As a cats shouldn’t eat certain foods. Chocolate, for example, is toxic and may make them sick. But what about other foods such as bananas? You’d be surprised to know that cats can eat certain fruits like bananas, but only in small quantities. What do bananas do for cats, you ask? And what does it mean when experts say that cats are obligate carnivores? What else can cats eat? lover, you probably know that
We’re here to answer all of those questions and more. We will discuss the foods cats need in their diets to stay healthy, the foods they shouldn’t eat, why it’s safe for cats to eat bananas in small quantities, and how to safely incorporate bananas into a ‘s diet so they don’t get sick.
What is an ?
In the animal world, there are three different classifications that describe the types of foods animals eat to stay alive and healthy. These are herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. But what does it means when experts say that cats are obligate carnivores? This section will describe the main types of eating classifications so you have a better understanding of a and its diet.
Herbivores
Herbivores are animals that get their , nutrients, and energy purely from plant sources. This can include things such as leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, and many other types of plants. Herbivores won’t eat or anything that comes from animals as their mouths can’t properly chew it and their bodies can’t properly digest it.
One example of a herbivore is a deer. They only get their nutrition from the plants that they find in the woods and other parts of the wild where they live.
Omnivores
Omnivores are animals that get their nutrition by eating both animal and plant products. This can include things such as meats, fats from animals, berries from bushes, and other plants. Omnivores eat the widest variety of foods, as they can properly chew and digest many different sources.
One example of an omnivore is a bear. Bears eat and fish while getting other nutrients from berries and other plants.
Carnivores
Carnivores are animals that get all of their nutrients from other animal sources. Carnivores can also be referred to as predators, as they have to hunt down their in order to get their daily nutrients, protein, fats, and minerals. Many carnivores feast on herbivores but have been known to prey on omnivores as well.
An example of a carnivore is a tiger. Tigers get all their from the of their prey.
Obligate Carnivores
According to the Cornell University Feline Health Center, “Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they rely on nutrients found only in animal products.” In essence, cats must eat the meat from animals in order to get all the fats, protein, minimal carbs, and other nutrients they need. The word “obligate,” which sounds a lot like “obligatory,” is key. Even though many cats are domesticated, it is crucial to their wellbeing, obligatory even, that they get their nutrients from animal sources.
Giving them from sources that are heavily processed or contain lots of carbohydrates may harm your , so it’s recommended you stick to a natural type of whenever possible. These next few sections will talk more about what cats can and cannot eat.
Foods That Cats Need to Stay Healthy
Cats need to eat certain amounts of specific foods in order to remain happy and healthy. In this section, you’ll discover all the different types of foods that should be incorporated into a ‘s diet to accomplish that goal.
It should be noted that the best-balanced foods will incorporate nutrients from all the foods we’re about to talk about, so you may not even need to feed them additional . However, these things are okay to give to your in small amounts as the . If you’re considering feeding your a raw diet, we recommend consulting your veterinarian with your feeding plan to ensure you’ve included everything your to thrive.
and Fish
The foods that cats in the wild eat in the largest quantity are and fish. gives cats the they need to maintain their muscle mass and ensure that bodily processes function properly. The small amounts of fats present in certain sources also help to sustain these processes. Before feeding to your , ensure that all is cooked to the proper temperature. Feeding raw to your may accidentally infect him with harmful bacteria or parasites. Additionally, you’ll want to remove the bones and skin from the source if it’s present, as they contain ingredients that cats can’t digest properly. The following list details the types of cooked you can safely give your :
- Beef
- Liver
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Lamb
Fish serves the same purpose as . It gives your the protein they need in their diet to survive. However, fish also contains necessary omega-3 that are beneficial for your ‘s bone health and prevent kidney disease. If you want to give your fish, make sure to cook it to the proper temperature and remove all the bones before feeding.
Eggs
Eggs are another that is safe to feed to cats in smaller amounts. Eggs contain both protein and healthy fats that can help a maintain their bodily functions properly. If you’re going to give your eggs as a treat, you’ll want to be sure to cook them all the way through. Feeding cats raw eggs can potentially give them salmonella or E. Coli, which can make your very sick or worse.
Whole Grains
Whole-grain foods contain vitamins, minerals, and protein, which are all things cats need in their diets to survive. Here’s a helpful list of what whole-grain foods you can feed your in small amounts that may benefit their health:
- Oats
- Whole-wheat breadcrumbs
- Barely
- White rice
- Brown rice
We recognize that there can be a lot of controversy over whether or not a grain-free diet is better for your than a diet that includes grains. While many think that grain-free is healthier for your , that’s not always the case. Many grains are healthy to feed to your in small amounts, as they may provide the minerals they may not get from the they eat. However, if your has a tough time digesting certain foods or if they have a sensitive stomach, it may be best to steer clear of foods that may be difficult to consume. At the end of the day, what matters most is that your is happy and healthy. If you have questions about your ‘s diet and whether grains will benefit them, we recommend talking to your veterinarian for further guidance.
Vegetables
Many people may think that it’s not safe to feed your vegetables as they can upset their stomach. Feeding your cat raw vegetables could harm their digestive tract because cats’ cannot digest the plant cell walls in many vegetables. But there are several vegetables that are safe to give them after they’ve been cooked. Cats can eat cooked vegetables because during the cooking process, the vegetables’ cell walls are broken down to the point that they are easy to digest.
In fact, there are many vegetables included in blends that offer dietary supplements in the form of minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients. Here’s a list of all the different vegetables you can feed your in small, cooked amounts:
- Carrots
- Corn
- Peas
- Broccoli florets
- Spinach
- Pumpkin
Fruits
Like vegetables, there are some fruits you can give to your in small amounts that can provide crucial vitamins and minerals that they may not get from or their . Here’s a list of the fruits that are safe to feed to your furry friend:
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Peeled apples
- Peeled bananas
- Seedless watermelon
Some of these fruits need to be peeled before feeding them to your because the skin is difficult or impossible for your to digest. If they swallow the skin, it could make them constipated or unable to digest other foods. As always, if there are any foods you have questions about, consult your veterinarian as they will know what’s best for your .
Foods That Cats Can’t Consume
Just as there are foods that cats need to survive, there are also foods that make them sick. Here, we’ll identify those foods and why you shouldn’t feed them to a under any circumstances. If your accidentally eats any of these foods, we recommend taking them to the veterinarian right away so they can get the help they need.
Processed Foods
In today’s society, many options at the grocery store include heavily processed ingredients. From the crackers we like to snack on to frozen TV dinners, they all contain preservatives and other ingredients to help extend their shelf life.
Some of these processed foods might smell good to your , and you may even notice that they will waltz up to you and try to get you to give them some. However, it is never recommended to feed your any of these processed foods. There are simply too many harmful chemicals in these foods that cats can’t digest or break down by themselves.
Some Vegetables
There are some vegetables that contain oxidants and other substances that are either toxic or hard for cats to break down. Here, we’ll identify some of those vegetables and why you shouldn’t feed them to your furry friend.
Onions
Onions shouldn’t be fed to cats because they have a harmful sulfur oxidant that’s extremely toxic to cats. If ingested, this can damage a ‘s red blood cells leading to anemia or worse.
Avocados
Avocados contain too much fat for your to be able to properly digest. Additionally, the skin or pit in the middle can pose a choking hazard, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.
Tomatoes
The red portion of the tomato isn’t harmful in and of itself. However, the stem and other green parts of the tomato include a toxin that cats can’t digest. If ingested, they can experience vomiting, diarrhea, or worse.
Some Fruits
While there are many beneficial fruits that your can enjoy, there are many others that are toxic to him as well. Let’s take a look at some of those toxic fruits and why your shouldn’t eat them.
Cherries
Cherries naturally contain small amounts of cyanide in their pits and stems. If your furry friend ingests these parts of a cherry, they could become very sick in a short amount of time.
Grapes/Raisins
Grapes and raisins are another that is delicious to humans but toxic to cats. While it is unknown what specific chemical makes them so harmful to cats, they should be avoided. If ingested, your could fall ill with diarrhea, vomiting, and even kidney failure.
Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits like lemons and limes should also be avoided. While they aren’t necessarily toxic to cats, their acidity can cause your to have an that can be hard to recover from once ingested.
Chocolate (Of Any Kind)
While chocolate is a tasty treat that many humans enjoy, cats likely won’t find it all that delicious. Even if they are enticed by the sweet smell, it’s never safe for cats to eat chocolate of any variety. Chocolate contains a substance called methylxanthine which is toxic to cats. If your eats chocolate, they will likely become ill and can experience muscle tremors, a fever, increased thirst, and even seizures.
Why Cats Can Safely Eat Bananas (Small Amounts Only!)
Contrary to what some people may believe, it is safe and sometimes even beneficial to offer bananas to cats in small amounts. They are a good ! It is worth mentioning that not all cats will like bananas, which is okay!
Despite the fact that cats are obligate carnivores, there may be some nutrients, vitamins, and minerals they don’t get from that can be supplemented into their diets via other foods. Bananas are one of those foods. Bananas have nutrients in them, such as , , , magnesium, and calcium. These can help cats with their bone strength and other bodily processes.
Despite bananas having for cats, they also have elements that can harm cats if given to them too often or in large amounts. The biggest factor to keep in mind is that bananas are filled with carbohydrates and natural sugars. Because cats get most of their nutrition from sources, their bodies are not designed to process heavy amounts of carbohydrates or . Too many bananas could make them sick and harm their digestive systems.
How to Properly Introduce Bananas Into Your ‘s Diet
If you want to try giving bananas to your in a safe manner, follow these steps so you don’t feed them too much at once.
The first thing you need to do is remove the , just like you would if you were eating it. peels are completely indigestible and will block your ‘s digestive tract. Next, cut the into 1-inch sections to even up their sizes. Then cut those 1-inch sections into bite-size pieces so it’s easier for your to eat.
Now you’re done! You can introduce the to your to see if they want to eat it. We recommend feeding your 1 to 2 pieces only every once in a while. If you feed your a every day, they could fall ill or become constipated.
In Conclusion
Although cats may seem like complicated animals, they are simple creatures once you understand more about them and their diets. Being obligate carnivores, they get all of the sustenance they need to survive from other animals and animal products. However, they can eat and digest other foods in smaller quantities.
One of the most common questions owners ask is if their cats can eat human foods. Bananas are good for humans, so and benefit from them too? While bananas may be beneficial in a , be extra careful not to feed bananas to your too often, as they may get sick from the and carbohydrates.
We hope you were able to learn more about cats and what foods are safe for them to eat. After reading, you should be an expert on the wonderful world of cats and their diets! We hope you have a purrfect day!