Cats are naturally very curious and love to try new things, including food. In our last article, we already talked about foods that your cat shouldn't try, but in this article we're going to talk about eight foods that your cat might actually like.
1. Hard cheese
In our last post we already talked about the dangers of lactose for cats. After being breastfed as babies, cats have a hard time digesting dairy products later in life. Our four-legged friends often get stomach problems. But hard cheese can be an exception. Hard cheese usually matures for so long that it only contains a little lactose. Not only can your cat digest hard cheese better, it can also extract valuable substances such as calcium from it.
2. Salmon
Of course we already know that cats love to eat fish, but do you know how healthy it is for our four-legged friends? Salmon is a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids and proteins. The ASPCA requires the fish to be fed to the cat unseasoned, cooked, and without the head, tail, or bones.
3. Rice
We humans like to eat rice because it not only offers us a good base, but also a source of healthy carbohydrates. And if you have some rice left over from your next meal, feel free to feed it to your cat. Rice is actually known to help cats with digestive problems and contains important minerals. Of course, you shouldn't feed your cat seasoned rice, but a little plain rice isn't a problem.
4. Oatmeal
Speaking of grains, let's talk about oatmeal! Oatmeal contains a whole range of healthy ingredients and is easy to cook, which is why it is also the perfect breakfast for people. But cats can also benefit from oatmeal. As long as oatmeal is prepared without milk and only with water, your cat can eat it without any problems and absorb valuable nutrients such as zinc, fiber and protein.
5. Watermelon
On hot summer days, watermelon is the perfect refreshment for us humans. It's sweet, juicy and easy to eat. If you want to treat your cat to something nice on a hot day, you can also give her a few seedless pieces of watermelon. Cats can't really taste the sweetness of the fruit, but love its watery texture. However, due to their high sugar content, you should only feed them to your cat in moderation.
6. Zucchini
When cooked, courgettes provide your cat with healthy raw materials such as beta-carotene. If you're going to feed it to your cat, it should be cooked, unseasoned, and maybe even pureed a bit.
7. Chicken
Cats are natural carnivores, making meat a major part of their diet. In our article on dangerous foods for cats, we talked about the dangers of raw meat. But if the meat is cooked and unseasoned, you can feed your cat chicken, for example. Chicken is low in fat and high in protein. Just be sure to remove the bones and skin from the chicken before feeding it to your cat.
8. Avocado
Now it's getting interesting: while dogs can't eat avocados, cats can eat them with no problem. Avocados contain a substance called persin, which can cause digestive problems in dogs, among other things. Cats are unaffected, and may occasionally taste a bit of avocado. The following also applies here: feed the avocado to the cat unseasoned, without the peel and stone and only offer it in moderation due to its high fat content.
In general, if you want to offer your cat "human" foods and are unsure, consult your veterinarian. He knows about your cat's state of health, as well as possible intolerances and allergies. If you want to learn even more about cat foods, check out our blog post on human foods that can harm your cat.
