Has it ever crossed your mind that you have been slowly poisoning your cat with the wrong diet? Well, it will interest you to know that a large population of cat owners are ignorant of the appropriate food suitable for their cats to eat. Many have contributed to the ill health of their cats by innocently feeding them junk. So, what does cat eat?
What does cat eat? Meat, Salmon, eggs, oatmeal, spinach, cheese, chicken, banana, carrots, pumpkin, melon, and foods that contain taurine(majorly)are nutritious and recommended foods for cats to eat. It is important and necessary to find out the nutritional value of whatever food you intend to feed your cats.
Some foods are dangerous to the health of a cat when consumed excessively, while some foods are safe and healthy for consumption only when cooked or prepared in a certain way.
In general, we know that cats are carnivorous animals but it will interest you to know that cats also enjoy a good number of non-meat foods and snacks.
Portion size and method of preparation or cooking are the two main factors that sometimes determine if a certain food or snack is healthy and suitable for cat consumption. Below are what cats eat in detail.
Table of Contents
- Meat
- Salmon
- Eggs
- Oatmeal
- Spinach
- Cheese
- Chicken
- Bananas
- Apples
- Pumpkin
- Melon
- What Does Cat Eat? – Conclusion
Meat
Dogs can do without meats, but cats can’t, why is that? A cat’s body requires more amino acids and proteins because it breaks down these compounds faster than a dog’s body.
An important amino acid for cats is taurine which is found in protein-based cat foods such as meats, poultry, and fish. Unlike dogs who can independently produce taurine, cats can’t produce taurine, this is why they require it in their meals. When insufficient, this important amino acid will cause your cat to have heart failure or develop blindness.
Salmon
Looking for a protein-rich food necessary for the efficient nourishment of your cat? You can never go wrong with salmon. According to a veterinarian toxicologist, Renee Schmid, salmon is fine for cats. This omega-3 fatty acid-fortified natural protein is good for the overall health of your cat and is hereby highly recommended for cats to eat.
Cats can be fed salmon, but you have to ensure that the salmon is not served raw. Also, while preparing the salmon for the cat, make sure you do not add any spice or ingredient that could negatively interfere with the digestive system of the cat. Salmon encompasses various nutrients such as niacin, selenium, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and potassium, which have several health benefits for cats.
One of the health benefits of cats eating salmon is that salmon improves the immune system of cats. Another reason cats should eat salmon is that salmon reduces the chances of cats gaining excess weight, which can result in obesity.
Another advantage of feeding salmon to cats is that it contains the necessary nutrients to improve cats’ metabolism and thus their overall health. Improved vision, hair, and skin health of cats are other attributes that can be gotten from the consumption of good salmon due to its multivitamin content. When the issue of what cats eat comes up, salmon is a worthy mention.
Eggs
An affordable source of protein and vitamins for your cat is eggs. Eggs are also rich in other micro-nutrients that are vital for the well-being of cats. It is important to mention that eggs contain a good amount of valuable amino acids such as taurine, which can be very beneficial to the general well-being of a cat.
Taurine promotes the immune system of cats. Taurine can boost the digestion process of cats. It also has the potential to enhance heart function and improve the visual quality of cats.
The yolk, which is found in eggs, is also a great source of healthy fats for cats. It contains monosaturated fat, which is essential for the healthy function of the heart, and it also contains polyunsaturated fats such as Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, which are vital for the efficient and effective functioning of the brain, the nervous system, and also the heart.
Another key reason why cats should eat eggs is that eggs are a great source of essential multivitamins such as vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin E, and also vitamin D. Eggs contain biotin, thiamine, and riboflavin, which are important antioxidants that are beneficial to the health of a cat.
Aside from the numerous vitamins found in eggs, eggs also contain selenium, zinc, and iron. Selenium, zinc, and iron are important minerals that are essential for the promotion of hemoglobin, and these minerals also enhance the immune systems of cats, making eggs a good choice of food for cats to eat.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal will fit in perfectly as a direct answer to the question, what do cats eat?
Oatmeal is popular for being a human food, but it also contains antioxidants that are beneficial to the health of cats. Oatmeal is a good food choice for cats because oatmeal contains important minerals and vitamins such as vitamin B, vitamin E, selenium, iron, fiber, folic acid, manganese, and antioxidants, which are beneficial and healthy for the consumption of cats.
Due to the vitamins and minerals that can be derived from eating oatmeal, oatmeal is recommended for the improvement and strengthening of the teeth, bones, and nails of cats. Oatmeals are also beneficial for healthy cat fur and skin due to their manganese and zinc content. Oatmeals are a great choice for foods suitable for cat consumption.
Spinach
Another notable delicacy for cats is spinach because it is a vegetable rich in vitamins, calcium, and iron, which are healthy for cat consumption. Dr. Joanna Woodnutt (MRCVS) confirms that cats can eat spinach.
Spinach is an excellent food choice for cats because spinach is rich in vitamin A, which is an essential vitamin for cats as it is known to improve the visual quality of cats, healthy growth of cats, and also the effective functioning of the immune system of cats.
Spinach is also recommended for cats because it contains vitamin B6, which is known to enhance the nervous system, improve the functions of red blood cells, and also boost the immune system. Spinach is also a good source of manganese, which is important for bone health and also the effective functioning of the nervous system of cats.
The fiber nutrients found in spinach are another important reason why cats should eat spinach because fiber promotes the effective functioning of the digestive system and fiber is also good for regulating weight.
Another key benefit of feeding cats with quality spinach is that spinach is rich in iron, which is very necessary for the smooth circulation and transportation of oxygen in the body of cats, which is highly beneficial to the general health of cats. 5. Spinach is recommended as a nutritious food for cats to eat.
Cheese
High in protein and calcium, cheese tastes great and can be enjoyed by the entire household, including the cats. However, it is important to note that cheese should not be a regular food in your cat’s diet as excessive consumption of cheese can lead to stomach upset.
It is recommended that cheese should be eaten in moderation to avoid any health challenges. Cheese is generally safe for cat consumption, but too much cheese consumption can lead to obesity in cats because it is high in calories.
Although cheese is recommended for cats to eat in moderation, it is important to know that it is also high in sodium, which is another reason why the quantity of cheese consumed by cats should be regulated to derive the benefits of eating cheese while reducing any health risks. It is also advisable that you go through the ingredients list on the cheese to ensure you select a brand with zero harmful additive ingredients.
Fruits to give your cats: Guava, and Korean pear.
Chicken
Cats are lovers of meat. Chicken meat is a very nutritious food that contains healthy protein suitable for cats. Chicken is highly recommended for consumption by cats because cats are generally carnivorous. Chicken is rich in protein, which is essential for the muscle health of cats.
However, the method of cooking or preparing the chicken should be thoroughly evaluated to avoid the addition of harmful additives during the preparation.
In most cases, it is easy to unintentionally add excess or unhealthy ingredients and spices to chicken meat while cooking in a bid to enhance its taste, but more attention should be given when cooking chicken to be eaten by a cat to ensure that no unnecessary ingredients are added which might negatively impact the health of a cat.
A delicious chicken breast without skin is a good source of protein for cats. Also, you can use chicken or turkey neck to keep your cat’s breath fresh, especially if they hate the toothbrush.
Bananas
This soluble fiber and potassium-rich food can serve as a healthy snack for cats. However, it should be consumed in moderation as it contains sugar. Bananas are a natural source of potassium, which is beneficial to the general well-being of cats.
However, bananas are high in sugar and calories, especially when consumed in large quantities. Bananas are good for cats to eat, but they should not be a large part of a cat’s diet because eating too many bananas can lead to excessive and unwanted weight gain, which can be harmful to a cat’s overall health.
This should be eaten by cats in moderation and under supervision to ensure that only the adequate quantity required for health benefits is eaten by a cat, to derive the health benefits that come from the high potassium content of bananas for cats.
Apples
Apples are high in fiber and good for cats. Before feeding them to your cats, remember to remove the seeds and stem. The stems, leaves, and seeds of apples contain a harmful substance known as cyanide. Although cyanide can be fatal to cats’ health, they must consume a large amount of the stems, leaves, and seeds for this to happen.
It is advisable to make sure only the flesh of apples is served to cats to prevent the ingestion of cyanide and to promote the absorption of the high fiber content found in apples to boost the overall health of cats.
Pumpkin
Cats can eat pumpkins because pumpkins are low in calories, high in fiber, and recommended for cats who experience unhealthy stooling. However, it is important to only feed cats plain and cooked pumpkins.
Spices and other additives might be harmful to the digestive systems of cats, which is why pumpkin should be served plain to cats to enjoy the benefits of consuming the high fiber content of pumpkin, which is good for the metabolism and general health of cats. Pumpkin is also a good choice of food for cats because of its low Content which is good to avoid excess weight gain or obesity in cats.
Melon
Another good source of vitamins for cats is melon, and it is safe for cat consumption. A veterinary doctor, Dr. Lorna White More, affirms that “in general, melon is safe for cats to eat. Melons are rich in dietary fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamins, which are good for cat health.
The multivitamins found in melons as antioxidants that free radicals in the bodies of cats and also boost the functions of cells in cats.” It is important to note that melons have a good quantity of natural sugar, which can also affect the health of cats when consumed excessively.
As such, cats should eat melons in moderation to effectively enjoy the benefits of the valuable vitamins and minerals found in melons while reducing the health threat associated with the consumption of excess sugar.
What do cats eat? Cats eat meats, they are obligate carnivores. and require meat to survive. For a proper feline diet, your cat needs high protein with the inclusion of taurine, calcium, Vitamin B3, thiamine, and pyridoxine. Most of these nutrients are animal-based, which is why vegetable-based diets are unnecessary
What Does Cat Eat? – Conclusion
Cats eat majorly meat, they get all their nutrients from meat, and if there is a need to supplement your kitty’s diet, it should be as a result of a vet’s recommendation. Every other veggie and fruit should be used as treat. cats are lovely creatures that deserve proper care and nutrition.
Some notable foods cats should eat that are absent from this list are carrots, cantaloupe, and turkey. The mentioned foods that are recommended for cats to eat in this post are legitimate. However, it is wise and safe to always consult a veterinarian before feeding your cat any new food.
