Cat parents, can you relate? You’re on the couch enjoying a snack while watching Netflix and your cat won’t leave you be! She’s pawing, purring, and rubbing all up on you trying to get you to share a bite. If your cat is constantly wanting you to share your human food with her, the good news is, there are plenty of foods that are AOK safe to share with your cat. This post includes 8 human foods safe to share with your cat and a handful you should definitely avoid, as well.
What Can Cats Not Eat?
It’s best to be a bit cautious when sharing human foods with your feline friend. While it can be tempting to give in every time your kitty paws you begging for a bite of your snack or the leftovers from dinner, keep in mind that your cat has a very different digestive system than you do!
Cats are not designed to handle large quantities of sugar or too many carbs. It’s key to avoid foods that can potentially cause your cat harm and to keep the calorie count in mind, too. While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some of the human foods you should definitely avoid feeding your cat:
- Grapes & Raisins
- Onion
- Garlic
- Ice Cream
-
Xylitol
Chocolate
1: Berries
Berries are not only safe to share with cats, but they’re packed with nutrients that make them an excellent ingredient to consider for treating your cat. Blueberries, raspberries, cranberries...they’re all absolutely packed with antioxidants that help support your feline’s immune system to support overall health. Plus, they taste great! If your kitty has a sweet tooth and is frequently begging you to share your sweets with her, try treating her to a few blueberries or a handful of raspberries instead.
2: Pumpkin
Does your feline friend have a healthy gut? If she’s experiencing digestive discomfort or isn’t regularly visiting the litterbox, consider sharing some pumpkin with your pet. It’s packed with fiber that supports healthy digestion. Plus, it is a touch sweet and totally filling, making it the perfect snack for your cat. Add a dollop of pumpkin to your cat’s food bowl to let her enjoy some pumpkin along with her normal meal or choose pumpkin-filled treats to add to her daily routine. Feed your cat fresh pumpkin cubes or go for canned pumpkin if you have some in your pantry. This is one human food that’s incredibly nutritious and helps benefit your feline friend and her digestive wellness.
3: Carrots
There’s a reason you’re told to eat carrots as a little kid, and it’s because they are packed with phytonutrients that support overall health, eyesight, and more. The good news for your feline friend is that carrots are totally safe for cats to eat and make for a nutritious, crunchy snack to chomp on. Make sure you chop carrots up into small, bite-sized pieces for your cat so she can chew and digest them better and make sure they don’t cause her digestive discomfort before you pile them on top of her cat dish.
4: Eggs
Did you know that cats can eat eggs? They’re an excellent source of protein and contain healthy fats that support your cat’s skin health, mood, and more. Scramble up some eggs and share a bite with your cat or add a handful of hardboiled eggs to her food dish to add eggs to your cat’s diet. Some pet parents even add a raw egg to their kitty’s food dish but keep in mind that uncooked eggs can carry pathogens and exercise caution before choosing to feed eggs to your cat in this way. Just make sure you avoid giving your cat eggs that have been seasoned or have added oil or butter since these things can be harmful to your cat.
5: Bananas
Bananas contain a host of essential nutrients that your cat needs to consume on a daily basis and some that are added benefits to her health. They contain Vitamin C to support your feline’s immune system, potassium to help her stay healthy, Vitamin B6 to help your kitty have plenty of energy, and more. Plus, bananas taste amazing! Your cat will surely enjoy taking a bite from your banana or chomping on some dried banana chips if you prefer feeding bananas to your cat in that way.
6: Spinach
You can share a salad with your cat! Leafy greens like spinach are safe to feed your cat in moderation. Too much spinach will likely upset your feline friend’s diet, but adding a little bit to her food dish is a great way to add nutrient value and make sure your kitty is eating her veggies every day! Bake spinach into treats for your cat or dice some to add to her food bowl. And, if you are planning to share spinach directly from your salad with your cat, make sure you reach for a piece that doesn’t have any dressing or toppings on it.
7: Apples
An apple a day keeps the Vet away? While the saying might not be exactly accurate, apples are a healthy food you can add to your cat’s diet. They’re packed with fiber to help with healthy digestion and work to keep your kitty and her gut comfortable. Apples also contain lots of antioxidant properties to help fight free radicals and help protect your cat against age-related health issues as your cat gets older.
8: Oatmeal
The next time you’re eating breakfast, keep this in mind: you can share oatmeal with your cat. This is one grain that is generally considered safe for your cat and contains a variety of nutrients that benefit your cat. Oatmeal is filled with fiber that helps with digestion and this breakfast staple helps keep your kitty regular and having healthy bowel movements. Oatmeal is also incredibly filling, so it’s a food that’s perfect for your cat to snack on if you’re helping her watch her feline figure.
It’s best to check with your Vet before introducing any of these foods to your cat’s diet. And make sure you keep a close eye on your kitty when she’s trying something new so you can intervene if she happens t have an allergy or other adverse reaction.
PetHonesty Supplements To Consider For Your Cat
To support your cat as you help her explore new things and tries human food samples, grab a jar of Digestive Probiotics+ Powder For Cats. This supplement is made with bacteria that will help replenish and rebalance the bacteria in your cat’s gut to promote healthy digestion and help her handle new ingredients!
Sources:
https://www.wkbw.com/news/12-human-foods-that-are-safe-for-your-cat-to-eat
https://be.chewy.com/nutrition-food-treats-15-human-foods-that-are-safe-for-cats/
https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-nutrition/what-can-cats-eat/human-foods-for-cats
