Unlike cats who thrive on meat-based foods, bread is considered a bad nutrient source. Although it is okay for cats to eat a small piece of bread, a lot of bread can be bad for their health. Breads contain no digestible nutrients and are considered to be empty calories. They are a poor source of vitamins and minerals for cats, so owners should consider feeding their cats a meat-based diet.
A lot of breads contain chemicals and ingredients that are harmful for cats. For instance, breads that contain added sugar are dangerous. They may increase a cat’s risk of developing diabetes and tooth decay. The glycemic index, which measures how much a food spikes blood sugar, is higher in bread. Breads that are made with oil and milk are also not good for cats. Lastly, breads made with chocolate and raisins are also not good for cats.
While it is not a bad idea to feed your cat a small piece of bread, you should not let your cat have more than a slice a day. This small treat can have a big impact on your cat’s diet, and could cause problems if he or she is already overweight.
Breads are made from flour, milk, and other ingredients. Many of these are refined to remove micronutrients and minerals. The refining process also raises the glycemic index. Bread that is baked instead of raw can be okay for cats. However, the raw version is much more dangerous. Raw bread dough can contain active yeast, which produces toxic carbon dioxide. It can also expand in a cat’s stomach, causing obstruction or serious gastrointestinal upset.
The best bread for cats is a plain, white slice of bread. However, breads with other ingredients may also prove to be harmful. Some of these include chocolate, raisins, and garlic. The most important thing to remember is to give your cat a small portion of bread, but only a few times a week.
Yeast is also included in cat food as a healthy digestion-supporting nutrient. Yeast also produces carbon dioxide, so it may be a good idea to make sure that your cat does not ingest too much of it. Bread can also contain xylitol and raisins, which are toxic to cats.
Bread is not an important part of a cat’s diet. Rather, it should be used as a special treat. While plain baked bread is not bad for your cat, it is best to avoid other types of bread, especially raisin bread and garlic bread. Bread is also very high in calories and fat, so it is not a good choice for cats with weight issues.
A good rule of thumb is to offer your cat a small piece of bread once a week. If your cat does not show any interest in it, offer him or her a cat treat in exchange. The bread may not be good for your cat, but a cat treat can fill in the nutritional gap.
