What Can You Feed Your Cat Besides Cat Food? Cats are notoriously picky eaters. So, if you’re trying to find food for your cat that is not the same as what they usually eat, it can be difficult.
But don’t worry, we have some ideas on what to feed your cat besides cat food! From fish and rice to sauerkraut and apple sauce, there are a lot of options out there.
The first few meals you give your cat should be very easy to digest so that their little tummies don’t get upset. Cats are often lactose intolerant and prone to eating too quickly and vomiting, so strained chicken or beef baby food is a great choice.
You can use some common human foods for variety in your cat’s diet. Tuna is a good choice, but in tiny amounts, because it can be high in mercury. Sardines are another option for small amounts of fish in their food.
If you have a diabetic cat, try feeding them baby food made from chicken or beef without any vegetables mixed in. They’ll still get all the protein they need while enjoying a tasty treat.
Cats are very sensitive to caffeine, so you shouldn’t feed them chocolate or coffee at all, not even in small amounts. Cats also cannot metabolize onions and garlic, so these should also be avoided completely.
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What Can You Feed Your Cat Besides Cat Food?
Cats are pretty picky about their diet. They will only eat what they want to, which means it can be hard to give them a balanced diet of the nutrients they need. But there’s no need to worry! There are many ways you can feed your cat other than cat food, so you don’t have to go out and buy expensive wet or dry food every day.
Here are some things you can try:
1) If your cat likes to fish or seafood, give them canned salmon (not tuna!) as a treat
2) Give them eggs
3) Feed them raw vegetables like carrots and broccoli
4) Treats like milk bones or fresh fruit juice
5) You could even make your homemade kitty treats by mixing meat scraps, eggs, and some dry cat food!
What food is healthiest for cats?
The healthiest food for cats is raw meat, but it’s also the most difficult to find and prepare. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and not very safe for humans to handle. So, unfortunately, that means that you’ll probably want to continue feeding your cat commercial cat food.
Cats’ bodies are designed to digest protein from meat very efficiently. Their bodies are not designed to process carbohydrates (grains) like dogs, so it’s best if you try to avoid feeding them foods with corn or wheat in them.
Cats often love fish and seafood, but seafood is high in mercury content. If your cat likes to fish or ocean-based food, then give them canned salmon. It’s safe for them to eat, high in protein, and since it doesn’t have any wheat or corn, they will enjoy their seafood treat.
Also Read: Best 5 Homemade Cat Food Recipes for Senior Cats
10 human foods that are safe for your cat to eat
While there are a lot of human foods that cats can’t eat, here’s a list of 10 things that you can give your cat as a treat or supplement their diet. These treats will not be enough for them if they don’t have access to commercial cat food, but they may help fill in the gaps at least!
1) Tuna
In very small amounts, cats can eat tuna. It’s a good source of protein, and they may enjoy it
2) Sardines or canned salmon
If you have a cat that likes fish, it is okay to give them in small portions. Just don’t feed them any other kind of fish, because they can’t process it properly
3) Eggs
Cats love eggs! A hard-boiled egg is a wonderful treat. Just make sure that there are no onions or garlic in the hard-boiled egg you give them because these foods are toxic to cats
4) Carrots
Cats will rarely turn down some fresh vegetables. Carrots are safe for them to eat, although they should be in moderation. Cats don’t need a lot of extra carbohydrates in their diets
5) Cooked meats
If you cook some chicken, beef, or turkey and cut it up into small pieces for your cat, they will probably love it! Just be sure that you’re not adding any spices, and never give your cat any raw meat
6) Canned pumpkin or sweet potato
Many cats love canned pumpkins and sweet potatoes. These treats are high in moisture content, and the added fibre may help support their digestive system
7) Skim milk
If you have a cat that likes to drink milk, then most types of milk are safe for them to drink. Just make sure it’s not chocolate milk because this food isn’t good for cats
8) Fish oil
If your cat doesn’t like fish, you can try giving them some fish oil supplements instead. Humans often use these supplements to improve their hair and skin condition, which is why they will work on your cat as well.
9) Yogurt
Many cats are lactose intolerant, so if they eat dairy foods, it will come out the other end either undigested or with some nasty digestive consequences. However, there are a few types of yoghurt that they can eat without suffering negative side effects.
Be sure to look for yoghurt that contains active cultures and doesn’t have any added sugars. Avoid yoghurt flavours like vanilla and strawberry because these food flavourings can upset your cat’s stomach
10) Grass
Some cats love to eat grass. If they want to snack on some greens, then let them! It will help keep their digestive system moving normally. When are you supposed to visit the veterinarian?
Most cat owners have already had to take their cats to see a veterinarian at least once, even if they haven’t needed any vaccinations or medical treatment. If your cat has never seen a veterinarian, you should take them in for an appointment as soon as possible.
Are Cats Carnivores, Herbivores or Omnivores?
Cats are carnivores, but they aren’t a pure meat eater. Most cats may seem to beg for food at dinnertime and throughout the day, but that doesn’t mean that you should be feeding them just any kind of protein-based food that you have available at your house.
When it comes to cat food, dry kibble is the best choice for most cats. This food usually has a high moisture content, so it’s good for keeping your cat hydrated. Although wet or canned cat food may have a higher water content, this kind of food usually contains more carbohydrates than dry kibble does.
Kittens and senior cats can also benefit from eating dry kibble instead of wet or canned food. If your cat is overweight, you may want to consider switching them to an adult-formulated dry kibble instead of feeding them the same milk and meat product they ate when they were kittens.
What Can Cats Eat Besides Cat Food?
For the most part, your cat probably isn’t interested in eating anything that you would consider human food. However, there are some foods out there that most cats will eat without any problems at all.
If you want to feed your cat any meat-based food, then it’s not a good idea to give them raw or undercooked meat. Cooking the food is safe, so it’s okay to cook them some chicken or beef every once in a while.
Canned meat is another good option for your cat. You can give them tuna or salmon with most cats without any problems at all. Just make sure that you don’t feed them anything that has been seasoned with spices or sauces because this can upset your cat’s stomach.
Cats also love to eat meat-flavoured baby food. The meat-flavoured baby food is safe for cats, so feel free to give them a little spoonful every once in a while.
What Can Cats Not Eat?
Your cat shouldn’t eat anything with added sugars or artificial ingredients, especially if they are young kittens. If your cat eats too much of this type of food, then it could lead to obesity, which is why you need to make sure that your cats aren’t eating any human food that contains added sugar.
It’s also not a good idea to feed your cat any dairy foods because most cats are lactose intolerant. If you want to make sure that your cats aren’t getting sick after they eat something, then it’s best for them if you don’t give them any human food at all.
It’s also not a good idea to give your cat any chocolate because this can cause them to have a seizure or go into cardiac arrest. If you give your cat any milk-based food, make sure that it’s plain milk with nothing added.
What vegetables are good for cats?
You should only give your cat vegetables if they are cooked. Potatoes, carrots and green beans are three types of vegetables that you can give to your cats without any problems at all.
It’s best to avoid giving your cat cucumber because this kind of vegetable can upset their stomachs. If you want to make sure that the vegetables you feed your cat don’t include any chemicals or pesticides, you should cook them before you give them to your cat.
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering what to feed your cat besides Cat food, we can help. One of the simplest ways to keep your cat healthy is by giving them various types of food. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need meat in their diets to stay alive.
If you want more information on how best to feed your cat, let me know in the comment below!
Hi there! My name is Koushik; I am a cat lover. I specialize in writing about pet care & food. I have a wealth of knowledge on cat food niches and related subjects. I have worked in the pet industry for over 5 years and am passionate about helping cat owners provide the best care for their furry friends. With knowledge of cat food and nutrition, I aim to share their insights and help cat owners navigate the world of cat food niches. I enjoy playing with my two cats, reading, and exploring new cat food brands in my free time.
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