If you share your life with a kitty, you’re surely interested in knowing which foods cats can eat and, even more importantly, which they can’t!

Anyone who has a cat knows they can be very affectionate and persuasive, especially if there’s something that catches their attention. Many times while we’re cooking or eating, we find ourselves facing wide eyes and a pleading “meow” asking us to try a little bit. Has that happened to you? Surely yes, and naturally you’ve wondered: Can I give this food to my cat?

As you probably know, not all food suitable for humans is suitable for our four-legged companions, but that doesn’t mean they should be fed exclusively on boring kibble. That’s why, from Kun-Kay, besides offering you the best natural supplements to care for your pet’s health, we have also prepared a guide with the foods cats can eat and those they cannot.

By the way, if you’re interested in knowing what your kitty needs to grow big, healthy, and strong, don’t miss our article about vitamins for cats where we explain what problems vitamin deficiencies can cause and the most recommended supplementation for each case.

 Let’s get started with our guide to foods cats can eat!

1. Fish and seafood cats can eat

Fish is a real delicacy for kitties and, as long as it’s cooked, it’s very beneficial for their health. The best for them is white fish, but they can also eat tuna or trout — they go crazy for the taste!

One recommendation? Avoid canned products, as they usually contain too much salt and overusing them can be harmful to their health.

 Seafood, on the other hand, is not recommended; due to its high protein content, it can be indigestible for cats. Also, its consumption can increase the risk of the feline contracting intestinal parasites.

2. Dairy and its derivatives for cats

Although in cartoons, movies, and TV you may have often seen cats happily drinking a bowl of milk, cats are lactose intolerant.

 Even if it’s a kitten, you shouldn’t give your cat milk. Cow’s milk has a higher concentration of sugar and fats than cat milk and can cause diarrhea in cats.

 The same goes for cheese, which has a high fat content that can cause digestive upset in your cat. Although it’s true they love the taste, that’s why you’ll see many products and treats for cats that imitate its flavor. Be very careful not to leave cheese in sight if you have a kitty at home!

 The only exception is yogurt, as long as it’s natural and without sugar or sweeteners. Of course, it should be given in small amounts.

3. Can cats eat eggs or their derivatives?

Yes, cats can eat eggs in small amounts and it’s always better to offer them cooked to ensure they are free of bacteria.

 Eggs are not only a delicacy for cats, but they also provide a large amount of nutrients easily assimilated by their bodies and vitamins A, B, D, and E. They help strengthen cardiovascular and skin health and care for their joints and bones due to their antioxidant power.

4. Vegetables and greens

There are some vegetables and greens that are suitable for cats such as carrots, chard, beets, and zucchini, although they usually don’t enjoy their taste much. Generally, kitties only turn to greens when they want to purge themselves.

 It’s important to keep in mind that some vegetables and greens are not good for kitties, such as potatoes and tomatoes.

5. Meats and cats

Chicken, turkey, and beef provide a large amount of nutrients and proteins to your cat. Pork, on the other hand, is better avoided due to its high fat content. In any case, it’s better to offer it cooked to eliminate possible bacteria.

Offal is also very beneficial for kitties, especially liver due to its high iron content.

Regarding cold cuts, it depends on the amount of fat and salt. Cooked ham and turkey breast cold cuts are a good option if you’re looking for a protein source that they also love. Other cold cuts like chorizo, for example, are not recommended because they are excessively caloric and have a high salt content.

6. Cereals for cats

Cereals such as corn, rice, barley, or wheat have very beneficial properties for kitties. Have you noticed they are a basic ingredient in most kibbles? That’s because they are one of the best ways to provide lasting energy and, additionally, they are a great source of fiber that helps maintain good digestive health.

7. Foods forbidden for cats

Besides knowing which foods cats can eat, it’s also very important to recognize those that are harmful to their health. These are some of the products your cat should never consume under any circumstances:

1. Coffee and chocolate: Both coffee and chocolate can be deadly for your cat. This is because they contain methylxanthines, which are caffeine and theobromine, both highly toxic to cats. If your cat eats chocolate or coffee, it can become intoxicated and even go into shock that could cause death.
2. Foods with sugar: Sugar is very harmful to cats because their metabolism is not prepared to assimilate it.
3. Dairy and its derivatives: As we’ve seen earlier, cats are lactose intolerant and cannot have milk or cheese.
4. Dog food: No matter how good dog food is, it’s not adapted to cats’ needs. For example, dog food has a higher amount of carbohydrates, while cat food has more proteins and fats. Also, cat kibble contains taurine, which is an essential amino acid for cats.
5. Onions and garlic: Onions and garlic are also harmful to their health. They can consume them in small amounts and occasionally (it’s okay if they eat them by accident), but repeated consumption can affect their red blood cells and cause anemia.
6. Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages are potentially deadly for cats. In small doses, they affect their urinary tract, and in large amounts, they can cause death.

Some of these foods can cause fever upon ingestion; find out here how to know if your cat has a fever.

8. Kun-Kay’s recommendation

Good nutrition is fundamental to care for your kitty’s health. To achieve a rich and balanced diet that provides everything they need to enjoy robust health, you can combine specially formulated kibbles for him or her with those “human” foods that, besides being beneficial for them, also have a flavor they love.

But there’s more! Sometimes, there are moments when the best diet is not enough, whether because your kitty has special needs or is going through a time when they need an extra boost to enjoy the best health again. Supplements for cats are the perfect complement to your cat’s usual diet and serve to give them just that little extra they need. At Kun-Kay, we make all our supplements with 100% natural ingredients that, besides being focused on solving specific problems, have a flavor they love.

Poor nutrition can cause feline alopecia.

Here are some of our star recommendations to pamper your feline as they deserve:

1. Enterokun Mild: The go-to supplement to care for your cat’s intestinal health. It can be used as support for their digestive system in general and in specific situations such as recurrent or chronic mild diarrhea, flatulence, or during recovery after a digestive problem. It’s also good for treating other common diseases in cats.
2. Superyellowkun: Also focused on intestinal well-being, it’s recommended for kitties with stomach and intestinal discomforts such as nausea, vomiting, gastritis, constipation, anal gland discomfort, or mild diarrhea.
3. Dentalkun: A basic to care for your pet’s oral health. It works like our toothpaste and helps prevent and combat mouth diseases such as gingivitis in cats. Plus, it has a pleasant mint scent!
4. Dermakun: Our star supplement to care for your kitty’s skin and coat. It’s especially recommended during shedding season and anytime to combat irritations and itching and to promote wound healing.