Yes, they can. Despite this, you should avoid feeding cereal to a cat since it does not have any nutritional value to the pet. Cats are carnivores and, therefore, need meat protein in their diet.
Do you have a cat that never leaves your side whenever you have breakfast like cereal? If yes, you are not alone. Some cats are simply attracted to human food. Though cereal is delicious and has energizing effects for humans, it is not the best for cats. This post will help you find out everything regarding cereal in relation to cats. Read on!
Do cats require cereal?
No. Cats have a different digestive system from that of humans. Their bodies are not meant to tolerate diverse food types. Though cats can eat cereal, they do not need it. This is because cats are carnivores that are built for animal protein.
Some cat owners like giving cereal to cats as a treat. Those who do, assume that since cereal contains dietary fiber, it can help the digestive system of a cat. This is a wrong assumption since the fibers in cereal may be too much for a cat’s digestive system to handle.
Though you may not have to take the cat to a vet after feeding them cereal, the ingredients in cereal may not benefit them in any way. Giving cereal to a cat is, therefore, not recommended. You should never substitute the cat’s regular diet with cereal. Cats thrive consuming meat and not carbs or grains. Additionally, cereal does not have a lot of protein that a cat needs.
If the cat is gluten-intolerant, avoid giving them cereal since this can harm them. Giving cereal to a cat with sensitivities may lead to digestive problems such as constipation or diarrhea. Have you been feeding a cat cereal regularly? If yes, you should reduce the frequency and talk to a veterinarian.
Cereal is also not recommended for cats since it is high in refined and processed sugars. A cat does not require sugar in its diet since this can lead to gastrointestinal problems. Sugar can also affect the cat’s teeth and increase blood sugar. Apart from that, sugars can also make a cat overweight. Since cereal has high-calorie content, you should avoid giving it to a cat regularly since this increases their chance of getting diabetes.
Cereal is also not healthy for a cat since it may contain other ingredients like chocolate which can lead to issues such as frequent urination. If you want to treat a cat with small amounts of cereal, avoid any that contains chocolate since this is highly toxic for the cat.
Find out whether you can give a cat cereal with milk
Most cat owners assume that giving a cat cereal with milk is a good idea. Though young cats need milk to grow, adult cats do not need it. When you give a cat cereal with milk, their bodies may struggle to break it down since they don’t have the appropriate enzymes to handle this.
Giving an adult cat milk and cereal can lead to digestive problems after some time. It can cause issues like diarrhea or stomach ache, especially in adult cats that experience lactose intolerance.
The condition can get worse if you mix milk with sugary cereal.
Can a cat consume dry cereal?
While some cat owners add milk to cereal, others assume dry cereal is better for cats. Though a cat can take dry cereal, vets do not recommend it since this can lead to tummy ache or vomiting.
Though cereal elements vary, most contain carbs, and cats should not take a lot of this. Since a cat does not have the enzymes needed to break down carbs, this cannot boost the energy levels of your furry friend. Another problem with dry cereal is that it increases the risk of choking or dehydration in a cat.
Find out if a cat can eat these types of cereal
Rice cereal |
Though a cat can eat rice cereal, its high sugar content is not good. If you choose this type of cereal, ensure that the cat only has it in small amounts and it is wet. You should also confirm that the rice cereal does not have any harmful elements like artificial sweeteners or trans fats before giving it to a cat. |
Honeycomb cereal |
This is not safe for a cat since it contains lots of sugar that can cause discomfort to this pet. It can also lead to vomiting and diarrhea in some cats. |
Chocolate cereal |
This is not safe for a cat since chocolate is toxic to the feline. Chocolate contains artificial sweeteners that can negatively affect the pet’s blood sugar levels and irritate the stomach. |
Flaxseed cereal |
This may not harm the cat, but it should not substitute the regular cat meal. |
Baby cereal |
Baby cereal is not recommended for a cat since its ingredients have no nutritional value to it. |
Apple jacks cereal |
Avoid feeding a cat this type of cereal since it contains unsafe ingredients to the cat. For instance, the cereal is also made up of 50% sugar. |
Conclusion
As you think about the proper diet for a cat, you should understand the difference between safe and good food. Though cereal is safe for cats, it is not good. It is safe since it is not poisonous for this pet, but it is not good since it does not offer a cat any nutritional value. As a cat owner, you should avoid giving this pet cereal. Instead, feed them dry and wet canned food rich in protein.
FAQs
Can I feed cereal to a kitten?
No. You should avoid doing this since this can lead to choking. A kitten should consume the mother’s milk until its digestive system fully develops.
What if my cat likes cereal?
Some cats are simply curious and associate cereal with kibble. Though the cat may be captivated by the crunchy texture of cereal, they may not actually like it.
Maria Giovanni
Maria Giovanni is a pet lover and does have a variety of pets at home, from the lapdogs to parrots and cats. The latter however seems to be her favorite because she operates a shelter that caters specifically to injured and stray cats. You can also leave your cat with her if you have to travel out of town for a longer period and don’t want to lock your cat inside. Over the years Maria has championed for the rights of animals, because of the many vices that are done to the defenseless animals around the world. Compiling information for the Simple Catguide was quite fulfilling because it allowed her to share knowledge on how best people can care for their pet cats.
