With many similarities, many pet owners often wonder if it’s okay for cats to eat dog food. After all, many of the ingredients are the same.
The short answer is yes, it’s okay for your cat to have the occasional bite of dog food. It won’t cause any toxicities. However, cats can not eat dog food for the long term. Here’s why:
The Differences Between Cat and Dog Food
The labels and ingredients may be very similar, but some significant differences between cat and dog food make dog food a bad choice to feed cats.
Protein Content: This is the big one. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they get the bulk of their nutrition from meat. Cats require lots of protein to build and maintain muscle and for energy. They require very few carbohydrates and can have a difficult time digesting plant matter. High-quality cat foods typically range from 30 to even 50% protein, while dog food is more around 20-25% or 30% for active diets. If a cat were to eat dog food long-term, protein deficiency could result.
Taurine: Taurine is an amino acid most mammals make in their bodies. It is essential for heart function, vision, and nerve growth. Cats, as well as humans, need to get taurine from their diet. They can’t make it on their own. Taurine is commonly added to commercial cat foods to prevent taurine deficiency that leads to heart issues, among other things, but is rarely added to dog foods.
Arachidonic Acid and Vitamin A: Like taurine, arachidonic acid and vitamin A are two components that cats can’t produce themselves. They need to be added to their food to maintain healthy skin, liver, muscles, and haircoats. Dogs are capable of making arachidonic acid, so it is rarely added to commercial dog food. Vitamin A is a common supplement in dog food but generally not in levels high enough for a cat’s needs.
Taste: Cats have a relatively weak sense of taste, especially compared to dogs. First off, they aren’t capable of tasting sweet. They also have about ¼-1/3 as many tastebuds as dogs. This means cat food needs to be extra tasty to get a cat interested. Dog food doesn’t have the flavor that they’re looking for.
What Happens if a Cat Eats Dog Food?
Don’t expect to see anything happen if your cat gobbles the occasional bite of dog food. Even a small sample every day shouldn’t make much of a difference. It will become a problem if your cat is fed dog food over a long period. There simply isn’t the proper nutrition in dog food to sustain a healthy cat.
Your cat may start relying on dog food as their sole food source, or they might eat enough dog food to replace a high percentage of their regular diet. They may start to lose weight and have a dry, dull hair coat. Some cats may show early stages of blindness, such as bumping into things or having trouble seeing in the dark. You may also notice a reluctance to exercise, difficulty breathing, or vomiting.
If your cat happens to grab a bite or get into and devour a large part of your dog’s food, they’ll more than likely be okay. They may have an upset stomach from eating too much, but as long as they don’t make eating dog food a habit, any adverse effects should be minimal.
How to Keep Your Cat From Eating Dog Food
Fortunately, most cats aren’t going to like the taste of dog food, so after a quick sample, they will probably leave the rest of it alone. However, if your cat develops a taste for it, make sure to provide them with high-quality cat food that supplies around 30% protein, has a flavor that they like, and that meets AAFCO standards for your cat’s life stage. You may have to experiment with different flavors and textures if you have a picky eater to give them something that they love.
Keep dog food out of reach. Feed your pup behind a closed door so that your kitty can’t join in. If you free-choice feed your dog, you may have to switch to meal feeding to keep your cat from snacking on the dog food left in the food bowl. Store dog food in an air-tight container to help maintain freshness as well as keep your cat out.
If your cat continues to beg for dog food, see your veterinarian to rule out any medical reasons or nutritional deficiencies that may have your cat acting this way.
Final Thoughts
You may love all of your pets the same, but that doesn’t mean you should feed them the same. While dog food isn’t toxic to your cat, it’s not meant for long-term feeding. Cats that eat dog food consistently can develop nutritional deficiencies that can become very serious and even fatal if left untreated.
Dr. Chyrle Bonk has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2010. She lives in Idaho with her husband and two sons, where they spend their free time exploring the great outdoors that is right in their backyard.
There’s nothing quite as tasty as a slice of fresh, warm bread or a sandwich served on thick-cut bread. Your cat won’t disagree. But should your kitty partake in this carbohydrate feast? Is bread safe for cats?
In short, plain bread isn’t toxic to cats, but that doesn’t mean that it should be part of a regular diet for your feline friend.
Can Cats Eat Bread? Does it Have Any Health Benefits?
There’s nothing harmful in a bite of plain bread. So, it’s okay for your cat to have the occasion bread treat. However, they don’t really get any nutrition from it, so it shouldn’t be part of their regular diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their digestive system is set up to digest meat, and lots of it. It’s not really made to break down carbohydrates.
If you give your cat more than the occasional bite of bread, it can start to take the place of their regular, balanced diet and starve them of some of the nutrients that they do need. It can also be an additional source of calories that can quickly lead to obesity and all of the complications that go along with it.
Is Bread Dangerous to Cats?
For most healthy cats, eating a bite or two of bread a few times a week isn’t going to cause any problems. However, if your cat is overweight, diabetic, or has any other health condition, eating bread can be detrimental. Again, bread doesn’t provide any real nutrition for your cat; it’s just empty calories. If bread is given in addition to their regular cat food, they can quickly start to gain weight, a dangerous process for any cat but especially for those already tipping the scales.
For diabetic cats, carbohydrates are a no-no. That’s because carbs are quickly broken down into sugars that elevate blood glucose levels. If these levels stay high, which is a common problem in cats with diabetes, organ damage and even failure can start to occur.
Feeding large amounts of bread at one time can also cause digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. A cat’s digestive system isn’t accustomed to digesting lots of carbohydrates, and eating lots of bread can overload it and even throw off the balance of the microbiome.
Types of Bread to Avoid
There are many varieties and flavors of bread; that’s part of the reason we humans love it so much. However, some of those additional ingredients can be toxic to your furry companion. Some spices, specifically onion and garlic, can destroy your cat’s red blood cells.
Raisins can lead to kidney failure, and high amounts of sugar can cause digestive upset. Xylitol is another “absolutely not” ingredient. Even though xylitol is more commonly considered a canine toxin, it can still be trouble for your kitties. You can never be too careful, so avoid giving it to your cat as well.
Is Raw Bread Dough Safe for Cats?
Raw, uncooked bread dough is definitely off the table for feeding your cat. Bread dough containing yeast is dangerous in several ways. First off, yeast expands as it ferments; that’s what makes bread dough rise. It continues to expand in your cat’s tummy, potentially leading to bloat or a dilated stomach.
Also, during the fermentation process, yeast produces ethanol. This alcohol travels to the bloodstream and can make a cat intoxicated or even give them alcohol poisoning.
If your cat eats raw bread dough, contact your veterinarian immediately. Depending on when and how much dough your cat ate, they may have you induce vomiting or bring them in right away to empty their stomach and treat any symptoms.
How to Safely Feed Bread to Your Cat
Even though bread doesn’t provide your cat any nutritional benefits, it can help in one area: giving them pills. Some cats can be fooled into taking their medications by hiding the pills in small pieces of bread.
Before giving your cat any bread, first, speak to your veterinarian to ensure that your cat is healthy enough to eat bread. Then keep the serving size small, just a bite or two once or twice a week. Any more than that, and you risk bread taking the place of other more valuable nutrients in their diet, or you may be putting your cat on the fast track to obesity.
Technically, cats can eat up to 10% of their daily caloric intake in treats like bread, but that doesn’t mean they should. Just keep portions small and infrequent for the best results.
Feed them only plain white or wheat bread. No additional seasonings or toppings (your cat doesn’t need butter or jelly), and definitely no raisins. Monitor your cat for any digestive issues after feeding bread and discontinue if they have any problems.
Final Thoughts
Bread is a great treat and staple in most human diets. However, it doesn’t hold any real place in your cat’s food bowl. Instead, if you choose to feed your cat bread or need a little to give them a pill, keep the amounts small and only feed bread to your cat every couple of days (at most). Be sure to avoid ingredients like garlic, onion, raisins, and high amounts of sugar to be extra safe. If your cat has issues eating bread, be sure to contact your veterinarian.
Dr. Chyrle Bonk has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2010. She lives in Idaho with her husband and two sons, where they spend their free time exploring the great outdoors that is right in their backyard.
Before having a cat, you probably didn’t realize how much of your time would be centered around their bathroom habits. There’s the daily scooping of the litter box and the occasional accident, but you can also tell a lot about a cat’s health through their feces, or lack thereof.
One of the problems cats can face is constipation, the reduced or difficult passage of feces. Constipation can also indicate that something worse is brewing with your cat’s digestive tract or other systems. It can also be something that plagues some kitties throughout their life. For those cats, finding one of the best cat foods for constipation may help them with this ailment.
1. Best Overall: Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Digestive/Fiber Care
Clinically shown to promote regular healthy stool in as little as 24 hours and help reduce risk of recurrence.
Specially formulated by Hill’s nutritionists and veterinarians to support your cat’s digestive health.
Unique blend of prebiotic fibers to promote regular bowel movements and help balance digestive function.
If your cat is often constipated, Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome may help to alleviate their problem for good. This prescription cat food is specially formulated for digestive regularity using a prebiotic fiber blend to promote a healthy and normal gut microbiome. Veterinarians and veterinary nutritionists formulated it to help regulate stools in as little as 24 hours.
In addition to high fiber content, Hill’s Gastrointestinal Biome cat food also contains high levels of omega fatty acids to help decrease inflammation and boost skin and haircoat health. This digestive health food can also help reduce the chance of developing urinary tract crystals and stones.
This food from Hill’s is a prescription food which makes it harder to get and harder to find. You will have to see a veterinarian first, which isn’t a bad idea for chronic constipation anyway. Also, it’s a pretty different formula than most cats are used to, so switching over to it should be done gradually to prevent digestive issues going the other way.
High protein content with real turkey as the #1 ingredient.
Fortified with live probiotics to support digestive and immune health.
Natural fiber helps to control hairballs.
With real turkey or salmon as the first ingredient, Purina Pro Plan Indoor Care is a good quality food specially formulated for an indoor lifestyle. It is high in protein to fuel your cat without adding unnecessary weight and high in antioxidants for a healthy immune system. There are plenty of omega fatty acids and vitamin A to support vision and healthy skin and haircoat. It is high in fiber to help remove hairballs from the digestive system as well.
The high fiber content also makes it helpful in relieving constipation in cats. On top of that, Purina Pro Plan Indoor formula contains prebiotic fiber and probiotics to feed and replenish the gut’s microbiome for healthy digestion to prevent constipation in the first place.
However, some cats aren’t going to like this food. Fortunately, there are a couple of different flavors to choose from if your kitty turns up their nose at one. Also, there have been some problems with quality depending on the distributor, so always be sure to check the color and odor before feeding it to your cat.
Pros:
High in fiber
Contains probiotics
Essential nutrition for indoor cats
Cons:
Some cats might not eat it
Quality control issues depending on the distributor
Uses whole meat without any kind of rendered meat meal.
No factory farming, growth hormones, antibiotics, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Uses non-GMO fruits and vegetables, and can is BPA free.
Halo canned cat food is a highly digestible product made from whole meats, fruits, and vegetables. It doesn’t use any meat meals, artificial ingredients, or grains. All of this makes it easily digestible so that your cat gets the nutrients they need without unnecessary fillers. This food is meant for indoor cats, so it is low in fat and calories and high in omega fatty acids to fight inflammation and boost skin and haircoat health.
Since most indoor cat food formulas are centered around fiber content to help control weight and promote hairball removal, they can also help with constipation issues. This canned cat food from Halo is no different. On top of high fiber content, Halo Indoor wet cat food also contains plenty of moisture that will also help keep your kitty hydrated to prevent constipation as well.
Canned cat food can be hard to quality control, especially if you’re getting it from an online supplier. That’s because it doesn’t stay fresh for as long as dry kibble. For this reason, you will want to make sure that each can of cat food has the correct color and smell before feeding it to your cat.
Formulas created by PhD animal nutritionists and veterinarians with ingredients clinically proven to support your cat's specific health needs.
Made with high-quality real meat as the first ingredient.
Made with highly digestible ingredients including a prebiotic fiber clinically proven to support digestive health.
Another great canned cat food product to help with constipation is Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly. This food is made with whole ingredients, including meat, fruits, and vegetables. It doesn’t contain artificial ingredients, by-products, or corn, so it is highly digestible and nutritious. High digestibility is important because the more undigestible fillers in a food, the more chance your cat will develop blockages.
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blissful Belly wet cat food can help prevent and treat constipation and regulate stool quality with high digestibility and fiber. It also contains prebiotics to support a healthy microbiome and is high in moisture, both of which help prevent dehydration and dried out feces and promote regular digestion.
Some kitties aren’t going to like this food and might not eat it. As with any canned cat food, you’ll need to pay close attention to the quality and freshness. Monitor every can for color and smell.
Pros:
High moisture
Contains prebiotic fiber
Whole ingredients
Cons:
Quality control issues
Some cats aren’t going to like it
5. Best Budget Option: IAMS Proactive Health Adult Indoor Weight and Hairball Control
Helps maintain a healthy weight and helps to reduce hairballs.
100% complete and balanced adult nutrition with 0% fillers.
Real chicken is the 1st ingredient.
IAMS Proactive Health is a good quality food overall, especially for the price. It provides real, whole chicken as the first ingredient, zero fillers, and omega fatty acids for a healthy haircoat and skin. This is also an excellent food for indoor cats who tend to get on the pleasantly plump side and suffer from constant hairballs.
This food is high in fiber to keep your cat feeling full without additional calories and helps clear the digestive system of hairballs. Along with that, high fiber content can help regulate bowel movements by bulking it up to stimulate the intestine.
Pros:
High fiber content
Omega fatty acids
Real, whole meat as the first ingredient
Cons:
Possible recipe change
Possible mold issues depending on the distributor
Best Cat Foods for Constipation Buying Guide
There are many reasons that a cat can become constipated. Anything from eating something they shouldn’t have to the side effects of a medication can leave your kitty a little stopped up. Fortunately, feeding them the right food can help set things right again, but you’ve got to know what makes that food the right one.
Signs of Constipation in Cats
Most kitties keep a fairly regular schedule, even for pooping. So, if you find an empty litter box after a couple of days, your cat may be constipated. However, just because there is feces in the litter box doesn’t mean that your cat is home-free. Small, hard pellets rather than regular, formed, moist stools are also a sign of constipation.
Some cats may show their constipation by their discomfort. Cats that cry or strain when at the litter box may be having some digestive issues. Also, cats that avoid the litter box altogether may be suffering as well. Litter box aside, constipated cats may also not be eating as much, not want to jump or play, may walk stiffly, or may hide.
Why Do Cats Get Constipated?
Causes of constipation in cats can be as simple as dehydration caused by not drinking enough water. Hairballs or ingestion of foreign bodies like string or bone can cause blockages in the intestines. Lack of exercise slows the movement in the digestive tract, and pain in the pelvis or legs from an injury or arthritis can keep a cat from trying to defecate.
More serious causes include kidney disease, nerve dysfunction, megacolon, hyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, anal gland problems, and some kinds of cancer. These issues can lead to constipation due to decreased movement of the intestines, pain, or dehydration.
What to Look for in Cat Foods for Constipation
As long as your cat doesn’t have any underlying health conditions contributing to their difficult bowel movements, giving them the right cat foods can help keep them regular.
Proper foods include:
Fiber: Fiber comes in two forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water while insoluble fiber does not. Both promote regular digestion from different angles, so they work together well when combating constipation. Soluble fiber from pumpkin, apples, or psyllium is fermented into volatile fatty acids in the colon, which helps to stimulate intestinal contraction. Insoluble fiber from green beans, nuts, or wheat helps bulk up a bowel movement to stimulate those same contractions. The result is the same, a more motile colon to move feces through and out.
Moisture: One of the colon’s main jobs is to absorb water. This means that the longer a bowel movement sits in the colon, the more water that gets sucked out of it and the harder, drier, and more difficult to pass it becomes. Along with this, dehydration is one of the leading causes of constipation. Increasing the amount of moisture in the food to increase the moisture in your cat’s feces can help overcome this problem.
Probiotics: The primary regulator of your cat’s digestive tract is their microbiome. These are the good bacteria that digest food and get the nutrients where they need to go. Any disruption to the microbiome can lead to digestive upset, including constipation. Feeding a cat food rich in probiotics can help repopulate and support those good bacteria for a healthier digestive tract and less constipation.
Whole Foods: A cat’s digestive tract is acutely honed to digest prey. That’s their natural diet, and their guts are efficient at digesting it. They’re not meant to eat foods that have been highly processed or are full of artificial ingredients. Choosing a cat food made from whole foods, especially whole lean meats, is an important part of preventing constipation due to the digestibility of the food. Look for products that use whole meats as the first few ingredients and stay away from processed products like meals and flours.
Final Thoughts
Cats are no strangers to constipation, especially if they’re not on the proper diet. Giving your cat the right food for constipation can help put their digestive system on the right track. Any of them will supply the best nutrition with some additional bonuses to help keep their tummies full and their bowels regular.
Dr. Chyrle Bonk has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2010. She lives in Idaho with her husband and two sons, where they spend their free time exploring the great outdoors that is right in their backyard.
What is it about cats and cucumbers? This pairing was made famous by numerous YouTube videos where owners repeatedly surprise their feline friends with this green fruit (trust me, it is, just like a tomato is a fruit). While hilarious, it may have some of you wondering if cats can eat cucumbers, or are they just a stage prop for your cat’s next home movie?
The quick answer is yes, cats can eat cucumbers in small quantities. However, there are things that you need to take into consideration.
Can Cucumbers Be Harmful to Cats?
Cats are carnivores; they crave and need lots of protein. Their bodies are designed to get the majority of their nutrition from meat. Vegetables, fruits, and grains don’t play a major role in their diet as their bodies are not set up to digest them as efficiently. Giving your cat a lot of fruits and vegetables can actually starve them of some nutrients. If cucumbers or other fruits and vegetables make up a high percentage of your cat’s diet, they may be missing out on some of their essential nutrition.
Lots of fiber and water can also cause some digestive upset for kitties, mainly in the form of diarrhea.
Do Cucumbers Have any Healthy Benefits to Cats?
Though your cat is more than likely only after cucumbers for their pleasing crunch, you’ll be happy to know that they provide them with more than that. At the top of the benefits list is water.
Cucumbers contain over 90% water, something most cats can’t get enough of. Besides helping to keep a cat hydrated, a couple bites of cucumber will also provide them with fiber to regulate their digestion and a variety of vitamins and minerals, including:
Vitamin C
Vitamin K
Magnesium
Potassium
Manganese
Cucumbers are also a source of antioxidants, which may help treat and prevent chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart, or kidney disease. This fruit is low in calories as well. With few calories and moderate amounts of fiber, cucumbers can make an excellent treat for kitties on a weight-loss plan.
How to Feed Cucumber to Your Cat
While cucumbers are considered a safe food for your cat, there are some guidelines that you should follow when feeding them. First of all, moderation is key. And by moderation, a slice or two a week is plenty. You don’t want to give much more than that, or they will get full from cucumber instead of their complete and balanced cat food.
You should also consider peeling the cucumber first. The skin is where most of the fiber is found. Even though some fiber is beneficial, too much may be hard for them to digest. Also, be sure to wash the cucumber thoroughly before peeling and slicing.
Serve it plain, without any seasonings or dips. Not only are these extras just additional calories, but some seasonings can be harmful to your cats.
You can feed cucumber as an in-between meals snack or as a topper to their cat food. Just be sure to keep the amounts small and the feedings infrequent.
Can Cats Have Pickles?
Fresh, peeled cucumber is the only recommended way to share this fruit with your cat. Even though pickles make a great partner for tuna fish, a cat favorite, they don’t have a place in your cat’s diet. That is because pickles are packed with salt and other seasonings that can be potentially dangerous for your kitty. While some kitties may crave pickles, high amounts of salt can lead to salt toxicity, a possibly serious situation.
If eaten consistently, other seasonings, mainly garlic, and onion, can lead to red blood cell issues. Even though your cat would have to eat quite a few pickles to have any real problems, it can happen, and that’s a chance most of us are unwilling to take.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt about it; cats and cucumbers have an interesting and often amusing relationship. That relationship only goes as far as a little scare for most cats when they see this greet fruit. For others, cucumbers may be a regular part of their snacking routine. If your cat is curious about eating cucumbers, remember only to feed them a slice or two a week and don’t make it part of their regular meals. Keep pickles out of their diet altogether.
Dr. Chyrle Bonk has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2010. She lives in Idaho with her husband and two sons, where they spend their free time exploring the great outdoors that is right in their backyard.
While some kitties would readily eat off the floor, others have some specific requirements from their chosen food bowl. Whether your cat is picky about their dinnerware or they have a digestive issue that requires special attention, choosing one of these best cat food bowls can have them licking their lips and plates clean before you know it.
Stainless steel construction: U.S. sourced 18/8 304 series stainless steel.
Dishwasher safe and easy to clean by hand.
Wide and shallow with sloped sides to protect sensitive whiskers from whisker fatigue.
Here’s a simple, no-frills cat food bowl that will get the job done in a clean and sanitary way. Stainless steel is a veterinarian’s favorite for cat food bowl materials. That’s because it’s nearly indestructible, so you won’t have to worry about bite or scratch marks harboring bacteria.
This bowl can also be washed in the dishwasher periodically to help keep your kitty healthy. This stainless steel is food grade and heavy-duty, so your cat won’t easily push it around. However, it is light enough for you to easily pick them when it’s time for feeding or cleaning.
This bowl from the Americat Company is also wide and shallow to help prevent whisker fatigue and keep paranoid cats feeling comfortable. It also holds 16 ounces so that this bowl will work for food or water, and it will fit in some elevated food bowl stands.
The Americat Company Stainless Steel cat bowl does have a rounded side which makes it easier to flip over, especially if your cat is the naughty type. Putting it in a stand will help prevent this. Stainless steel is also expensive, but expect it to last for a long time.
Reduce Neck Burden: 3.6-inch height so that your cat's neck is in a more natural position and allowing pets to eat more comfortably.
Ceramic cat water bowl meets all food safety standards and can be quickly rinsed or wiped clean, microwave and dishwasher safe.
Helps your cat avoid stress from whisker fatigue and can keep your cat's face clean while enjoying a meal.
These ceramic cat food bowls from Y YHY are the perfect pair to hold your cat’s food and water. The dishes are easily cleaned by hand or in the dishwasher, and they can safely be put in the microwave. Not only that, but these bowls are slightly elevated to be the perfect height to enhance your cat’s digestion or ease their arthritic discomforts.
Now to the bells and whistles. These ceramic bowls are also uniquely designed, with the food bowl being slightly tilted to provide a better angle for your cat to reach in. The water bowl features marked measurements so that you can keep track of how much they are drinking every day. This is especially important for cats with health issues like diabetes or kidney disease.
These bowls from Y YHY only hold about one cup of dry kibble, so they’re not ideal if your cat has a big appetite or if you have multiple cats. The curved sides also make it easy for food to fall out the sides and out onto the floor. As with all ceramic bowls, they don’t withstand a lot of wear and tear, especially if you drop or tip it over.
Reduce Neck Burden: 3.6-inch height so that your cat's neck is in a more natural position and allowing pets to eat more comfortably.
Ceramic cat water bowl meets all food safety standards and can be quickly rinsed or wiped clean, microwave and dishwasher safe.
Raised bowls can help improve cat’s digestion.
Elevated food and water bowls may do the trick if your kitty needs a little boost for their digestion. These elevated bowls from PETKIT are not only at a great height to maximize digestion, but they are also slightly tilted to allow for easy access. The rounded edges also accommodate food removal, and the wide shape will help prevent whisker fatigue.
The stand has a rubberized bottom so it won’t slip around as easily, and the removable bowls are made from stainless steel. They’re easy to clean, even in the dishwasher, and are heavy-duty to resist cracking and scratching. Stainless steel is also very hygienic to prevent your cat from getting sick.
Attaching the bowls to the base can be difficult. Since these bowls should be slightly tilted, they need to be attached to the base rather than just placed there. This can be a little cumbersome and not work as smoothly. Also, the base is made of plastic, so if your cat has a plastic allergy, they may still be affected even though the bowls are stainless steel.
Cat dishes are made from renewable plant sources—47% bamboo plant material.
Open design allows your cat to eat food more easily and stress-free.
Easy-to-clean and under normal use, cat bowls are unbreakable & will not crack or chip.
This cat food bowl from Van Ness is a little different, made from plant-based material, mainly bamboo. This makes this bowl a sustainable and environmentally friendly product that is safe and durable for your cat to use. The silicone material is covered in a high-polish finish that is chemical and heavy metal-free and won’t chip or crack under normal use.
The Ecoware Cat Dish also features a skid-free bottom to keep the dish where you want it and to help keep your kitty from tipping it over. It is also wide and shallow to help prevent whisker fatigue and provide security and comfort to more anxious cats. Along with that, these cat food bowls are easily cleaned by hand or in the dishwasher and is easy on the budget.
However, since these cat food bowls from Van Ness are made primarily from bamboo, some cats may develop an allergy to them. This will typically show up as a rash on their chin or face. They also only hold eight ounces, and larger amounts of kibble will easily fall out with the shallowness of the bowl and the curved sides.
Promotes fun, healthy eating: naturally slows cats' eating pace by allowing cats to forage for their food through a fun maze.
BPA, PVC & Phthalate Free: Made with food safe materials that you can trust with your kitty.
Improves digestion: reducing eating pace can improve digestion and prevent bloating.
The Petstages Slow Feeder bowl may be just what they need to slow down mealtime for cats who eat too quickly. The ridges in this cat food bowl create a little maze that traps pieces of kibble or even wet food so that your cat has to pick around to get their meal. This helps to improve digestion and decrease vomiting. Not only that, this maze food bowl will keep your cat entertained throughout the day.
The Petstages Slow Feeder is dishwasher safe so that you don’t have to attempt to handwash around all of those curves and ridges. It is also BPA, PVC, and chemical-free, so you know it will be safe for your cat. A non-slip base covers the bottom, so you won’t have to worry about your cat moving this food bowl around the house while they work through the maze.
Some cats aren’t going to like a slow feeder-type bowl. Picky eaters may turn up their noses if they find it difficult or time-consuming to get to their kibble. That is why slow feeders are meant more for voracious cats who only care about food and not for fussy eaters. This bowl holds about ¾ cup of dry kibble or wet food, which might not be big enough for an entire day’s feeding for a bigger cat.
Pros:
Helps improve digestion
Dishwasher safe
Provides mental stimulation and entertainment
Cons:
Some cats won’t like it
Holds ¾ cup food
Best Cat Food Bowls Buying Guide
You may think that every cat food bowl is created equal. That is until you try to buy one and find that there are more options than teeth in your cat’s mouth. While it’s great to have options, the sheer number of options is overwhelming. We’re here to help you narrow down your choices so that you can find a cat food bowl that both you and your feline friend will love.
Cat Bowl Materials: Which is the Best?
There are many cute shapes, colors, patterns, and materials that cat food bowls come in. So, which is best for your kitty?
Plastic: Plastic cat food bowls are among the most common and least expensive items available. While they are easy to find, plastic isn’t the best material for cat food bowls. That’s because teeth or claws easily damage the plastic. Those puncture holes, cracks, and scratches are hard to clean and can harbor bacteria that can make your cat sick. Some cats can also develop allergies to plastic that can show up as a rash on their face and chin.
Ceramic: Ceramic bowls are nice and easy to clean. They can be hand-washed, with some being dishwasher-safe. They also tend to be heavier in weight, which may keep your cat from pushing them around as much. However, that heaviness can also be detrimental if it is dropped, as ceramic breaks easily.
Glass: Another material that is easy to clean is glass. Handwashing or a run through the dishwasher will get them clean and sanitary. But glass also tends to be fragile and can easily crack if knocked around or dropped.
Stainless Steel: Most vets will recommend stainless steel cat food bowls simply because they are sanitary and nearly indestructible. Stainless steel is easily cleaned in the dishwasher or by hand. They also tend to be more expensive and don’t have any fun colors or patterns.
Types of Cat Food Bowls
Materials aside, there are still many options left for cat food bowls. These options pertain to the size, shape, and unique features.
Size and Shape: Generally speaking, you’ll want a cat food bowl that can accommodate a meal’s worth of your cat’s food. Sometimes it’s not that simple. Some scaredy-cat types will prefer a shallow, wider bowl to keep an eye on their surroundings. Others prefer the wider bowl to prevent whisker fatigue. However, if you’re cramped for space and have a fairly laid-back feline, a deeper, narrower bowl may fit the surroundings better. Just be prepared for your cat to pull kibble from their bowl and eat it on the floor. Those messy kitties also need a bigger bowl to keep their kibble more confined while they eat it.
Elevated: Elevated cat food bowls are on the rise. That’s because feeding your cat at a higher level can improve digestion and prevent discomfort in older kitties. Elevated cat food bowls should be about chest high when your cat is standing normally. This keeps your cat from hunching over their bowl, which can cause back pain and cramp the digestive system. For cats with megaesophagus, elevated food bowls are a must.
Slow Feeders: If it seems like your cat has never tasted their cat food because they eat it so fast, a slow feeder-type bowl may be your answer. These cat food bowls have ridges or bumps in them that dry kibble falls around and in between. This prevents your kitty from grabbing large mouthfuls of food at a time and instead makes them pick around the obstacles for smaller nibbles. Not only can slow feeders help reduce the amount of food that your cat eats, but they can also cut down on the number of post-meal throw-ups that you have to clean.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the market for a cat food bowl, you’ll first want to note your cat’s personality. Are they easy-going or a little jumpy? Are they a little messy or highly fastidious? Do they have any health concerns or digestive issues? With those in mind, you can choose a bowl that will accommodate them at mealtime and not put you out when it comes time to clean it.
Dr. Chyrle Bonk has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2010. She lives in Idaho with her husband and two sons, where they spend their free time exploring the great outdoors that is right in their backyard.
In the cat world, a lot of attention is given to overweight and obese kitties. But on the other end of the spectrum, plenty of cats are a little too thin and trim. Thinness in cats can come about due to several things, including medical condition, age, and picky eating. If your kitty could stand to put on a few pounds, one of these cat foods for weight gain might be the way to go.
1. Best Overall Food for Weight Gain: Nulo Freestyle Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Freeze-dried raw cat food to provide essential nutrients for a complete, balanced meal that is protein rich with balanced fat.
Contains no corn, wheat, soy, artificial preservatives, colors, or flavoring.
Probiotic to support you cat's digestive and immune health.
This food from Nulo packs a nutritional punch. It is loaded with protein (42%) and high in fat (37%). Around 90% of that protein comes from whole animal sources, including turkey, duck, and liver.
This helps make it a highly digestible food and one that will help your kitty gain weight. It is also grain-free, should your kitty have an issue with these ingredients.
Nulo Freestyle is a minimally processed food. Rather than cooking the food down, decreasing digestibility and increasing nutrient loss, Nulo freeze-dries real, raw meat. This creates a high protein, more natural kind of food to help your skinny kitty round out their curves. Also included in this diet are probiotics for healthy digestive and immune systems.
A gradual transition is required with any high-protein cat food to prevent vomiting and diarrhea. Also, whole meat foods, like Nulo, may have a stronger odor than you and your cat are used to. The kibble size isn’t as uniform since this food isn’t processed through a machine like other commercial diets. Some pieces can be almost dog food sized, which can be a problem for picky eaters or cats with dental issues.
Pros:
Very high protein, fat diet for weight gain
High-quality protein from whole meats
Minimally processed
Cons:
Lack of uniformity of kibble size
Strong odor
May cause vomiting/diarrhea during transition phase
Features whole-prey animal inclusions like meat, organs, cartilage, and bone providing your cat with the most nutrient-dense, succulent parts of the prey.
Up to 90%* premium animal ingredients, providing a strong source of essential protein, vitamins, and minerals.
First 5 ingredients are chicken, turkey, whole mackerel, turkey giblets, and flounder.
If you look at the ingredients list of a bag of Orijen cat food, you might consider eating it yourself. It is packed full of animal proteins in their most wholesome form. That is because Orijen prides itself on creating pet foods that are most like that of a cat’s natural diet. These foods are made from 90% animal protein sources and just 10% fruits and vegetables to provide necessary nutrients.
What these ingredients amount to is 40% protein and 20% fat. This will help your kitty gain the right kind of weight by providing the necessary energy and plenty of lean muscle-building power. This food is also fresh and tasty, with real freeze-dried liver coating every kibble for a flavor that your kitty will love.
With food this powerful, it is natural to have a strong odor. While that odor isn’t necessarily unpleasant, it may be something that surprises you or your cat. This strong odor may carry over to their litter box as well. It is also more expensive than other brands. However, due to its nutrient density, you may end up feeding less of it down the road so that the cost may balance out a bit more.
Pros:
High-protein, moderate fat for healthy weight gain
High-quality ingredients from whole protein sources
A taste that most kitties love
Cons:
Strong odor
More expensive
Formulated for all life stages, which makes it challenging to tailor needs for specific cats
Made with raw meat, fruits, vegetables & other wholesome ingredients.
Never cooked and less processed than other pet food—keeping valuable nutrients intact.
Nutrient Dense: Raw, uncooked foods retain natural flavors, antioxidants, amino acids & vitamins and minerals.
Instinct cat foods believe that raw feeding is the ultimate in natural and digestible nutrition. That’s why every dry kibble is coated with raw, freeze-dried meat. This helps improve the taste and increases digestibility by decreasing the amount of processing. Increased digestibility is important so that your cat can easily glean all of the available nutrients from their food without their guts having to work overtime. This is especially important for older kitties or those with digestive issues, and it can come in handy for cats trying to gain weight.
Instinct Ultimate Protein brings 47% protein to your cat’s food bowl, and 95% of that protein comes from real, whole chicken. To go with that, it also has 17% fat so that your cat can put on healthy muscle weight. Instinct Ultimate Protein also contains probiotics for healthy digestion, omega fatty acids for shiny hair and soft skin, and antioxidants to boost the immune system and benefit the aging process.
This cat food from Instinct is a very high protein and nutrient-dense food. That being said, it can pack a more pungent odor than what you and your cat are used to. This goes for the litter box odor as well. It may also lead to some vomiting or diarrhea during the first few days as your cat’s body adjusts to it. This makes it especially important to very gradually transition your kitty to this food from their old food, possibly taking a couple of weeks to do so.
Pros:
High protein, moderate fat
Raw, freeze-dried coating on the kibble to increase taste
High-quality protein from real meat
Cons:
May have strong odor
More expensive
May cause some vomiting/diarrhea during transition
4. Best Canned Option: Wellness CORE Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Includes lean meats, healthy fats, fruits and veggies with no wheat, corn or soy, and no added artificial flavors, colors, carrageenan or preservatives.
Recipe is an easy way to increase your cat's moisture intake for urinary tract health.
Created by nutritionists, veterinarians and animal lovers, to provide an ideal balance of nature's finest ingredients.
If your kitty prefers a softer texture or you’re looking for a mix-in for that dry kibble, Wellness CORE Grain-Free Canned cat food may be just what you need. This product is made with whole chicken, turkey, and liver for a high protein product. It is also high in fat to help add a little padding to your skinny kitty. These protein sources are rounded out with kelp, cranberries, and flaxseed to provide fiber, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids for overall health and wellness.
The texture of Wellness CORE is a pate, meaning it is uniform in texture with no lumps or chunks to upset picky eaters. It also makes it soft for cats with dental or mouth issues and a great texture for mixing with kibble.
The big disadvantage of canned food over dry kibble is the spoilage factor. Canned food doesn’t keep as long. This means that if you have a picky eater, you may throw away more food than they’re eating. Also, quality control due to shipping can vary greatly. Be sure that any canned food smells and looks okay before feeding it to your cat.
Pros:
High protein and high fat
Soft, consistent texture
Smells and tastes enticing
Cons:
May end up wasting some
Quality control issues due to shipping
Expensive
5. Best Budget Option: Iams Proactive Health High Protein
Real Animal Protein Is the #1 Ingredient: High-quality, natural animal protein is used in IAMS Cat Food formulas.
No artificial preservatives, no synthetic dyes, and no wheat.
Nourished with the optimal Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acid ratio for a soft, and shiny coat.
For a high-protein food without a hefty price tag, check out Iams Proactive Health High Protein cat food. With whole chicken as the main ingredient, this food brings in about 38% protein and 18% fat. Chicken and salmon make up 84% of the total protein sources, creating a more easily digestible diet.
This food is from Iams is rounded out with prebiotic fiber for optimal gut health, omega fatty acids for your cat’s skin and haircoat, and all other essential nutrients for overall health and weight gain.
Again, high protein foods can take a bit for your kitty to settle into. This means gradual transitions to help avoid diarrhea or vomiting. Higher protein foods also have a stronger smell which can be off-putting for you and your cats. Since this cat food is lower in fat than others, it may take a little longer to see any changes in weight.
Pros:
High protein and moderate fat
Uses whole chicken as the first ingredient
Less expensive
Cons:
May have a strong smell
May cause vomiting/diarrhea during the transition
Best Cat Food for Weight Gain Buying Guide
First thing’s first, if you have a skinny cat, you need to figure out why. Schedule a visit to your veterinarian to have your cat checked out for some of the medical conditions that can cause weight loss in cats. Some of those include:
Parasites: Both internal and external parasites can lead to long-term weight loss or failure to gain weight
Kidney Disease: Cats with all stages of kidney failure may have a reduced appetite and increased water consumption and urination.
Hyperthyroidism: Even with a voracious appetite, cats with hyperthyroidism often continue to lose weight.
Bad Teeth: When it hurts to chew, most cats start to forego mealtime.
Age: As cats get older, their digestive efficiency decreases, possibly causing weight loss.
Other Chronic Conditions: Digestive issues, diabetes, pain, heart disease, and cancer, to name a few, can lead to weight loss in cats.
If your kitty gets a clean bill of health from your vet, their skinny figure may simply be due to not eating enough calories. This may be because they don’t like the taste or texture of their food, it’s not calorically dense enough, or they’re just not getting the proper amounts because another furry friend (or even child!) is stealing it.
What to Look for in a Cat Food for Weight Gain
Now it’s time to start looking for the right food to help them put some weight back on. For some cats, you may be able to use their current diet; just increase the amounts that they get. You may need to switch to a higher-powered version for other cats to get them the required calories. When choosing a cat food for weight gain, make sure it meets the following standards:
High-Protein: Cats like their meat; in fact, their bodies require it as their main energy source. Look for cat food that contains at least 30% protein from good quality meat sources rather than plant-based. This number can be higher if recommended by your veterinarian.
Moderate Fat: While protein may be a cat’s go-to energy source, fat provides a very condensed form. You’ll want food around 20% fat to best provide for some weight gain.
Quality Ingredients: Anytime you’re looking at a diet for your cat, your first step should be to find one with whole meats as the first ingredient listed—bonuses for finding one that also includes it as the second or third ingredients. Whole meats provide an easily digestible and complete source of protein. Chicken, turkey, fish, or beef are top choices if your cat isn’t allergic.
Your Cat Likes It: Obviously, cats aren’t going to eat food they don’t like. Choose something that your kitty will readily eat and won’t get bored of. This may take some trial and error to find the right flavor and texture. You may also want to go with a line that offers different flavors so that you can change their food to fit their tastes without changing brands.
Other Tips for Helping a Cat Gain Weight
Along with changing to one of these cat foods meant for weight gain, here are some tips you can try to help your feline friend plump up a bit.
Feed Smaller Meals: Give your cat the option of free choice feeding, if that’s possible, otherwise offer smaller, more frequent meals. This may help kitties with digestive sensitivities to better regulate and increase the number of calories consumed.
Feed Them Separately: If your house is graced with more than one cat, feeding them separately can help ensure that they get all of the food they require.
Change Flavors and Textures: Offer your picky eater different flavors of the same brand. You may also mix in some canned food on occasion to tantalize their taste buds.
Keep it Fresh: Cats don’t like yesterday’s leftovers, especially canned food. Make sure their meals are always fresh from the container. You may want to buy smaller bags of dry kibble to ensure freshness.
Try Kitten Food: Kitten food is packed with protein and higher in fat to fuel those growing, active bodies. Feeding an underweight adult cat kitten food is a way of increasing calories without decreasing quality.
Soup Up the Supplements: If all else fails, speak to your veterinarian about weight gain supplements and appetite stimulants.
When starting your kitty on a weight gain regime, it’s essential that you choose something that can be decreased over time in case it goes too far in the other direction. If you start free-choice feeding, for example, be sure that you can easily go back to timed meals should your kitty start to get on the thick side.
Final Thoughts
With all the attention that obesity and weight gain gets in our feline friends, it’s important to remember that there are some kitties in need of a little nutritional boost. Choosing one of these best cat foods for weight gain is a big step in your cat’s weight gain journey. Along with a diet change, a trip to your veterinarian and some of these other helpful weight gain tips may be in order.
Dr. Chyrle Bonk has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2010. She lives in Idaho with her husband and two sons, where they spend their free time exploring the great outdoors that is right in their backyard.
All mammals need water, including your cat, but you may find yourself wondering if there are other liquids out there that your cat can drink as well. While water is an essential nutrient and the best way to hydrate your cat, let’s look at other things that are okay for your cat to drink.
What Can Cats Drink Besides Water?
Some products are safe and effective if you’re looking for other ways besides water to keep your cat hydrated.
Milk: We’re talking about cat’s milk, and this goes for kittens only. Kittens feed almost entirely on their mother’s milk or a milk replacer for the first month of life. It provides all of the necessary nutrition for them to grow and thrive. After the first month, most kittens can start to transition to solid food. As kittens get older and weaned from their mother, most of them become lactose intolerant, so giving them milk can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. If you want to give your adult cat milk, stick with plant-based milk but only in small amounts.
Bone Broth: People drink bone broth for several reasons. First of all, it is made from bone and connective tissues, so it helps improve digestion and joint health, removes toxins from the liver, and makes for a healthier haircoat and skin. Plus, cats love the taste. After all, cats are carnivores and love animal-based proteins. This makes bone broth a great choice to liven up any cat’s meal or entice them to eat or drink if they’re feeling picky.
Pedialyte: Electrolytes are essential to maintain fluid balance, aid in muscle contraction and nerve conduction, and maintain pH levels. Electrolytes play an important part in hydration. If your kitty isn’t feeling well or isn’t drinking enough water, electrolyte solutions, like Pedialyte, can help. Pedialyte is preferred over other electrolyte solutions because it is lower in sugar, which your cat doesn’t need.
Tuna Juice: If your kitty needs a little pick-me-up or just an added incentive to eat or drink, tuna juice may do the trick. Besides having a taste that cats go crazy for, tuna juice can also provide them with omega fatty acids to improve their skin and haircoat and help battle inflammation. Just make sure to only use tuna in water instead of tuna in oil, since oil is high in fat and can cause digestive upset and even pancreatitis in high amounts. Drizzle tuna juice over their food or mix it in with their water.
Canned Food Slurry: If your kitty is having trouble getting their daily fluids or doesn’t want to eat, a canned food slurry might be what they’re looking for. Mix canned food with water until it reaches a tomato soup consistency (or thicker or thinner depending on your needs), and let your cat lap it up.
What Should Cats NOT Drink?
Your cat can enjoy a few other beverages besides water, but that doesn’t mean that all liquids are fair game. Your feline friend should avoid the following:
Cows Milk: Here’s where that lactose intolerance comes in. Drinking too much cow’s milk can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Alcohol: Beer and wine have the same effects on cats as humans, times 10. Consuming alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning before you know it.
Caffeine: A cat’s body is more sensitive to caffeine than humans, making heart and blood pressure issues a big problem.
Sugary Drinks: Soda and juices aren’t for cats either. They add calories that can make them gain weight and lead to diabetes. Also, cats can’t taste sweet, so what’s the point?
The Importance of Water for Cats
Before we get into other liquids that are safe for cats to drink, let’s focus on why and how a cat should stay hydrated. In the wild, cats don’t drink a lot of water. Instead, they get their fluid requirements mainly from the prey that they eat. This can add up to quite a bit considering most prey animals are 60-70% water. However, our domestic cats don’t have that opportunity, so their water needs are met by drinking water.
A cat’s body needs water for nearly every function. It is required to help digest foods, transport nutrients, and remove wastes. Water also helps regulate body temperature, cushion the brain and spinal cord, and lubricate joints. If cats don’t drink enough water, they get dehydrated, leading to organ and muscle dysfunction and damage, and electrolyte imbalances.
How much water do cats need per day? That will depend on the size of your kitty and the type of food they eat: the more dry kibble they eat, the more water they need. Also, the bigger your cat, the more water they will need.
Generally speaking, a 10-pound cat eating dry kibble should drink about one cup of water per day.
You can encourage your cat to drink more water by ensuring their water source is always fresh and clean. Use multiple water bowls in different locations so your kitty doesn’t have to go looking for it. Some cats prefer running water from a fountain or a dripping faucet. If your kitty still needs a little encouragement, feed them some canned food since it has a higher moisture content.
Final Thoughts
All kitties need water; normal bodily functions depend on it. However, getting your cat to drink the required amount can sometimes be tricky. Even though water is always best, this list of other safe beverages can help your cat get their fluids to prevent dehydration.
Dr. Chyrle Bonk has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2010. She lives in Idaho with her husband and two sons, where they spend their free time exploring the great outdoors that is right in their backyard.
You’ve probably referred to your cat, more than once, as your baby. So, why not feed them baby food? The truth is cats can eat baby food depending on the ingredients and, of course, in moderation. Baby food can be very nutritious and offer an appealing taste and texture for those picky eaters or kitties recovering from an illness.
Possible Problems Associated with Feeding Your Cat Baby Food
Before you switch your cat over to an all-baby food diet, it’s important to remember that not all baby food is meant for your kitty. It also shouldn’t be a significant part of your cat’s regular meals.
Most cats are going to go wild for the meat blends of baby food, naturally. However, it’s these products that can contain harmful seasonings like garlic, onion, and salt. While these pair nicely with roast beef or chicken, they are toxic to cats.
You’ll also want to avoid baby foods that contain raisins, grapes, and chocolate.
Another possible issue with feeding cats baby food is if you decide to make it their complete diet. Cats require the amino acid taurine. Most other mammals can make taurine on their own, but not cats.
Cats require taurine in their diet. It is essential for heart health, vision, digestion, and immune function. Taurine is only found in animal-based proteins-meat. Meat-based baby foods will contain taurine, but if you choose to go the meatless route, your kitty may be in trouble.
Also, baby food is still meant for humans, which means it can be relatively high in calories. If you’re feeding a kitten or active adult, this may not be a big deal. However, if you’re feeding a cat that’s like most housecats, they don’t need the calories. That’s why baby food is best left as a treat or for feeding in the short term only.
How to Feed Your Cat Baby Food
If you’re looking to liven up your cat’s kibble or provide a quick treat, baby food is an excellent choice for your cat. It’s also suitable for short-term feedings, such as following surgery, an illness or injury, or dental issues.
It can also work to hide medication if your kitty is on any prescriptions.
Keeping a few jars of meat-flavored baby food on your shelf may come in handy from time to time for your feline friends. Just be sure that it doesn’t become their long-term diet and that you’re giving it to them in small amounts.
Again, always check the ingredients label to ensure that the baby food you choose is free of onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, and chocolate.
The Benefits of Baby Food for Cats
If you’ve ever thought about feeding your cat baby food, you’re not alone. It can actually be a very convenient and wholesome source of nutrition. Other benefits include:
Great Nutrition: Baby food is formulated for tiny humans, so it’s made out of, you guessed it, actual human foods. These foods are cooked and pureed to a texture that babies with few or no teeth can handle. Mixing and matching different baby foods are meant to provide a growing child with complete and balanced nutrition. Therefore, it should also be very nutritious and easy to digest for your kitty.
Enhanced Aroma and Texture: Some kitties prefer a smoother texture than regular cat food can provide. This makes baby food an excellent substitute for even pâté types of cat food. It also tends to be very aromatic to entice picky babies and cats alike to eat it. Baby food can be a good choice for senior cats that aren’t eating much or for cats coming off of an illness. The texture can be easily handled by cats with dental disease or cats with digestive issues that don’t trust their regular food.
Easily Digestible: A human baby’s digestive system is a work in progress. They aren’t ready to take on solid human food as adults do. Instead, they need gentle, easily digestible products. Baby food is made with this in mind. The same is true for some cats. Those with sensitive stomachs, seniors, or cats following an illness can benefit from the digestibility of baby food, so their digestive system doesn’t have to work too hard.
Convenient: Baby food comes in conveniently packaged, meal-sized portions. They’re great to take on the go or to store at home. They also come in a variety of flavors, making it easy to find something that any kitty, picky or not, can enjoy.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wondered if baby food can be fed to cats, now you know that it is a safe alternative to regular cat food, depending on the flavor. Baby food can provide excellent nutrition to your cat in a tasty and easily consumable package. It makes a great food substitute for senior cats or those that need a little digestive support following an illness. Just make sure that baby food is given in moderation and free from toxic ingredients.
Dr. Chyrle Bonk has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2010. She lives in Idaho with her husband and two sons, where they spend their free time exploring the great outdoors that is right in their backyard.
