Feeding & Nutrition

Whether you find a stray or you’re concerned about your cat not eating, you might be wondering how long cats can go without food. It’s important not to overlook this for long, but just how urgent is it to see a vet? Below you’ll find a guide on how long cats can go without food and water, along with the effects of not eating and drinking. Read on for more information.

For people, fruits are essential to a healthy diet and while an apple a day keeps the doctor away, does it go the same way in the case of our feline friends? If you’ve ever been tempted to share your fruit bowl with your furry friend, you’ve probably wondered: “what fruits can cats eat?”. Well, quite a few, it turns out. Many of the fruits we consume are also safe to be eaten by cats. They can be a great source of vitamins, as well as a refreshing snack for our feline friends. Their sweet taste, however, is not a reason why your cat might enjoy it. Unlike us, cats don’t have sweet taste receptors, so at most, they will like the fruit for their texture or smell. Although they can be rich in vitamins, only very small amounts of fruit should be offered as a treat, since cat food already contains all the nutrients and vitamins they need. The digestive system of cats is designed to absorb a meat-based diet, so their nutritional needs will not be met if they have more than a small amount of other foods. If you want your cat to try out fruit, it’s important to know which are safe for them to eat and how to prepare them. Remember to always feed your cat a balanced diet and consult the vet before adding new foods to it. Feeding fresh fruit is generally better for cats than tinned or processed fruit which may contain additives or preservatives that would not be good for them. Also remember that whenever you feed unfamiliar food to your cat, start by introducing a little bit at a time and watch out for side effects such as vomiting or diarrhoea or skin rash.

Garlic is one of the most commonly used condiments in the kitchen and there’s no denying that we all love it. It’s also considered to be great for our health, acting as an antibiotic that can protect us from bacteria, fungus, or other infections. But considering all the benefits it has for humans, is it healthy for animals to consume it? More specifically, can cats eat garlic? Garlic, together with onions, scallions, shallots, chives, and leeks are part of the Allium family, which are all rich in sulphur (explaining the pungent smell we all know) and nutrients. While it can have great benefits in a human diet, garlic is toxic to cats. Read on to learn more.

Spread on some toast and paired with poached eggs and some chili flakes, avocado can be one of the most delicious breakfast foods and has gained world-wide popularity as an ingredient. But while it’s great for humans, is its consumption by animals okay and can cats eat avocado? It’s a fruit full of nutrients and vitamins that are very useful for people, but might not be as great for cats, it seems. In this article, we’re going to dive right in and go through some of the reasons why avocados are not the most beneficial food for felines.

There are probably many times when your cat has shown interest in sampling some of the foods you eat. The smell of juicy bacon in the morning has surely caught their attention more than you’ve previously realised. But can cats eat pork in any shape or form or is it better to keep them away from such foods? Well, the short answer is yes, cats can eat pork because they are obligate carnivores, meaning that a meat-based diet provides them with the protein they need. They actually love the taste of meat. However, it’s best that they don’t regularly consume human foods and we’re going to explain exactly why in this article. Below are some answers to the possible questions you might have about this topic.

Chock-full of vitamins and a great resource of minerals, carrots are one of the super foods that all humans should incorporate in their diets. But what about out feline friends, can cats eat carrots too? And if yes, what are some of the ways in which it would be safe to feed them to your cat? If you’re considering offering your cat vegetables such as carrots, here are some of the things you should know before doing so.

Meat products, especially delicious and protein-abundant ham, are one of the most popular foods around the world, enjoyed by humans and probably coveted by most animals too. We can bet you’ve had a cat or dog stare at you, more than once, begging for a bite. If you’ve ever found yourself in the kitchen making a ham sandwich and ended up wondering “can cats eat ham?”, you might be surprised to know that yes, they can. But, before you go ahead and share your sandwich with your feline friend, there are a few things you should know.

It’s hard to imagine that leafy vegetables are on any feline bucket list. Cats are carnivores through and through, which means that meat is the kind of food that will get their attention the most. But every once in a while, a kitten will be curious to try human foods such as lettuce, especially when they’re often on their owner’s menu. They are probably more likely to have a nibble of it if it is something you grow in your garden.

Our cats love to explore our houses and gardens but we do need to watch what plants we have in these areas because some plants are poisonous to cats. So, you might be wondering are tulips poisonous to cats? As pretty as tulips are, they can be risky to have around cats. Carry on reading to find out why tulips are poisonous and what you can do if your feline has ingested a tulip.

Probiotics, microbial balance, good bacteria – these health and wellness buzzwords have started to cross over into feline territory, making cat owners wonder if they’re missing a trick. Many owners have started to wonder if probiotics for cats exist, and whether they can benefit our furry pets in the same way they benefit humans. The answer is yes. Here is what you need to know about cat probiotics, from what they are, to how to choose the best ones for your feline companion.

Many of us enjoy yogurt on a daily basis, and this versatile food is widely found in fridges across the UK. Whether it’s part of a balanced breakfast, a quick dessert, or a tasty snack during the day, yogurt comes in a great deal of flavours including plain, fruit, chocolate – the list goes on! It’s easy to see why this food is so popular amongst humans. When we’re tucking into our deliciously creamy yogurts, it’s quite common for pet owners to slide the lid over to their furry friend to have a lick of, but is this safe? Can cats eat yogurt? Or are they best to stay away from it altogether? Find out all you need to know about cats and yogurts in this article.

Potatoes are tasty, nutritious and a great staple ingredient in many of our favourite meals. No wonder our furry friends may be keen to investigate what’s so special about this starchy carbohydrate. Potatoes appear in many different forms on human plates, such as boiled, roasted, fried or mashed. But can cats eat potatoes safely? Unfortunately, the answer to whether cats can eat potatoes isn’t entirely straightforward! Here’s what you need to know about cats and potatoes, so you can make sure you don’t offer your pet something that could be unsuitable for them.