Home Cat Food Healthy Choices: What Cats Can Eat for Optimal Health

Healthy Choices: What Cats Can Eat for Optimal Health

by Dr. Gregory Pearson
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What cats can eat?

  • Cooked chicken
  • Cooked beef
  • Cooked turkey
  • Cooked fish (boneless)
  • Cooked eggs
  • Cooked green beans
  • Blueberries
  • Cooked oatmeal
  • Brown rice
  • Corn
  • Spinach
  • Pumpkin
  • Watermelon (seedless)
  • Cranberries

Cooked chicken

Yes, cats can enjoy cooked chicken as a treat! It’s a good source of protein for them. But remember, it’s important to prepare it right:

  • Cook it thoroughly: Make sure the chicken is fully cooked to get rid of any harmful bacteria.
  • Remove all bones: Chicken bones can be dangerous for cats, so take them out completely.
  • Keep it plain: No seasonings, spices, or sauces! These can be harmful to your furry friend.

Cooked, boneless, and plain chicken can be a yummy treat for your cat, but remember, it’s just a treat. Their regular cat food is still the most important for their overall health.

Chiken
credit goes to spayder_1979

Cooked beef

Cats love meat, and cooked beef is a great choice! It’s packed with protein and other good stuff they need to be healthy. Just make sure it’s fully cooked to avoid any yucky bacteria. And always, always remove all the bones! They can be super dangerous for your kitty.

Beef 1
credit goes to azerbaijan_stockers

To keep things simple, stick to lean beef without any fancy seasonings or spices. Those can upset their tummy.

Cooked turkey

Yes, cats can enjoy cooked turkey! It’s a lean protein source that many cats love. Just make sure to prepare it right:

  • Cook it all the way through to kill any harmful bacteria.
  • Remove all the bones. They can be dangerous for your kitty’s tummy.
  • Keep it plain. No seasonings, spices, or gravies. These can upset their stomach.
Turkey
credit goes to freepik

Cooked turkey can be a yummy treat for your cat, but remember, it’s just a treat. Their regular cat food is still the most important for their overall health.

Cooked Fish

Yes, cats can eat cooked fish. In fact, many cats love the taste! Fish is a great source of protein and contains healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for their skin and coat.

However, it’s important to prepare the fish correctly:

  • Cook it thoroughly: This kills any harmful bacteria that might be present.
  • Remove all bones: Fish bones can be a choking hazard and cause internal injuries.
  • Keep it plain: Avoid adding butter, oil, salt, or other seasonings, as these can be harmful to cats.
Fish
credits goes to freepik

While cooked fish can be a tasty treat, it shouldn’t replace your cat’s regular, balanced diet. Offer it as an occasional treat or in small amounts mixed with their regular food.

Cooked eggs

Eggs are a yummy protein-packed treat for your cat. They’re full of good stuff like protein and B vitamins. Scrambled or boiled, they can be a fun snack. But remember, they’re not dinner. Too many eggs might upset their tummy or make them gain weight. Some cats might be allergic, so start small and watch for trouble. If you’re not sure, ask your vet before making eggs a regular thing.

Eggs
credit goes to azerbaijan_stockers

Cooked green beans

Green beans can be a healthy surprise for your cat! They’re full of vitamins and help with digestion. But remember, cats are meat lovers, so green beans aren’t their main meal. Just a few soft, cooked green beans as a special treat are perfect. Always watch for allergies and if you’re not sure, ask your vet first.

Green
credit goes to azerbaijan_stockers

Blueberries

Blueberries are a yummy and healthy treat for your cat! They’re packed with vitamins for their eyes and immune system, and they help protect their cells. But remember, cats are meat eaters, so blueberries aren’t their main food. Just a few whole blueberries as a special snack are perfect. Always watch for allergies and if you’re not sure, ask your vet first.

Blueberries
credit goes to fotobomb

Cooked oatmeal

Oatmeal is safe for cats but not their ideal food. While it offers energy and B vitamins, cats are carnivores needing a protein-rich diet. Oatmeal is high in fiber and low in calories, which might upset their stomach if eaten too much. If you want to try it as a treat, use plain, cooked oatmeal and introduce it slowly.

Cooked Oatmeal
credit goes to chachamps

Brown rice

Brown rice is safe for cats in small amounts, but it’s not their ideal food. Cats are meat-eaters and get most of their nutrition from meat. While brown rice has some fiber, it’s not essential for them. If you want to give your cat a little brown rice, make sure it’s plain and cooked. Just a small amount as a treat is fine.

Brown Rice
credit goes to freepik

Corn

Corn isn’t really what cats need to be healthy. They’re meat-eaters and get most of their nutrition from meat, not grains like corn. While a tiny bit of plain, cooked corn as a treat is okay, it shouldn’t be a regular part of their diet. Always watch for any problems after trying new foods with your cat.

Cron
credit goes to jcomp

Spinach

Spinach is very healthy for humans but not so much for cats. It has vitamins and minerals that are good for us, but cats don’t need those from spinach. Too much spinach can even cause bladder stones in cats. It’s best to only give your cat spinach as a very small treat, not often. If you’re not sure, ask your vet. Cats need special food made for them to be healthy.

Spinach 2
credit goes to Racool_studio

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a great food for cats! It’s low in calories but high in fiber, which helps their tummy feel better. Many cats really like the taste. It can help with both diarrhea and constipation. Make sure to use plain pumpkin puree, not the kind for pies. A little bit goes a long way, so start small and see how your cat likes it.

Pumpkin
credit goes to jcomp

Watermelon

Watermelon is a juicy and refreshing treat that’s packed with nutrients! It’s a great source of vitamins like A, B1, B5, and C, which help your body stay healthy and strong. Watermelon also has important minerals that help your body work properly. It’s a low-calorie food that’s mostly water, so it’s perfect for staying hydrated on hot days.

Watermelon
credit goes to 8photo

Cranberries

Cranberries are a tasty and healthy treat for humans, but they’re not a big part of a cat’s diet. Cats are meat-eaters, so they get most of their nutrition from meat-based foods. While cranberries have some vitamins and antioxidants that are good for people, cats don’t really need them. It’s okay to give your cat a few cranberries as a special treat, but don’t make them a regular part of their diet. Always watch your cat for any problems after trying new foods.

Top View Red Cranberries Fresh Fruits White Table Fresh Berry Red Fruit 140725 72756
credit goes to KamranAydinov

What human food can cats not eat?

Foods Cats Cannot Eat:

  • Alcohol
  • Chocolate
  • Coffee and tea
  • Grapes and raisins
  • Onions, garlic, shallots, and chives
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Avocado
  • Xylitol (artificial sweetener)
  • Raw meat, eggs, and fish
  • Yeast dough
  • Milk and dairy products
  • Salt
  • Bones

How to feed cats human foods

While it’s tempting to share your food with your cat, it’s important to be careful about what you give them. Cats have different nutritional needs than humans, and some human foods can be harmful or even poisonous to them.

If you want to give your cat a human food treat, it’s best to start with small amounts and see how they react. Introduce new foods slowly and watch for any signs of upset stomach or allergies. Remember, treats should be just that – treats, and they shouldn’t replace your cat’s regular, balanced diet.

A good rule of thumb is to limit treats to about 20 calories per day. That’s about two teaspoons of cooked chicken or salmon, or around 25 blueberries.You don’t have to give them all of those treats at once. You can mix and match different healthy treats to reach that calorie goal.

Always talk to your vet before giving your cat any new foods, especially if they have any health problems. They can give you personalized advice on what’s safe and healthy for your cat.

What human food can kittens eat?

Kittens are growing quickly and need a lot of nutrition to stay healthy. Their primary source of food should be kitten food, which is specially designed to meet their needs. While you might be tempted to share your food with your cute kitten, it’s important to remember that human food isn’t always good for them. Some human foods can even be harmful.

If you want to give your kitten a taste of human food, it’s best to introduce it slowly and in small amounts. Start with simple foods like cooked, boneless chicken or scrambled eggs. Always make sure the food is cooked thoroughly to kill any harmful bacteria.

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