Is it okay to give a cat food from the table?

No matter how useful and tasty the food in the cat’s bowl is, the food on the owner’s plate is always more flavorful and tasty. Cunning creatures use the whole “fighting” arsenal – pitiful meowing, “sizzling” looks and brazen stealing – to extract the desired, appetizing something on the kitchen table. When it comes to holiday treats, especially New Year’s Eve treats, it’s not a bad idea to supervise the cooking process and offer the services of a taster. Is it safe to give food from the table to a cat? What products are forbidden to animals that are on natural feeding? Let’s find out together.

Can a cat eat food from the table?

There are certain differences in the nutrition of cats and dogs, but one of the main principles remains unchanged – animals should not be given food from the table, and there are several reasons for this.

Dietary imbalance

The basis of a healthy diet is a balance of nutrients and useful substances entering the body, which in sufficient volume allow the pet to be healthy and active. If there is a breakdown in the direction of increase or decrease, the pet has health problems. That is why manufacturers of ready-made dry and wet food give recommendations on the volume of the portion depending on the weight of the animal. And nutritionists make and calculate menus for pets on a natural diet. What happens if cats eat food from the table?

• If an animal does not eat its usual portion, feeding on the owner’s food, there is a high probability that it will not get all the necessary vitamins, minerals and other substances necessary for health. Excess of some elements, such as phosphorus, sodium and chlorine, will lead to disorders in the organs and systems of the body. The changes will not manifest themselves immediately, but problems will definitely occur. This can be deterioration of skin and coat, decreased activity, digestive disorders and others.
• If the animal eats the usual portion, but at the same time manages to beg or steal tidbits from the table, then the most common problem arises – overweight. Obesity in cats develops quickly, and its consequences are more catastrophic than rounded forms – lipidosis, joint problems, diabetes.

Health problems

Many tasty foods are bad for cats’ health in one way or another:

• By-products are allowed in the diet of animals, but not more than 1-2 times a week. For example, liver is very much liked by cats both by taste and smell, but it contains a large amount of vitamin A, which in excess leads to hypervitaminosis with unpleasant consequences.
• Milk and dairy products (cream, ice cream, butter, etc.) cause allergies or digestive disorders in most cases.
• If the animal is fed seafood and fish for a long time, it will lead to urolithiasis and vitamin K deficiency.
• Lard and other fats lead to eating disorders, gastritis and liver failure.
• Legumes are harmful because they provoke abdominal bloating and fermentation in the intestines.
• Sausage products contain salt, spices, flavorings and flavor enhancers that cause allergies in animals or gastrointestinal disorders.
• A small amount of salt will not harm a cat, but excessive amounts of salt in the diet cause a disturbance in the water-salt balance, which under certain circumstances leads to death.
• Many sauces, dressings and oils are bad for the GI tract.
• Fried food causes diarrhea in cats and regular consumption causes pancreatitis.
• Fish bones often get stuck in the gum, causing serious inflammation. Chicken bones crumble, turning into sharp splinters that can damage the mucosa and even traumatize the intestines.

Poisoning

There are a number of products that cause cats not just digestive problems, but also poisoning, up to lethal outcome. Therefore, cats are not allowed to eat such products:

• chocolate – contains methylxanthine and various additives dangerous for health
• grapes (raisins) – dangerous with a specific toxin that not only causes poisoning, but also leads to kidney failure
• avocado – includes persen, which causes vomiting and diarrhea
• mushrooms – dangerous toxins harmful to cats
• onions and garlic – contain thiosulfate, which destroys red blood cells, leading to anemia
• Alcohol – toxic even in small amounts

Why is human food not suitable for cats?

The differences in digestion between humans and cats are significant:

• pets have four times higher protein requirements
• cats benefit from good quality, safe, raw poultry meat (skinless and boneless), sometimes steamed or boiled, but never fried
• lack of enzymes in a cat’s body do not allow carbohydrates to break down properly and grain products are poorly digested, so cereals are not a good idea for a pet’s diet
• the essential amino acid requirements of cats and humans are very different
• the amount of salt in human food is much higher than an animal requires
• most spices and seasonings are forbidden for pets because they cause digestive problems and lead to serious poisoning or anemia

By giving your cat food from the table, you yourself form bad habits and incorrect behavior, which will be difficult to correct in the future. It will constantly demand a treat, not understanding the reason for your displeasure, because recently it got food from your hands without any problems.

The consequence of improper, unbalanced feeding of animals is the development of various diseases – metabolic disorders, skin, urolithiasis and kidney disease. It has been found that mortality from digestive diseases accounts for almost 40% of all types of mortality. Therefore, the diet of animals should be monitored, do not give the cat food from the table and do not allow it to steal it. First, feed the animal nourishingly, and then proceed to the meal yourself. Do not pay attention to begging for food or do not let the pet into the kitchen during dinner. Remember that the cat will be embarrassed and calm down, and treatment is a nervous and expensive thing. Take care of your fuzzies and be firm in your intentions.