While it was once normal for cat owners to share snacks with their pets, new information has made this practice less frequent. Many human foods are hazardous to cats, and some are even lethal.
Most people who are aware of this issue avoid offering their cats any of the foods they eat on a daily basis. There’s good news for cat owners who want to indulge their kitties by feeding them human foods that are both pleasant and safe to eat. There are various foods that are not only safe for cats to eat but also beneficial to them. Here are 11 human foods that cats are allowed to eat.
Human Foods for Cats
1. Salmon
Salmon is a nutritious diet for people since it is a good source of lean protein and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are important elements for the body. The good news is that salmon is equally beneficial to cats. Most cats enjoy the taste, and it’s a healthy treat that you can freely give to your cat while feeling good about it. Salmon is found in many commercial cat diets since it is a nutritious complement to a balanced diet. There are only a few precautions you must take beforehand.
2. Spinach
Spinach is a nutritious leafy green vegetable high in nutrients and vitamins. It’s not only good for humans, but it’s also good for cats and poses no health dangers. Vitamins K, C, and A, as well as calcium, are all present. Only if your cat has a history of calcium oxalate bladder stones might spinach be detrimental to them. If this is the case, remove spinach from the menu; if it isn’t, feed as much as you like.
Adding spinach to scrambled eggs is one way to get your cat to eat more spinach. This is as much a delight for humans as it is for cats. It’s one approach to introduce spinach as a new meal to your cat by pairing it with something he’ll eat.
3. Eggs
Cats can get a lot of protein from eggs. They also have B vitamins in them. When it comes to feeding your cat-cooked eggs, there are no issues, but raw eggs should never be given to cats. This is due to the possibility of food-borne illnesses lurking beneath the shells of uncooked eggs. Raw foods can make cats sick just as readily as raw foods can make people sick. You can feel fine mixing eggs and cheese and serving a few bits to your kitten if that’s how you prefer to eat them. We must caution you that this may transform your cat into a beggar that visits you at mealtimes on a frequent basis.
4. Chicken
Cats are meat eaters by nature, and they require high-protein diets with a high percentage of meat in order to be healthy. Chicken is not only delicious to cats, but it is also a safe and healthy source of protein that their bodies require. Giving your cats chicken meat is fine, but it must always be cooked first. The bones must also be removed because they can easily splinter and become trapped in the neck or cause digestive tract harm due to the sharp splinters. It’s also recommended not to feed your cat chicken that has been smothered in spicy sauces, as these ingredients are unhealthy for him to consume.
5. Bananas
Although bananas may appear to be an unusual snack for a cat, they are a safe snack that you may share with your feline companion. Bananas are abundant in soluble fiber, which is the only fiber that cats can digest, and potassium, which is beneficial to both cats and humans. Just be careful not to overdo the banana snacks, or your cat may acquire more weight than he should.
6. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is another human food that is good for both cats and humans. It’s high in B vitamins and gives your pet a quick supply of energy. Oatmeal is another ingredient that is regularly seen in commercial cat food formulas. It’s totally fine for your cat to consume, but you should introduce it gradually so that he becomes used to it. Although not all cats enjoy oatmeal, some do. Just make sure you don’t feed your cat too much oatmeal because it might become fattening if overdone.
7. Pumpkin
Another yellow meal that is beneficial for both humans and cats is pumpkin. It contains a lot of fiber and has a low-calorie count. It’s a great nutritional food for cats that’s also completely safe to ingest. Sugar and salt are not healthy ingredients for your cat or any other animal, so avoid offering them pumpkin foods that contain a lot of salt or sugar, such as baked goods to keep your cat safe from diseases. Your kitty’s pumpkin should be properly cooked, and it might be more appealing if it’s also mashed.
8. Cheese
Cheese is a nutritious food for both people and cats, as long as neither of them is lactose intolerant. Although it is a dairy product, some hard cheeses, such as Swiss, Gouda, and cheddar, are high in protein and calcium. This is one human meal that you may give raw to your cat without fear of poisoning him. It can also be used to make healthful baked goods. Only give your cat little amounts of cheese since you never know when he or she will suffer gastrointestinal problems from eating too much.
9. Bread
Bread is another meal that cats can eat safely. It is safe for your cat as long as it is thoroughly baked and does not include yeast in its raw state. It is a good source of fiber and protein. Raw bread can continue to rise in the stomach and digestive tract, posing a serious or even fatal risk. When it comes to bread’s nutritional content, whole grains are preferable to simple white bread. Avoid offering kitten any french pieces of bread that have been made with garlic or garlic butter, as well as any form of onion-filled buns.
10. Apples
Apples are a fruit that cats can eat as long as they are only eating the flesh of the apple and not the seeds. Vitamin C and fiber are abundant in apples. You should also peel the apples before feeding them to your cat. Some cooked apples are all right, but if the apples are heavily seasoned or spiced, you should avoid giving them to your cat because some spices can make them sick. Simply stick to basic flesh anytime you’re sharing. However, you should only offer your cat modest amounts of apples. Also, resist the urge to let your cat eat apples that have been steeped in caramel sauce, as the sugar content is far too high for feline ingestion.
11. Blueberries
Because of their high vitamin A and C content, blueberries are considered a superfood. They’re also high in antioxidants, which support the immune system and aid in the prevention of illness and disease. Because of the health benefits for cats, some cat food manufacturers are already including the berries in their premium cat food menus. It’s usually a good idea to give your kitty foods that are higher in nutritional value than those that are more appealing. Experts recommend that you limit your cat’s total daily calorie intake to 20 calories in the form of snacks. This would be twenty-five blueberries in the case of blueberries.
