Proper nutrition is critical for a healthy, active cat, but certain foods can be toxic, causing digestive or internal harm. Here’s a guide to the foods your cat should and shouldn’t eat.
Eating for Good Health: Essential Cat Food Ingredients
A healthy cat diet consists of:
- High-quality protein: Found in chicken, turkey, eggs, lamb, and salmon.
- Healthy fats: Rich in Omega-3, from fish products like salmon. Manufacturers may also add fats such as chicken fat, fish oil, or soybean oil.
- Carbohydrates: If included, should come from starches like grains, corn, or potatoes.
These core ingredients should be complemented with vitamins and minerals to ensure complete nutrition.
Foods Your Cat Should Avoid
Some human foods can be harmful or toxic to cats due to differences in digestive systems. Key foods to avoid include:
- Onions and garlic: Even in small doses, these can upset digestion and cause anemia in extreme cases.
- Grapes and raisins: Known to cause kidney failure.
- Tuna: Although popular, tuna lacks essential nutrients and can cause inflammation if overfed.
- Milk and dairy products: Most adult cats are lactose-intolerant, so water is the best drink choice.
- Bread: Provides no nutritional value and is essentially empty calories for cats.
Treats and Special Snacks
While buying treats, avoid overindulgence. Treats should adhere to the same nutritional guidelines as regular meals: high-quality protein, moderate fat, and minimal carbohydrates. For inspiration, Vitakraft’s Meaty Morsels Chicken Recipe with Pumpkin is a good option, containing taurine for healthy eyes and heart.