Fast food has become a daily thing for most people. The tempo of life is speedy and so is our food. Cats don’t seem to be in a hurry so they have no need for fast food. But can we share some of it with our pets? For example, can cats eat French fries?
It’s hard to resist the crunchy and tasty potato strips, but you have to know your cat’s limits. We know junk food isn’t the healthiest out there and we should avoid it as much as possible. But sometimes it can be almost irresistible!
When it comes to cats, once they set their minds on something, they won’t give up without a fight. You probably know that as a cat parent that they don’t give up that easily and their stubbornness can sometimes get the best of them.
However, we often tend to fulfill all of their wishes, despite knowing better. Their health is our number one priority, though, and you should always weigh out the pros and cons of new foods you want to introduce. After all, you know the saying – it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Can cats eat french fries safely?
We don’t want to beat around the bush so we’ll just spill it. No, cats can’t eat French fries. They can if you give your pet some McDonald’s leftovers, but they really shouldn’t. French fries are unhealthy in so many ways, and not just for you, but especially for your feline.
Junk food is designed to give you the feeling of fullness in a short time without any real benefits. Some nutrients found in fast foods can come in handy, but the overall quality of food is really low.
We know it’s hard staying faithful to a healthy diet when you see all these commercials. And while you can decide how much and when to eat fast foods, if you ask your cat, the answer would be totally different.
I’m sure your kitto would just grab the bag without thinking twice or asking nicely! Her greedy paws can sometimes get the best of her, but when it comes to French fries, it’s best to keep them for yourself!
Why are French fried bad for cats?
First off, can cats eat French fries without getting addicted? I’m not so sure because Lord knows how yummy they are!
We’re responsible for instilling good habits in our pets’ lives and French fries aren’t one of them. If your cat gets used to eating French fries, she may have a hard time trying to live without them.
Besides, she may begin refusing her regular foods and that’s where all hell breaks loose. Cats are stubborn and will want to have their way no matter what.
French fries are a type of junk food that contains many unhealthy ingredients that pose a danger to your feline’s health. Potatoes, salt, spices, and ketchup are all not recommended for cats.
1. Can cats eat potatoes?
These vegetables are great for everyday human meals. They’re prepared in many ways: baked, cooked, mashed, you name it. Two of the standout favorites are chips and fries. We’ll be forever grateful for them, right?
However, potatoes aren’t the best choice for felines because, for one, they’re plant matter. Vegetables are superfoods for humans, but in some cases, they can be the opposite for our furry friends. Not all vegetables are welcome in the cat world, like eggplant.
Potatoes, just like eggplant, contain an alkaloid called solanine. This alkaloid can cause poisoning in pets if consumed in sufficient quantities. Every part of the potato and eggplant contains solanine, including leaves, stems, and tubers of the plant.
If cooked, nightshade veggies pose less of a health risk. This way, the solanine toxicity reduces, but you should still be careful when it comes to these veggies.
Raw potatoes are off-limits because it’s at this stage that they contain the highest solanine levels.
2. What about salt?
We love French fries for their saltiness – that’s what gives them their signature taste, right? While some people love that extra salt on their fries, it could be troublesome for cats.
Sodium is required for keeping the body in check. However, excessive amounts of salt could lead to sodium toxicity in felines. The symptoms range from mild to severe including vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, tremors, and even coma.
3. And other herbs and spices?
French fries are often loaded with other spices, making salt the least of your worries. Garlic powder, onion salt, and paprika are just some of the spices used.
Garlic and onions are highly poisonous to felines because they destroy red blood cells. This leads to a condition called anemia, causing fatigue and dizziness.
Although the black pepper in this fast food isn’t inherently hazardous to your pet, she can certainly do without it. Other spices in the fries aren’t quite as safe. Paprika includes capsaicin, a poisonous chemical found primarily in hot peppers, and should not be given to cats.
What about basil-baked fries? Basil is fortunately not poisonous to cats. It’s entirely safe for your pet to eat on its own or in combination with other cat-safe foods. There have been no documented adverse effects of adding basil to cat food, and preliminary studies show it can help stimulate your cat’s appetite.
Cats can benefit from a small amount of basil in their meals. Basil is an antioxidant that protects cells and also lowers the risk of a variety of diseases, including diabetes and cancer.
Cats are picky eaters, and this herb will help improve the flavor and scent of their food. Out of all the herbs and spices for fries, basil is the only safe one for cats, despite the fact that it has no nutritional value.
4. Can cats eat French fries because of ketchup?
More sad news is that ketchup, one of the most popular condiments next to mustard, is off-limits for cats. The ingredients in ketchup are the major reason your feline companion should avoid it. Ketchup contains tomato, garlic, onion, vinegar, sugar, salt, and a slew of others that aren’t good for cats!
Tomato is great for people because it’s high in vitamins and fiber, but it’s not the case with cats. Your kitty friend does require these nutrients, but not from tomatoes! There are high-quality cat foods available that include fiber and vitamins important to your cat’s diet.
There’s no need for your pet to try to meet these requirements by eating tomatoes or ketchup! While a few licks aren’t harmful to your cat’s health, larger quantities of ketchup can do major harm.
5. Oil content
On top of all the sauces, condiments, and spices, French fries are oily. We know they’re deep-fried in oil and that’s another reason they’re so bad for cats.
Oils aren’t harmful to cats, but they aren’t helpful either. Your cat will most likely struggle to absorb it. If you have to use oil, go for extra virgin olive oil. This is the least likely to upset your cat’s stomach. Keep an eye out for any signs of digestive upset if you think she’s had too much.
Are there any benefits to eating French fries?
We’re going to be completely honest and say no. French fries don’t provide any benefits to cats. Moreover, they’re unhealthy and shouldn’t hold a place in a feline’s diet. They contain an abundance of nutrients that could harm your pet if consumed in excess.
Fat is a concentrated energy source for felines. It has the potential to deliver twice as much energy as protein and carbohydrates. Cats are therefore understandably enticed by high-fat foods. And this could be one of the reasons your cat is snooping around in your dish for the fries.
French fries, on the other hand, are high-fat, high-saturated junk food. Furthermore, they’re linked to high blood cholesterol, heart disease, and obesity.
This junk food is devoid of protein and other nutrients essential to your four-legged friend’s development and growth. Furthermore, french fries, like potato chips, are high in calories, which indicates that an excess of calories might be stored as fat.
The extra pounds will put a strain on your cat’s joints, making it difficult for her to move around. Calorie and carb-dense foods are also linked to heart diseases, strokes, diabetes, and many other health conditions.
Can cats eat French fries in the end?
You may wonder can cats eat French fries if you notice your furkid eyeballing your last bites of your McMeal. You’re now aware of all the dangers that these potato snacks can hold for felines.
High amounts of salt and other spices won’t benefit your pet. Besides, French fries are packed with fat, carbs, and calories, all of which are unhealthy and unnecessary for felines. If you want to keep your furbaby in top-notch health, you’ll definitely want to avoid French fries.
Read more: Can Cats Eat Hash Browns? Will It Pack On The Pounds?
