Looking for a healthy snack for your cat? You don’t have to go much further than your kitchen pantry. With the growing demand for freshly prepared food, your cat also deserves to get the best treats.
Before whipping up a snack for your feline friend, you should know that some foods are good for them, while other foods can be deadly. But that shouldn’t stop you from making delicious home-cooked meals for your kitty. It’s time for you to pick up the chef’s hat and get creative in the kitchen. Can cats eat chicken? What about bananas? Blueberries and bread?
Stay tuned to find out which human foods are safe for cats.
No 1 – Salmon
Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and is one of the best brain-boosting foods for humans. But what about cats? Well, it’s a nutritious and delicious food that your feline will love. Giving them a piece of salmon would make for the perfect treat. There are some precautions you need to follow in order to give them a yummy, healthy meal. It’s important to make sure all bones are removed. If it’s not good for humans, then it’s definitely not good for cats. Also, be sure to cook the salmon a little bit to get rid of any parasites or harmful bacteria. Do not share your sushi. What are some helpful tricks you use while cooking salmon? Let us know all about it in the comments section below.
No 2 – Chicken
Chicken is popular among humans, and rightly so. They’re cheap, easily available, packed with protein and can be cooked in any style. Do you see your cat begging for the chicken you’re eating? Maybe it’s time for you to share some. These creatures are natural meat eaters. Animal protein is a good source of necessary nutrients. So go ahead and prepare that well-deserved chicken meal for your cat. Remember, don’t use chicken as a constant meal replacement, since it may upset their stomach. It should be boiled and free of any seasoning, oil, onion or garlic.
No 3 – Oatmeal
Oats are super healthy for humans, as their list of nutritional value goes on and on. This may make you wonder if it’s safe for your pet. There are several oatmeal-based cat foods available, but nothing can match the freshness and deliciousness of homemade oatmeal. It’s a perfect addition to your feline’s diet. Oats have high nutritional value for cats as compared to other grains. It’s packed with fiber and antioxidants, among other essential nutrients. Adding a little oatmeal to your pet’s diet will contribute some iron, vitamin B6 and calcium. Remember to use it as a supplement meal and introduce it slowly into their diet.
No 4 – Bananas
Humans aren’t the only ones who enjoy the benefits of a banana. We know that they’re rich sources of potassium, but did you know that they make for an excellent cat snack? Although this may seem a bit strange, you can easily replace highly processed treats for a banana. The potassium content, high fiber and vitamin B6 present in bananas is as good for cats as it is for humans. It’ll keep the digestive system healthy. It also has a positive effect on the nervous system and fights inflammation. If your cat has developed a taste for it, then there is no harm giving it to them every now and then.
No 5 – Bread
A slice of warm bread is a tasty treat for many pet parents. But should it be shared with a feline friend? Yes, it’s another one of the foods you can share with your cat. The only prerequisite being it should be slightly baked and yeast free. It can provide your kitty with some much needed nutrients and fiber. If you’re thinking about giving them bread, then stick to whole grain. It goes without saying that too much bread is never good for humans or for cats. They don’t need those insane amounts of carbs. As long as they have a lean body and are in good shape, you can add a little bit of bread for some razzle dazzle.
No 6 – Blueberries
Blueberries are rich sources of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients for humans. It ranks among the top foods that are good for maintaining your brain health. When it comes to cats, they enjoy these tangy snacks every now and then. Possessing such incredible nutritional benefits, blueberries will make for an excellent addition to homemade cat food. The best way to prepare blueberries is to add a couple of them into a chicken or salmon meal. Limit the usage of the berries to just 20 calories every day. If your kitty seems to be gaining weight as a result of the human food, you’ll want to cut back on the treats.
No 7 – Turkey
Another lean meat that is loved by humans and cats equally is turkey. If you’re thinking about feeding your cat the turkey leftovers from Thanksgiving, you can. t’s a much safer and healthier option. Remove any skin, bones or fat from this roasted meat before giving it to them. The bones can splinter and too much fat is just as bad for your cat as it is for you. The organ meats of the turkey like the liver, gizzards or heart offer great nutritional benefits as long as you cook them first. You can also cook and freeze gizzards as a refreshing treat. Dehydrated organs make for a wonderful chewy snack that will keep your pet’s teeth healthy.
No 8 – Peas
This one may come as a surprise to many of you. Yes, you can feed peas to your cat! Imagine the number of dishes you can prepare now! For humans, peas are a great source of protein. They help control your blood sugar and digestion. Green peas are high in fiber, vitamin C and A. Peas in cat food are nothing new. You may have noticed that some cat foods include peas in their commercial food production. They enjoy having peas in different forms like frozen, fresh or cooked. If your kitty is new to peas, try adding a couple of slightly mashed, cooked peas to their food before working up to fresh peas, because it can help ease digestion of a new food.
If you’re curious about which foods you should not give your cat, then check out our post about the 11 foods that should be avoided at all costs. Now back to the foods that you can actually give to your cats without worry.
No 9 – Spinach
You can never go wrong with leafy greens like spinach for humans or felines. Packed with fiber, vitamins, iron and potassium, spinach is a good cat-friendly option. While you can offer it to your feline friend, experts encourage doing so in moderation. And by moderation, we mean a leaf or two, served occasionally. As we mentioned earlier, cats are natural-born carnivores, so you should never replace their staple diet with spinach. They can live exclusively on a diet of meat, but adding spinach into their food once in a while shouldn’t be a problem. Just keep it as a treat for good behavior.
No 10 – Eggs
Eggs are a staple breakfast meal. Easy and cheap, one can never go wrong with this healthy diet option. Packed with essential vitamins and calcium, every part of the egg has some benefit for the human body. But what about cats? Fully cooked eggs are a great addition to your cat’s meals. It’s also used as a way to entice them to eat medicine. Although rich with the goodness of amino acids, keep in mind an egg doesn’t make the perfect cat meal. You have to balance it out. But we say go ahead and prepare that delicious breakfast your cat will love you for.
No 11 – Carrots
Carrots are a great source of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. They can help improve our eyesight too. But what about cats? You’ll be surprised to know that they’re perfect for your furry buddy. Just as carrots are good for us, they’re also awesome for cats too. Essential vitamins are an important part of your cat’s diet in order for them to stay healthy. Carrots are a great source of fiber, and are suggested as a healthy and safe snack for them. However, as with any other snack, they should only be given in moderation. Just a little bit of everything for a well-balanced, healthy meal.
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No 12 – Fish oil
Fish oil is extracted from the fish tissue and is a healthy dietary supplement. Consuming one or two teaspoons of fish oil every week will support your heart health, promote weight loss and reduce inflammation. Speaking of cats, it is equally beneficial. Including fish oil in your cat’s meal will improve your cat’s heart condition and reduce the risk for developing a regular heartbeat. Fish oil can be called a miracle supplement due to its remarkable benefits. It also keeps your kitty’s kidneys protected from potential disease. When it comes to older cats, fish oil relieves their joint from the pain of age-related arthritis. Fish oil supplements can be easily found and included in any of your cat’s meals.
No 13 – Fresh fruit
Have you noticed your cat chewing on houseplants? That’s an indication that your cat is trying to compensate for the loss of minerals and vitamins in the body. Although many cats despise the smell and taste of fruit, it’s actually a healthy option for them. Which fruit is the best for cats? Cantaloupe Loaded with antioxidants, cantaloupe keeps your cat’s skin and eyes healthy. Another fruit you can feed them is melon, but in small quantities. Remember to get rid of all the seeds.
Cats being natural carnivores, they have a very small capacity to regulate vegetarian food. Do you think homemade cat meals are better than packed foods? Which foods are you going to share with your kitty? Let out your inner chef and tell us in the comments below!
