Which Table Foods are Safe for Cats?

Which Table Foods are Safe for Cats?

               While human foods are not generally recommended for dogs and cats, there are some foods that are safe for consumption by our pets and can be fed as an occasional treat. Which foods are considered safe for our feline friends to enjoy in moderation? Let’s find out!

• Cooked skinless chicken—cats are carnivores and many cats enjoy chicken, so offering a bite of cooked chicken once in a while is OK as a tasty treat. Just make sure there are no spices or oils on the meat before sharing with your kitty and don’t feed raw chicken to pets due to risks for Salmonella and other bacteria.
• Cheese and yogurt—while many cats are actually lactose intolerant, most cats can enjoy a small bite of cheddar or Swiss cheese once in a while or a dollop of plain, unsweetened yogurt or vanilla yogurt. Just make sure your yogurt does not contain artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol, which is toxic to pets.
• Canned tuna or sardines—if your cat likes fish, tuna or sardines can be used as a tasty treat.  Choose fish packed in water, not oil and don’t feed flavored tuna pouches or sardines in sauce to cats. Plain tuna/fish should never be your cat’s sole diet as it is not balanced. Fish flavored cat foods are OK since they have the proper vitamins and minerals added.
• Eggs—Eggs may seem like a strange food for cats but they contain proteins and B vitamins so cooked eggs—hard boiled or scrambled—can make a good sporadic treat for your cat. Cats can eat the whites and yolks.
• Melons—while fruit seems like an odd choice for a cat treat, many cats seem to like melons. Cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon are all safe for kitties to eat and melons contain fiber, vitamin C and potassium. Limit fruit as it may cause diarrhea in larger quantities and don’t feed the rind to your cat.

As with any foods, be sure to offer only one or two bites as an occasional treat, not as the main part of your cat’s diet.  Do not feed table foods if your cat has food allergies or develops vomiting or diarrhea and be sure to feed a balanced diet to your cat daily.

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.