Cats are carnivores who get most of their nutrients from meat. But they will still give you the look the moment they realize you’re opening a bag of crisps. As you’re munching on this salty snack, you wonder if cats can eat saltine crackers, too.
Our pets love to snack! You can find many store shelves lined with different cat treats, but somehow, they seem to be bigger fans of human food.
To decide whether these crackers are safe for your cat, you need to know more about the ingredients they contain. So, unfortunately, there is no short answer to the question “Can cats eat saltine crackers?” and you’ll have to stick with us to get a better understanding of these snacks.
Can cats eat saltine crackers instead of cat treats?
Many cat parents think that saltine crackers are a good alternative to commercial cat snacks. However, saltine crackers can’t replace snacks that are made for your pet.
These crackers are made to suit humans. Even though they aren’t the most nutritious food, humans can digest them better than cats.
It’s important to know that commercial snacks won’t bring damage to your cat if she takes a bite of two of them. They aren’t the healthiest choice but she’ll survive after munching on them.
However, there are a couple of reasons why saltine crackers aren’t the best choice, especially if consumed on a daily basis.
1. They contain a LOT of fat
Small doses of fat are necessary for your kitt. It’s a regular ingredient in many dishes you prepare for her. However, saltine crackers contain high amounts of fat that can potentially lead to obesity.
In order to be healthy, your feline should avoid saltine crackers and any other food that’s filled with a lot of fat. Excessive amounts of it will lead to weight gain which then can cause stress to her joints.
That’s why you should always check the ingredients list before buying food you intend to share with your furbaby. I know it can be hard to resist giving her what she wants, but you need to take proper care of your cat.
It’s better to resist giving her everything she sets her eyes on than to feed her with food that puts her at health risk.
2. They contain a LOT of salt
Foods full of salt are dangerous to your cat. Yes, salt carries necessary minerals, but too much of it can cause dehydration. Since you can’t make cats drink a lot of water, dehydration could easily develop into something more serious.
Some cat parents think that their fur kids will drink more water if they eat salty food. But that’s not the case. Even if they increase their water intake, it won’t be enough to stop dehydration.
High levels of salt can cause crystals to form in your cat’s bladder, and those crystals interfere with proper urination. This can endanger your cat’s life if not resolved quickly. Not to even mention the excruciating pain your feline will be going through in the process.
Another major issue is sodium toxicity. Vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite are the first warning signs. Your cat might start shivering before losing consciousness, and in severe cases, she might even fall into a coma.
3. They have LOW iron levels
Cats need iron the same way humans do. It’s an essential element without which they can’t thrive.
Since felines are carnivores, it means that they get most of their iron from meat. So, any other type of food doesn’t do much for them.
It’s only obvious that saltine crackers aren’t beneficial to cats as they don’t bring anything to the table. Therefore, replacing cat treats with this salty human treat is ineffective and useless.
Ingredients breakdown
In order to find out can cats eat saltine crackers, it’s important to get familiar with all of the harmful ingredients they contain. This will help you get a better understanding of what to choose for your pet’s next treat.
Wheat flour contains gluten and many cats can’t digest this plant-based protein. If your cat is allergic to it, it can cause stomach aches and other allergic reactions. Make sure to check in with your vet in case this happens.
Barley flour, just as many other types of flour, also contains gluten and can cause problems in your pet’s intestines. Since cats have sensitive digestive systems, they may not take it well and might vomit.
Barley flour isn’t inherently dangerous, and saltine crackers don’t contain much of it. Still, the best option is to avoid them completely and stay on the safe side.
Yeast, while being digested, releases carbon dioxide and alcohol, which can cause several issues. Bloating, gasses, and an upset stomach are the most common signs your cat ingested too much of it.
Saltine crackers also contain a lot of sea salt and baking soda. These ingredients can cause dehydration and block bladders in male cats. Urinating is one of the vital body functions and its interference may cause life-threatening conditions.
Palm oil is an ingredient that may cause your cat to gain weight. Unfortunately, saltine crackers contain a great amount of palm and canola oil.
These can block arteries and cause serious heart, kidney, and liver problems. If you put it next to weight gain, these problems can be hard to solve, and your feline will suffer immensely.
Niacin vitamin is essential for a healthy cat’s metabolism. You can find some in saltine crackers, but even more in some veggie snacks.
Proper amounts of niacin give your feline enough daily energy to jump around. Even though cats need more of this vitamin than dogs, too much of it can put them at risk.
If you want to avoid any of the mentioned serious health problems, don’t feed your feline salty food like saltine crackers. It’s obvious that they don’t have any health benefits, and their nutritional value is low.
Can cats eat saltine crackers?
These crackers are very salty and contain high levels of fat. Your cat’s daily meals already contain some salt and fat, so any extra will cause weight gain and dehydration for your pet. It’s okay to let her have a cracker or two here and there. However, making them a daily treat can cause serious health problems in the long run.
But, just as cat parents can have a treat that isn’t quite good for them, cats can too, right? The thing is that there are much healthier treat choices for cats besides saltine crackers. And I’m sure that you don’t want to make your feline sick!
A better snack choice for your cat would be something high in protein and low in fat. If you want to give her a truly healthy treat, find something that has no dangerous preservatives. Natural ingredients are always the way to go!
What are the best treats for my cat?
If you want to train your cat to do all sorts of tricks, the treats you give her should be delicious. She’ll get motivated in no time if her reward is tasty.
Besides being delicious, the treats must also be healthy. Cat parents think that the nutritional value of cat treats isn’t very important. But the truth is that cats enjoy healthy treats the most.
Meat-flavored treats are probably the best choice you can make! Stay away from sugary and colored treats as they don’t bring anything to the table.
Also, some treats can contain ingredients like corn and rice and you should know that your feline won’t enjoy them as much.
The better options are treats scented with an animal liver additive. It’s one of the most delicious, actual animal flavors in cat food, and your furball will enjoy these snacks immensely!
Best treats contain ingredients of high quality like salmon, chicken, and beef meat or organs. Soy and wheat aren’t welcome.
Even if your cat has health issues like diabetes, treats made completely of meat will be safe for her in smaller amounts.
1. Bonito flakes
Bonito flakes would be an interesting meaty treat to try out. They are dried pieces of tuna-fish meat that will be crazy tasty for your cat. They contain a lot of protein and keep your cat’s coat and skin healthy.
2. Freeze-dried meat treats
Freeze-dried cat treats are made of muscle meat and organs from animals like goats and wild boars. They’re full of protein and are extra tasty!
The inner, delicate part is what makes them taste like real raw meat. Besides, they’re chopped into small pieces, so are easier for your cat to chew on. Additionally, they’re low in calories which makes them a safe, healthy, and nourishing snack for your kit!
3. Freeze-dried fish treats
Giving your cat freeze-dried minnows as a treat will be a novel and rich experience! They’re processed at low heat temperature in order to keep their nutritional value. All parts of this fish – the eyes, vital organs, and bones are kept, making it a savory treat for your feline friend.
4. Homemade cat treats
Commercial treats for your cat usually contain many preservatives and carbohydrates. Even though they’re tasty, they’re not the healthiest or the most nutritious choice.
If you want to be 100% sure that your furbaby eats a healthy treat, and gets a daily dose of needed nutrients, maybe it’s best to prepare it yourself. But before you experiment with homemade cat treats, check in with your vet for recipes.
When you’ve decided to prepare treats at home, canned meats such as tuna, salmon, or chicken are the way to go. These are not only healthy but also made from tasty ingredients which will make your cat forever grateful!
Final thoughts
When your kitto persists in trying unusual treats such as saltine crackers, a question “Can cats eat at least a couple of saltine crackers?” will pop up. Even though she won’t get sick if she eats one or two, distract her with other treats tailored to cats.
Always remember to choose treats that are low in fat, salt, gluten, and oil. Good treats come with high levels of iron and protein.
Meaty options made of muscle meat, over, any fish or chicken are way to go. If you decide to make homemade treats, stick to these ingredients, and your feline friend will savor a true gourmet snack!
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