Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they must eat meat to survive. Their digestive systems are designed to break down and absorb nutrients from animal tissue. A cat's diet should be high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and moderate in fat. The best way to ensure that your cat is getting the nutrients they need is to feed them a high-quality commercial cat food that is specifically designed for their age, weight, and activity level.
In addition to commercial cat food, there are a few other things that you can give your cat to eat. These include:
Now that you know what cats can eat, let's take a closer look at the different types of food that are available and how to choose the right one for your cat.
What Do Cats Eat?
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat to survive.
- High-quality cat food
- Meat (chicken, beef, fish)
- Organs (liver, heart, kidneys)
- Fish (cooked, not raw)
- Eggs (cooked)
- Dairy (in moderation)
- Vegetables (small amounts)
- Fruits (small amounts)
Avoid giving your cat table scraps, as these can be unhealthy and even toxic.
High-quality cat food
The best way to ensure that your cat is getting the nutrients they need is to feed them a high-quality commercial cat food.
- Look for a cat food that is specifically designed for your cat's age, weight, and activity level.
Kittens, adult cats, and senior cats have different nutritional needs. Similarly, active cats need more calories than sedentary cats.
- Choose a cat food that is made with high-quality ingredients.
The first few ingredients on the ingredient list should be meat or meat meal, not corn, wheat, or soy. These ingredients are fillers that provide little nutritional value.
- Avoid cat food that contains artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
These ingredients can be harmful to your cat's health.
- Make sure the cat food you choose is palatable to your cat.
Even the best cat food is useless if your cat won't eat it. Try a few different brands and flavors until you find one that your cat loves.
Feeding your cat a high-quality cat food is the best way to ensure that they are getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy.
Meat (chicken, beef, fish)
Meat is an essential part of a cat's diet. It provides them with the protein, fat, and other nutrients that they need to stay healthy and strong.
- Choose high-quality meat that is safe for human consumption.
This means avoiding meat that is spoiled, rancid, or otherwise contaminated.
- Cook the meat before giving it to your cat.
Cooking meat kills harmful bacteria and parasites that can make your cat sick.
- Remove all bones from the meat before giving it to your cat.
Bones can splinter and cause serious injuries to your cat's mouth, throat, or digestive tract.
- Feed your cat a variety of meats.
This will help ensure that your cat is getting all the nutrients they need.
Meat is a delicious and nutritious part of a cat's diet. By following these tips, you can ensure that your cat is getting the meat they need to stay healthy and happy.
Organs (liver, heart, kidneys)
Organs are another important part of a cat's diet. They are packed with nutrients that are essential for your cat's health, including protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Some of the most common organs that are fed to cats include:
- Liver: Liver is a good source of protein, iron, and vitamins A and B.
- Heart: Heart is a good source of protein, taurine, and iron.
- Kidneys: Kidneys are a good source of protein, phosphorus, and vitamin B12.
Organs can be fed to cats raw or cooked. However, it is important to note that raw organs can carry harmful bacteria, so it is best to cook them before feeding them to your cat.
Organs should be fed to cats in moderation, as they are high in fat and cholesterol. A good rule of thumb is to feed your cat no more than 1/4 cup of organs per week.
Organs are a nutritious and delicious part of a cat's diet. By feeding your cat organs in moderation, you can help ensure that they are getting all the nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy.
Fish (cooked, not raw)
Fish is another healthy and nutritious food that you can feed your cat. It is a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals.
However, it is important to note that fish should always be cooked before feeding it to your cat. Raw fish can contain harmful bacteria, such as salmonella and E. coli, which can make your cat sick.
When cooking fish for your cat, be sure to remove all bones. Bones can splinter and cause serious injuries to your cat's mouth, throat, or digestive tract.
You can cook fish for your cat in a variety of ways, including:
- Baking
- Boiling
- Steaming
- Grilling
Once the fish is cooked, you can flake it and serve it to your cat. You can also add it to your cat's regular food.
Fish is a delicious and nutritious treat for your cat. By following these tips, you can ensure that your cat is getting the fish they need to stay healthy and happy.
Eggs (cooked)
Eggs are a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals for cats. They can be fed to cats as an occasional treat or as a regular part of their diet.
- Cook eggs before feeding them to your cat.
Raw eggs can contain harmful bacteria, such as salmonella, which can make your cat sick.
- Remove the eggshell before feeding the egg to your cat.
Eggshells can be sharp and can injure your cat's mouth or digestive tract.
- Feed your cat only a small amount of eggs at a time.
Too much egg can cause digestive upset.
- Do not feed your cat eggs more than once or twice a week.
Eggs are high in cholesterol, which can be harmful to cats if they eat too much of it.
Eggs can be a healthy and nutritious treat for your cat, but it is important to feed them in moderation.
Dairy (in moderation)
Cats are often lactose intolerant, which means that they cannot digest the lactose in milk and other dairy products. This can lead to digestive upset, such as diarrhea and vomiting.
- Choose lactose-free dairy products for your cat.
Lactose-free dairy products are available at most grocery stores.
- Feed your cat only a small amount of dairy at a time.
Even lactose-free dairy products can cause digestive upset if your cat eats too much of them.
- Do not feed your cat dairy products more than once or twice a week.
Dairy products are high in fat and calories, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems.
- Watch for signs of lactose intolerance in your cat.
If your cat experiences digestive upset after eating dairy, it is best to avoid feeding them dairy products altogether.
Dairy products can be a tasty treat for your cat, but it is important to feed them in moderation and to watch for signs of lactose intolerance.
Vegetables (small amounts)
Vegetables can be a healthy addition to your cat's diet. They are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- Choose vegetables that are safe for cats.
Some vegetables, such as onions, garlic, and grapes, are toxic to cats.
- Cook vegetables before feeding them to your cat.
Cooking vegetables makes them easier for your cat to digest.
- Mash or puree vegetables before feeding them to your cat.
This will make them easier for your cat to eat.
- Add vegetables to your cat's regular food.
Start with a small amount and gradually increase the amount as your cat gets used to them.
Vegetables can be a healthy and nutritious part of your cat's diet, but it is important to introduce them slowly and in small amounts.
Fruits (small amounts)
Fruits can be a healthy and refreshing treat for your cat. They are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Choose fruits that are safe for cats.
Some fruits, such as grapes and raisins, are toxic to cats.
- Remove the skin and seeds from fruits before feeding them to your cat.
The skin and seeds can be difficult for your cat to digest.
- Cut fruits into small pieces before feeding them to your cat.
This will make them easier for your cat to eat.
- Feed your cat only a small amount of fruit at a time.
Too much fruit can cause digestive upset.
Fruits can be a healthy and enjoyable part of your cat's diet, but it is important to feed them in moderation and to choose fruits that are safe for cats.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about what cats eat:
Question: What is the best food to feed my cat?
Answer: The best food for your cat is a high-quality commercial cat food that is specifically designed for their age, weight, and activity level.
Question: What human foods can I feed my cat?
Answer: You can feed your cat small amounts of cooked meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. However, it is important to avoid feeding your cat any human foods that are toxic to cats, such as onions, garlic, and grapes.
Question: How often should I feed my cat?
Answer: The frequency with which you feed your cat will depend on their age, weight, and activity level. Kittens need to eat more frequently than adult cats, and active cats need to eat more frequently than sedentary cats. A good rule of thumb is to feed your cat twice a day, morning and evening.
Question: How much food should I feed my cat?
Answer: The amount of food you feed your cat will depend on their age, weight, and activity level. The best way to determine how much food to feed your cat is to follow the feeding guidelines on the back of the cat food package.
Question: What are some signs that my cat is not getting enough to eat?
Answer: Some signs that your cat is not getting enough to eat include weight loss, decreased activity level, and a dull coat. If you think your cat is not getting enough to eat, talk to your veterinarian.
Question: What are some signs that my cat is eating too much?
Answer: Some signs that your cat is eating too much include weight gain, decreased activity level, and difficulty breathing. If you think your cat is eating too much, talk to your veterinarian.
Question: What should I do if my cat is vomiting or having diarrhea?
Answer: If your cat is vomiting or having diarrhea, it is important to take them to the veterinarian right away. Vomiting and diarrhea can be signs of a serious medical condition.
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These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about what cats eat. If you have any other questions, please talk to your veterinarian.
Now that you know more about what cats eat, here are a few tips for feeding your cat a healthy and nutritious diet:
Tips
Here are a few tips for feeding your cat a healthy and nutritious diet:
Tip 1: Choose a high-quality cat food.
The best way to ensure that your cat is getting the nutrients they need is to feed them a high-quality commercial cat food. Look for a cat food that is specifically designed for your cat's age, weight, and activity level. Avoid cat food that contains fillers, such as corn, wheat, and soy.
Tip 2: Feed your cat a variety of foods.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they must eat meat to survive. However, they can also benefit from eating a variety of other foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Offering your cat a variety of foods will help ensure that they are getting all the nutrients they need.
Tip 3: Feed your cat small meals throughout the day.
Cats are natural grazers, which means that they prefer to eat small meals throughout the day rather than one or two large meals. Feeding your cat small meals will help prevent them from overeating and will also help to keep their blood sugar levels stable.
Tip 4: Make sure your cat has access to fresh water at all times.
Water is essential for your cat's health. Make sure your cat has access to fresh, clean water at all times. You should also clean your cat's water bowl daily to prevent bacteria from growing.
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By following these tips, you can help ensure that your cat is getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy.
Now that you know what to feed your cat and how to feed them, let's talk about some of the benefits of feeding your cat a healthy diet.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different things that cats can eat. The best diet for your cat will depend on their individual needs. However, there are some general guidelines that you can follow to ensure that your cat is getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy.
Some of the most important things to remember when feeding your cat are:
- Choose a high-quality cat food that is specifically designed for your cat's age, weight, and activity level.
- Feed your cat a variety of foods, including meat, fish, eggs, fruits, and vegetables.
- Feed your cat small meals throughout the day.
- Make sure your cat has access to fresh water at all times.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your cat is getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy for many years to come.
Closing Message:
Remember, your cat is a unique individual with their own unique nutritional needs. If you have any questions about what to feed your cat, talk to your veterinarian.