Bread is a staple foodstuff in many households, whether it be toast for breakfast, a lunchtime sandwich, or garlic bread with your dinner. But have you ever considered sharing a bite or two with your feline friend? Can cats eat bread, or is bread toxic to cats?
Can cats eat bread?
When fed to cats in very small amounts, bread can be a treat that many cats will enjoy. However, bread is not a particularly healthy choice for cats, and it should only ever be fed as an occasional snack.
What are the health benefits of bread?
Whilst there is nothing in bread that is harmful to cats, the problem is that it has very few nutritional benefits either!
Human foods like bread are considered to be ‘empty calories’ when included in your cat’s diet. This means that they provide easily digestible energy, without meeting any other of the cat’s nutritional needs.
There is one big advantage to feeding bread to cats – it is great for disguising medication! A small tablet or a few drops of liquid medication can be hidden inside a piece of bread, taking the trauma out of administering drugs to your cat.
What should I be aware of when offering bread to my cat?
You may find that your cat refuses to eat bread at all. Cats are obligate carnivores, and many refuse to eat anything that is not meat-flavored. Don’t be offended if your cat refuses to eat bread, as they are notoriously picky eaters.
Never feed bread to cats that has been flavored with ingredients such as garlic, sea salt, or tomato. The best rule of thumb is to stick to plain bread without any additives.
As with most carbohydrate-based human foods, cats should only eat bread in very small amounts as a once-in-a-while treat. Tearing off a small piece from your sandwich for your cat to enjoy is fine… But letting your cat eat a whole slice of bread is a very bad idea!
When bread is consumed in large amounts, your cat will not receive the essential nutrients they need to stay fit and healthy. Deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals can occur, leading to medical problems.
And, as with any unusual or unfamiliar foodstuff… Eating a large amount of bread can be very disruptive to your cat’s digestive system. This can cause bloating, gassiness, diarrhea, and constipation.
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