose dairy products.

Fish

When it comes to fish, yes, cats usually love to eat fish and its nutritional value suits their diet needs. Cat food often incorporates fish meat, as it is rich in protein. Supplements to your cat’s diet are more often than not also based on components that are extracted from fish – most frequently, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

It is considered that cat should be fed fish as much as possible, both meat and fish oil, as it provides the necessary components that improve the health of your cat – fish improves skin, coat, and bones … to name a few. Feed your cat with tuna fish or better yet, salmon, if you have any.

However, be moderate even with fish. There is an opinion that a diet that is heavily based on fish may lead to vitamin E deficiency. This is due to these already mentioned polyunsaturated fatty acids – even though they may be beneficial, if you cross the line, they may cause havoc. So, once again, it’s all about the balance.

Other varieties that are recommended- swordfish, cod, halibut and flounder – if you do happen to have any in your kitchen, feel free to give it to your cat. Make sure that the fish is cooked beforehand.

It may seem that it’s perfectly fine to feed your cat raw fish, but there is evidence that it’s not the case – besides the common sense of cooking fish to eliminate any possible parasites (tapeworm, for example) that it may carry, there are other dangers. Oily fish, in particular, may cause thiamine deficiency, thiamine being an essential vitamin for the cat’s health.

Other options

You can feel free to feed your cat these foods if she is willing to eat them:

• Eggs – Cooked or hard-boiled. Eggs are a good source of protein. However, keep in mind that your cat may have an allergic reaction to them, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.
• Bread – also a good source of protein and fiber. But, some cats are reluctant to eat cereal.

Olive oil is well-known for its medicinal effects and it’s is made by pressing olives, resulting in different types of it: extra virgin oil, virgin oil, refined olive oil, pure olive oil, olive pomace oil and lite olive oil. It is essential in Mediterranean food. People from Greece consume it the most. It is estimated that every Greek person consumes 24 liters of olive oil per year which are why people from this area suffer from cardiovascular diseases the least.

It is monosaturated and contains only healthy fats. The oil is rumoured to be successful at prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, ulcers, protects our liver and pancreas but is also good for reducing the chances for strokes and heart attacks.

However, is olive safe as safe and healthy for cats? Absolutely yes! It is said that extra-virgin oil is the best solution if we decide to give it to them.

The only thing we should take care of is the amount! The feline digestive system is very sensitive which is why we should pay special attention to what kind of food we give them. It is recommended that we consult the vet first when it comes to adding new things to our cat’s diet. Bear in mind that the dosage will depend on a lot of the cat’s variety, age, and the amount of activity.

 

Why is olive oil good for your cat?

Some of the obvious reasons why we should include olive oil in our cat’s meals is that it stabilizes their immune system. Olive oil has essential anti-oxidants that will ward of all sorts of diseases and expand cat’s life-span.  It has high energy value and important elements that aid bone development which will make your cat agile and lively for a long time.

One of the most recent discoveries shows that olive oil helps your cat fight off constipation. How do we know our cat’s constipated anyways? We should check our cat’s litter box daily. If we notice that there’s smaller amount of poop than usual or some change in hardness of it, we can suspect constipation.

Cats usually eat much less or refuse to eat when they are constipated and could starve them to death which is why we should be cautious of their constipation even more. A tablespoon of olive oil in these situations will relieve our cat of this irksome problem by softening the poop itself and putting cat’s intestinal tract into motion.

Although olive oil intake should not have any side effects on cats, we should talk to our local veterinarian first as the oil could cause itchiness and irritation of cat’s skin in some cases. If we see that our cat has a high tolerance to olive oil and we decide to give it to the animal on daily basis, switch from a tablespoon to a teaspoon.

Olive oil is also very effective when it comes to dealing with fur balls. Cats get them pretty often because some hair gets ingested while they self-groom. The hair piles up after some time and creates the fur ball which the cat will throw up. The balls are usually very uncomfortable to cats and olive oil could help lubricate the intestinal tract which will then naturally get rid of it.

Olive oil also helps with feline diabetes and high cholesterol. It will also give them a nice, soft, glowing fur and nourish their skin from the inside. Deep skin treatment also helps the reduction of many skin problems that cats could have such as itchiness, redness, and dandruff.

Could olive oil be dangerous for your cat?

Olive oil seemingly has no obvious disadvantages. However, we’re always welcome to get some advice from our vet before adding any change to our cat’s diet as its digestive system is very sensitive and fragile.  The most important thing about olive oil is to watch out for its dosage. We shouldn’t exceed a tablespoon of olive oil per day.

The reason for this is that olive oil has laxative properties that could cause diarrhea. Also, make sure you read labels of regular foods you give to your cat. It often already contains some other oil which, combined with the olive oil, could lead to oil poisoning. Olive oil is high in calories, so excessive consumption will make your cat put on some weight. Also, some experts claim that too much olive oil destroys important vitamin A.

How to use olive oil?

A quarter of a teaspoon mixed with food once a week should be enough for your cat. It will prevent constipation and fur ball formation which the oil is usually used for. However, if the cat is already under some treatment recommended by a vet, make sure you ask him/her for advice. Before adding the oil to your cat’s diet you should see how it reacts to it by giving very small amounts to the animal. Some owners say they use the oil when they bathe their pet. They just rub it on the fur and then rinse it off for higher glow and softness. Some of them just rub it on the coat without doing anything else.

Extra virgin oil VS Plain oil

Extra virgin oil is the one that we get by cold pressing. It has 1 per cent of acid and has a fruity flavour making it the highest quality oil out there. It is only logical that we want to give our pets the best products. Extra virgin oil retains many good ingredients that it wouldn’t have if it was processed: polyphenols, vitamin E, chlorophyll, and carotenoids. All of these elements make olive oil a great anti-oxidant that not only boosts cat’s immune system but also prevents strokes, heart diseases, obesity, kidney problems, diabetes etc.

Coconut oil is touted as something that could heal everything.  Many experiments carried out on people proved that monosaturated fats from the oil help ward off inflammation, bacteria, hydrates skin, beats diabetes and even the toughest diseases such as cancer.

However, does coconut oil have the same, miraculous effects on cats? It’s curing effects hasn’t been really confirmed experimentally. Pet-owners reported some improvements in their cat’s skin condition, digestive system, and fur quality. Also, some of them say it turned out to be a potent supplement to their pets’ nutrition which aided diabetes, cancer, dementia etc.

While coconut oil has its advantages, we have to take into consideration their side effects: by feeding it to your cats you’ll put your cat at risk of gaining weight or getting an allergy if it naturally doesn’t tolerate the oil well.  We will now see both good and bad sides of the coconut utilization as well as which of the claimed merits have been confirmed and which have to be fully approved yet.

Where coconut oil works 100%

Dry skin: Cat’s skin is very gentle and susceptible to dryness. What dehydrates their skin the most is exposure to the sun, cold weather and dry weather overall.  If you apply coconut oil on the nose and on the tip of their ears, it will prevent these critical places from getting dry and the infection this it can trigger.

Wound healing:  Coconut oil has great anti-inflammatory properties and its topical use not only reduces skin issues but also heals wounds.

Eases constipation: If you veterinarian concludes that your cat has little issues with the digestive system, you’re free to give your cat half a tablespoon of the oil per day. It will soften the cat’s stool and relieve it of these little but uncomfortable problems with pooping.

Cognitive dysfunction:  Senior cats tend to get a bit on the slower side-they react more slowly and move with more difficulty, just like people. Therefore, coconut oil could help prevent this and prolong the sharp-mindedness of your furry friend.

Hides medication:  Giving medications to your cat could sometimes be chaotic. What you can do is make the pill into a powder and stick it to the cat’s paw after spreading some oil on it. It will lick its paw in no time and effortlessly consume the medication.

Stops hairballs: Coconut oil, better than any other hairball medication out there, can prevent excessive ingestion of hair.

Energy deficiency: The fats of the coconut oil are easily breakable. This means everything your cats eats will go to its blood quicker, providing vigor it needs to keep itself active.

Claimed benefits that are not so credible

• Cancer retardation
• Dental calculus and periodontal disease prevention
• Weight loss
• Thyroid dysfunction

Side effects of coconut oil that your pet can suffer from

The only things cats need from coconut oil are linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. Cats can synthesize other healthy fat acids from the two acids we’ve mentioned. Cats pretty much don’t need other fatty acids from the oil so it is questionable what kind of an impact they will have on them. The main problem is medium-chain triglycerides that have a negative effect on palatability in cats.

The MCT could cause hepatic lipidosis, a life-threatening liver disease. There are a few theories about why MCTs actually result in the liver disease: it is thought MCT damages liver on one hand, but on the other hand, it is considered that it makes food taste bad. When food tastes bad, cats won’t eat it, and this sort of starvation is one of the reasons for the liver disease to come up.

How to properly give coconut oil to our cats

Cats are very picky eaters. They change their dietary habits with age and we need to constantly observe what they need in order to provide them with a quality life. Reading the labels in great detail is just some of the steps you can ensure your cat is healthy and happy but sometimes even all that proofreading is not enough. Not so rarely, our cats will react badly or will just refuse the best and the most expensive products. In these situations what we have to consider is how we present our cats with new food.

Coconut oil is a tricky super food, especially for touchy tummies! It could cause loose stools and diarrhea which is why we should start our cats on it really slow. For the first 5-7 days, give your cat less than vets usually prescribe. This is how you’ll be able to see how it reacts to it. Pay special attention to the litter box, coat, and weight during this period. Any strangeness should be an alarm that tells you to stop it or consult a veterinarian.  Should everything goes well during the trial period, then you’re free to continue.

When we think of sardines we usually remember their bad smell that is repugnant to all of us. It makes us remember all the worst – smelling things we can think of. However, this silvery, stinky fish species that comes from the sea is loaded with vitamin D and B12 vitamins that are crucial for your cat’s health.

Seeing cats crazy about fish in cartoons is no joke after all. They can feel the benefits of fish, especially sardines to their health. This craving for fish sort of flows in their veins since the very beginning of cats’ existence on this planet and we shouldn’t avoid feeding it to them. We have to disregard the smell for the sake of the long and healthy life of our furry best friend.

The reasons sardines are good for your cat 

Proteins and amino acids are generally very important for muscle structure. Sardines are packed with essential proteins that will strengthen and protect the connective tissue and also joints, skin, bones, hair and nails.

This fish type is also rich in vitamin D, another essential contributor to bone building and joint empowerment. Sardine-rich diet could also help cats with arthritis regarding pain alleviation and, therefore, increase their movability and flexibility.

Vitamin B12 in concoction with healthy DHA and EPA from sardines is a great cocktail that will boost cardiovascular health of your cat. Vitamins D and B12 found in sardines are victorious against cancer and prevent it from getting into metastasis. What they actually do is causing apoptosis which is a process that practically kills off the cancer cells.

Studies done in beagle puppies showed that omega-3 fats from sardines help the development of cognitive abilities. It sharpens eye-function of your pet as well as the ability to memorize and learn. Being overweight is one of the worst things your cat can experience. It decreases their activity and the ability to self-groom.

Omega-3 from sardines can activate the process of fat-burning in your cat and help them lose a few pounds! While omega-6 accelerates the decline of your cat’s kidney function, omega-3 protects it! Kidney failure is pretty ordinary in cats, so feeding them on sardines will prolong your cat’s kidneys’ life and overall life expectancy.

Cats are known for being pretty indifferent to activities taking place around them. However, what if they’re suffering from depression? Yes, it is possible that without enough cytokines your cat may be down in the dumps all the time. Sardines have a substantial amount of cytokines that will ‘’cheer your pet up’’ and make it feel energetic.

How much is enough?

Vets recommend that we don’t give the whole can content to the cat. A maximum of ½ of the can is enough for it to get the optimal amount of healthy fats and proteins sardines can provide. Why shouldn’t we overdo it? Sardines are high in calories which will not keep your cat in shape, i.e. your cat will gain some weight!

Are sardines potentially dangerous for your cat?

Sardines are pretty much within the bottom of the aquatic chain. This means they feed on a lot of planktons. Consequently, they should not be full of mercury which we should watch out for because it is poisonous!

However, this doesn’t mean they’re completely harmless. Some experts say that the smaller the fish is, the likelihood is higher that they will have mercury in them. Also, sardines have a lot of salt which is not very healthy for your cat.

Moreover, giving raw sardine to cats puts them at risk of salmonella which means we’ll have to bother cooking it every time we’re preparing it for our pet. Finally, it is said that sardines have an enzyme that destroys vitamin B responsible for neurological health. Cooking the sardine will kill off this enzyme but this also means that’ll we’ll need to put some extra time in the preparation of the meal.

So, should you feed sardines to your cat? Absolutely yes, but in moderation! They still have more good than bad aspects to them that help your cat feel healthy. Additionally, they’re much better than tuna because of the low mercury level, a lot of water in it and a few spices.

How to properly feed sardines to your cat?

The first step to feeding your cat with sardines is to choose the right product. The best choice would be fresh, cooked sardines. If you’re looking for canned ones, make sure they’re packed in water or oil. There are some that come with different types of sauces but they are usually full of hazardous ingredients such as salt or garlic.

You can than the fish, make a paste of it by putting it into a blender or chop it in tiny pieces. Be sure to know the right amount of daily sardine intake. One sardine a day is enough for your cat to get all the beneficial fats, proteins and acids. You can put it on top of your cat’s regular food. There

There is certainly another way you can schedule the sardine meals for your cat. You can make a whole meal made of sardine once a week by just putting all the sardines your cat would get during a week’s time into one meal. Chop the sardine so you make it easier for your cat to digest it!

Your feline friend’s coat has lost its shine, its fur is less thick and the surface of its skin is dry and itchy? There are a number of causes for this problem, some of which may be bad nutrition, too frequent bathing or absence of bathing, allergies to food, weather changes, fleas etc.

However, dandruff and itchiness that may occur when the cat’s skin is dry could be indicators of a more severe medical condition. Dry skin in cats is not an uncommon condition in cats of all ages, but be sure to take your pet to the vet if you notice any symptom that may signify something graver or if the dryness is persistent.

These are multiple ways you can alleviate, and ultimately, cure dry skin:

1. Changes in Your Home

Your cat may be having an allergic reaction to recent changes you may have made to your home. Perhaps you brought in a new toy or piece of furniture which is made from materials that do not agree with your pet’s organism.

It may be the new carpet, or the heating system drying up the air during winter months, which can be solved by removing those new objects from the cat’s environment or using an air moisturizer to raise the humidity. However unlikely this may seem, make sure to inspect whether recent changes to your household may have been the cause of the problem.

2. Feed your cat properly

Lots of protein, fewer carbs! Buy food that is designed to stimulate and improve the state of your cat’s coat, skin, and health in general. It’s important to feed your cat Omega-3 fatty acids, as they improve substantially the condition of the skin.

Feed your cat with fresh fish as often as you can (suggestion-salmon). Also, a small amount of fish oil added every other day to the food may prove to be beneficial for the skin and for your cat’s health in general. Also, there are food supplements that contain Keratin which can help the skin as well.

In the case of dehydration – your cat may be reluctant to take the required daily intake of water, thus damaging organ functions and having a detrimental effect on the condition of the skin and coat. Consider purchasing a water fountain, or any other stimulating object to help it hydrate properly.

3. Relieve Possible Allergies

Your cat might have developed a reaction to either a food substance, something from the environment or fleas, ticks and other such parasites. This is something that you requires a visit to the vet, as there are various tests to determine the trigger of the skin reaction.

Get rid of parasites

Although it is rarely the case to have a serious reaction to fleas, ticks and other types of parasites, in such cases, some of the household remedies include bathing a cat with a proper anti-parasite shampoo, especially for fungal infections. If something more serious is at hand, usually antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and antihistamines are prescribed to relieve the allergic reaction. However, you must consult your vet in order to get proper medication.

4. Bathing and mental issues

Cats need to be bathed only in occasions such as these when they are experiencing some sort of unease, injury or disease, as they usually keep their own hygiene by grooming themselves.

Use shampoos with moisturizers, natural oils ( the homemade essence of peppermint, pennyroyal, especially for fleas) and baths with various herbs (catnip, aloe, rosemary). Washing your furry friend is highly recommended as the flow of cat’s natural oils is stimulated in this way.

Stimulate the cleanliness of your cat by regular brushing and combing, as that improves the blood circulation and oil secretion. When groomed, wipe your cat with a wet towel.

Be sure to abstain from frequent bathing, as cats keep their hygiene by themselves, by self-grooming. Frequent exposure to water and hair products may over sensitize the surface of the cat’s skin, thus making ground for the appearance of skin diseases. In that way, this may be a cause of the dry skin condition.

Ditto, if your cat has bald patches, loses hair, or any other type of external irritation, it may be caused by licking the coat to the point of self-inflicting damage to the dermis. This may come as a result of a lack of exercise, or result in a compulsive, affective state due to stress. Also mere idleness, inactivity can be what makes the cat over-groom.

Make sure that your cat develops an active, healthy lifestyle, try introducing new toys or even a companion if the cat is left alone a lot, as there is proof that this may prove beneficial in a situation such as this one. These issues may develop into a full blown compulsive disorder. Try seeing a vet if this behavior is persistent.

5. More serious conditions

In principle, dry skin and irritation of the dermis in its less severe forms should be easy enough to cure. Follow the instructions given above in accordance with the cause that you are most suspicious of. In due time, the problem should be solved.

Unfortunately, the dryness of the skin may be just a symptom of a more serious condition. If you notice that the state of the skin is becoming worse by the second, you ought to put the matter in a vet’s hands. Do not panic, because if dealt in time, and with proper care and medical aid, you can get to the bottom of this issue, and the underlying cause as well. But do not take this condition too lightly. Dry skin may indicate the following conditions:

• Thyroid disease (Hyperthyroidism)
• Heart disease
• Malassezia (fungal infection, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, causes dandruff)
• Diabetes
• Seborrheic dermatitis (redness and flaking, yellow or red scaly pimples)

Cat’s fur shedding is an unsightly thing and it definitely causes a lot of mess. This also is pretty unhealthy if someone inhales some of the hair which can cause problems, especially to people allergic to cats.

Fur shedding is a normal daily occurrence when it comes to cats and is impacted by different factors. One of them would be the variety of the cat. For example, Sphinx and Peterbald cats hardly do have any hair and don’t shed. There is also an alternation in shedding between indoor and outdoor cats: while indoor cats shed throughout the year, outdoor cats shed the most in spring and autumn.

We have to stress that shedding doesn’t depend on the temperature but on a number of daylight cats are exposed to. Normally, when there’s less daylight during autumn, cats automatically start growing thicker fur while the opposite happens in spring. In the following paragraphs, we’ll tell you how to deal with too much cat hair shedding once you notice it.

Change in nutrition causes less hair fall-out

You must have heard many times that the look of your cat’s fur reflects its health. If your cat’s coat is glossy, smooth, mat-free and without bald patches, you can be at peace because your cat is in a perfect condition. However, if you notice any deformities with cat’s fur shedding pattern, you should consider changing your cat’s diet.

Excessive fur shedding could be due to dehydration or omega-3 deficiency. In such cases, you should think about switching from dry to wet food. As for the increase of the healthy fats and acids your cat is given, you can add omega-3 supplements to its diet. This will not only prevent shedding but will also improve the quality of your cat’s coat.

Direct sources of omega-3 would be raw fish such as tuna, sardine or salmon. Vets recommend that you take a sardine per day, chop it and mix it with the regular food you’re giving to your cat or make a meal made only of sardines once a week.

If you’re using commercial cat food found in stores, read the labels and ensure they have high-quality ingredients. It is the best if you could buy premium foods. Avoid can cat foods with different sauces and buy only the ones in the water. The reason for this is that the sauces usually contain seasonings and vegetables (such as garlic) that cats don’t really like.

Regular grooming and bathing

Brushing will scoop the excess hair before it actually falls out. The frequency of brushing depends on the variety of the cat. If you have a short-haired cat, then brushing 3-4 times a week would be enough. However, if it is long-haired variety, you’ll need to take that brush more often.

The tools you’ll need for this are:

• mat removing brush (for untangling the mats)
• slicker brushes (for final brush-out) and de-shedding tools (for removing the loose hair).

Brushing will not only aid your cat to get rid of excess hair but will also spread the oils evenly and promote healthy and shiny coat.

Bathing your cat is also a part of its grooming and keeps the coat shedding at the minimum.  Remember to use the shampoos specifically made for cats because the ones made for humans are too aggressive for cat’s sensitive skin and could cause shedding bigger than it used to be.

The choice of shampoo should be also approved by your vet. You’ll also have to prepare the environment well.  Make sure it is not too cold or too hot in the room where you’re bathing your cat. Also, the water must not be too hot and don’t put the cat in the water too suddenly because cats sometimes react abruptly and angrily to water.

This means that bathing is often pretty stressful for cats, so insure you make them feel relaxed and secure. You can choose the time for bathing on your own but it is desirable that you do it when your cat is least active.

If you have too much trouble with your cat’s behavior during bathing, then you can use Cat Bath Wipes saturated with natural proteins and conditioner or waterless cleaners which you spritz on, massage in and towel off.

Using Furminator

Furminator is an electric tool for getting rid of your cat’s loose hair. It is especially effective with long-haired cats. It removes 90 per cent of loose hair with its stainless, steel edge that reaches deep beneath the coat safely, fast and easy.

Before using this gadget, ensure that your pet is completely dry. Also, remove all the tangles and mats because it will get painful for the cat if the Furminator stumbles upon them. Look carefully at your cat’s body for injuries and scars so you don’t go over them when you use the device.
When you brush the cat’s coat with Furminator, do it with the teeth angled in the direction in which the cat’s hair grows. Use long and gentle moves and be attentive when it comes to the areas around the animal’s ears, stomach, legs, and genitals. Furminators should be used once or twice a week.

You can choose a specific room for the times when you use this  and don’t forget to vacuum regularly (or even more than it is optimal) and clean the teeth from the device so that too much cat hair doesn’t get stuck in it.

Make sure you rule out possible underlying medical conditions that can cause hair shedding

Hair-shedding in cats is not unusual. However, not all fur loss is normal, especially if you notice bald patches on your cat’s coat. There are a few medical problems that underlie excessive hair shedding. When it comes to older cats, cancer could cause the shedding. Also, in case of nervous disorders that cause overgrooming, alopecia is a common occurrence. Other medical issues that cause alopecia are parasites (cause manga), fungal diseases like ringwarm, allergies and hormonal misbalance.