Posted on: 22 April, 2015
Author: Angela Tempest
Cats often come running at meal times and lick their lips at our meals. But what foods are safe to share with our cats and what may do more harm than good? Any cat owners knows that the super sharp feline nose can always tell when you are eating something tasty and their prompt arrival will be followed by meaningful stares to try and get a share. Some foods that we humans eat are naturally good for cats but others not so much so. So what meals are safe to share with our cats? Cats are carnivores so this means meat is the most important part of their diet. Of course in the wild, no-one adds seasoning or sauce so they are designed to eat meat straight up. Meat gives them the protein they need to have a strong heart, a healthy digestive system and to keep their eyes working well. Raw meat is not so good, even though nature says no-one cooks it for them in the wild, because the raw meat we humans have has been processed and this can make them ill. Cooked meats are fine, such as beef, chicken, turkey and lean deli meats so these can be shared in small amounts with your cat. Likewise most cats enjoy fish and with its high content of essential omega-3 fatty acids, it is great for them. Omega-3 is particularly good at helping the eye sight and is present in both canned and fresh fish. Again, make sure the fish is cooked and don’t be tempted to share sushi with them, no matter how many loving looks you get. Oats are another good source of protein that some cats may eat but generally they tend to favour smaller grains such as millet and couscous. Some cats will eat corn while polenta, made from ground cornmeal, has an interesting texture for them. make sure all grains are correctly cooked to allow them to be digested by the cat. Whole wheat bread is okay if they will eat it as well. Vegetables aren’t a natural menu item for cats and as they have no tastebuds to taste anything sweet, fruit doesn’t do much for them either. Both have loads of vitamins in as well as water and fibre so it is worth trying to tempt your feline into sampling them. everything from steam broccoli, asparagus or even mashed potatoes may take their fancy but don’t be surprised if the nose turns up. Many cats love cheese and other dairy products (one of mine is a fiend for soft cheese) and there is protein in these products but not as much good protein as in meat or fish. Some cats struggle with dairy products so if there is any signs of an upset stomach after sampling some, then keep this off the sharing menu. There are a number of foods that are a complete no-go for cats and can even be toxic for them. these include: Sharing a little of your meal with your cat as a treat is fine but remember to watch how much they are eating overall and that your treats aren’t replacing their proper food, which contains all the nutrients they need to remain healthy. Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com For more dietary and nutrition advice for your cat, please see my articles at The Best Cat Litter Box