Because cats do not have the same metabolism as humans, you should know that there are dangerous food for cats and even foods prohibited for cats. Indeed, some products in our daily diet are not tolerated by cats and can even make them sick, especially if you give them regularly or in large quantities.
So what can cats eat? What can you feed a cat? Can a cat eat pasta, chocolate, eggs, cheese, rice, raw meat, etc…? Can you give your cat milk? What food can kill a cat?
Here are the answers to your questions and the list of the main dangerous foods for cats.
Can we give milk to a cat?
NOT : It is not recommended. Contrary to what most people think, cow's milk is not good for cats and can even make them sick. See my article: Can we give milk to an adult cat?
Indeed, there are adult cats who have difficulty digesting the lactose contained in cow's milk. In fact, it's just like humans who have food intolerances or allergies, some cats can get sick if they drink cow's milk.
Can we give milk to a kitten?
NO: You should never give cow's milk to a kitten, and whether weaned or not. It would make him sick because he will not be able to digest it properly. Cow's milk is a forbidden food cats and kittens!
What milk for an unweaned kitten?
A kitten less than 2 months old should normally be fed by its mother. However, in some cases this is not possible and it is necessary to give her a special milk: formula for kittens. See How to feed a 1 month old kitten?
It is especially important not to make him drink cow's milk because this milk is too different from the cat's milk and therefore not adapted to the needs of the kitten and its digestive system. Here is a recommended replacement milk for unweaned kittens:
What milk for a weaned kitten?
As soon as your kitten is weaned around the age of 2 months, we must not give him any more milk but gradually switch to a solid diet (see article: How to feed a 2 month old kitten).
Indeed, once the kitten is weaned, it no longer needs milk and its body can no longer tolerate it.
Can a cat eat dog food?
NOT : Dry dog food is made for the specific nutritional and energy needs of dogs and is not adapted to the specific needs of cats! Indeed, the nutritional needs of dogs and cats are different and therefore the kibble for dogs and cats have different compositions.
Can we give dog food to a cat?
NOT : But if your cat eats some of your dog's kibble accidentally or occasionally, that's okay. On the other hand, it is necessary to avoid that it ingests a large quantity because it could have digestive problems ...
Can a cat eat dog food?
NOT : As with dog food, dog food is developed for the specific nutritional and energy needs of dogs and is not adapted to the specific needs of cats!
Can a cat eat pasta?
YES : Cats can eat pasta but only occasionally or as a supplement to a balanced diet (see How to feed a cat properly?) and in small quantities.
This is because the gluten in pasta can cause allergic reactions or intolerance for your cat. So your cat could have diarrhea if he eats too much pasta.
How do you give pasta to a cat?
Of course cooked, in small quantities and unseasoned. In fact, cats can digest pasta well, but it should not be a cat's main diet (see How to feed a cat properly?).
In fact, to cover all of a cat's nutritional needs, a good balance of proteins, fats, fatty acids, amino acids, minerals and vitamins is needed. But pasta does not contain all of these nutrients.
Can a cat eat chocolate?
NOT : In fact, chocolate contains Theobromine which is a real poison for cats. Chocolate in all its forms is a food prohibited for cats !
Indeed, cocoa is toxic because of Theobromine that the body of cats has great difficulty in eliminating unlike the body of humans.
Can we give chocolate to a cat only once?
NOT : And you have to be careful never to leave chocolate lying around that your cat could eat (close the boxes, store your plates in the cupboards…).
Chocolate - Dangerous food for a cat
If your cat has eaten chocolate, she will need to be taken to a vet as soon as possible. You will have to try to assess the quantity ingested and remember to take the packaging of the chocolate to find out what the theobromine content is (cocoa content). This can help the vet pinpoint the problem.
In fact, your cat may vomit, have diarrhea, and show tremors. Your cat will have a fever and some may even have seizures. Chocolate poisoning, in severe cases, can cause cardiac dysrhythmia and be fatal. See how much chocolate can kill a cat?
Can a cat eat eggs?
YES : But under certain conditions. Eggs, with their protein intake, especially taurine, and their vitamin (A, B12, D, E, K) and mineral intake, are food well suited to the needs of cats.
However, the egg will have to be cooked so that it is not toxic to your cat.
How can you give eggs to a cat?
You will only be able to feed your cat eggs as long as they are cooked as a hard-boiled egg or omelet and never seasoned with salt, spices or other ingredients. Indeed, a raw egg can be toxic to a cat.
If you feed your cat household food, the egg is perfect for that part of protein needed for a balanced menu. The key is to dose well (see Can cats eat eggs? ou What food for your cat?).
Can a cat eat cheese?
YES : A source of protein and fat, a little cheese is not harmful to a cat's health. However, its consumption should remain moderate and punctual to avoid possible digestive disorders.
How can you give cheese to a cat?
In small quantities, as treats or as a supplement to meat if you feed your cat a household diet. See Is cheese good for cats?
Can a cat eat rice?
YES : But just like pasta, rice should not be the basis of your cat's diet.
Rice, integrated into a balanced diet, will provide your cat with energy, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
How do you give a cat rice?
In fact, cats tolerate and digest rice very well if it is properly cooked. It is therefore necessary to prepare the rice by cooking it in water without adding anything to it. It is also advisable to give it in case of diarrhea in cats.
Can a cat eat fruit?
YES : A cat can eat some fruits but not all! See it list of 15 fruits not to give to cats.
Here are the ones that don't cause problems:
- Apples
- Pears
- Strawberries
- peaches
- Watermelons
- Melon
How can you give fruit to a cat?
If you want to give fruit to your cat, you will have to consult the list of fruits cats can eat.
Then you can give him these fruits in the form of rewards or treats. However, you will need:
- remove the seeds or stones from them,
- peel them,
- cut them into cubes or small pieces.
Can cats eat salad?
YES : You may want to consider incorporating salad into homemade menus if you are feeding your cat a household diet (see How to feed your cat without kibble?).
Indeed, the salad will provide nutrients that will be good for your cat (fiber, vitamins A, E and K, folate, etc.).
How do you give a cat salad?
The salad that is considered a vegetable can be part of your cat's menus from time to time and in small quantities. Note that the dose of vegetables should not exceed 15% of total diet of your cat.
Can a cat eat raw meat?
YES : Because the cat is a carnivorous animal. Feeding it with raw meat comes under what is called BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) feeding.
How can you feed a cat raw meat?
By adapting the BARF program which consists of giving your cat food consisting mainly of raw meat and assorted pasta, rice and other starches or vegetables. See the article: Feed your cat naturally ou Give raw chicken to your cat?
Can a cat eat yogurt?
YES : Yogurt is also a source of bacteria which promotes digestion. These bacteria allow lactose to be broken down into lactic acid which will be well tolerated by cats (unlike pure lactose).
Yogurt is therefore one of the best dairy products for cats. See : Good or bad yogurt for cats?
How can you give yogurt to a cat?
Always in small quantities and occasionally, you can give your cat plain, unsweetened yogurt.
1 or 2 teaspoons of yogurt will be enough because if you give too much, you risk causing a diarrhea in your cat.
What can cats eat?
If kibble food remains the most practical solution, the fastest to prepare, the simplest in terms of supply and storage and the most economical, household food is also beneficial if it is well given. To see How to naturally feed your cat?
This diet is diversified, rich in nutrients but it involves risks because there are foods that can kill a cat ...
What food can kill a cat?
Here is a list of the main foods that could kill your cat (depending on the amount ingested):
- Lawyers;
- Aïl;
- Onions ;
- Chocolate ;
- Tea;
- Coffee ;
- Alcohol;
- raw prawns ;
- Tomatoes;
- Eggplants;
- Cabbage ;
- Raw potatoes ;
- Leeks.
What safe food for a cat?
If you don't know enough about the nutritional needs of cats, if you want to avoid accidents by accidentally giving them a food prohibited or dangerous for cats, the safest will be to feed your cat dry food.
here is best brand of cat food which I particularly recommend:
The brand Origin develops kibble recipes that are closest to the natural diet of cats. It favors fresh, quality, local products from responsible agriculture and fishing and does not use no cereal !
C 'is the most awarded cat food brand in the world (Cf. list of awards obtained by the Orijen brand).
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