Top 11 healthy human foods that your cats can eat

by Cindy Grant
(MillPort, Pennsylvania, USA)

Are you looking for a healthy snack for your beloved cats? Fortunately, you don’t need to search much further than your kitchen for some human foods that your cats can eat. So here are the top 15 expert recommended friendly human foods that you can feed your cats.

1. Bread
Bread is known to be a friendly human food for cats since it is an excellent source of protein and fiber. Some cats also like to snack on bread. Learn more if cats can eat bread or not here

2. Salmon
According to Dr. Tina Wismer, medical director at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, salmon is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. They can be delicious and are tasty treats for your cats and is usually found in some commercial cat foods. She also added that some cat-friendly human foods can be fed to cats but always make sure to give your only cats cooked salmon.

3. Broccoli
Sometimes, your cats will crave for veggies. Cat’s diet is dependent on protein. So if you’ll notice your cats chewing on house plants, you can try feeding them with a small amount of steamed broccoli. This could be a way to satisfy your cat’s desire for greens and keep them away from toxic house plants.

4. Melon
Similar to broccoli, melons are also good bite to feed your cats to prevent them from chewing on your house plants. Fruits help your cats with digestive issues but should be given only occasionally since cats are carnivorous and their bodies can’t digest a huge number of plant matters. Watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe are okay for your cat to ingest in small amounts, just make sure to remove the seeds before you feed it to your cats.

5. Fish Oils
Dr. Jeff Werber, an Emmy-award winning veterinarian, said that pet parents tend to give their dog human food more often than cats. Fish oil is something that can help both cats and dogs. With a lot of options, including cod liver oil and salmon, the omega-3 in fish oil helps dry skin during the winter and keep your four-legged friend’s coat always healthy.

6. Eggs
Eggs are known to be a great source of protein, and vitamin B. Eggs can also be found in several cat foods and are guaranteed 100 percent safe for your cats to eat. According to Dr. Wismer, to lessen the risk of foodborne diseases, you always need to make sure to cook any eggs you feed to your cats.

7. Bananas
Bananas are high in potassium and soluble fiber and are a perfect and safe snack for your cat. But although it’s a healthy treat, bananas only make no more than 10 percent of your cat’s daily calorie intake.

8. Beef
Cats may look cute and cuddly, but they are also fericious carnivores. Their bodies are built to thrive on meat. If you’re planning to feed your cat beef, make sure to only give them small amounts and avoid the fatty portions. Raw meat is also not advisable due to food-borne illnesses.

9. Cheese
Dr. Wismer suggests that feeding your cat cheese, especially hard cheese like cheddar, Swiss or Gouda are healthy and safe. Cheese is rich in calcium and protein, and they can also be easily baked into treats and make sure to feed your cat raw cheese in just small amounts.

10. Turkey
Turkey is another source of protein. Cooked turkey breast or sliced deli meat can be safe to feed your cat. When you introduce new foods to your cat, you should expect your cat to have a bi6 of gastrointestinal upset. If it’s a food that they have never tried before, they bodies may not be used on digesting that food. It’s advisable to feed your cat a variety of food for you to see what food they like.

11. Canned Baby Food
Meat-based baby canned foods could be a helpful way to encourage your cat if it's experiencing a health problem, such as chronic kidney disease. But before you decide to feed them with baby canned foods, you need to check first the ingredients for onion and powder because both can be harmful to your cats. Feeding your cat with baby foods should not become a regular diet for your cat.

All of these foods mentioned above are safe for your cats. Keeping your cat on a mixture of dry and wet food diet is best for him/her.