As the first meal of the day, it’s just normal for us, cat parents to want to give our feline companions a healthy breakfast to turn them up for the day. And in doing this, we also need to ensure that our cats enjoy eating this first meal. But, what do cats like to eat for breakfast in the first place?
Can we give them the same breakfast food every day? And do we really need to feed our cats breakfast?
These are just some of the questions that we know are running inside your head. So, continue reading to discover the surprisingly large number of foods you may include in your cat’s breakfast to enhance his nutrition, while also keeping your cat’s stomach happy.
Again, what do cats like to eat for breakfast? Read on.
Can Your Cat Skip Eating Breakfast?
No, your cat cannot skip breakfast. Your eating habits greatly influence those of your pet. You'll feel more at ease with the timetable if you schedule your cat's meals during times when you have some downtime or if you have the same feeding schedule.
They typically don't have any special nutritional needs, but they can't handle prolonged fasting because it can cause their stomach to become hyper-acidic. An acidic gut can result in nausea and digestive problems if they are not treated.
Just like us, humans, cats need to eat nutrient dense food, especially for their first meal of the day. Many people are confused because they mistakenly think cats are nocturnal (staying active at nighttime and sleeping throughout the day).
As nocturnal animals, one may assume that cats don't require breakfast, however, this is untrue. The truth, however, is considerably different.
Cats are crepuscular animals. They spend most of the day sleeping as well as being most active at dawn and dusk. So certainly, cats require a nutritious breakfast to maintain their health.
Cat Nutrition & Breakfast: 14 Foods Cats Like to Eat for Breakfast
As obligate carnivores, cats naturally prefer eating meat to obtain their daily nutritional requirements. Taurine and arginine are two examples of important amino acids that they can obtain from food and require in their diet to stay healthy.
They can, however, eat fruits and vegetables for additional nourishment, although they are not required to do so as meat provide all of their cat nutritional needs.
There are several homemade breakfast meals that your feline friend might enjoy stealing from your plate or the kitchen.
The majority of human foods are safe, but you need to prepare them properly. So, let's have a look at some ‘human' foods you can serve your cat as a change of pace from the typical morning dry cat food if you want to liven up their next breakfast.
Bacon and Ham
Given their exceptionally high salt content, processed meats should only be fed seldom to cats. They're acceptable as tiny treats once in a while but watch your portions. Similar to how too much salt can harm a person's health, too much salt can harm a cat's heart and kidneys.
Carrots
Due to their high beta-carotene content, carrots might be wonderful for your cat's eyes and coat. The carrot must be peeled first since cats may find the skin difficult to chew. To make the carrot easier to swallow, it is also advisable to heat it.
Cranberries
You can give your cat occasionally some cranberries. Those who do eat it will benefit from the magnesium and dietary fiber, even though they might prefer to bat it around the kitchen instead.
However, avoid giving them processed cranberry sauces as they frequently include a lot of sugar and will upset their stomachs.
Cucumbers
In addition to being incredibly water-rich, cucumbers are also rich in vitamins C and K. They're a great snack for cats who are overweight, and they're a fantastic choice for cats in the summer when they might not be getting enough water throughout the day. It is advisable to peel and cut the cucumber into strips before giving it to your cat.
Eggs
Plain eggs that have been cooked are a great source of protein for both you and your kitties. In actuality, eggs are already a component of many of the higher-quality cat meals sold in supermarkets. They offer an abundant amount of B vitamins in addition to protein.
However, any eggs must be cooked before feeding them to your cats. Feeding your cat raw eggs can result in vitamin deficiencies, as they can prevent the absorption of essential vitamins.
Fish Oil Supplements
Omega fish oils are fantastic for your cat's shiny coat and can help them avoid getting dry skin patches during the winter.
Try adding fish oil to your cat's meals, and you will start to see a notable improvement in the condition of his skin and coat after a few weeks.
Fresh Fish
Fish is a well-known food item that cats adore, and they frequently try to take it off of your plate. Although fish is a great source of fatty acids and nutrients, you should serve it cooked and without the bones.
Be cautious while handling small bones because they can easily become lodged in a cat's throat or mouth and result in a variety of issues.
Meats
Your cat, a carnivore by nature, is likely to enjoy all fresh meats very much. Any fresh meat can be offered to them, as long as it is cooked to kill parasites and served without any sauces or flavors. For your cat, it will be a fantastic source of protein and amino acids.
Melons
Melons, cantaloupes, watermelons, and honeydew are all favorites of cats, but you do need to check how much they consume because melons can contain levels of sugar that are too high for our feline companions.
Pineapple
In terms of nutrition, pineapple is helpful for the digestive and immune systems. This is a sweet and juicy fruit that your cat might enjoy eating and could make a tasty breakfast alternative. Again, pineapples have high sugar content, so you need to be careful how much you offer them.
Pumpkin
As long as the outer peel and seeds are removed, a cat can safely (and delectably) consume pumpkin meat. You can mix it with nutrient dense cat food, blend them, and serve it as a puree.
Pumpkins have a lot of roughage, which promotes healthy digestion and helps with any constipation or diarrhea concerns.
Rice
Rice is a safe human food for cats. You can give your outdoor or indoor cats little amounts of rice, but you shouldn't do it very frequently.
Although the large levels of natural fiber in rice can aid in digestive problems, cats' stomachs may develop sensitivity to rice if consumed for an extended time.
Strawberries
These lovely red berries could be a good breakfast for cats. They could strengthen your kitty's immune system because they are high in potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. The seeds won't be harmful to a cat to eat, but make sure to remove any stalks.
Tinned Fish
Fish, especially tuna, in canned cat food might include levels of unsaturated lipids that cats may find difficult to digest. Tuna prepared by humans should be a very unusual treat because it is not intended for cats to consume. You should either buy cat-specific canned fish or give your cats fresh fish.
What Should Not Be Included in Your Cat’s Diet?
As cat owners, we should know by heart that not all human food can be safe for our cats to eat. Along with the human meals that we enjoy feeding our cats, there are other foods that they should never, ever touch.
When you have cats in the house, you need to be careful that they don't eat anything that could make them sick. See the list below to find out what your cat must avoid.
Cherries
From root to fruit, the cherry plant as a whole is hazardous to cats. Refrain from feeding your cat any cherries as a sweet treat and keep them away from them.
Cheese and Other Dairy Products
Cheese and yogurt contain lactose that may cause reactions in cats. Hence, they must be avoided.
Chocolates
Similar to dogs, cats can experience a severe reaction to theobromine from chocolate, which can result in severe heart problems, seizures, or violent vomiting.
Citrus Fruits
These fruits are far too acidic for your cat's stomach, which is designed to digest meat. Giving cats citrus fruits like grapefruit, oranges, lemons, or limes will probably result in major gastrointestinal problems and a costly trip to the vet.
Coffee
Caffeine, which is present in coffee, can be extremely harmful to cats, leading to extreme hyperactivity and even convulsions.
Grapes or Raisins
These will result in kidney issues, and occasionally even failure, in dogs. Whether this is also true for cats is still an open question in science. However, anecdotal evidence does not support this. To be safe, it is best to keep them away from your cats.
Milk
Contrary to what we may think, most cats are lactose intolerant and shouldn't be offered a saucer of milk. Highly lactose-intolerant cats could experience total liver failure as a result of drinking milk, so it truly isn't worth the risk.
Onions, Garlic, Chive, and Leeks
All of these veggies are members of the allium family, which is completely harmful to cats if taken in high quantities or continuously. The worst is definitely garlic, which is five times more deadly than an onion.Â
Raspberries
The fruits of this tiny red fruit contain trace levels of xylitol. As a result, it should not be offered to cats as a treat or snack and should be kept away from them like the cherry.
Xylitol
This sweetener is extremely toxic to dogs and has killed several animals. Even though the research on how it affects cats is still not fully understood, you should avoid putting it in your cat's food because the danger is not worth it.
Dry vs. Wet Cat Food: What Should Your Cat Eat for Breakfast?
There is no hard and fast rule about this dilemma. Different people hold different views; some argue that cats should be fed wet food for breakfast, while others support feeding cats dry food.
Giving your cat wet food in the morning would give them all the nutrition they need and keep them hydrated throughout the day. You need to feed your cat wet cat food if he isn't drinking water.
On the other hand, if you feed your cat dry food for breakfast, he won't get any fluids; only the essential nutrients. As a result, you should make sure that your cat is getting enough water if he is dependent on kibbles.
Dry cat foods are thought to be healthy for cats' teeth. Additionally, dry food is considered to be a nutritionally dense food, it is more practical and significantly less messy.
What Time Do Cats Like to Eat Breakfast?
As lovers of routines, cats prefer to eat at the same time every day. So, if you keep changing the time you are feeding your cat, he will soon start whining about not getting breakfast at the time he is expecting to be fed.
Below is the best time you can feed your cat:
- Breakfast: 8:00 a.m.
- Snack: 9:00-9:30 a.m.
- Snack: 3:00 p.m.
- Dinner: 6:00 p.m.
- Snack: 10:00 p.m.
How Much Food Should You Feed Your Cat?
When selecting food for your cat, it's important to take into account his size, age, and weight. If you will follow the diet of another cat, your feline companion can experience nutritional issues.
As a general rule, your cat should be able to consume the contents of a regular bowl weighing about 250 grams. You also need to consider that your cat's particular needs may have an impact on his food portions.
Can Your Cat Eat Human Food?
Yes, you can feed human food to your cat occasionally. However, it has been shown to cause obesity in cats that cannot control their dietary habits. It is also important to note that there are not many foods suitable for cats.
For instance, you should avoid giving your cat food scraps since these foods most often contain ingredients that are harmful to them.
Can You Replace Traditional Cat Food with Human Food?
While cats can drink almond milk, and eat peanut butter, and other human foods in moderation, it is not healthy and safe to let your cats eat whatever breakfast food you are eating.
As obligate carnivores, cats require high-quality proteins from meats to thrive. Unseasoned scrambled eggs, bacon, and bread can be safe for your feline friends in moderation, but they can’t provide them with all the nutrients that your cats need.
Therefore, we must give our cats traditional cat food that is created and tailored with their dietary needs in mind.
Conclusion: What Do Cats Like to Eat for Breakfast?
Many cat owners struggle in finding out what do cats like to eat for breakfast. The truth is, this should not bother you that much since most cats can indulge in a variety of food groups.
While avoiding canned fish or canned cat food, you can give your cat a wide selection of meats, fish, fruits, and vegetables to add variation to your cat's diet.
To ensure that your cat receives all the proteins and nutrients he requires to live a long, healthy life, keep track of what you give him and stick to a regular diet of traditional cat food.
