Cats and crackers… two things that don’t really go together. Well, at least we think they don’t. After all, crackers are crumbs made from flour, which means they’re not exactly healthy for cats. Right? If you Google “can cat eat crackers” you end up with a range of answers. Some sites will tell you it is dangerous for your cat to eat crackers because their high carbohydrate content makes them bad for feline health. Others say it has no negative impact and is safe to feed once in a while, perhaps as an occasional treat. Cats have been eating humans out of house and home for centuries so it is fair to assume that if crackers were dangerous for kitties then there wouldn’t be so many of them left! In this blog post we are going to look at what the research says about cats and crackers but also bust some myths along the way.
Can cats eat crackers?
Generally speaking, most cats can safely eat crackers. While some cracker varieties are specifically formulated for human consumption (i.e., they are not intended for pet consumption), many brands are approved for both human and animal consumption. In general, crackers can be a healthy addition to a cat’s diet, as long as they are not replacing more nutritious foods in the cat’s diet. Additionally, many cracker varieties contain fiber and protein, which are beneficial nutrients for cats.
Can Cats Eat Crackers – Is It Bad For Them?
1. Dangers Of Eating Non-Stimulating Food
The first and main reason not to feed dry cat food is because it is non-stimulating. It will not provide the nutrients that a cat needs to be healthy and active. You do not want your cat left hungry, walking around the house looking for scraps! Dry foods can cause obesity, diabetes and bowel disease. If you have ever seen a cat lick their fur like they’ve got something stuck in their mouth (pardon the pun) then you know that they are hunting for food. Dry foods are no different. The amount of calories your cat needs depends on the size of their breed and activity level. Learn more about calorie requirements for cats here .
2. Dangers Of Feeding Cats High Carbohydrate Foods
Cats have six times more taste buds than humans so any human food would taste delicious to them whether it was sweet or salty or spicy hot! So with this in mind we can assume that as well as high calorie foods, they will also have high carbohydrate content. Cats need around 30% of their total daily calorie intake to be made up of protein, while they only require around 10% to be carbohydrate. The remainder can be made up from fat depending on the cat’s size and activity level. Dry pet food is almost always very high in carbohydrates and this is one of the main reasons it is not considered a suitable diet for cats.
3. Dangers Of Vitamin D Deficiency
Cats are carnivores and their diet should have plenty of meat and bone (including chicken’s) to provide them with protein. When cats eat vegetarian food, the only protein source is plant based and it may not contain enough for them to thrive. Cats can also suffer from a lack of vitamin D which comes from sunlight on their skin. Without enough vitamin D they will suffer from calcium deficiency which can lead to anaemia, osteoporosis and various other disorders. Cats should always be given sunlight by the way, even if they don’t like it. Just take a long walk outside during sunny days!
4. Dangers Of Not Giving Bacteria Enough To Eat
Cats are obligate carnivores so any food that is not meat or bone will be lacking in bacteria. This means that they cannot digest vegetable matter as well as meat or bone and therefore do not get all the nutrients they need to stay healthy. The best diet for cats is a raw meaty diet as long as the vet checks the food is balanced (which it should be).
5. Dangers Of Food Over A Long Period Of Time
Not all cats are hunters, some of them are scavengers and may not need to hunt for food. They don’t need to be able to catch their own prey or hunt down a bird or rabbit that is too big for them. After all, the domesticated cat is not meant to be an actual predator! However, owners do like their cats hunting and killing small birds so that they can have a meal from them. When owners feed their cats high energy foods such as dry food and biscuits, it may lead to obesity which in turn could lead to various health problems including diabetes and arthritis in old age. Cats with a diet consisting of human foods become obese quite quickly so it’s important that if owners choose this kind of diet then they must also monitor their weight very closely.
Can Cats Eat Crackers – How Often is Safe?
1. Dangers Of Crackers
Most people are aware that certain types of food may be dangerous for dogs. However, the same applies to cats and even more so because they’re not known to normally eat such foods as much as dogs are.
2. Dangers Of Not Giving Bacteria Enough To Eat
Cats are obligate carnivores so any food that is not meat or bone will be lacking in bacteria. This means that they cannot digest vegetable matter as well as meat or bone and therefore do not get all the nutrients they need to stay healthy. The best diet for cats is a raw meaty diet as long as the vet checks the food is balanced (which it should be).
3. Dangers Of Food Over A Long Period Of Time
Not all cats are hunters, some of them are scavengers and may not need to hunt for food. They don’t need to be able to catch their own prey or hunt down a bird or rabbit that is too big for them. After all, the domesticated cat is not meant to be an actual predator! However, owners do like their cats hunting and killing small birds so that they can have a meal from them. When owners feed their cats high energy foods such as dry food and biscuits, it may lead to obesity which in turn could lead to various health problems including diabetes and arthritis in old age. Cats with a diet consisting of human foods become obese quite quickly so it’s important that if owners choose this kind of diet then they must also monitor their weight very closely.
4. Dangers Of Not Giving Bacteria Enough To Eat
Cats are obligate carnivores so any food that is not meat or bone will be lacking in bacteria. This means that they cannot digest vegetable matter as well as meat or bone and therefore do not get all the nutrients they need to stay healthy. The best diet for cats is a raw meaty diet as long as the vet checks the food is balanced (which it should be).
5. Dangers Of Too Much Food
It’s important for owners to make sure that when feeding their cats, they don’t overfeed them. If you have cats who eat only canned or dry food then you probably think feeding them less is a good idea but this could be dangerous for them since over time it can lead to obesity which can cause diabetes and other health problems. Cats should always have access to fresh water and high-quality cat treats but never too many of those either!
Are There Benefits to Feeding Your Cat Crackers?
1.No Overeating
Some people don’t realize just how much of cats teeth can break down dry food. If you feed your cat dry food or treats that contain dry food, any dry foods will be broken down and your cats teeth will stay sharp and healthy. The only thing you need to worry about is making sure the food is nutritious, not adding extra vitamins or minerals to the mix.
2.Better Digestion
Most cats get what they need to stay healthy whether it’s meat in a raw diet or a mixture of meat and vegetables in recipes designed for cats. While most cat owners assume their cat’s diet has enough bacteria and nutrients, they are wrong because soy products are not good for cats who eat them and grains (such as corn) are mostly used as fillers so it’s important that they are removed from their diets because they can cause constipation in many cats (this is why you should feed them nutrient-dense foods). As long as the cat eats a balanced, nutritious diet then they won’t have any problems digesting it (although some cats do seem to have digestive problems).
3. Eating A Balanced Diet
Feeding your cat a balanced diet will help ensure they get all the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Including whole foods such as bones and organ meats as well as fresh fruits and vegetables means they will be getting all the important vitamins, minerals, and calories they need. If you are going to feed your cats something like dog food or dry mix you should add some raw meaty bones to help balance things out.
4. Eating Healthy
The best way to make sure your cat’s diet is healthy is to feed them a diet that includes plenty of fresh, whole foods. The only time you should feed a dry mix or commercial food is when you have limited access to fresh meat. When you buy your cat’s food make sure to pay attention to the brand and look for the words “meat” and “animal protein” in their ingredients list because those are the only things that cats need for a healthy body.
5. Helping Prevent Health Problems
You don’t want your cat eating anything that can harm them because getting sick from junk food or pastries can be as dangerous as not being able to get enough calories. It’s important because if they don’t eat it they won’t get it and if they don’t get it then their body won’t process it properly which will lead to health problems (such as diabetes). So make sure that the food you feed your cat is balanced and meaty so their body will process it the way it should.
The Bottom Line
If you are asking yourself “can cats eat crackers?”, the answer is yes, but only once in a while. Crackers are not nutritious for cats and should only be given as a treat or as part of a small snack. If your cat is overweight, feeding it crackers once in a while is a good idea. You can also use crackers as a training tool if your cat is not so friendly. Keep in mind that crackers are not good for felines and should only be fed as a treat or as occasional meal. Instead of crackers, you can use nuts, seeds and other natural human foods that are better for your cat.
