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Recently, we made posted an article about household foods that are dangerous for cats to eat. After that, we got several requests to post a follow-up article explaining which “human foods” are safe for cats to eat. So, here we are. According to WebMD, most of a cat’s diet should be nutritionally complete cat food. After all, good-quality cat food is scientifically formulated to provide the right amount of nutrients. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t give Fluffy a treat from your fridge from time to time as long as it’s a safe treat.
1. Low-Lactose Cheese
Experts say that an occasional piece of cheese is fine as long as it’s in moderation. Just keep in mind that most cats are lactose intolerant, meaning they have trouble digesting the lactose in milk, which is why many cats get an upset stomach from cow’s milk. However, cheese is considered to be a protein-filled snack, and protein is a crucial nutrient for cats. But the less lactose the better! Some cheeses with less lactose than others are Cheddar, Parmesan, Swiss, and Provolone. The safest kind of cheese for cats is goat cheese because it has the least amount of lactose. Also, if you are going to give your cat cheese, it should be natural cheese instead of the processed stuff, because high levels of salt can be dangerous to your cat.
2. Low-Sodium Beef or Chicken Broth
Treating your cat to beef or chicken broth is a great option if you are looking to give Fluffy a low-calorie snack. These broths are also a great way to get your cat to drink more water. It turns out that many cats don’t drink enough water, which is essential for their overall health. Increasing water intake also helps prevent bladder and urinary tract diseases by flushing out their kidneys, bladder, and the rest of their urinary tract. Luckily, offering “meat-flavored water” is likely to get your cat’s attention. Before giving your cat broth, just make sure that it’s low-sodium because the amount of salt in regular broth can be harmful to your cat. Also, always run the ingredient list by your veterinarian first, because some brands of broths contain ingredients that are harmful to cats (like garlic or onion).
3. Meat
It’s well-known that cats are carnivores. So it should be no surprise that it’s perfectly safe for fluffy to enjoy a piece of meat with you. This means cats can eat chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, pork, and so on. After all, meat is the most important part of a cat’s diet. The protein from meat allows cats to have a strong heart, good vision, a healthy reproductive system, and so on. When feeding your cat meat, just make sure it’s fully cooked. Contrary to popular belief, cats shouldn’t eat raw meat, because, like humans, cats can get sick from contamination in meat, such as parasites or bacteria. Also, make sure to remove skin and bones because bones are a major choking hazard.
4. Chicken or Turkey Gizzards
While gizzards are meat, we made this a separate category because some cat owners chuck out gizzards without realizing their cats could safely enjoy it. For those of you who aren’t sure, gizzards are the second stomach of chickens or turkeys. While they aren’t something that’s appetizing to a lot of us humans, they are an excellent source of lean protein for cats (and dogs)! Treating your cat to a gizzard snack is also a great way to cut down on food waste. So next time you cook that Thanksgiving turkey, save the gizzards for Fluffy, who will be thankful you did. While on the topic, small amounts of liver are also safe to give cats. But, because the liver is so rich, too much can cause an upset stomach or even vitamin A toxicity.
5. Fish
The stereotype that cats love fish is true for the most part. Like red meat and poultry, it’s perfectly fine to give your cat some fish as long as it doesn’t have bones and is fully cooked. So sorry Fluffy, but no sushi. According to WebMD, Fish have omega-3 fatty acids, which help to keep your cat’s vision healthy. Omega-3s can also help with arthritis, kidney disease, and heart disorders. Some common cat favorites that you may have in your kitchen are sardines, salmon, and tuna. But just keep tuna as an occasional treat, because too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning. Also, VetHelpDirect says that cats should only be given tuna that comes in freshwater, not saltwater or oil.
6. Eggs
It’s also safe to give cats eggs from time to time. Remember how we mentioned earlier how cats need a lot of protein? Well, eggs are packed with a lot of protein, which makes them a good option for a treat! However, eggs should just be that: a treat. This is because eggs don’t have all the nutrients a cat needs to stay healthy, so they should never be used as a meal replacement. It’s also important to be mindful of your portions which is why Purina Senior Nutritionist Jan Dempsey says to “Feed just a tiny amount because you don’t want to put too many calories in your cat’s diet.” Finally, the egg should be fully cooked. Like raw meat and fish, raw eggs can harm your cat. Not only can eggs carry Salmonella, but raw egg whites can cause a vitamin deficiency in cats.
7. Some Fruits
Although it’s no guarantee that your cat would be interested in fruit, there are some fruits that are safe for them to eat such as seedless watermelon, blueberries, strawberries, bananas, and apples. In fact, cats can’t taste sweetness because they don’t have one of the two genes necessary to make the sweetness receptor. This explains why many cats don’t care for fruit. But, if you cut the fruit into small pieces, and chill it in the fridge, some cats may appreciate it on a hot summer’s day. However, this does not mean that all fruit is safe for cats. For one, they should never eat grapes or raisins, which can lead to kidney failure. Citrus fruits are also toxic and can cause an upset stomach.
8. Some Vegetables
There’s a good chance Fluffy won’t be interested in vegetables either. But all cats are different, so in case your cat eyes your veggies, some safe options are: cucumber, broccoli, carrots, green beans, spinach, and even bean sprouts. Safe veggies make a healthy snack because they’re loaded with fiber and water, which help with digestion. But if your cat does like veggies, they should be kept as an occasional snack, because as carnivores, a cat’s diet should have more meat than anything else. Finally, like fruits, there are some veggies that need to be avoided, some of which are: onions, chives, and garlic, which are toxic to cats.
9. Whole Grains
WebMD explains that some whole grains are also safe for cats such as oats, which have a lot of protein. Have you noticed the protein trend yet? Other safe options include whole wheat bread crumbs, brown rice, barley, wheat berries, millet, and couscous. Technically, cats can eat corn too, but only sparingly, because their stomachs are not designed to digest the heavy fibers of corns. Cats usually prefer smaller grains like couscous, but you can always mash bigger grains like brown rice. Like anything else, just make sure any of these grains are fully cooked. Otherwise, Fluffy may have trouble digesting them.
10. Nutritional Yeast
Although this may surprise you, nutritional yeast is another safe food for cats in reasonable amounts and comes with many perks. For those of you who are unfamiliar, nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that comes in the form of flakes or powder. Some people add it to recipes for its health benefits because it’s sugar and dairy-free and is also loaded with protein and B vitamins. It turns out that those same B vitamins benefit your cat’s skin and coat. Nutritional yeast can even give Fluffy a nice energy boost. Finally, some experts claim that sprinkling a little nutritional yeast on a cat’s food can encourage even the fussiest of felines to eat.
DISCLAIMER: This article is made for entertainment purposes only. This is NOT medical advice. Use the advice/information presented in this article at your own risk. Always seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
Resources
https://pets.webmd.com/cats/ss/slideshow-people-foods-cats-can-eat
https://www.litter-robot.com/blog/2020/06/04/can-cats-eat-cheese/
https://www.petcoach.co/question/?id=416146
https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2021/03/10/can-cats-eat-tinned-tuna/
https://www.purina.com/articles/cat/nutrition/can-cats-eat-eggs
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4766556
https://www.animaltrust.org.uk/blog/what-can-cats-eat/
https://www.smartcatlovers.org/can-cats-eat-corn/
https://www.vetinfo.com/nutritional-yeast-for-cats.html
Disclaimer: The Purring Journal is not in the medical field. This post is made for entertainment purposes only. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. Always seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
