What are the benefits of vegetables for cats?
Cats are naturally carnivorous animals that primarily obtain food of animal origin. Grass is used as plant food. For example, cats love to eat sedge. At home, owners grow grass for cats. But in the wild, getting vegetables for an animal is quite a difficult task.
However, vegetables can be given to your cat in small quantities. Vegetables contain a lot of fiber.
How fiber is beneficial for cats in the body:
- improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- stimulates intestinal function;
- useful for cats and overweight cats.
You need to know that fiber is not digested in the cat's body. Because of this, it gives a feeling of fullness. Therefore, many owners specifically add vegetables to the diet for overweight cats. But you should not feed large quantities of vegetables to a cat of normal weight.
Plant foods are also useful because they help remove hair from the cat’s body. Wool is not digested by the cat's body and can obstruct bowel movements and cause constipation.
Milk: why cats can’t have it
When a kitten is weaned off its mother's milk, it most often becomes lactose intolerant. As a result, the product is no longer broken down into simple sugars that are absorbed into the blood. These substances remain in the kitten's digestive system. Bacteria in the body cause fermentation in unprocessed foods. This leads to diarrhea, bloating and severe gas.
As cats age, they lose their ability to digest lactose.
Of course, small kittens need dairy products. This is necessary for full development and future life. When an animal grows up, milk no longer becomes necessary for it. Here we can draw an analogy with a person - as they grow older, many people discover an aversion to dairy products.
Feeding a cat cow's milk is not only useless, but also dangerous to its health.
Cow's milk, which people usually drink, is considered a dangerous allergen for cats. It has plenty of disadvantages:
- The composition contains hormones and antibiotics. As a result, the natural composition, which is important for the cat, is lost;
- in the milk of a pregnant cow, estrogens are off the charts, which have a negative effect on the cat’s body;
- milk undergoes mandatory pasteurization. It destroys most beneficial mineral compounds.
What vegetables can a cat eat?
Carrot
Contains vitamin A, carotene, minerals. Can be given both raw and boiled. Raw carrots are too hard; it is best to grate them. It is not recommended to give your cat carrots in large pieces; the cat may choke, which will cause suffocation. Boiled carrots can be finely chopped.
Cucumber
Many cats love raw cucumbers. You can only give it fresh to your cat. Contains vitamins B, C, PP, iodine, potassium, magnesium, iron, amino acids. Normalizes the functioning of the endocrine glands.
Potato
Many cats beg and love to eat raw potatoes. It contains solanine, which is poisonous to cats. Boiled potatoes contain less solanine. If you do give your cat potatoes, do so only in small quantities. Carefully monitor the amount of food you eat.
Zucchini
Contains iron, magnesium, potassium. Give the cat raw, first finely chop or grate it.
Beet
Many premium foods contain beet pulp. Rich in fiber, vitamins, microelements. It is best to give your cat boiled beets. Fresh beets have a laxative effect on the body. Contains large amounts of sugar, which is harmful to cats. Therefore, beets should not be added frequently to a cat’s diet.
Pumpkin
Contains carnitine. Carnitine promotes fat burning. Pumpkin is often given to overweight cats.
Broccoli, cauliflower
Contains vitamins B, C, carotene. They are well digested and absorbed in the body.
Asparagus
Contains a large amount of fiber. A good supplement for overweight cats.
Leaf salad
Contains calcium. Finely chop and feed to the cat.
Spinach, parsley, dill, celery
Rich in microelements. Prevents the development of urolithiasis.
Healthy cat food
A cat's diet is a small matter: illiterate and cunning.
The animal must eat meat, so how much) (per day, the pet’s bowl must contain finely chopped pieces of chicken fillet or lean beef. Meat by-products are generally allowed. No more than one or two times a week, it is allowed to treat the cat with fish or liver, crisis passed boiled. To balance the diet as much as possible, you need to add slow carbohydrates (these are boiled porridges) and a little fiber (vegetables).
Food should be well cooked and cut into convenient pieces. Adding salt and spices for taste is strictly prohibited. The slut will not thank you for this. In addition, she should have constant access to drinking water, especially if you use dry food. By the way, about food, isn’t it possible to cook for a cat personally; you can buy ready-made food in stores. They can be dry or wet. However, this method of eating is not recommended, as manufacturers actively use chemical dyes and flavors in their products.
Cats develop eating habits early in life. Therefore, whatever you teach a kitten to do, it will remain a habit for the rest of its life.
Still a banana. The main point of the topic is: can cats have bananas? Having examined the diet in more detail, you will notice that there is no place for bananas over the years. But, if the animal really asks, then nothing bad will happen from a small piece; however, in addition to the sugar that is harmful to the cat, bananas are rich in fiber, potassium and magnesium. Experts advise putting a small piece of banana (the size of a thumbnail) on the cat, checking its condition, and if it does not show severe apathy and remains as active and energetic, then everything is fine. In this case, it is permissible to pamper the animal with its favorite fruit, but not beyond measure, once or twice a week in small portions - this will be enough. It’s still up to the person to treat the cat with a banana or someone in the absence. By getting a pet, we take full responsibility for its life and health. Knowing all the nuances of this issue, only one can draw the right conclusion.
What vegetables should a cat not eat?
Onion and garlic
Contain toxic substances, very dangerous for cats. Consumption of even small quantities can lead to the death of the animal.
Avocado
Contains toxic substances.
Tomatoes
Contains solanine, which is poisonous to cats.
Potato
As discussed above, potatoes contain solanine, which is harmful to cats. It is not advisable to give your cat potatoes, either raw or boiled. Causes constipation.
Legumes (peas, beans, soybeans), white cabbage
They cause fermentation in the intestines, bloating appears, and cause gas formation.
Pickled, pickled, fried, canned vegetables should never be given to a cat. They contain large amounts of salt, vinegar, fat, various seasonings, onions, garlic and pepper. They are deposited in the kidneys, contribute to the development of urolithiasis, and are harmful to the liver and pancreas.
What not to feed a small kitten
At 4-5 weeks, the kitten develops a constant food intake pattern. At this point, babies are fed 4 to 7 times a day. Starting from the 12th week, feeding is reduced
During the growing period, it is important not to spoil the kitten’s stomach and provide its body with all the necessary beneficial elements
The menu of a small kitten should not include the following products:
- purchased sausages;
- freshwater fish;
- pickles;
- cow's milk (goat's milk is a good substitute);
- potato;
- cheese;
- legumes;
- lamb, pork;
- sweets;
- bakery products.
The owner should always monitor the water bowl for a cat of any age, and periodically add water. Lack of fluid when eating dry food leads to urolithiasis.
Many owners cannot resist - they just want to pamper the new family member with a delicious sausage from the human table or salted fish. But now you know what not to feed cats and small kittens. Food intended for humans contains a lot of spices and additives, and feeding them with this will not lead to anything good. Dry food for kittens is acceptable, but only high-quality and consumer-tested. In this article, consider what to feed your kitten.
Industrial food and natural food can be combined only during the period of accustoming the kitten to food or natural food. In the future, the animal should be on one feeding option. Regular combination will lead to an imbalance of vitamins in the body, which will negatively affect the functioning of the entire body.
How to give vegetables to a cat
It is best to use vegetables for your cat that are grown on your property rather than purchased in a store. Store-bought vegetables are treated with chemicals. If you use them, you need to wash them thoroughly before giving them to your cat.
The average daily intake of vegetables in a cat's diet should be no more than 20%.
- In raw form. Wash, peel if necessary, then grate or finely chop.
- Boiled vegetables. You cannot add salt or seasonings. Finely chop or mash the vegetables in a container with a spoon. You can make puree using a blender.
- For a couple. Also no additives are required. Give in the same form as boiled vegetables.
- Greens and leafy plants must be washed and finely chopped. If you give dill to your cat, you will need to remove the stems.
Can you give vegetables to your cat?
as a separate dish, mixed with porridge, meat broth, and meat.
Under no circumstances should you mix vegetables with fermented milk products. The functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted, there may be bloating, constipation, poisoning.
How to stop a cat from eating cucumbers in the garden?
Noble gardeners are trying in every way to keep the cat away from the garden, so options for solving the problem are offered. Each housewife chooses the more preferable and convenient one from the list:
- Dense planting of vegetables. This reduces the area where the animal can move. This method is also useful in weaning your pet from defecating in the garden.
- Spraying the crop with sprays that are unpleasant to the cat's sense of smell. Options for treating plants with liquids that are contrary to the pet’s taste preferences cannot be ruled out. Often, summer residents also water the soil next to the vegetables that the pet is encroaching on.
- Using agrofilm or mesh. Fence the beds or cover the plants separately. Sometimes even a low fence is enough; it needs to be made at a level slightly higher than the cat’s height.
- Electrical devices for repelling animals. When choosing, it is important to consider the area of action of the ultrasonic repeller.
- Irrigation systems. Thus, the garden is always wet, and the cat will never succumb to water procedures due to temptation.
- Citrus repellents. Pieces or citrus peels placed next to cucumbers do a great job of scaring away cats. You can replace them with napkins or rags sprinkled with vinegar or ammonia. If not available, it is recommended to use water infused with onions, hot peppers or garlic.
By paying attention to the problem in a timely manner by replenishing the lack of vitamins with special complexes or changing the feed, many owners manage to eliminate the problem without using additional measures to protect the garden bed. Good nutrition will help prevent your cat from wanting to eat fresh cucumbers, especially looking for them in the garden away from her plate.
