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.
Whole grains such as oats, corn, brown rice and even couscous all contain lots of protein and are all human foods your cat can eat.
The cat's favorite food
Cats love pork, chicken and beef. Beef is the only type of meat that can be given to a cat raw, as long as it is fresh. As well as meat, there are also other foods that your kitten likes to eat, perfect for making him happy on Christmas Day. Salmon and tuna are among the cat's favorite fish.
The safest way to serve eggs to cats is to ensure they are always cooked. Stick with boiled, scrambled or fried eggs. Just like humans, cats share the same potential risks in contracting Salmonella if consuming raw or undercooked foods.
Cheese and dairy are not good for cats. They aren't toxic to cats, but eating too much cheese can upset their stomach and lead to diarrhoea or vomiting. Eating cheese over a prolonged period can also lead to obesity. Some cheeses are also very high in salt, which can cause problems in excess just as it does in humans.
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.
So, can cats eat tuna? Tuna is not nutritionally balanced and should not be fed as a large part of your cat's meal plan. Even giving canned tuna as a treat can lead to health issues, especially if it is given in large amounts or frequently.
Is it bad for them? In a word, yes, cows' milk is bad for cats. Most cats are actually 'lactose intolerant' as they don't have the enzyme (lactase) in their intestines to digest the sugar in milk (lactose), meaning that milk which contains lactose can make them poorly.
Cats shouldn't eat bread on a regular basis but, rather, reserve it for a once in a while treat. Healthwise, there is nothing in baked bread that is bad for your cat, but the concern is that it also does not supply nutrients your cat needs. Essentially, for cats, bread is considered a source of empty calories.
Although many cats love the taste of this salty and sweet spread, cat parents should avoid giving their feline friends peanut butter. It provides no nutritional value and, more importantly, certain ingredients, like fat and added artificial sweeteners, can be harmful or even toxic to cats.
Cats should only really drink one thing to stay hydrated - water. Despite popular belief, milk is not good for cats and it's best to steer clear of dairy.
Most cats are lactose intolerant
This means that consuming lactose—which milk and most kinds of ice cream contain—can lead to upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting in cats. Furthermore, with its typical sugar, fat, and dairy content, ice cream can contribute to obesity in cats.
Superb vegetables to offer your cat are chopped carrots, peas, frozen corn, broccoli florets, green beans, zucchini, lettuce, spinach, winter squash, and pumpkin. This produce should be cooked (steamed is best) since felines, just like us humans, lack a sufficient way to break down plant cell walls.
It may be a staple in many human diets, but can cats eat rice? It's safe for cats to nibble on some cooked rice now. You may also see rice in a number of cat foods since it can contribute to a nutritionally balanced cat food.
Can cats eat bananas as a nutritious snack? Again, the answer is yes, but in moderation. Because they are calorie-rich, bananas are not at the top of the cat treat list, and your cat may not even want to eat bananas.
Oily fish such as tuna, salmon, and sardines are a superb nutritional supplement to your cat's diet. They are rich in healthy fats such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, which are great for your cat's eyesight and heart health.
Fish, such as tinned sardines in spring water, tinned tuna and tinned salmon (take care with any fish bones) can be offered as a treat occasionally but please avoid feeding fish constantly because this is not a complete diet.
Carrots are a safe vegetable to feed your cat. Even though cats are obligate carnivores, they can still consume carrots which are just as nutritious for them as they are for us.
So remember, nonfat plain yogurt is usually safe and healthy for cats and dogs to eat as a fun snack — just check the nutrition label first to make sure it doesn't contain a dangerous ingredient, like xylitol. And for even more power-packed benefits, consider adding a daily probiotic to their regimen.
So, while cats can eat bacon in moderation, you need to keep track of the bacon's high amounts of fat and sodium. With that in mind, it's probably a better option to stick with your cat's veterinarian-recommended food and treats.
The basic ingredients of pasta—flour, water, and eggs—are typically okay for cats to eat. The shape of the pasta also doesn't matter due to it's soft texture, so whether your preference is rotini or linguine, it should be fine for your cat to sample.