A cat’s diet is decisive for its proper development, growth, health and energy. For this reason, if you have a cat at home, you must make sure that you provide it with a quality diet, with the correct supply of all the necessary nutrients for its body.
Cats are carnivorous animals, so protein should be the main nutrient in their dietary pattern. This is obtained from fish and meat, with a majority presence in feed and special canned food for kittens. However, they can also eat fruits and vegetables as a complement to their diet.
The benefits of fruits and vegetables for cats reside in their high fiber, vitamin and mineral content. With this, they strengthen the health of the animal, providing it with antioxidants that combat cell aging and reinforcing its immune system. In addition, thanks to their high fiber content, they improve intestinal health and relieve constipation. Its high water content contributes to better hydration and better health of the pussycat’s urinary system.
Fruits and vegetables are very appetizing and tasty for cats, although they also add carbohydrates and sugars to their diet. Therefore, they should not exceed 5% of your daily intake. Thus, vegetables are perfect to offer them to the cat in a timely manner, as a prize or reward for good behavior, or to entertain them for a while.
To offer fruits and vegetables to a cat, it is essential that they are very well washed to remove any traces of dirt or pesticides. Precisely for this reason, it is recommended that they be peeled. Likewise, we have to give them without seeds and without the stem, to avoid unwanted choking. For this reason, it is advisable to give them cut into small pieces.
Most of the vegetables you can give them raw, but in the case of sweet potatoes and potatoes it is better if they are previously cooked. Of course, if you are going to cook the vegetables, it should always be without oil, without salt or any seasoning.
Another point that you should keep in mind if you are going to give fruits and vegetables to your cat is to offer them one at a time and watch them closely the first time you give them a vegetable for the first time. This way, you make sure that he knows how to eat it without choking and that he is not suffering from any allergic reaction or indigestion, in which case you should go to the vet.
