This is where you will find the best information on cat food. And answer your most pressing question; can cats eat baby food? The answer is yes but it’s not what you think!
While baby food can be a supplemental food choice for some cats. You need to be extra careful about what’s in the baby food. Not all ingredients in different brands of baby food are the same. And to know what your cat is eating, it’s a good practice to know whether it’s safe or not.
So if it’s want to change your cat’s diet to something more familiar. Like healthy baby food nourished with essential nutrients. Then you need to read what follows next.
What’s in Baby Food?
Recent baby food products contain no toxic ingredients or chemicals. They’re healthy, safe, and nutritious. So it’s safe to say that cats can eat baby food without you worrying about it. But having said that, human food which includes cat food should not be more than 15% of a cat’s diet.
Look for baby food without the following 4 ingredients:
1.Arsenic:
Arsenic was most commonly found in baby cereal. And now, according to The American Cancer Society, it is a common carcinogen. It can lead to inflammation, indigestion, and other problems.
Even most babies are sensitive to this ingredient. So keeping it out of your cat’s digestion is the number one priority.
2.Pesticides
Pesticides are found in baby food due to food processing. When growing crops, harmful pesticides are used to improve flavor and growth. This gives rise to a bunch of inflammatory issues in babies. And can also hamper a baby’s brain development and nerves.
You can expect the same effects of pesticides on kittens. Probably even worse because cats are more sensitive to foods.
While checking the label of the baby food. Look for organic versions of the fruits and vegetables.
3.GMOs
GMOs is Genetically Modified Organisms. They are living organisms that are found and altered through genetic engineering. What makes up a GMO product is animal, viral, and plant bacteria fused together.
Baby foods with GMOs, specifically baby formula, were quite popular. The best alternative to GMOs foods is organic or non-GMOs foods. Such baby foods do not contain corn or soybean. These can upset the tummy and cause gas, constipation, or acidity.
4.Sugar
Too much sugar consumption in cats can cause indigestion. And there are certain types of baby food that have plenty of sugar. Sugar improves taste so that the baby doesn’t refuse to eat it.
For a cat, this can contribute to diabetes, thyroid, obesity, and heart disease. Another important ingredient to avoid that has the same effect is trans fat. Trans fat is put into baby food to increase its shelf life. And it makes the food more affordable to buy in bulk quantities.
Can Cats Eat Baby Food?
It’s amazing the variety of healthy baby food on the market. But is all baby food good to eat? Let’s find out.
It’s exciting to have a new pet at home. Especially when it’s a cat. And you have to be careful about the type and quantity of food you feed your new cat. It’s completely natural for your cat to fall sick due to a change in food and water.
Most baby foods contain meat and can be tempting for a cat. Baby food is rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other micronutrients. These are easier to digest and fight off inflammation and infection in the body.
However, one nutrient that isn’t present in baby food is taurine. And this is one nutrient that cats do not produce on their own as humans do. It affects the cat’s skin, hair, heart, and reproductive organs. So make sure you keep a check on your cat’s taurine intake to avoid deficiency.
This surmises that cat food is the best thing to feed your cat. Especially when nothing else works for your cat. Having said that, it’s the ideal choice recommended by doctors when:
- Your cat has appetite loss issues.
- Your cat finds it hard to chew kibbles due to a painful jaw.
- Your cat has no teeth due to teeth removal caused by fungus or other problems.
- Your cat is sensitive to fish which is found in cat food.
- Your cat vomits or experiences diarrhea on a regular basis.
What to Keep Away from Cats?
Baby foods with the following ingredients are harmful to cats. Cats, under no circumstance, should eat these foods. These ingredients can be present in certain types of baby foods.
#Onions: Onions contain allium components which are toxic to cats. It can cause blood damage and clotting.
#Chives: Similar to onions, chives are not favorable for cats. It causes anemia, indigestion, and restricts proper metabolic activity.
#Uncooked eggs: While protein is good for cats, raw eggs are prone to parasites. It can cause pancreatic distress and infection.
#Milk: Some cats are lactose intolerant and cannot digest milk. You can go for soy alternatives if your cat is vomiting or passing gas after consuming milk products.
Final Thoughts
We all know that cats can be finicky about their food. So it’s best to have a couple of options to try out. You never know; your cat might just have a favorite food. So all the fuss goes out the window!
Cats are adaptable when it comes to feeding. You can offer them a variety of foods. And when your cat is sick, the first thing to do is change your cat’s diet. This reduces signs of infection, indigestion, and other symptoms.
Sugar and trans fats or salt are a complete “no” for cats to consume. And there are many types of baby foods that do not offer such formula. So to answer your question right; can cats eat baby food?
You can successfully feed your cat baby food but only after reading this article well. But if you see a sudden change in your cat’s behavior. Or if your cat eats something that she shouldn’t have, you must consult a vet immediately.
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Sources:
1. https://www.wildernesscat.com/can-cats-eat-baby-food
2. https://www.petconsider.com/can-cats-eat-baby-food
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