The Basics Of Feline Diabetes
Understanding how diet plays a role in the management of diabetes requires some basic information regarding the relationship between food, blood sugar levels, and the hormone insulin.
Insulin is produced by special cells in the pancreas. It is secreted into the bloodstream when blood sugar levels rise, for instance after a meal. Insulin allows sugar to enter cells where it is used to fuel biological processes or converted into other substances and stored for later use. When cats have Type 2 diabetes, their cells no longer adequately respond to insulin leading to chronically high blood sugar levels. The pancreas reacts by producing more insulin, but eventually the organ essentially wears out, and the cat will need insulin injections to survive.
Can Cats Eat Quinoa
While there is no poisoning risk, it should be done only in moderation and only if fully cooked.;It is gluten free and rather high in fiber. It also contains a good deal of;protein, magnesium, copper and manganese. It is an ingredient in some cat foods and cat treats.
While quinoa does have a lot of things cats need including amino acids, a cat needs to get the bulk of this from meat. It is fine to mix a bit of quinoa in with her dinner if she likes it.;Keep in mind that uncooked quinoa can lead to an upset stomach.
Commercial Raw Cat Food
Commercially prepared raw cat foods take a lot of the guesswork out of feeding raw. Reputable manufacturers follow the guidelines put forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials .
Make sure that you can find an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy like one of these on the label of any cat food you might purchase:
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Brand X Cat Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for adult maintenance, growth and reproduction, or all life stages.
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Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Brand X Cat Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for adult maintenance, growth and reproduction, or all life stages.
You can be confident that any cat food, raw or not, that conforms to AAFCO standards will at the very least provide your cat with the basics of good feline nutrition.
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Can Cats Eat Raw Pork
What’s the situation with raw pork? From a medical point of view, raw pork is not the greatest meal you can share with your kitty. Even if you are choosy and stick to tenderloin , raw pork is still not the best option because of the high odds of bacterial contamination.
When consuming raw pork regularly, your cat might get trichinellosis or tularemia. The former easily transmits to humans, while the latter causes fever and requires aggressive treatment.
Can Cats Eat Lamb
Lamb is perfectly fine for your cat to eat in small doses. This meat does tend to be a bit fatty and so should be offered less often and in moderation. We recommended that you cook it properly and trim the fat off before giving it you your cat.
If your cat is on a low-fat diet, it’s best to avoid lamb, and if your cat has any health conditions, it’s always best to clear new foods with your vet just to be sure.
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What Human Food Can Cats Eat How To Treat Your Kitty With These 6 Foods
29 August 2021
We look at what human food can cats eat safely as well as foods you should avoid
What human food can cats eat? Can my cat share this with me? is something you might have wondered when you were, say, chopping up a carrot. Youre not alone! Although cats are generally fussier than dogs – and a lot less likely to pester for table scraps – feeding them human foods can be rewarding for you both. Sharing your food with your cat is a great way to increase your bond with them, as well as add valuable nutrients to their diet. But before we tell you which foods are safe to share, were going to go over some ground rules.
- The best wet cat food: From daily dishes to tasty treats
Chocolate And Caffeinated Drinks
Weve all heard that chocolate can be fatal to dogs, but its just as poisonous for cats as well. Chocolate contains substances called methylxanthines, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea, high body temperature, muscle tremors, abnormal heart rhythm, abdominal discomfort, increased thirst, and seizures. Methylxanthines are also found in caffeinated beverages and should be avoided. See your vet if your cat experiences any of these symptoms. As a general rule of thumb, darker chocolates are more dangerous than milk and white chocolate.
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What Human Food Can Kittens Eat
Growing kittens should eat kitten food or food labeled for all feline life stages. Even if you introduce other foods, this should be their primary source of nutrients as too many changes in the diet can lead to digestive upset.
On the other hand, if your kitten grows up eating only one food, theyll become accustomed, and changing it later will be difficult. For that reason, you can try offering foods like scrambled eggs, cooked meat and fish, salad greens, and pumpkin.
Remember to introduce any new foods slowly and always feed them in small amounts. Keep in mind that these foods should not make up more than 10% of your kittens daily calorie intake Any more than 10% could upset the nutritional balance of their food. In addition, offer one new food item at a time to give your pet a chance to taste and get to know that food.
Can Cats Eat Fried Chicken
Fried chicken should only be shared with your cat once the skin and bones have been removed. The fried skin usually contains too much grease and oil which is unhealthy for your cat and will contribute to weight gain. The skin also often has high levels of salt.
With the skin removed, fried chicken can occasionally be shared with your cats but shouldn’t be included in their diet too often.
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Feeding A New Food For The First Time
Were going to give you a few foods you can try sharing with your cat, but its important to remember that every cat is different. Its possible for your cat to have allergies, so always feed a very tiny amount of a new food at first, then observe them for a couple of days. If they seem well, stools are normal, and theyre behaving normally, it should be safe to feed them it more often. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, its a good idea to stop feeding your pet the food.
If your cat has an underlying health condition its important to speak to your veterinarian first before making any changes to their diet. Diseases such as diabetes, IBD, food allergies, or feline pancreatitis, in particular, can be exacerbated by a change in diet and you may end up causing more harm than good!
Can Cats Eat Turkey
Cats can eat turkey, and this lean protein is an excellent choice for a snack. Opt for cooked turkey breast that has not been seasoned. The fewer seasonings, the less chance for there to be something that upsets your cats digestive system. While its not necessarily unsafe to give your cat deli meat, that type of turkey does have a lot of sodium, so its best avoided.
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Can Cats Eat Salmon
Absolutely! In fact, salmon is the main ingredient in many quality commercial cat foods. While cats in the wild eat raw salmon, that is not recommended for your domesticated kitty. Make sure the fish is thoroughly cooked and then let your feline friend enjoy her salmon and get a dose of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Are There Any Negatives To Feeding Cats Vegetables
There are some downsides to feeding your cat vegetables. Most of these revolve around feeding too much vegetable matter or the wrong vegetables.
Cats are obligate carnivores, so they lack the digestive enzymes that are needed to break down vegetables in large quantities, so too many vegetables could cause your cat digestive upsets.
While vegetables do contain fiber, which is beneficial for the digestive system, vegetables also contain carbohydrates. Overloading cats with carbohydrates is one of the leading causes of the growing problem of feline obesity. Therefore, while cats can safely eat vegetables, it is important that they are only given to them in small amounts.
Whilst it is generally considered safe to feed your cat most vegetables if they are perfectly cooked and prepared some vegetables do need to be avoided because they are hazardous to cats, or because cats have difficulty digesting them.
Some of the vegetables to stay away from include:
- Onions
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What Cats Can Eat
Cats are carnivores and need meat. Talking with your vet about the cat food you provide and following the directions on the label will help ensure your cat’s diet is balanced and your cat stays healthy. An occasional taste of cooked boneless beef or brown rice can be an OK treat. But it’s best to keep it small and infrequent.
Safety Considerations For Raw Cat Food Diets
While some raw cat foods may provide cats with excellent nutrition, they are still not without their drawbacks.
Studies reveal that commercially prepared raw pet foods suffer from increased levels of contamination with potential pathogens like Salmonella, Listeria, and E. Coli in comparison to regular pet foods.
The situation isnt any better for raw diets prepared at home. USDA estimates show that approximately one-quarter of raw chicken parts in human food-production facilities are contaminated with Salmonella and/or Campylobacter bacteria. Toxoplasma gondii and other parasites can also be spread through raw cat foods.
You may have heard that healthy adult cats have innate resistance to foodborne pathogens. While this may be true in some cases, reports of cats developing and even dying from diseases contracted from raw cat food do exist.
People living with a cat who eat raw foods can also be exposed to these pathogens from handling contaminated foods or coming into contact with pathogens in the cats feces. The risks posed by raw foods are greatest for people and cats who are very young, very old, or immunocompromised.
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What To Do If Your Cat Eats Something Toxic
The most common signs of toxicity in cats are:
- Breathing problems
- Weakness
If you suspect that your cat may have eaten something toxic, you should:
- Watch for symptoms. Keep a close eye on your cat to observe any non-typical behavior or signs of stress.
- Bring vomit or stool samples to the vet, if you are able.
1-800-PetMeds reports that about 25% of poisoned pets recover within two hours. Pets can often be treated at home under the guidance of a veterinarian or with advice from the ASPCAs Poison Control Center.
Can Cats Eat Cheese
Many cats are lactose intolerant, which is why you shouldnt give them milk. Still, certain cheeses are OK to give to your cat as a treat now and then. Avoid soft cheeses and instead offer hard options, such as cheddar. You can offer small bits of cheese as a treat or even bake the cheddar into homemade cat treats that your pet is sure to love.
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Cats Need Lots Of Animal
While there isnt a single diet that is ideal for all cats, in general, most do best when they eat foods that are high in moisture and protein and relatively low in carbohydrates, says Jennifer Coates, DVM, a veterinarian for Chewy. A study published in 2011 showed that when cats are given access to foods of different protein, fat, and carbohydrate concentrations they tend to self-select a diet that provides them with around 52 percent of their calories from protein, 36 percent from fat, and 12 percent from carbohydrates. Bottom linetheres no such thing as a vegetarian cat. Along with feeding your cat the best food, youll also want to avoid these 12 common mistakes cat owners make.
Can Cats Eat Hamburger
You can share some homemade hamburgers with your cat, but be aware of added salt or excess oil from frying. Cats should never eat onions or garlic, so if you include this in your hamburger recipe, it’s best not to share this meal with your cat.
Ready-made hamburgers should not be given to your cat as they will likely contain high levels of salt and fat, as well as other preservatives. Most fast-food hamburgers include sauces , which may be bad for a feline’s digestion.
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Can Cats Eat Prosciutto And Other Deli Meats
What about other deli meats? Can cats eat prosciutto? If you love your cat enough to share your prosciutto with them, you should probably think twice. While the meat used is of high quality, its very fatty and contains too much salt.
Heavily processed pork-based deli meats should be avoided as these often contain additives and bulking agents that might not agree with your cat’s stomach.
Are Vegetables Good For Cats
Cats do not actually require vegetables in their diet, but they are able to safely eat most of them. In small doses, vegetables can be of value to your cat, but they should not form a major part of their diet. To ensure your cat is getting all the nutrients they need, you should invest in a good quality cat food.
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Buy Food In Smaller Quantities
Those 30 and 40-pound bags of dry kibble, or entire flats of cat food, may be enticing budget-wise, but theyre really intended for homes with multiple kitties. Aim for buying in quantities that can be used up in less than a months time, and ideally within three weeks. Find out the things you do that your cat secretly hates.
Your Cat Is Totally Allowed To Eat These 7 Human Foods We Asked 2 Vets To Be Sure
Every cat owner knows that cats are curious creatures. And, it’s the curious character of cats that makes them often take a keen interest in our food. It can be hard to not spoil your lovable furball with a special treat off your plate, especially when they’re begging. Their winning personality can make it near impossible to resist.
But some human foods are toxic to cats, since they have different nutritional needs than us which is why it’s important to know what foods are safe for your cat to eat and which aren’t. Remember that cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they thrive on a high-protein and low-carbohydrate diet. Hence, if you decide to let your cat snack on human treats, you should consult your veterinarian to make sure your cat is still fulfilling its nutritional needs. You should also make sure you feed any human food to your cat in moderation and in bite-size pieces to avoid choking, said Jessica Kirk, DVM, a veterinary writer for Vet Explains Pets. Here are seven human foods you can feed to your cat.
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Can Cats Have Pepperoni
Can cats eat pepperoni? Yes. Should cats have it regularly? No. Your cat might beg for a soft and flavorful pepperoni slice, but don’t fall into that trap.
What’s wrong with this meat? A growing kitten needs an estimated 21 mg of sodium daily, whereas an average pepperoni slice has at least 35 mg. Solely based on that, pepperoni might not be the best protein to share with your cat. Also, beware of its high fat content.
The Role Of Obesity In Diabetes
One of the most important factors that leads to diabetes in cats is obesity. Fat cells produce hormones that make the body less responsive to insulin. The more fat that is present, the more of these hormones that are produced.
Many cases of feline diabetes could be prevented if cats were not overfed and they remained slim. Weight loss can even lead to remission in a cats diabetes if treatment begins early in the course of the disease. In other words, diabetic cats who initially need insulin injections may be able to be weaned off of them if they lose sufficient amounts of weight.
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Human Foods To Avoid Feeding Your Cat
While sharing means caring in many human circles, there are a few human foods that cats cant eat. Genetically, felines lack the taste buds that can detect sugary foods, and many sweet treats are dangerously toxic to them. All forms of chocolate contain a bitter-tasting stimulant known as theobromine, which can cause muscle tremors, seizures, and several serious heart problems for your feline friend. Caffeine, another stimulant, has a similar effect. Keep the cat out of the kitchen while baking or brewing: raw dough can cause pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal issues in cats. Furthermore, alcohol in even trace amounts can lead to severe brain damage or liver failure for a small pet.
Raw/undercooked Meat Eggs & Fish
Raw meat, raw fish and raw eggs often contain bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to both humans and immunocompromised pets.
Fetch by WebMD explains that raw eggs contain an enzyme that decreases the absorption of biotin , which can lead to skin and coat problems. Raw fish also contains an enzyme that destroys thiamine, another essential B vitamin. Without thiamine, a cat can develop neurological problems that could lead to convulsions or coma.
Are Raw Food Diets Safe for Cats?
There are safe ways to feed your cat raw foods. Prepared, raw diets made specifically for pets are regulated to ensure that they do not contain harmful bacteria. You can learn more about raw diets for cats in our blog post: Should You Feed Your Cat a Raw Diet? 11 Questions to Ask First.
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