Feeding & Nutrition

Chock-full of vitamins and a great resource of minerals, carrots are one of the super foods that all humans should incorporate in their diets. But what about out feline friends, can cats eat carrots too? And if yes, what are some of the ways in which it would be safe to feed them to your cat? If you’re considering offering your cat vegetables such as carrots, here are some of the things you should know before doing so.

There are probably many times when your cat has shown interest in sampling some of the foods you eat. The smell of juicy bacon in the morning has surely caught their attention more than you’ve previously realised. But can cats eat pork in any shape or form or is it better to keep them away from such foods? Well, the short answer is yes, cats can eat pork because they are obligate carnivores, meaning that a meat-based diet provides them with the protein they need. They actually love the taste of meat. However, it’s best that they don’t regularly consume human foods and we’re going to explain exactly why in this article. Below are some answers to the possible questions you might have about this topic.

Spread on some toast and paired with poached eggs and some chili flakes, avocado can be one of the most delicious breakfast foods and has gained world-wide popularity as an ingredient. But while it’s great for humans, is its consumption by animals okay and can cats eat avocado? It’s a fruit full of nutrients and vitamins that are very useful for people, but might not be as great for cats, it seems. In this article, we’re going to dive right in and go through some of the reasons why avocados are not the most beneficial food for felines.

Garlic is one of the most commonly used condiments in the kitchen and there’s no denying that we all love it. It’s also considered to be great for our health, acting as an antibiotic that can protect us from bacteria, fungus, or other infections. But considering all the benefits it has for humans, is it healthy for animals to consume it? More specifically, can cats eat garlic? Garlic, together with onions, scallions, shallots, chives, and leeks are part of the Allium family, which are all rich in sulphur (explaining the pungent smell we all know) and nutrients. While it can have great benefits in a human diet, garlic is toxic to cats. Read on to learn more.

For people, fruits are essential to a healthy diet and while an apple a day keeps the doctor away, does it go the same way in the case of our feline friends? If you’ve ever been tempted to share your fruit bowl with your furry friend, you’ve probably wondered: “what fruits can cats eat?”. Well, quite a few, it turns out. Many of the fruits we consume are also safe to be eaten by cats. They can be a great source of vitamins, as well as a refreshing snack for our feline friends. Their sweet taste, however, is not a reason why your cat might enjoy it. Unlike us, cats don’t have sweet taste receptors, so at most, they will like the fruit for their texture or smell. Although they can be rich in vitamins, only very small amounts of fruit should be offered as a treat, since cat food already contains all the nutrients and vitamins they need. The digestive system of cats is designed to absorb a meat-based diet, so their nutritional needs will not be met if they have more than a small amount of other foods. If you want your cat to try out fruit, it’s important to know which are safe for them to eat and how to prepare them. Remember to always feed your cat a balanced diet and consult the vet before adding new foods to it. Feeding fresh fruit is generally better for cats than tinned or processed fruit which may contain additives or preservatives that would not be good for them. Also remember that whenever you feed unfamiliar food to your cat, start by introducing a little bit at a time and watch out for side effects such as vomiting or diarrhoea or skin rash.

Whether you find a stray or you’re concerned about your cat not eating, you might be wondering how long cats can go without food. It’s important not to overlook this for long, but just how urgent is it to see a vet? Below you’ll find a guide on how long cats can go without food and water, along with the effects of not eating and drinking. Read on for more information.

We know at least one other member of the animal kingdom that won’t say no to a banana feast. Monkeys do enjoy their bananas, but what do cats think of this sweet yellow fruit? Keep reading to find out if cats can eat bananas and whether owners should offer them as a treat to their feline companions. Can cats eat bananas? Although bananas are not toxic for cats, it is not recommended to include them in your pet’s daily diet. Bananas are high in sugar which can lead to diabetes and weight problems. So, even though cats can have bananas, it’s better to offer them in moderation or even avoid them altogether if your pet has certain medical conditions such as diabetes. Ask your vet for advice before offering that first banana bite to your cat.

It may surprise you, but there are a lot of cats out there that love the taste of bread! But, can cats eat bread or is it bad for them? Find out all you need to know in this guide. This may sound unusual, but a lot of cats actually love the taste of bread. All around the internet there are tales of bread bandits, of cats sneaking slices off countertops or racing their owners for the toaster when they hear it pop. It’s a phenomenon that’s baffled cat owners all over the globe and no-one really knows why they find bread so delicious either! If you’re got a bread aficionado on your hands, you’ll probably be asking ‘can cats eat bread?’ and more importantly, ‘is bread bad for cats?’ Find out the answers to your questions about cats and bread in this article! Can cats eat bread? Yes, cats can eat bread, but it’s not recommended. Cat’s don’t actually need carbohydrates and bread is mostly carbs, which is considered to be empty calories for cats with no nutritional value for them.

Cats seem to have an extra sense when it comes to cheese. Whether it’s in the owner’s hand, on the dinner table or the kitchen countertop, they’ll waste no time trying to get their paws on the delicious cube of dairy. But should cats eat cheese? Have you noticed your cat paying you more attention than usual whenever the cheese is out of the fridge? The unmistakable stare is your feline’s way of pleading for a seat at the table and a slice of that yummy block of dairy you’ve got in your hand. But can cats have cheese as part of their usual diet? Or is cheese actually bad for cats? Keep reading to find out what to do if your furry friend keeps asking you for their fair share of cheesy treats. Can cats eat cheese? Given our pop culture’s penchant for images of cats lapping up milk, there’s no wonder one of the most enduring feline myths is a cat’s love of dairy. But it turns out milk is not a good idea for cats as most of them are actually lactose intolerant. So, can cats have cheese? Not if your cat is lactose intolerant or suffers from milk allergy. And even if this is not the case for your pet, cheese should generally be avoided and only fed to them in moderation. Why is cheese bad for cats? Most cats can’t digest dairy products which means eating milk, cream or cheese could quickly lead to digestive issues such as diarrhoea, constipation or vomiting.

The four-legged siblings in the household might share a lot of things, including their love for play, cuddles and sleep, but one of the things they don’t have in common is food. Find out if dog food is bad for cats and how to keep their paws out of each other’s meals. Whether your cat is always curious about what’s in the dog food bowl or it’s dinner o’clock and you’ve just realised the cat food pantry is empty, you’ve probably asked yourself can cats eat dog food? If you’ve got a cat and a dog living together under the same roof, here is what you need to know about letting your cat try the dog’s food. Can cats eat dog food? Yes, but only as a short-term, last-resort solution. A stolen snack from the dog’s bowl isn’t a cause for worry. But cats eating dog food on a consistent basis can be detrimental to their health and well-being. It’s important to make sure there are both dog food and cat food supplies in the household where these four-legged companions live together. Why is dog food bad for cats in the long term? Even though at times it may seem they’re related, cats and dogs come from distinct parts of the animal kingdom and have different dietary requirements. Cats are obligate carnivores which means their diets consist mostly of meat protein, while dogs are considered omnivore and therefore can enjoy a much larger variety in their menu, including meat, grains and vegetables. Even though a cat will dabble in grains and vegetables too, dog food isn’t the best way to get them as it won’t provide enough protein to match a cat’s nutritional needs.

While the debate is still raging on whether we should feed our feline friends raw chicken or not, we’ve put together a quick guide looking at the benefits and the risks of feeding your cat raw meat. Raw diet for cats is a controversial topic. With benefits and drawbacks on both sides of the argument, there is no wonder specialists are yet to find the definitive answer to the question of should cats eat raw chicken or indeed any other raw meat. Here is what you need to know about the pros and cons of this type of diet. Can cats eat raw chicken? Yes, cats can eat raw chicken. Supporters of raw diets for cats usually mention that such meal options allow the cat to consume the food felines are biologically prepared to digest. After all, no one is cooking the rodent a wild cat just caught for dinner. Some people claim that the main draw of feeding raw meat to your cat is that it mimics the meal cats are evolutionarily designed to thrive on. However, there are important differences between wild cats like lions and tigers, and domesticated cat breeds. Perhaps the more important question to answer is ‘should cats eat raw chicken or any other type of raw meat’. For this, we need to look at what the safety risks are for both our pet and ourselves. What are the risks of a raw diet for cats? Although it doesn’t hurt to feed your cat raw meat, there are safety risks to consider as well. Parasites and bacteria Both cats and humans can get sick as a result of contamination from the parasites and bacteria living in raw meat. However, cats have a much shorter digestive tract and higher levels of acidity in their stomach than humans, making it less likely for pathogens or parasites to spend enough time in the cat’s system to make them sick. Decrease the risk of contamination by buying fresh raw meat, disinfecting all the surfaces that have come in contact with the raw meat and by thoroughly washing your hands or wearing gloves when handling it.

Once your cat has reached their first birthday, it’s time to think about a regular cat feeding routine. As they change from a playful kitten to a full-grown adult cat, it’s important to make sure they have all the right nutrients they need to stay happy and healthy. To keep in tip-top condition, your cat’s diet needs the right balance of proteins, fats and oils, minerals, vitamins and carbohydrates. It might sound a bit complicated, but good-quality complete feline food should provide everything your furry friend needs, and unless advised to by your vet, a well-balanced diet means your cat won’t need any other diet supplements. Find out how much and what to feed cats for their health and happiness with tips from the Pet Care team below. What to feed cats It might seem like there’s a huge amount of choice out there. Answering ‘what is the best food for cats?’ seems impossible. The good news is that whatever your cat’s lifestyle, condition or age, there’s a food that’s right for them. Ultimately, unless influenced by a medical condition, deciding whether to give your cat wet or dry cat food is completely up to you (and your cat of course)! Some owners serve a mixture of dry and wet foods - some cats prefer wet food in the morning and to have dry food left out during the day to graze on. Try your cat with both to see which they prefer. Find out more about feeding your cat and the benefits of wet and dry food in our guide.