8 Human Foods You Can Share with Your Cat
If you’ve sat at the dining table with your cat at your feet, you’ve probably wondered if you can share a tidbit of your dinner with your cat. Cats have specific dietary needs, and some foods can be bad for cats (they can develop diabetes if fed foods high in sugar, for example) or end up at the vet if fed foods that are toxic to felines. That said, there are lots of human foods that are safe—and healthy!—to share with your cat. Read on for healthy human foods you can safely share. Just remember that moderation is key. In general, additional foods should make up no more than 10 percent of your cat’s regular diet. If you have any questions or concerns, consult your vet.
8 Human Foods Cats Can Eat
- LEAN MEATS: Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they have a biological requirement for a meat-based diet. Cats have no need for carbohydrates. (Dogs, on the other hand, are omnivorous.). This means cats love meat. Choose lean, cooked meats free of added spices and sauces to avoid stomach upset. The meats should also be unprocessed—processed meats are considered a class one carcinogen.
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- COOKED FISH: Most cats love fish. Packed with omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids, protein-rich fish is an excellent human food to offer your cat. Just make sure the fish you’re sharing with your cat is free of salt and spices. As a general rule, limit fish intake to 10 percent of your cat’s diet or less.
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- COOKED EGGS: Cooked eggs are a great choice for sharing with cats! Eggs are a perfect protein, highly digestible, and packed with nutrients like amino acids. Scrambled, hard-boiled—however you choose to prepare them is fine. Just skip the fat and the salt. Eggs make a wonderful occasional treat many cats adore.
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- PEAS: Peas are a low-calorie, high-fiber vegetable many cats enjoy. Many commercial cat foods contain peas. Fed as a treat, peas can help with constipation. If you have unshelled peas, remove the pod before giving them to your cat, as the pods can be hard to digest.
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- WATERMELON: Watermelon is popular with many cats— and its high water content is a bonus if you worry your cat is not drinking enough! Watermelon is also high in sugars, however, so this should be an occasional treat.
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- STEAMED BROCCOLI: Broccoli is an excellent cat-safe vegetable. Fibrous and packed with antioxidants, it is thought to be a cancer-fighter, reducing free radicals, and can also help keep your cat regular. Serve steamed and sparingly.
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- CARROTS: Cooked carrots are another cat-safe vegetable found in many commercial cat foods. They are rich in beta- carotene, the antioxidant responsible for the vibrant orange colour. The beta-carotene converts into vitamin A, which is great for cats—and humans too. Carrots also contain vitamins E and K, manganese, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, dietary fiber, and folate. Feed cooked carrots as a treat and in small amounts—raw carrots are not recommended for cats as they are harder to digest and may prove a choking hazard.
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- BLUEBERRIES: Antioxidant-rich blueberries can be a healthy treat for your cat. They can be fun, too—small and round, some cats like to bat them around the floor before eating them. Be sure to offer your cat only one or two blueberries— more and you risk stomach upset.
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This article originally appeared in the award-winning Modern Cat magazine. Subscribe today!
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