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Cats may be carnivorous animals, but of course, some of them cannot resist the craving for tasty human food such as fruits and vegetables. But before you give in to your cat’s pleading eyes, you must be cautious in sharing people food with her. Some of the grub can negatively affect your feline friend’s health, causing upset stomach and in worse cases, poisoning. The list below has some of the most asked questions online by cat owners in the past years.
Can cats eat lemon?
Verdict: A big no
Lemons are one of the people foods cats cannot eat. Never feed your cat lemons and other citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, and lime because it can poison your pet. A tiny amount of lemon can cause gastrointestinal problems to your cat because it is highly acidic.
Citrus fruits like lemon contain toxic compounds including psoralens, limonene, and linalool. Moreover, psoralens are phototoxic. It means these compounds may afflict your furry friend with skin burns if exposed to the sunlight.
Can cats eat pumpkin pie?
Verdict: Not recommended
Pumpkin pies are full of sweeteners and other preservatives, which are very unhealthy for your cat. It can cause health issues on your furry buddy, such as obesity and diabetes.
Another reason to avoid feeding your cat with pumpkin pie is that it contains cinnamon and nutmeg. These spices are known to be toxic for cats and other pets depending on the amount they ingest. Eating large amounts of cinnamon and nutmeg may cause changes in heart rate, vomiting, diarrhoea, and seizures.
However, other pumpkin products such as canned or pureed pumpkins are recommended for your cat to feast on. But you need to make sure they are unseasoned and do not contain any sweetener or additives.
Can cats eat marshmallows?
Verdict: Not recommended
You can feed your cat marshmallows occasionally; however, doing it frequently is a no-no. Although marshmallows are not exactly toxic food to cats, it does not provide any health benefits.
Marshmallows are packed with sugar. One marshmallow consists of 4.1 grams of sugar. An average house cat should only eat 200 to 300 calories per day, and a marshmallow contains 23 calories. Feeding your cat marshmallows daily would make her gain weight.
Moreover, marshmallows also contain an ample amount of sodium, which is bad for cats since they have low sodium tolerance. One marshmallow contains 5.8 mg of sodium, which is a lot for a cat.
Lastly, marshmallows are choking hazards for cats. There were several reported cases of pets that unfortunately experienced this accident.
Can cats eat honey?
Verdict: Yes, but feed your cat in moderation
Even felines cannot resist the sweetness of honey. Honey is okay for your cat to try once in a while. Since a cat’s body cannot easily break down sugar, unlike our bodies do, it would have a hard time processing the sugar. This is the reason why cats easily gain weight when fed with too many sweets.
Honey contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can stop diseases from infecting your cat. It is also rich in antioxidants and can slightly ease allergies. Despite the positive effect it might have on your cat’s health, its adverse effects must not be overlooked. If a cat is fed regularly with honey, she may contract health issues such as diabetes and obesity.
Can cats eat parsley?
Verdict: Not recommended
The effects of parsley to cats are toeing the line between good and bad. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), parsley is dangerous for cats if ingested in large amounts. On the other hand, other sources claim that it is fine to feed your cat with parsley as long as it comes in small amounts.
Parsley contains vitamins K, C, and A, folic acid, antioxidants, potassium, and iron. Although it packs several vitamins and minerals, which are known to have a good impact on human health, parsley has little effect on cats. Protecting your cat’s urinary tract from infections and diseases might be the only benefit parsley can give.
Additionally, not only is parsley toxic if eaten in large quantities but it can also cause dermatitis and skin sensitivity as a side effect. It would cause the cat to suffer from sunburn once exposed to sunlight in a period of time.
It is best not to take any risk and just avoid feeding your cat with parsley. Your furry buddy’s health is not worth compromising over food that may end up having a bad effect on her.
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Can cats eat cantaloupe?
Verdict: Feed it to your cat in moderation
Several felines love to eat cantaloupes more than other fruits. As stated in some research studies, cats are drawn to cantaloupes because it smells like meat. Luckily, this fruit is completely non-toxic to felines. So there is absolutely no need to fret if you catch your cat enjoying herself to a slice of cantaloupe.
Cantaloupes are filled with vitamins too, such as vitamins A, B6, and C. Above all three, vitamin A is the most significant nutrient that your cat can get from a cantaloupe. Other benefits that your furry friend can get from eating cantaloupes are reducing the cancer risk, arthritis, heart disease, and cognitive decline, which is a common sickness for old cats.
Although cantaloupes can enhance your cat’s health, it is important to limit the amount that you feed to your cat. The fruit is quite high in sugar and calories, which can cause your cat to get fat.
Can cats eat zucchini?
Verdict: Yes
As reported by ASPCA, zucchini is safe for your furry buddies to chomp on since it is not poisonous. Zucchini is one of the best vegetables that help overweight and obese cats lose weight.
Obese and diabetic feline buddies can benefit from munching on zucchinis since they have low calorie content. Zucchinis are also high in vitamins A, B6, and C, and other nutrients like calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and dietary fibre, which are also good for your cat’s health. Still, only moderate amount is recommended.
Can cats eat mango?
Verdict: Yes
Mangoes are non-toxic fruits for cats. However, you must only give your feline friend a small amount. If you feed it too much, it can cause stomach upset and diarrhoea because their digestive system is not as powerful as human’s.
Mangoes are another good example of fruits that can aid a cat’s weight loss since it has low calorie content. Moreover, it contains vitamins A, B6, and C that keep a feline’s body healthy.
Vitamin A strengthens the cat’s immune system, so she does not easily get infected with illnesses. Vitamin B6 aids the cat’s body functions through absorbing the fats and proteins.
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When in Doubt, Always Consult the Vet
Human foods are diverse and too many to keep in mind if it is healthy or toxic for your cat. If you are unsure, do not risk feeding your cat people food without knowing how it might affect your feline friend. The easiest and safest way to ensure your cat’s safety when eating human food is to consult the vet. They can provide you with a comprehensive list of the good and bad foods for your feline companion.
