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.
