Can cats eat goldfish crackers? Perhaps a better question is: “Should they?”. This snack appears innocuous at first sight, and most often ends up being a way to beat the boredom when your movie or TV show is not as interesting as it first sounded.
Does that imply that cats can also kill boredom by munching on goldfish crackers while hanging out with you on the sofa watching some real fish swim around on the screen?
Cats are natural carnivores, which means they require meat daily. Felines obtain much-needed protein from meat-based foods, and thereby meet their nutritional requirements. With all foods that they’ve been accustomed to, we may be “humanizing” them when offering our foods.
Are goldfish crackers dangerous to cats?
Before feeding your furkid human food, you will examine your alternatives as a responsible owner. You’ll have to choose between her health and those pretty, wide eyes.
Of course, we already know who will win. If you asked your cat the same question, she would be more than happy to say yes to goldfish crackers. She’ll undoubtedly repeat the adage “You only live once.”
Perhaps this is one of the reasons cats are unable to talk to us – they don’t always make the best choices! On the other hand, they are stubborn and will most likely try to communicate with you in other ways. If your little monster screams at the sight of crackers in your hands, give in.
What are goldfish crackers?
You can find goldfish crackers are all over the place, which is good news for snack lovers. But let’s explore if we should be concerned about the abundance of goldfish crackers in your pantry.
Cats have a reputation for being finicky eaters, but are there any human foods that pique their interest? Of course, there are! The little pests just love sticking their cute noses in our business (read bowls).
Large quantities of goldfish crackers and other baked goods, however, are not permitted. These crackers can be eaten by cats, but only on very rare occasions. Flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, vegetable oils, dairy, and spices are used to make these crackers.
The stomach of your cat may not enjoy any of these substances since some of these ingredients are indigestible to cats.
Flour
This ingredient won’t hurt your furball because the flour in goldfish crackers isn’t harmful to cats. Raw flour, on the other hand, should never be given to your kitty. What isn’t safe for you is likely to be unsafe for her as well.
Flour has no nutritional benefit for cats. Although it’s harmless, your pet won’t benefit from plant-based ingredients like this. Felines are carnivores and have a hard time digesting plant matter.
What about baking powder and other condiments?
Baking soda is another ingredient found in goldfish crackers. While it’s unlikely to hurt your pet right away, she may develop an allergic reaction to it.
Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, increased thirst and urination are all potential signs of allergies. More dangerous symptoms, such as tremors and seizures, may appear in extreme situations.
Other substances may not be as suitable and beneficial to felines. Salt and sugar, for example, can be harmful to your pet’s health.
If you still wonder can cats eat goldfish crackers, here’s the bad news. Sodium poisoning can occur when your feline consumes too much salt. This isn’t a great situation for your cat, and it might prove to be fatal.
Additionally, any excessive amounts of sugar can be harmful. Sugar is less likely to harm your cat when consumed in tiny amounts and only once in a blue moon.
However, if your cat eats goldfish crackers frequently, it may have negative consequences. Too much sugar consumed over time can result in health problems such as tooth decay, obesity, and diabetes.
Can cats eat goldfish crackers because of vegetable oils?
While vegetable oils aren’t harmful to cats, they may cause them to use the bathroom more frequently. Some pet owners offer their cats vegetable oils to aid with hairballs. However, we don’t advise treating your cat without consulting your veterinarian first.
Vegetable oils aren’t poisonous to cats, but they can cause moderate gastrointestinal problems. And just because the amount in goldfish crackers isn’t dangerous, doesn’t mean you should feed them to your pet.
Some foods are healthier than others because of vegetable oils. This is due to the fact that they contain unsaturated fats, whereas other oils are high in saturated fats. Unsaturated fats are good for your cat’s health because they don’t elevate cholesterol levels as saturated fats do.
Dairy content in goldfish crackers
Milk can cause digestive issues in cats, such as diarrhea. Lactose is a sugar that your pet’s stomach can’t digest. It’s for this reason that milk isn’t recommended.
Lactose intolerance is a problem related to the body’s ability to digest milk. Because felines lack the digestive enzyme lactase, lactose can’t be broken down properly in their system. Choose lactose-free or almond milk if you want to offer some to your furkid.
Although cheese isn’t poisonous to cats, it can create stomach issues. Once again, this is because cheese is a dairy product containing lactose.
The fat content of cheese is higher than that of other dairy products. Unsaturated fats are a vital component of a cat’s diet, thus it must be consumed daily. Cheese, on the other hand, contains a sort of fat that isn’t ideal for their demands.
Aside from that, gastrointestinal issues including vomiting and diarrhea are possible. Bloating and gasses are inevitable in some cases.
What about spices?
Spices are what add flavor to our foods, and in this case, goldfish crackers. Certain spices are okay for cats, as long as they’re not over-consumed, like black pepper. However, when it comes to these snacks, black pepper doesn’t stand alone on the ingredients list.
Other spices include paprika. Paprika includes capsaicin, a poisonous chemical found primarily in hot peppers, and shouldn’t be given to cats. Other spices that are a cause for concern are garlic and onions.
Garlic is one of the most dangerous foods for your cat. It is banned entirely for felines, despite its widespread use in human food. This ingredient includes toxins that are harmful to cats and can cause red blood cell loss.
Garlic is five times more pungent than onions, but it doesn’t imply onions are allowed. These can also impair your cat’s health by destroying red blood cells, resulting in anemia of various forms.
We can safely conclude that any type of garlic or onion is harmful to your cat’s health. Whether they’re cooked, raw, or powdered, she’ll be better off without them.
Can cats eat goldfish crackers? The downsides
It’s not a big deal for your furball to have a snack now and then. Goldfish crackers, on the other hand, are a grain-based food. Many commercial cat meals contain this type of food as a filler. It’s not toxic to your cat, however, it doesn’t provide any nutritional value.
Your furchild can’t benefit from the nutrients found in grain-based meals because meat provides all of the necessary health advantages. Plant-based food will be difficult for cats to digest because they are carnivores. As a result, all potentially useful supplements will be thrown away.
These nibbles should keep the title of human snacks. Due to cats’ stringent meat-based diet, don’t try to replace their regular food with a plant-based one. Sharing your goldfish crackers with your furry friend on occasion isn’t dangerous, but it can be if she eats them regularly.
Besides, goldfish crackers are small in size. This can be a choking hazard, in addition to the dietary concerns noted above. Keep a close eye on your tiny monster if she’s greedy. Cats eating goldfish crackers can quickly turn into an undesirable situation.
Don’t leave her alone with these, and make sure she doesn’t overindulge. Sometimes, sharing isn’t caring, after all.
A substitute for goldfish crackers
We know you’re always thinking about treats for your kitten. It seems unfair that they are unable to partake in the same delicacies as humans, because they are truly a member of our family. Healthy options come in handy when we want the best for our floofs.
Homemade cat snacks provide those healthy alternatives. Many recipes for handmade, healthful cat treats can be found online. Salmon, anchovies, poultry, or some greens, such as lettuce, can all be used!
All of these dishes must be served unseasoned to be the best option. Because felines and humans have distinct bodies, we have different diets. Just as you make sure to meet your nutritional requirements, keep your cat’s needs on your mind as well.
Final verdict
Cats can eat goldfish crackers if they want to, but it’s not required. Cats are carnivores, and while they can eat a grain-based diet, it will not benefit them.
These nibbles are a fun way to pass the time while hanging out with your cat. However, just offer your cat crackers as a treat every once in a while – moderation is crucial.
Make certain that this does not occur daily. Goldfish crackers have a lot of spices in them, which can’t be good for your cat. Goldfish crackers might bring more pain than pleasure if consumed for an extended period of time.
Furthermore, the high fat, carbohydrate, and calorie content of goldfish crackers should deter you from feeding them to your pet. A taste or two won’t hurt, but keep in mind her nutritional requirements.
We hope we solved the dilemma and you now don’t have to wonder anymore if cats can eat goldfish crackers. Moderation is the key to enjoying a good TV show and staying healthy!
