Human Food & Cats
Photo courtesy of wuestenigel on Flickr
Are you fed up with your cat not eating any cat food that you purchase in your local grocery store, vet clinic, or even pet supply store? Does your cat reach for food you accidentally leave on the table and eat it, especially during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays? Whatever you do, please do not leave food on the table. Either you cover it or store it in the fridge, even if you leave it on the kitchen countertops. Dogs are not always doing this, despite the fact that I have always been more of a dog person myself, though I am a dog owner (or parent).
Why would some cats want human food?
First and foremost, cats have a reputation of being curious. They love to explore. Sometimes they get tired of ordinary cat food that they want to eat human food instead. Human food perhaps tends to be more interesting and has a different taste to them. It is not dogs that always want to eat human food, like my dog does, but cats are even known for this as well.
Here are some human foods that are beneficial to cats and those that are poisonous.
The beneficial foods list:
Meats
Cooked lean meats are safe for cats to eat such as beef, chicken, turkey, liver, and lamb. Never feed cats raw meat because it will harm them and remove all skin and bones before cooking and then feeding your cat.
Fish
Cats are notorious fish lovers and most types are safe for cats to eat. Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids which benefits their well-being. Just like meat, fish needs to be properly cooked with bones (not according to what you see in the media) removed and do not even feed cats raw fish, not even sushi and sashimi-type fish.
Whole grains
Oats, corn, brown rice, and even couscous are good for cats since they contain a lot of protein and these are among the human foods cats can eat.
Eggs
Cats can eat a small portion of cooked eggs just as long as they are scrambled or boiled and they are full of amino acids and protein which make a healthy treat for them. Cats are not supposed to eat raw eggs since they would get infected with salmonella. So therefore, cook eggs for your cat.
Vegetables
Cats may sometimes turn their noses at the sight of vegetables when you put one out in front of them. Vegetables are highly nutritious and contain a lot of vitamins, fiber, and water. Cucumber, steamed broccoli, carrots, asparagus, pumpkin and peas are among the safest for cats.
Fruits
If your cat craves sweets, while others do not, some fruits are safe for them to eat such as bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, seedless watermelon, and peeled apples without seeds. And not to mention, many fruits contain potassium, fiber, vitamin A and C.
As for these foods...
Dairy: milk (don't believe what you see in TV, movies, ads, etc. Milk is actually dangerous for cats), cheese, and yogurt
Chocolate: dark chocolate is harmful.
Nuts and seeds of all sorts, especially macadamia nuts and walnuts.
Grapes and raisins.
Coffee, tea, and other drinks containing caffeine.
Garlic, onions, chives, green onions, shallots, and scallions.
Sugar and sugar substitutes, especially in some peanut butters and in chewing gum.
Coconut milk.
Alcohol (or foods with alcohol).
Raw meats and fish.
Cooked bones.
Raw bread dough.
Never feed your cat(s) food mentioned in this list of dangerous foods. Such foods are toxic and will poison them, although this applies to those raising dogs. Always do some research before feeding your cat(s) human food and use everything in moderation, even though it is important for cats to eat nutritious foods since they contain essential vitamins and proteins they need to be healthy and live long lives.
By Lisa Ramos
Sources:
Pets Radar: https://shorturl.at/mzET2
Purina: https://tinyurl.com/y6h5te
Hartz: https://shortural.at/flqFS
