🐟 What Do Cats Eat? A Cat Food Guide for Kids
Cats are meat-eaters! Here is what keeps a cat healthy, what to keep away from cats, and why a vet is the best person to ask.
Cats need meat
Cats are carnivores, which means their bodies are made to eat meat. Meat gives them things they cannot make themselves, like taurine, which helps their eyes and heart.
The easiest way to give a cat everything it needs is food made especially for cats. The packet says if it is a "complete" food.
Kittens need kitten food to help them grow. Grown-up and older cats may need different food, and a vet can help choose.
Fresh water every day
Cats should always have clean, fresh water. Many cats like a wide bowl, and some love running water from a cat fountain.
Wet cat food has lots of water in it too, which is good for cats who do not drink much.
Is milk good for cats?
Not really! Most grown-up cats cannot digest milk well, and it can give them a tummy ache. Water is the best drink for a cat.
Treats: just a little
Cat treats are fine as a small extra, but they should only be a tiny part of what a cat eats each day.
A grown-up may sometimes share a small piece of plain cooked chicken or fish, with no bones, skin or seasoning. Always ask a grown-up first.
🚫 Keep these away from cats
- Onions, garlic, chives and leeks: even cooked or in powder, they can make cats very ill
- Chocolate: it is poisonous to cats
- Grapes and raisins: keep them away from pets
- Coffee, tea and energy drinks: caffeine is harmful to cats
- Sugar-free sweets and gum: they can contain xylitol, which is harmful to pets
- Alcohol: never safe for cats
- Raw bread dough: it can swell up in the tummy
- Cooked bones: they can splinter and hurt the cat
- Dog food as a main meal: it is made for dogs and does not have everything a cat needs
- Lilies (the flower): not a food, but every part, even the pollen, is very dangerous for cats
Golden rule: always ask a grown-up before giving a cat any food.
Cat food questions
Can cats drink milk?
Most grown-up cats cannot digest milk well and it can upset their tummy. Fresh water is the best drink for cats.
Can cats eat chocolate?
No. Chocolate is poisonous to cats. If a cat eats some, a grown-up should call a vet.
Can cats eat dog food?
Not as their main food. Dog food is made for dogs and does not have everything a cat needs, like enough taurine.
Can cats be vegetarian?
No. Cats are carnivores and need nutrients that come from meat, which is why vets recommend food made for cats.
How often should a cat eat?
Kittens eat several small meals a day. Grown-up cats usually eat at least two meals a day. Follow the food packet and ask a vet what is right for your cat.
Why do cats eat grass?
Many cats like to nibble grass, and it is usually normal. Special "cat grass" is safe to grow indoors. If a cat is sick a lot, a grown-up should talk to a vet.
Look after your own cat in My Mini Cat
In the game you can feed your cat, give it a bubble bath, play with it and put it to bed.
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