Category: Cat Nutrition

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Cat Nutrition

Can Cats Eat Eggs? The Dos and Don’ts of Cooked and Raw Eggs for Cats

So you’ve probably had days where you’ve shared food off your plate with your cat. Or maybe you cook some of your purring partner’s meals to give them a wholesome diet that keeps them fighting fit. But, a common question among pet owners is: can cats eat eggs? 

Well, unlike other posts we’ve done about cats and human food, eggs are a great dietary addition for cats, as long as it’s in moderation. Let’s take a closer look at some of the details:

Can Cats Eat Eggs?

So, can cats eat eggs? The short answer is yes, they can. In fact, eggs can be a very healthy addition to your kitty’s diet. Eggs are a form of superfood for cats. They’re packed with easy to digest protein. They also contain all essential amino acids which will help your cat maintain healthy and lean muscles. 

The Dangers of Salmonella and Other Bacteria

When it comes to eggs for cats, salmonella is no yolk! As in humans, eggs can carry harmful bacteria that can make your little buddy really sick. One of these is salmonella, a bacterial disease that can cause serious illness and, if left untreated, can lead to death. 

But, salmonella isn’t the only bug to look out for. E. Coli is another dangerous bacteria that can affect your cat if you don’t prepare the eggs in the correct way. Aside from limiting their intake to one egg a week, you should also make sure the eggs you feed your cat are:

  • Within their sell-by date
  • Smelling fresh
  • Cooked through

Raw Eggs and Avidin

Another question is: can cats eat raw eggs? Well, unlike their cooked counterparts, you should NEVER (and we mean NEVER) feed your cat raw eggs. Raw eggs contain avidin, a protein that stops both humans and cats from absorbing biotin, an extremely important vitamin for skin and hair health. By cooking the eggs, you’re denaturing the avidin and boosting the biotin content. 

A Balanced Diet Is Key to Your Kitty’s Health

So, can cats eat eggs? Yes. But, the key to your cat’s diet is balance and variety. Cat food bought from the supermarket or vet’s is designed to contain all of the vitamins, minerals, protein, carbs, and fat that your cat needs to stay healthy. 

While it’s absolutely fine to give them the odd treat, there is really no reason to create a personalized diet plan of human food for your cat. In fact, if you don’t know your stuff, this can actually be detrimental to their health in the long run. Our advice is to stick to their regular food most of the time and occasionally treat them to human food that you know won’t negatively affect their health. 

Looking to adopt a purring pedigree to add to your family unit? If so, check out Cat People, our secure platform where you can choose from a variety of adorable cats that all need a new home. 

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Cat Nutrition

Can Cats Eat Chocolate? (Hint: They Definitely Can’t!)

As pet owners, there are thousands of tasty treats that we want to share with our furry friends. Unfortunately, cats don’t have the same digestive capabilities as humans. But, how can we know what is good and bad for our cats’ bellies? More importantly, can cats indulge in some of our sweet treats? For example, can cats eat chocolate? 

Well, the short answer is no. But, let’s take a closer look at why cats and chocolate simply don’t mix in this article. 

Can Cats Eat Chocolate?

Most people know that chocolate is bad for dogs, but did you know that this also applies to cats? That’s right, our feline friends can’t eat one of the most delicious foods on our supermarket shelves. Chocolate contains theobromine, an ingredient that unlike humans, cats can’t metabolize. The worst thing is that your cat doesn’t have to each much chocolate to get very sick!

How Much Chocolate Is Toxic to Cats?

The truth is, different types of chocolate have different levels of theobromine. A toxic dose of the ingredient in cats is 200mg per kilo. When it comes to milk chocolate, your cat only needs 1.14oz to experience negative side effects. And, that’s not to mention the dairy which may also upset their stomach. 

Dark chocolate and semisweet chocolate are more of a concern as your cat will only need to eat 0.5oz to get sick. The worst type, however, is baking chocolate, where only a 0.2oz dose can be dangerous for cats. 

Chocolate Poisoning Symptoms in Cats

Chocolate toxicity in cats varies in symptoms depending on the type of chocolate, the size of your cat, and it’s overall health. Plus, all cats have different sensitivity levels to both theobromine and the caffeine found in cacao. Some of the symptoms you should look out for include:

  • Restlessness or hyperactivity
  • Tremors
  • Increased reflexes or twitchiness
  • Rapid breathing or heart palpitations
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Excessive thirst
  • Seizures
  • Muscle rigidity

Theobromine toxicity in cats can lead to death in very severe cases. It’s important to note, however, that your cat is extremely unlikely to go for your chocolate as they’ll likely prefer their own food. 

Steps to Take If Your Cat Eats Chocolate

So, is chocolate bad for cats? The short answer is yes! If your cat experiences any of the symptoms above, take them to your local vet as quickly as possible. If caught early on, your vet may be able to induce vomiting to clear some of the chocolate from their body. Also, bring any packaging from the chocolate bar with you so your vet has a clear picture of what they’re dealing with. 

Looking for a pedigree partner to add to your family? If so, check out our Cat People platform, a secure place where you can browse for the purrfect pet for your home!

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Cat Nutrition

Can Cats Eat Cheese? The Answer May Surprise You!

There is some serious debate surrounding cats and their relationship with dairy products. It’s common for people to feed their cat a little milk but are we sure it’s actually good for them? And, if they drink milk, can cats eat cheese? 

Well, despite popular belief, the majority of cats are either lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy altogether, causing havoc on their digestive system. In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at the relationship between cats and milk products. 

Can Cats Eat Cheese?

So, can cats eat cheese? Well, technically yes but it’s not recommended. In fact, if you are going to feed your cat cheese or any other dairy product for that matter, you should do it in moderation. Keep this tasty treat for when you need them to swallow a pill, for example. You should avoid making it a daily or even a weekly snack. 

Can Cats Drink Milk?

Another common question is can cats drink milk? Well, the same answer applies to all dairy products. As humans, the majority of us naturally produce the enzyme lactase which helps us break down and digest dairy products. 

Kittens produce more lactase than adult cats as they need it to drink milk from their mother’s teet. Unfortunately, once they stop weaning, their lactase production decreases significantly meaning their ability to digest milk is long gone. 

Are Cats Lactose Intolerant?

When humans don’t produce enough lactase enzyme, we also fall under the lactose intolerant category. With this in mind, it makes complete sense for cats to be put in the same category. As cats are also intolerant or allergic to dairy, they may experience some or all of the following symptoms:

  • Inflammation
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Constipation
  • Gas
  • Hair loss
  • Skin conditions

If your cat experiences any of the symptoms listed above make sure to take them to your local vet for a check-up. Long-term ingestion of lactose products could lead to further issues with their immune system. 

What About Non-Dairy Alternatives?

Today, there are hundreds of dairy-free alternatives that still come from cows. If you have a lactose intolerance but can eat lactose-free cheese you may be wondering if your kitty can too, right? Well, technically yes but (and this is a big but!) cheese also has a lot of fat and salt in it. 

Our much larger and more robust systems are equipped to break these down, transporting them through the body and expelling them at a later time. With cats, on the other hand, this high fat and salt content can be a serious shock to their system. In fact, it may hinder your cat’s growth and development in the long run. 

Looking for a new kitty to welcome to your household? If so, check out our Cat People platform, a safe place for you to find the perfect pedigree pal. 

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Cat Nutrition

What Do Cats Eat? A Comprehensive Guide to Feeding Your Cat

Similarly to humans, cats love to eat a variety of foods. From meat to veggies, and even some fruits, you’ll find your cat enjoys even the most bizarre of treats. But, as a cat owner, it’s important that you know what you should and shouldn’t feed them to ensure they stay healthy. So, what do cats eat? 

Well, in this article we’re going to tell you a little more about the ultimate cat diet as well as a list of foods that you should include in your furry friend’s feeding routine. 

The Ultimate Carnivores

While some people may want to make their households more eco-friendly by switching their pets’ diets to a vegan one, cats are actually the ultimate carnivores. With this in mind, what do cats eat? Well, cats actually thrive when their diets include meat and fish (the latter in moderation). Your cat’s main energy source will be protein so make sure you keep that in mind when buying or making their food. 

Other Ingredients Cats Can Eat

When asking yourself what can cats eat, remember that despite their carnivorous tendencies, cats should also eat grains, vegetables, and small amounts of fruit. Just bear in mind that some of these foods will be easier to digest than others. 

Some cats are also pickier than others so if you find that yours is rejecting their food try mixing up their meals with a few special ingredients like a little chicken, some steamed veggies, or even a very small portion of blueberries, for example. 

Quality Over Quantity

While cats tend to only eat when they’re hungry, there is such a thing as cat obesity. With this in mind, the best cat food for indoor cats will depend on their age, weight, and size. The key is to feed them nutritious meals. You can either choose a high-quality, natural, and healthy cat food brand online or from your local vet, or take a look online at recipes you could prepare yourself with ingredients from your local supermarket. 

Do Cats Need a Feeding Routine?

As a rule of thumb, it’s best to get your cat into a feeding routine early on. If they’re not hungry, they won’t eat the food and will come back to it later. A feeding routine is a great way to avoid them becoming overweight in the long run. If you’re feeding your cat wet food and they don’t eat it, make sure to put it in the fridge as it may collect harmful bacteria that could make them sick if it sits outside all day. 

So, What Do Cats Eat?

From fish to meat, eggs, berries, veggies, and even small amounts of grains, cats can eat just about anything. Despite their healthy appetites, there are some foods you should avoid feeding your cat at all costs as they are highly poisonous to felines. These foods include:

  • Grapes, raisins, and sultanas
  • Caffeinated products (coffee, tea, chocolate, cola, etc.)
  • Nuts, fruit stones, and seeds
  • Bread dough
  • Dairy products
  • Mushrooms and tomatoes
  • Avocados
  • Onions
  • Cooked bones

If you’re looking for a new pedigree pet to cook amazing meals for, check out Cat People today! Our secure platform will allow you to find the purrfect pussycat for your home!