Things in your fridge that you can feed your cat and the ones you can’t.

Normal cat food supplies your cat with all the nutrients that it needs. But on those days when you run out of cat food or your cat is acting picky and not eating its food, you can try feeding it some of your human food. While not all human food is good for cats, there are some which are perfectly healthy and can be served to your cat.

1. Fish

Both cats and dogs only produce a fraction of the omega-3 that they need to maintain a healthy and balanced proportion of fatty acids in their system. They can find the right proportions of these nutrients in foods such as salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel, and crab.  Cats normally eat all varieties of fish.

2. Meat

Cats are ‘obligate carnivores. Meat is a non-negotiable part of their diet. While cats usually partake in all varieties of meat, it’s safer to feed them lean meats like chicken, turkey, duck, etc.

3.Eggs

Rich in protein, iron, and other minerals, eggs are a great addition to your furry friend’s meal. Eggs, of course, need to be cooked before feeding them because raw eggs create a risk for salmonella and E. coli. Be careful to thoroughly scramble those eggs before sharing them with your cat.

4. Vegetables

Is your cat chewing on your potted plants? This shows that he may be in need of more fiber in his diet. To make up for this, you can feed him baked or steamed veggies such as carrots, broccoli, asparagus and lush greens like spinach, thyme, mint, lemongrass. These herbs are great for your cat’s complete nutrition.

5. Grains

The goodness of whole or unrefined grains is not limited to humans alone. They can be great for your cat too! Unlike refined grains, whole grains are complete with vitamins, iron, and fiber. Next time, when you make yourself a bowl of oatmeal, don’t forget your cat. Oatmeal (with water), brown rice is just as good for your cat as they are for you!

6. Cheese

Although cats enjoy drinking milk, a large number of cats are lactose intolerant. But milk products like cheese, yogurt don’t have the same effect on them. So a little portion of cheese, once in a while, isn’t bad for your cat. In fact, it can be used to get them to take their meds. However, if it causes vomiting or diarrhea in your cat then it’s best to not feed him any dairy product.

7. Avocado

Another food that’s just as good for cats as it is for humans is avocado. The seeded fruit is not only tasty and but also abundant in vitamins A, C, E, and B6—all of which are vital for your cat’s skin and coat. Now that you know it, give your cat a chunk of the fruit from your salad bowl once in a while. If he enjoys it, give him some more.

Not all of your food is great for your cat, as mentioned earlier. Turns out, some of them are pretty toxic.

1.    Chocolates: Genetically, cats are unable to detect sugary food due to the lack of sweet taste buds. And many of the sweet treats are dangerously toxic to them. All forms of chocolate contain a bitter-tasting stimulant known as theobromine, which can cause muscle tremors, seizures, and several serious heart problems for your feline friend.

2.    Coffee: Tea, Coffee, and energy drinks are harmful for your cat. Caffeine, another stimulant, has an effect similar to that of chocolates.  It causes your cat to become anxious, restless and suffer from rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle tremor.

3.    Grapes & raisins: Grapes & raisins have been known to cause acute kidney failure in dogs. Although the same has not been noted in cats, cats don’t actively seek out grapes even in the wild. Therefore, it’s best to keep the fruit away from your cat.

4.     Onions & Garlic: Onions, garlic, shallots, and scallions can harm your cat’s red blood cells and cause anemia. These foods are typically poisonous when eaten in large quantities, but exposure to concentrated forms of onion or garlic, such as onion soup mix or garlic powder can also be toxic. If you think your cat has been exposed to these and is showing symptoms like lethargy, weakness, reduced appetite, pale gums, and orange to dark red urine, take him for a check-up immediately.

5.    Alcohol and Raw Dough: Even a spoonful of alcohol can be dangerous for your cat. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, disorientation, trouble breathing, coma, and even death. The same goes for foods cooked with alcohol. If you think your cat has ingested even a small amount of alcohol, take her to the vet immediately. It’s also important to keep your cat away from the kitchen if you’re baking on kneading dough. Raw dough causes an expansion in the cat's stomach, pancreatitis, and other gastrointestinal issues in cats.

Now you know what to feed your cat if you ever run out of cat food and what to avoid like a plague when it comes to your cat.