Cats are very sensitive when it comes to food. Not only that they love to eat, but they must eat food that’s high in protein since they are true carnivores.
Cats do not like dogs to eat almost anything, but they also love a bite of specific human food.
Is it something that you should encourage, or should you avoid feeding your cat any human foods?
Before you treat your feline with some human foods, you should know that specially designed cat treats contain all the nutrients she needs.
Human Foods Cats Can Eat
It can be hard to say no to your cat and refuse to give her a bite of your favorite food.
As cat owners know, some human foods can be extremely toxic to cats, while others might tolerate them. Don’t be surprised if you notice that the veterinarian list is far longer.
Some foods from this list can be safe for your cat as long as she has a small bit or a little lick – but only in small doses.
There is also a good rule of thumb saying: human food should not make up more than 15 percent of a cat’s diet.
You should never serve your cat the following foods:
- onion
- garlic
- kelp
- grapes or raisins
- sugary treats
- chocolate
- alcoholic drinks
- caffeinated drinks
We know that cats love milk, cheese, and dairy, but aside from that, cats shouldn’t eat any other human foods.
Cats should eat primary cat food, dry and wet, and if you want to incorporate raw diet talk to your veterinarian for proper guidelines. These are the most common human foods that are safe for felines.
1. Meat
Cats love meat. They love meat in any form, and they love it simple and plain. For cats, meat provides a high level of protein that enables good vision, a strong heart, and a healthy reproductive system.
The great thing about cats and meat is that you can serve the meat cooked or even slightly fried.
Cats will enjoy bites of beef, turkey, chicken, and even small amounts of deli meats.
Spoiled or raw meat can make your cat sick. If you wouldn’t eat it, don’t give it to your feline.
2. Whole Grains
Oats have a lot of protein, are delicious, and are easy to make.
Did you know that cats love corn? Or that they love polenta? You can mash oats once you cook them and serve them. Whole wheat breadcrumbs are fine, as well.
3. Fish
Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These acids can help your feline with the cat’s eyes to stay sharp. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help with kidney disease, heart disorders, and arthritis.
As a treat, you can serve your cat occasionally cooked or canned fish. Never serve your cat sushi – raw fish is never a good idea.
4. Oatmeal
This food is not something that any cat owner would serve to the feline. After all, it’s not common to see cats eating oatmeal.
But, do you really think that your cat would refuse a lick from a bowl filled with oatmeal and milk?
The truth is that oatmeals are equally healthy for cats and humans. Little is known, but oatmeal is often found in commercial cat foods.
Still, this doesn’t mean that your cat will love it, but that shouldn’t discourage you from presenting oatmeal to your feline.
Cats should eat primarily, but if they like oatmeal, you can mix it a bit with wet food and make it a regular supplement to cats’ proper diet.
5. Cooked Eggs
Cats thrive on proteins. The central part of their diet should be proteins. You can add cooked eggs to regular meals to spice up a cat’s food and diversify it.
Eggs are naturally rich in vitamin B, which will only add to your cat’s overall health. It’s also important to contact your veterinarian before you change your cat’s diet, especially if your cat is prone to various medical issues.
Did you know that some cats can even be allergic to eggs? This is something that is rare but can still happen. After all, cats are – just like humans, individuals.
Also, whenever you present your cat with new food, make sure that you watch her for any unusual reaction.
If you notice any signs of allergy or unusual behavior, react. Call your veterinarian, or even better, educate yourself on what to do on these occasions.
Quick tip: Always double-check for eggshells. You don’t want to serve your cat, which can be a choking hazard.
6. Fresh Vegetables
You would be surprised to know just how much some cats love fresh vegetables. Cats are carnivores, and they would choose meat over vegetables anytime. Still, they love a rich diet, and nothing can richen it as green and leafy food. The vegetable is great for cats, just like it is for humans.
Vegetable comes with a lot of fiber and vitamins, which is good for their overall health and stomach. Food rich in fiber can help with stomach problems and digestion.
Still, don’t be surprised if your feline refuses vegetables.
Many cats are not fond of green food. However, if your cat shows interest in this food, you should encourage it. Let your cat try it and monitor her reaction closely.
If she likes it, you can make it an occasional treat. If you have a plant in your home, you have probably noticed that your cat likes to chew it from time to time. Make sure that plants are not toxic to cats first.
Secondly, you can plant a plant that your cat can actually chew as a second step. If your cat is on a raw diet, she can still have a bite of vegetables.
Feel free to serve your cat this vegetable:
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Baked carrots
- Green beans
- Chopped greens
- Winter squash
Ensure you always wash the vegetable thoroughly before serving them to your cat.
7. Cheese
Little is known, but cats are actually huge cheese lovers. Why is that? Because cheese is high in protein. Still, dairy isn’t as good for cats as meat is.
They will love it, but you shouldn’t make it a regular food. Cheese in cats should be a minimal treat. Cats are lactose intolerant, and they can’t process dairy properly.
This is the main reason why dairy foods are never recommended for cats. Some cats can eat high dairy without any healthy disturbance, but it doesn’t mean that they should have easy access to it.
Still, if your cat eats a small amount of cheese here and there, she should be fine, as long as you don’t make it a regular thing.
If you are not sure just how well, or not, your feline might react to dairy products, you can give her a small amount – monitor her, and if she demonstrates any stomach upset, your cat could be lactose intolerant, as expected.
8. Fresh Fruit
Do cats and fruit go hand in hand? Well, some cats are fruit fans. In general, cats don’t like fruit; they don’t need it. Again, as mentioned above, seeing your cat chewing house plants might signify that your feline is a vegetable and fruit lover.
Don’t serve any fruit to your cat. If you want to see if your feline is a fruit lover, you can clean and slice her a small size bit of delicious cantaloupe.
This fruit is rich in antioxidants and beta-carotene, which can help keep your cat’s skin and eyes healthy.
If you want to feed your cat with melon, always remove the seeds first and give your cat a tiny melon size. Don’t forget that cats are physically small. They may seem rich in fur, like Maine Coon, but that’s mostly fur. They are small, their stomachs are tiny, and they can only process a small amount of food.
9. Bread
This is probably the most common food cats would bite at any time. Don’t forget that you are responsible for keeping your cat healthy and fit.
So, don’t serve her bread every day, because it can lead to obesity. As you may know already, obesity in cats can lead to more serious health problems.
Overall, when served occasionally, bread can be a good source of protein and fiber for cats.
Whenever it’s possible, avoid white bread and serve them whole wheat bread instead. Also, bread shouldn’t replace the cat’s regular food. Instead, it should be an occasional treat.
The Bottom Line
All in, you should feed your cat with cat food. Cats thrive on food that’s rich in protein, as they are true carnivores.
Still, if you want to make a cat’s diet more interesting, you can mix it with the foods listed above. Before you serve your cat any human food, make sure that its safe for your feline, and always serve in small sizes.
Safety comes first. Also, human food to cats should be only an occasional treat, once in a few months, and never a replacement.