When you bring home some groceries, it is always interesting that your cat jumps up on the counter to inspect your new purchases.
Sniffing around, looking for treats, your cat may even try to bite through packaging to get something to eat.
My cat is the master at pulling an entire load of bread off our kitchen counter and then gnawing through the plastic or paper to get to the wonders inside.
She really seems to love this trick, but it definitely does not make us happy. The last time she ate an entire piece of wheat bread, I had to make sure it would not make her sick!
Once I started researching cats and bread, I dug a bit deeper to try and see if it was something I should worry about. There were some interesting facts surrounding this food, so we included information gathered just for you to answer the question “Can cats eat bread?”
Can Cats Eat Bread?
When we say bread, what does that mean?
Although most of us may think we know what bread is, if you go to different parts of the world, bread can mean lots of things – from a long baguette to pita, bread comes in limitless sizes and shapes.
Bread can be used as a primary meal ingredient or a decadent dessert participant, but it is a tasty addition to any meal however you eat your bread.
Bread is often made from grain and yeast, combined to rise, the brown as it is baked in the oven.
Other types of bread, like a pita, are puffed up as it rises and then cooked.
Bread can also be more cake-like, with such bread types as zucchini bread or banana bread. These types of bread have added fruit or vegetables to them, and tend to be denser, like a typical cake.
Bread can be baked, roasted, toasted, or pan-fried, it all depends on where you live, what culture you live within, and what you like to make. Just like cats, bread types can be limitless!
Benefits of bread for your cat
Although your cat can and probably will eat bread, is there really a health benefit to it? Honestly, there is not. Cats can eat small amounts of bread, depending on it you feel that you want to share.
There is not a true health benefit for them to partake, but sometimes it is fun to share some bites with your feline friend.
Most of us that have owned cats know that they are curious creatures that like to jump in your lap and do the same things that you are doing.
If your cat starts to sniff at your sandwich, it would be okay if they have a bite, if you ensure that the bite is not too big.
Choking could be a big risk for your cat on a big bite.
Sometimes your cat can get very sick and small bites of bread may help to settle their stomach and reduce vomiting or diarrhea, but it would be prudent to check with your vet before using bread to help your cat.
Other than a small treat occasionally, there are no real health benefits for a cat to eat bread.
Dangers of bread for your cat
Further investigation into bread and cats show that there are not many true dangers for your cat to eat bread, other than binging on a big loaf and filling themselves with something that really has limited nutritional value.
Cats do not need to eat bread, so if you are planning to share with them, remember that it is a treat and should be offered sparingly.
Bottom Line
Although there is not a high risk for your cat to eat bread, keep in mind that it really does not benefit them from a nutritional standpoint.
Just like humans, cats that eat a lot of food that does not help them improve nutrition can lead to obesity – so unless you want to put your kitty on a diet, try to limit the amount of bread they get!
While there are a lot of kinds of bread, and lots of different cats with different appetites, the basic answer to the question “Can cats eat bread?” is yes.
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