Feeding meat or fish exclusively can cause serious health problems. Although some cats are fussy eaters, many do not have an “off” button and will continue eating long after they need to, given half a chance. Obesity is regarded as a serious and unfortunately common problem in cats.
While it's perfectly acceptable to feed your cat a commercial dry or wet food, you can offer variety in your feline's diet by feeding it cooked or raw, fresh meat. Many cat's love fish; however, it is not an acceptable food for daily feeding.
Remember to include chicken as part of your cat's daily treat allowance, fed with a balanced diet. Feeding only cooked chicken long term can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Cats are carnivores and need meat in their diets to survive (sorry vegans, but you can't put your cat on a plant-based diet). Give your kitty some cooked beef, chicken, turkey, even deli meats from your local grocery store. Be careful and don't feed them raw meat, or you could make your cat sick.
Despite popular belief, fish is NOT good for cats to eat. Fish is actually an allergen for cats.
1) Fish Might Cause Kidney and Urinary Tract Issues
In some cases, sensitive cats can develop cystitis and even urinary blockages if they eat any fish at all.
In general, the small amounts of “fish meal” included as a flavoring and/or source of omega-3 fatty acids in cat foods are not a problem, but fish should not be a mainstay of any cat's diet. Fish should be limited to an occasional–and small–treat.
According to PetMD, chicken in small amounts is fine, but shouldn't be used as a steady meal replacement. It also should be as “naked” as possible, free of oils or seasonings, as those additions might upset your cat's stomach.
Meat. Cats are meat eaters, plain and simple. They have to have protein from meat for a strong heart, good vision, and a healthy reproductive system. Cooked beef, chicken, turkey, and small amounts of lean deli meats are a great way to give them that.
Since rice is only good to harden the stool, it serves no purpose for healthy adult cats. A daily meal of chicken and rice could also cause nutritional imbalances like: Protein deficiency—Cats need about five grams of proteins per day for every kilo of their body weight.
Don't feed a cat ham, bologna, salami, or other processed or smoked meats. Raw Fish. If you get sushi grade, very fresh fish, a small amount is likely okay, but otherwise raw fish may be contaminated with bacteria that could harm your cat.
Although cats are notoriously finicky, most felines find the mild flavor of chicken appealing. Fish, on the other hand, may be a good choice for a cat that hasn't been eating well, advises Tracy R. Dewhirst, DVM, who writes a pet advice column for the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.
Boiled, baked, or grilled fish works best for your cat. Oily fish like tuna and sardines offer more significant nutritional benefits to your cat in the form of healthy fats than white fish such as flounder or hake. As always, consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your cat's diet.
Yes, cats can eat eggs. Fully cooked eggs are a great nutritional treat for cats. Eggs are packed with nutrients, like amino acids, which are the building blocks to protein, and they're also highly digestible. Scrambled, boiled, however you choose to prepare them is fine.
Also, recipes with novel proteins (like Turkey, Duck, Lamb, etc.) may be easier on your sensitive cat's belly. When you're looking at wet cat food, it should contain easily digestible and stomach soothing ingredients.
While other common farmyard proteins have slightly higher protein and amino acid content, Lamb has more vitamins and minerals that offer cats many benefits. To know more about why you should start adding Lamb to your cat's diet, we highlighted its top 6 health benefits.
Yes, they are. In fact, a boiled egg is a great meal for a cat, shell included. However, always be sure to break the egg up a little first to ensure it's not a choking hazard. Eggshells are filled with calcium, so they can be a great source for increasing bone density within our leaping and bounding felines.
In the wild, cats eat the carcases of the prey animals they hunt, which consist of raw meat, bones and organs. They also consume a small amount of the vegetable matter contained in the gut of their prey.
When feeding your cat boiled eggs, you must know how much you give them. Too much can lead to digestive issues such as nausea or vomiting, so it is best not to give more than one egg daily. This will ensure the egg does not replace vital nutrients in your cat's diet.
There's not one best kind of protein.
Cats need animal protein, fat, and other vitamins and minerals -- and they can get these nutrients from many different sources. The protein in commercial cat foods can come from chicken, poultry, beef, lamb, fish, liver, or meat or chicken “byproducts,” also called “meal.”
Although sardines should only be given to cats as a special treat or meal on occasion, these high-protein fishes will give your cat plenty of energy and have many nutrients and minerals which are very healthy for your cat!
Much as you can feed your salmon-loving cat salmon, you can alternate cooked salmon with cooked tuna-although in moderation, of course. Preferably as an alternate cooked fish treat. As with cooked salmon, cooked tuna is nutritionally beneficial and safe for you tabby-though maybe not as much as salmon.