Are you enjoying some crackers and wondering, “Can cats eat crackers?” so your cat, too, can taste them? This article will cover every aspect of your question, including whether cats can eat plain crackers, why you should not feed your cat crackers, and whether crackers are suitable for cats.
Can cats eat crackers?
No, cats cannot eat crackers as almost all have high salt content and preservatives. Crackers are not toxic to cats, but experts recommend cat parents avoid feeding those to their cats. Crackers aren’t poisonous, but the high salt and fat content can cause health problems for your floof.
Cats are carnivores, and crackers don’t specifically provide any nutritional benefit to your cat. Their nutritional value is zero.
Are crackers good for cats?
One or two bites of crackers to gain their taste do not usually cause harm to your cat. Your cat will be fine if it has taken only a few bites. But consumption of an enormous number of crackers can lead to gastrointestinal stress and even lethal intoxication.
Can cats have plain crackers?
Plain crackers are fine for cats, and you can feed them to your cat without being worried about any side effects. But always keep in mind that moderation is the key. You should not exceed the allowed amount of crackers a cat should have. Even feeding plain crackers to your four-pawed floof, you should supervise them to prevent choking.
If your cat snuck a cracker from your plate, it’s probably nothing, and you don’t need to rush to the vet, but you should keep your cat under strict supervision, and in case of any abnormal behavior or health concerns, contact your vet.
Why should you not feed crackers to your cat?
Following are the reasons why you should not prefer feeding crackers to your cat:
Wheat allergies:
Cats do not digest grains as they are supposed to eat and digest meat. Your cat should not eat grains regularly. It occurs rarely, but sometimes, if a cat is allergic to wheat products, it shows the following signs:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Intestinal disturbance
- Diarrhea
- Sneezing
- Itching
- Wheezing
- Gas
- Bloating
- Head shaking
Food allergies can cause skin problems in your cat too.
Salt content:
Crackers are high in sodium as they have abundant salt in them. Cats do not drink water, and it is very easy for them to get dehydrated. High-salt diets make your cat more prone to dehydration. And dehydration itself can cause many problems for your furry.
Eating salty food, in the long run, will make you’re cat dehydrated for a more extended period. It can lead to urinary tract infections and even promote the production of bladder stones.
Fat content:
Crackers have high-fat levels in them. A high-calorie diet is certainly not good for cats.
No nutritional value:
Cats are meat-eating animals, and wheat products like crackers can not give them much benefit. Instead, it exposes your cat too many other health risks. That’s why keeping your cat away from treats like crackers is better for its health.
Obesity:
Crackers are made of wheat and have high amounts of carbohydrates. Eating crackers every day will make your cat gain weight. And obesity is not suitable for anyone!
Obesity leads to many health concerns like diabetes and fat deposition in the heart, kidneys, and abdomen. It also increases the chances of cardiovascular diseases.
Onion and garlic poisoning:
Many crackers have garlic and onion powder as their main ingredient to enhance flavor. Though they taste good to humans, they are toxic for pets.
Both of these plants belong to the allium family. And the plants from this family are toxic for cats. Long-term use of onion and garlic can cause anemia in cats. Usually, crackers don’t have that amount of level that can hurt your cat, but long-term use of crackers can cause this. You should avoid feeding those crackers to your cat to be on the safe side.
Rejecting the cat food:
If you continue feeding your cat some human foods like crackers, it will develop a taste for that food and start rejecting its cat food.
Can cats eat goldfish crackers?
No, you should not feed goldfish crackers to your cat. They are equally harmful to your cat as the other crackers, except for the plain ones. It can cause harm to your cat’s health if it is allergic to gluten or wheat. Even if your cat tolrates grain products, you should feed them in moderation.
Keep an eye on them after eating some crackers; if they become ill, lethargic, or have fevers, concern your vet.
Conclusion:
This article answered your query, “Can cats eat crackers?” so your cat can taste them. This article also covered every aspect of your question, including whether cats can eat plain crackers, why you should not feed crackers to your cat, and whether crackers are suitable for cats.
References:
https://petnutritionplanet.com/2022/01/19/can-cats-eat-crackers/
https://www.google.com/amp/s/cattime.com/cat-facts/health/42912-can-cats-eat-crackers-safe%3famp
https://www.hepper.com/can-cats-eat-crackers/
