6 Human Foods Perfectly Safe for Cats
While dogs eat whatever treats or table scraps you hand out to them, cats are a bit picky. However, this pickiness is good, since it keeps your feline safe from hazardous foods. Nonetheless, there are certain human foods that are safe for cats. Although your cats can consume these foods, always make sure their diet has more “cat” food than “human” food (less than 15 percent of their diet), for their best health.
Following are some human foods that you can include in their diet.
Carrots
You can never go wrong with cooked carrots. In fact, this veggie is often found as an essential ingredient in most commercial packaged feline food. Carrots are rich in beta carotene and other essential nutrients making these healthy treats for cats. Make sure to always cook the carrots well. Raw carrots can be a choking hazard for cats.
Chicken
Cats are carnivores. Although they eat some veggies, their major diet must consist of meat to maintain a balanced diet. Lean chicken is a great food option for cats. High in protein, chicken is often a favorite among most cats. Keep your cat away from raw chicken as it may cause infection due to salmonella. Cooked chicken is a safe treat that can be given to your feline. Make sure to remove the skin as it contains high amounts of fats and may prove harmful for cats.
Eggs
Another human food that is safe for cats to consume is eggs. These are rich in calcium, protein, and B vitamins. Moreover, eggs are easily found in packaged foods for cats. Make sure to cook the eggs, since raw eggs increase the risk of food-borne infection and diseases. Also, avoid adding onions or garlic to the eggs, as these bulbous veggies are toxic for cats.
Pumpkin
A feline-friendly human food, pumpkin is high in fiber. It provides the necessary roughage to keep your cat’s digestive system function smoothly. Moreover, pumpkins are low in calories. If a cat has abnormal stools, pumpkin can help. Always give pureed pumpkin with the seeds and skin removed. Pumpkin in pureed form can be easily mixed with cat treats.
Salmon
Already found in nearly all commercial cat foods, salmon is one of the healthiest and delicious human foods that are perfectly safe for cats. Salmon is packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids that keep your furry pal strong. Always give cooked salmon to cats. Also, remember to clean out the fish bones. Don’t feed raw salmon, as it may contain E.coli or salmonella, which will make your cat sick.
Spinach
You may have probably noticed your cat eating grass or nibbling on houseplants. Certain houseplants may be toxic, cats usually nibble on these to vomit out hairballs. Nonetheless, if you are looking for a non-toxic alternative, you can give spinach to your feline pet. Spinach is often found in many packaged cat foods as they are low in calories and high in nutrients. Make sure to wash the spinach thoroughly. Also, if cats have kidney or bladder stones, avoid spinach as it can worsen the condition.