cat-safe snacks to share with your pet

What better way to say "I love you" than through food? After all, good food is known to be a gateway to someone's heart, even your feline friends! So, here are the best cat-safe snacks to share with your pet.

Let Us Start With The Good Stuff

1. Berries

Berries are a healthy snack for cats and kittens alike. With their high antioxidant content, berries like strawberries are a great treat to share.

2. Melon

Melons are high in both Vitamin A and C, so a small piece will benefit your cat. 

3. Pumpkin

Roasting some fresh pumpkin and then serving your cat some plain pumpkin puree is a super healthy way to share the love.

4. Oatmeal

Plain oatmeal contains fiber and iron, which is awesome for your cat’s overall health.

Now, for the "Don’ts": Make Sure to Avoid the Foods Below at All Costs!

1. Onions and garlic

Although a negligible amount is not likely to cause any issues, onions and garlic can cause digestive upset and potentially other problems for cats if eaten in sufficient quantity, as they are toxic. 

2. Chocolate

The compound in chocolate that is of major concern for cats is theobromine. If consumed, cats might exhibit heart arrhythmias, muscle tremors, or seizures.

3. Raw Dough

Raw dough can cause expansion in the stomach or create alcohol in the stomach. As raw, uncooked yeast ferments the carbohydrates in the dough, it produces ethanol and carbon dioxide. This process can continue in the stomach, leading cats to become disoriented and have alcohol poisoning, which is fatal for pets.

4. Alcohol

This is probably already known, but it is still worth mentioning. Alcohol can cause liver damage and brain damage in cats. A tablespoon of any alcohol is enough to put an adult cat in a coma. More than that would be fatal.

5. Dairy Products

Cats can become lactose-intolerant as they grow into adults. As adults, their bodies no longer produce enough lactase to digest milk. Therefore, dairy products can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats if ingested.

6. Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins are highly toxic for cats. Ingestion can lead to the rapid development of kidney failure.

Takeaway

It is important to know what foods can cause danger to your feline friend, so you can focus on sharing the good ones! Whatever healthy snacks you choose to give your cat, make sure they are still getting adequate meal portions without acting fussy. If they do show some signs of picky eating, try to cut back on (or take out completely) their snacks and see if that helps.

Enjoy!