This cat blog will answer the major question, “Can cats eat bread?” we will also discuss the major threats of consuming bread for your cat, how much bread is safe for your cat, and how you can give bread to your cat.
Can cats eat bread?
Yes, cats can eat bread. It is safe but not recommended to give bread to your cat. Consuming small amounts of bread is safe, but consuming large amounts can cause alcohol poisoning and stomach upset in your cat. You should calculate the amount of bread you want to give your cat. You can put pills in the bread as it is soft and the cats love to eat it.
What are the major threats of consuming bread for your cat?
Following are the major threats of consuming bread for your cat:
Gluten sensitivity
If the bread is made up of wheat it can cause an allergic reaction in your cat because the cat is unable to digest gluten which is the major product of wheat. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Following are the major clinical signs of allergic reaction in your cat:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Rashes
- Urticaria
- Itching
- Breathing problems
If you see these signs in your cat you should immediately take your cat to the vet as the breathing problem can take your cat to death.
Stomach upset
The next problem is stomach upset in your cat because of the gluten indigestion in the stomach of your cat. Cats are not best at digesting gluten because they are obligate carnivores; they take most of the protein from animal sources.
Following are the major clinical signs of stomach upset in your cat:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bloat
- Abdominal pain
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
Alcohol poisoning
The next problem is the alcohol poisoning in your cat. It is due to consuming raw bread which has yeast in it. It is a normal mechanism that is called fermentation carried out by yeast in the stomach. Yeast produces alcohol through the process of fermentation which can be lethal for your cat.
The major organ which is damaged is the liver, and you will see the following signs in your cat if your cat is suffering from liver damage:
- Jaundice
- Weight loss
- Loose feces
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
Intestinal blockage
The next problem is an intestinal blockage in your cat due to the process of fermentation. The dough of the bread expands due to gas production in it which will block the intestine. It is a painful thing for your cat, so you need to make sure your cat gets the best treatment for it.
Following are the major clinical signs of an intestinal blockage in your cat:
- Little to no feces
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Distended abdomen
- Painful abdomen while touching
The only solution to this problem is the surgical removal of the dough from the intestine of your cat.
Empty calories
The next problem is the empty calories. Bread doesn’t offer any nutrients, instead, it offers empty calories, which can add to the unhealthy weight gain of your cat. Unhealthy weight gain can lead to joint issues and heart problems. You should better avoid bread in the diet of your cat.
How much bread is safe for your cat?
You shouldn’t give raw bread to your cat even in small amounts because it can cause disaster as it is described above. If the yeast is cooked in the bread it is safe to eat a small amount of it. You should give it at the rate of 10% of the daily calorie allowance.
How can you give bread to your cat?
You can give medicine pills in the bread. Bread is soft, and your cat will eat it because of the texture and the smell. Some cats will identify the pills in the bread and will not eat them. The taste of the bread changes due to the pills in it which are detected by the cat.
You can put small pieces of bread in the cat food, but it should be cooked and not raw bread.
What can you do if your cat is suffering from alcohol poisoning?
You should call your vet if you see signs of alcohol poisoning in your cat. The vet will examine your cat and will prescribe some medicines. These medicines might include liver tonics and antibiotics to reduce the secondary bacterial infection in the body. Your vet might also go for some tests.
Conclusion
In this cat blog, we answered the major question, “Can cats eat bread?” we also covered the major threats of consuming bread for your cat, how much bread is safe for your cat, and how you can give bread to your cat.
