Can cats eat baby food? If you have a cat that likes to stick her nose everywhere, then I understand where this question is coming from.
Felines are deathly inquisitive and it doesn’t bother them to investigate things. However, it can sometimes be a hard task just to follow them around and be updated on their daily antics.
If you thought that this was the hard part, brace yourself. Having a fur child that’s quite boisterous and headstrong can be a bit difficult. But what happens when you have the deadly duo featuring your fur child and your human baby?
I know it’s just a disaster waiting to happen really. Cats can be a handful on their own. Top that off with an equally cute partner in crime and you have yourself quite a bit of show going on.
But you just can’t stay mad at any of those two. It’s simply cuteness overload. They get on so well because they both love one thing – food.
They’ll both do anything to get to it. And I mean anything. This includes both of your babies creating a mess at breakfast or any other time.
One of them will show up and try to be the good kid, the one that’s going to lick all the mess away. Although you don’t see any difference between them, it makes you wonder if cats can eat baby food.
They’re equal in your eyes, but you’re aware that babies shouldn’t eat cat food, so what do you do when the roles are reversed? Should you be worried if your fur-child managed to steal some of your baby’s food away?
Hmm, can cats eat baby food?
They may not be that interested in trying it out, but can cats eat baby food, perhaps? I know this question may sound weird because you never thought a carnivore would take interest in plain blended foods!
But what if your furry friend decides she’s fed up with chewing, quite literally? Should you be concerned if your cat steals some of the food from your baby?
But what is it then that’s so attractive to your furbaby? Our pets are smart little creatures, so there’s probably something her nose picked up on. Although sometimes we tend to doubt their judgment, they usually make good decisions.
Thanks to their strong instincts, your pet is unlikely to get herself into trouble. You’ve seen how she runs for the hills when she smells garlic, right?
Therefore, I believe it if were something dangerous for her, she wouldn’t care to have a closer look. But since she’s curious about it, something might just be useful for her.
Now, don’t come at me saying how all cats are curious. It’s true, but you wouldn’t think they would be drawn to a jar of baby food! Therefore, there must be something that entices their senses!
Does baby food benefit your cat in any way?
The good news is that baby food isn’t usually poisonous to felines. Well, the good news isn’t the only news, but we’ll get there eventually.
We can say that this food option is safe for your cat, but there’s more to think about it. Why on earth would you feed your cat baby food?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you should force your cat into liking this particular food. Each feline is unique and while some can like the smell and taste of it, yours maybe won’t be a fan.
Just like with any food, especially human food, there are certain pros and cons to it. It’s usually not advised to feed your pet any non-cat-appropriate dishes, such as snacks.
However, they also have to get a taste of different things every once in a while. The key is to do your thorough research of the food and, of course, moderation.
You’ll find out that you can incorporate certain foods into your feline’s diet, such as baby food, but at a specific time and in specific amounts.
First and foremost, you need to think about your pet’s dietary needs and consult with a veterinarian. It can be quite dangerous trying out new human foods on your own.
Although cats are tough, their stomachs can sometimes be a bit more sensitive to some ingredients. You don’t want your feline throwing up and having the runs at 3 am, trust me.
But you’re probably thinking: “My baby loves it, so my other fur baby will probably feel the same way.” But, do things really work that way?
Baby food in a nutshell
As you already know, baby food is made with special love and care. Babies are small and fragile, so their stomachs can be quite sensitive.
That’s why they need to eat some special foods that are carefully crafted. Hence the blended, soft, and yummy baby food your cat’s attracted to!
Even though this is the safest choice possible for a baby, you have to think twice about feeding your pet. You may easily get deceived by thinking that your two babies will handle it in the same way.
However, babies are still humans (although you can sometimes second-guess that) and differ a lot from your fur child. Therefore, if you’re really keen on getting to know whether cats can eat baby food, you have to read a bit further.
The answer depends on a lot of things. And it probably depends on one thing the most, and that is the content of the food. Whether it’s meat-based or plant-based, what else can be found in that tiny jar?
Some ingredients may surprise you, both in a good and a bad way. Perhaps you wouldn’t ever think that something’s that beneficial or bad to your feline. Let’s see what those things could be.
Can cats eat meat-based baby food?
At times, you look at your baby eating away her specially-prepared food and you can’t help but feel envious a bit. She’s so carefree and enjoying life.
However, you aren’t the only one who’s having those thoughts. Out of the corner of your eye, you might notice a shadow creeping its way to your baby’s feeding table.
Now that you know that baby food can possibly be dangerous to your furkid, are you going to stop her or pretend like you didn’t just see her stealing the puree?
As for the meat-based foods, she should be completely fine. If she’s had a lick or two, she might take a quick liking to it and ask for some more.
You shouldn’t overdo it so she doesn’t get used to it, but meat-based baby food is usually safe for her. That is unless it contains garlic or any other member of the Allium family.
These are extremely poisonous to felines and your cat would be in lots of trouble if she devoured a piece of it. This is actually one example of the dangers baby food could possibly present to your other fur child.
If the food is free of any of these, then it gets a green light. The meat is usually beef or chicken, which is an excellent protein source for both of your kids.
Protein? Check!
Felines survive thanks to it, and although baby food doesn’t contain a high percentage of protein, it can come as a quick snack. Still, don’t think it would be the best option to replace her diet with strictly baby food.
Cats need to fulfill their dietary requirements just like your baby does. If she fails to do so, however, it might end up as a disaster.
Protein is the main ingredient that fuels a feline’s body. It helps keep her warm and is a primary energy source. Her overall immune system is boosted by this special nutrient.
It contains everything that’s necessary for a cat to live a healthy life. If she cuts down on protein intake, it could result in a bad outcome.
Can cats eat veggie baby food?
We’ve heard about the meaty ones, but can cats eat baby food that contains veggies? This answer doesn’t really differ much from the previous one.
However, meat and vegetables are polar opposites and have very different health benefits. While you urge your kid to eat more green stuff, you don’t have to do that for your feline.
They’re carnivores, although they can have a quick veggie snack here and then. It’s just that vegetables should never be prioritized over meat when it comes to cats.
Of course, your pet may gain some benefits from the good, green stuff, but it’s more of an addition to her diet. For instance, asparagus is a really good choice of snack for your pet, but not much else.
You shouldn’t get your cat on a vegan diet just because she liked some of the blended, green food your baby had. Who would think cats would even want to eat that?
Sure, they can be quite curious at times, but they’re also a bit hesitant. This is especially true when it comes to the food since they act like the queen herself.
Regardless, veggies in any form can be a great addition to your pet’s meat-based diet. It has a lot of fiber and nutrients that will help balance out the protein. Let’s see some of them.
Healthy stuff
As kids, you’d have to make us eat some broccoli or Brussels sprouts. But in the adult world, we lean into the good stuff more and more.
When you’re aware of all the health benefits food from the ground brings you, it’s a game-changer. Of course, we want the same for our furry and non-fury kids.
Therefore, we try to get them to eat more of it because it’s good for them. However, that mission isn’t always successful and sometimes it’s quite a failure.
But when you have babies that are more than eager to try it out, you have to take the opportunity. There are many reasons why you should do that and here are some of them.
Veggies are packed with good stuff. I mean vitamins, minerals, as well as fiber, and water. We know cats hate water, so it’s a great way to keep them hydrated.
So, how can cats eat baby food and benefit from it? Well, blended veggies contain nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, copper, selenium, potassium, zinc, a range of vitamins, and dietary fiber.
All of this is what makes your baby and your cat so strong and healthy. These vitamins and minerals deal with a lot of problems in organisms; they fight off infections, boost the immune system, and keep her bones strong and healthy.
Not to mention how your cat’s fur is shinier than ever. Her nails are as sharp as razor blades, but oh well. I wouldn’t really call it a disadvantage; just get some scratching poles!
And when it comes to fiber, it’s a nutrient that helps your pet’s tummy get all of that good stuff. Sure, veggies contain calories, but they’re much healthier than snacks.
What about fruity baby food?
Fruit purees are almost a favorite among babies. They’re sweet, yummy, and go down the throat quite easily. However, what do cats think of it?
Can cats eat baby food that contains fruits? Just as is the case with vegetables, pets should avoid certain fruits.
Relax, it’s only a minority of them and the rest are good to go. However, you should really be careful when it comes to citrus foods, tangerines for instance.
These are extremely poisonous to felines and can make her sick quickly. The citric acid won’t be any good for your feline’s health.
The chemicals and essential oils found in citrus fruits such as lemons are really hazardous to your cat as well. The good news is that the smell is often deterring so she won’t be sticking around much.
To top it all off, fruits are usually high in sugar, especially processed ones found in baby food. Next to natural sugars there are also artificial sweeteners that aren’t healthy for your pet.
Too much sugar can effortlessly lead to diabetes and other medical issues. Obesity comes into the picture as well and sets the foundation for the further development of other illnesses.
There’s a chance of developing arthritis which can ruin the quality of your pet’s life. The weight puts additional stress on her joints and makes everyday life much harder for her.
Before you know it, she’s unable to run around and play like she used to. She’s becoming slow and it’s making her depressed. Both her mental and physical health can get ruined quickly.
Not to mention the dental problems that come with excessive sugar intake. Tooth decay is a serious issue, especially in older cats. Then you’ll just have to give her blended or baby foods to eat!
Therefore, if she’s a fan of fruits, your cat can eat baby food as long as it doesn’t contain anything harmful. Still, keep in mind all of the cons that also come along with this tasty treat.
Things to look out for!
We’ve already mentioned how looks can be deceiving. Even though it’s baby food, some of the ingredients may be harmful to your cat.
For instance, your baby may like the puree that’s made from grapes and raisins. This is highly toxic to felines, so you should never offer her any amount.
Just like sultanas, these fruits attack your cat’s kidney and she might end up with severe damage. You’d never think of them as dangerous, but here we are.
Another seemingly harmless fruit that can easily throw you off your feet is figs. These small, cute-looking, soft snacks are highly dangerous to pets.
We’ve already mentioned the role that sugar plays in a cat’s body, so let’s take a look at its counterpart. Salt is also one of the things you should look out for.
Believe it or not, sodium can actually be quite toxic to cats. But thankfully, baby food doesn’t have a lot of it, so she should be fine.
Besides fruits, there are several veggies that your pet should avoid altogether, in any form. These include the members of the Nightshade family, such as eggplants.
This plant can seriously harm your feline, so she better stay away from it. It’s no different for tomatoes and potatoes, as they’re equally dangerous.
Bottom line
As you can see, there are a lot of pros and cons to cats eating baby food. Of course, it’s not their natural choice of food, but hey! They can sometimes get a quick taste of it; why not?
However, don’t encourage your pet to dig into baby food every day. A few licks here and there just to clean the baby’s plate shouldn’t be harmful to your pet.
Now, if you can’t control the partnership that booms out between the two over time, I’m sorry. You’ll just have to fight on your own and break the deal with the baby food they made. Good luck, because you’ll need it!
Read more: This Orange Kitty Falls In Love With The Newest Member Of Her Family
