Cats mean the world to pet owners. Many even consider the felines a part of the family, making one want to share their food with them. But, not all the foods that humans consume are safe for our pets. Some can be quite harmful, leading to tummy troubles or making them severely ill. This is why it is important to know which human foods are safe for your pet cat.
7 human foods that are safe for your pet cat
Fish
Experts suggest giving small quantities of fish to your pet cat. Fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and helps your cat stay healthy, and gives them a shiny fur coat. You can try options like salmon, tuna, herring, and crabs, among other fish food. Cook the protein before you feed it to your cat, raw fish can lead to infections or cause digestion issues.
Whole grains
Whole grains, such as brown rice and oatmeal, are also human foods that are safe for cats. They contain iron, fiber, and vitamins, making them good for the cat’s health. Note that you want to avoid refined grains.
Cheese
Cats enjoy dairy and its byproducts such as butter, cheese, yogurts, and more. While cats sustain milk while they are in the nascent stages of their life, as they get older, they are likely to develop intolerance to milk and certain other dairy products. But, experts have found that consuming small amounts of cheese and milk is safe. Many cat parents usually use cheese to give the cats their treatments. The food item is rich in calcium and also has a high protein content.
Poultry
Cats are predatory in nature. This means that foods such as poultry, meat, and even beef are a natural food choice for them. Doctors tend to suggest that cooked poultry is the best choice. Note that you want to get fresh meat for your pets. Cold cuts and other such meat options usually have sodium and other preservatives that are harmful.
Vegetables
If you’ve ever seen your cat munch on some houseplants, it’s probably caused you some stress hives. Houseplants are not the right kind of greens for your cats, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to meat and fish. Add some vegetables to their meals. Avoid giving them raw vegetables; you can boil or steam the items before adding them to their food. Vegetables safe for cats include carrot, broccoli, asparagus, pumpkin, and squash.
Eggs
Eggs are the ultimate wholesome food. They are rich in protein and also have tons of minerals and vitamins that are good for your cat’s health. Avoid giving them raw eggs; it can put your pet cats at an increased risk of conditions like salmonella and E. coli. Instead, you can give them boiled eggs or scrambled eggs.
Fruits
Much like vegetables, fruits are also rich sources of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Many fruits are also great sources of fiber and can help improve digestive health. Mangoes, apples, blueberries, cranberries, and bananas are safe fruits for cats.
It is important to check with the veterinarian which human foods are safe for your cat to consume. If you’re unsure about your cat getting the required nutrients from human foods, you can always opt for cat food. Cat food is tailored to fulfill your cat’s nutritional needs. Various brands in the market offer foods based on the feline’s breed, age, and even health conditions. If you’re looking to purchase cat food, you can check out popular brands such as Hill’s Pet Nutrition, IAMS™ Cat Food, Sheba®, 9Lives®, and PURINA® FRISKIES®. Sheba Cat Food offers several premium options for wet food made from different ingredients like turkey, chicken, salmon, whitefish, tuna, and others, so you can offer fresh, delicious meals to your feline friends. 9 Lives Cat Food offers hearty cuts, meaty patés, tender morsels, and dry foods to cover your pet’s nutrition needs with high-quality protein and vitamins. Additionally, Hills Pet Nutrition, IAMS™ Cat Food, and PURINA® FRISKIES® have complete and nutritionally balanced meals for cats of all ages.