Is sweet potato or pumpkin better for cats

Can Cats Eat Pumpkin?

Has your kitty ever helped you make a pumpkin pie and taken a taste? Or how about sharing your pumpkin spice latte?

Pet parents often ask if its safe for their cat to eat pumpkin. Heres what you need to know about sharing this seasonal squash with your cat, from potential benefits to how to feed it safely.

Is Pumpkin Good for Cats?

Plain 100% pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) is safe for cats and can even be useful as a treatment for gastrointestinal issues. It contains several healthy ingredients, such as potassium; phosphorous; calcium; vitamins A, C, and K; and lots of fiber.

Keep in mind, however, that cats are obligate carnivores. This means that their systems are designed to process meats, so everything that isnt a meat product, such as pumpkin, should be fed sparingly.

You may sometimes see pumpkin added as an ingredient in commercial cat foods, and this is usually done for the fiber content the pumpkin adds to the diet. Although there are other healthy nutrients in pumpkin, theyre usually also found in other components of the food that are easier for them to digest.

Can a Cat Eat Pumpkin Seeds?

Although pumpkin seeds are not toxic to cats, they can become a choking hazard, especially when eaten quickly. If your cat eats too many, it could result in an intestinal obstruction.

If you do give your cat pumpkin seeds, they are best fed in small quantities with you close by. Do not add any salt or spices or cook or roast them in oil, which markedly increases the fat content.

It is fine to use seeds that are either in the shell or with the shell removed, but mashing or crushing the seeds is safest. They can then be sprinkled on top of canned cat food for your cat to enjoy.

Is Pumpkin Good for Constipated Cats?

Perhaps the most common reason veterinarians recommend pumpkin is for constipated cats. The water content combined with the fiber can often help ease constipation. Many cats will respond to 2-4 teaspoons of canned pumpkin added to canned cat food if they have a mild case of constipation.

Canned food is recommended for constipated kitties, as it adds more water into their system. This is augmented by the water and the fiber in the canned pumpkin. Many veterinarians will use the addition of canned pumpkin as part of the cornerstone treatment for constipation.

Is Pumpkin Good for Cats With Diarrhea?

Canned pumpkin serves double dutyit is sometimes used to treat cats with diarrhea as well as constipated cats! The fiber in the pumpkin can add bulk to the stool, which helps to relieve the loose stools of diarrhea. However, if you give your cat too much canned pumpkin, it will usually result in diarrhea.

If your kitty has diarrhea, consult your veterinarian before giving pumpkin. Most cases of diarrhea actually have a medical cause, and those are easiest to diagnose in the earlier stages. You dont want to treat the symptom and not investigate the cause.

After checking a stool sample and perhaps doing other tests, your veterinarian may recommend pumpkin as part of the treatment plan. Somewhere between 1-4 teaspoons of canned pumpkin will usually be recommended for diarrhea, depending on the severity of the symptoms, age and weight of your cat, and other factors your veterinarian might note. This is likely safe for both young and old cats that are otherwise healthy.

Can Cats Eat Pumpkin Pie?

Pumpkin pie and canned pumpkin pie filling both contain many spices, which are likely not healthy for your cat. Some of these spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice, can be considered mildly toxic and result in gastrointestinal upset.

A small lick of pumpkin pie filling will likely cause no harm, but if your cat eats more than this, call your veterinarian to determine if any additional action is needed.

How to Feed Your Cat Pumpkin Safely

If your kitty likes pumpkin and you would like to share, the best option is a small amount of cooked, plain pumpkin with no spices added. While it is sometimes best to cook your own so you know exactly whats in it, canned or pureed pumpkin is also safe as long as no other ingredients have been added.

It is safe to use either pie pumpkins or carving pumpkins, although most people think that pie pumpkins taste better. Who knows what cat taste-testers think? The canned pumpkin you get in the grocery store comes from pie pumpkins.

Some cats will eat pumpkin on its own, while others prefer to have it stirred into a small amount of canned cat foodabout 2-3 tablespoons. However your cat likes it, canned pumpkin can be a very valuable addition to your cats diet if they have gastrointestinal problems, especially mild chronic constipation.

Featured Image: iStockphoto.com/Bogdan Kurylo

Can cats eat sweet potato, and does the tater cater to their biology?

03.04.2022

Can cats eat sweet potato, and does the tater cater to their biology?

Not to be confused with regular spuds, sweet potatoes are versatile, with over six thousand different types worldwide. The starchy vegetable is exceptionally nutritious, full of moisture, fibre, and a signature sweet aroma.

Does the tasty tuber have any biological value for your carnivorous pet? Can cats eat sweet potatoes, and do they even need carbohydrates in their diet? Lets talk about healthy eating habits in felines and find out what cats can and cannot eat.

Can cats eat sweet potatoes?

Sweet potatoes and other root tubers arent inherently harmful to cats but shouldnt be part of their daily meals. The average-sized sweet potato contains around 86 calories and the following nutrient ratio:

• 77% water
• 1.6 grams of protein
• 20.1 grams of carbohydrates
• 4.2 grams of sugar
• 3 grams of fibre

While the water content is satisfactory, the high allowances of sugar and carbs could pose a problem. Felines cannot harness carbohydrates for nutritional purposes and can only handle moderate amounts (below 3%).

The enzyme activity required for glucose regulation is extremely low in felines. If cats binge-eat sugary foods like sweet potatoes, cereals, rice, bread, and other starches, theyre more likely to suffer from:

Whats the best way to prepare sweet potatoes for your cat?

Can you share your sweet potato casserole with your feline friend?

Source: Louis Hansel

If you want your cat to try sweet potatoes, your best bet is to gently steam the vegetable in unseasoned water. Heres a rundown of the cooking process:

1. Fill a large pot with water, and dont add salt, herbs, or any seasoning
2. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into two-inch pieces
3. Bring the water to a boil and add the chunks
4. Lower the heat to medium-high and cook the veggie for 2025 minutes
5. Drain the sweet potatoes and leave them to cool

But wait, can cats eat sweet potatoes without cooking? Unlike spuds and other nightshades (e.g. tomatoes and eggplants), sweet potatoes dont produce solaninea chemical with pesticidal properties. Raw tubers are cat-safe, but there are certain risks involved.

Fresh produce can sometimes contain insecticides and other highly-toxic pest control products. Boiling sweet potatoes will remove any chemical residue, so its the safest preparation method.

How often should cats eat fruits and veggies?

Despite their limited ability to process carbs, cats can enjoy fruits and veggies in moderation. Your pet can have sugary treats once or twice per week, as long as they eat regular meat-based meals. Snacks should be kept below 10% of the diet because they could cause a calorie surplus.

According to some experts, tiny amounts of high-fibre fruits and veggies can soothe acute digestive problems. The dietary fibres may help with constipation and alleviate inflammatory bowel disease symptoms. If your cat suffers from stomach problems frequently, you can give them a bite of the following fruits and veggies:

Keep in mind that too much soluble fibre in your cats meals can result in chronic dehydration. The nutrient absorbs moisture from the felines body passing through the digestive system.

What should your kitty eat for the main course?

Im a meat-lover at heart!

Source: @lavivador_cats_family_

All cats are obligate carnivores, so an entirely vegetarian diet would take a toll on their health. Your furry friend requires regular meat-based meals with:

1. MoistureYour cat needs hydrating meals since moisture helps with blood circulation and nutrient absorption. Insufficient water intake can damage your cats digestive, reproductive, and urinary system
2. ProteinPlant-based protein cant meet the felines energetic and nutritional requirements. Only protein sourced from animal tissue (poultry and fish) can enable:
1. Tissue formation
2. Muscle development
3. Vital organ function
4. Taurine synthesis
3. Polyunsaturated fatsUnlike saturated fats in some foods (e.g. pork, deli meat, avocados, coconut oil, etc.), the fatty acids in fish are good for your cat. The omega-3 and omega-6 keep their skin and coat healthy while aiding wound regeneration
4. Bioavailable vitamins and mineralsCats need these micronutrients in their diet to sustain proper enzyme function and cell structure. Ideally, they should harness bioavailable vitamins and minerals from their food and not via supplementation

Which type of food is closest to your cats natural diet?

Dry food often contains carbs, like green peas, corn, sweet potatoes, or potato starch, which increase the calorie content of the final products. Although ground meat is the key ingredient in kibble, the added fillers reduce its nutritional properties.

On top of the high-calorie percentage, cat biscuits only have 10% water, which isnt particularly hydrating. An entirely dry-food diet could lead to several health issues in felines, such as obesity, diabetes, severe dehydration, and feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).

If your cat loves their biscuits, its best to mix them with their daily servings of wet food. Wet products have a much better nutrient ratio, high moisture content, and more than 50% protein. High-quality wet food is also free from grain fillers and sugar.

An average-sized fully grown cat should have at least two wet meals per day. If your pet is being finicky about their luncheon, the good news is you can switch between various textures. Wet food is quite versatile, so you can get pates, purees, gravy, and jelly!

Looking for a low-carb, feline superfood? Get Untamed!

Oh my, is all this for me?

Image (c) Untamed

With Untamed, your cat can enjoy well-balanced meals every day! Our vet-formulated recipes are made with high-quality ingredients with optimal bioavailability. We dont use vegetable protein or grain fillers in our products!

Untamed feline delicacies are gently steamed to ensure each serving is:

• High in proteinOur meals deliver twice the amount of animal protein than other commercially available cat food. Your kitty will get all the taurine they need to thrive
• Made with whole meatWe use natural, fresh ingredients and human-grade meat cuts in our wide assortment of seafood and poultry dishes made with high-quality:
• Impossible to resistEven if your pet is a fussy eater, our food can kickstart their appetite! The enticing aroma of our feline delicacies is irresistible to kittens, adult cats, and oldtimers

Since Untamed food is designed to mirror your cats natural feeding pattern, it comes with a slew of health benefits! Long-term clients have noticed several significant improvements in their cats. Heres what you can expect from the Untamed effect:

Design a personalised meal plan for your cat!

Would you like to create a menu for your pet based on their life stage, food sensitivities, and preferences? Fill out an online questionnaire on our TRY NOW page and choose from various jelly and gravy recipes described in the table below:

*Chocka Chicken in Jelly and Tuck-in Tuna in Jelly are Untameds single-source-protein recipes, perfect for allergy-prone cats!

Treat your cat to our delicious protein-packed mealsno starches, no sugar, no grain!

Image (c) Untamed

How to get Untamed in a few easy steps

If youd like to prepare a healthy and delicious feast for your furry friend, follow these simple steps:

1. Visit our TRY NOW page
2. Tell us about your cat
3. Make a personalised meal plan
4. Place your order

Your first customised cat food meal box will arrive safely at your doorstep within a day, with no additional shipping fees. If your feline companion is happy with the selection, you can get monthly supplies of Untamed food. You are 100% in chargemodify or cancel your cat food subscription at your convenience.

Are any fruits and veggies toxic to cats?

Wha-what do you mean I cant eat something? Youd say no to this face?

Source: @rosie_torbie_cat

Some fruits and veggies contain chemical compounds that can affect your cat's bodily functions. Keep the following out of your kittys reach:

• Grapes and raisins arent pet-friendly for reasons yet to be discovered. Nutritionists are currently researching what makes the fruit harmful to cats and dogs. Some likely causes for the toxicosis include mycotoxins (also found in nuts, cereals, and coffee beans), tartaric acid, and tannins. Cats can experience several health issues after eating grapes, including vomiting and diarrhoea, followed by lethargy, appetite loss, or acute kidney disease
• Cats can experience intense gastrointestinal discomfort after eating citruses. The essential oils and citric acid in the flesh and rinds are extremely irritable to felines. Your pet can develop contact dermatitis, so make sure to store your lemons and limes safely. Citruses can also cause photosensitivity in mammals
• Allium vegetables can induce Heinz Body anaemia in cats. Garlic, onions, and chives contain oxidants that affect the felines red blood cells, causing them to disintegrate at a much faster rate than normal. If you like making homemade meals for your kitty, including soup or broth, dont use any garlic powder since its also harmful. Besides allium veggies, kale and turnips have a similar effect on felines

Check out our other guides to what cats can or cannot eat: