Can You Feed Cats Table Scraps?
When you have a few slivers of vegetables and meat left after dinner, you may be tempted to give the cat these scraps. Giving table scraps to cats is usually not a good idea: Much depends on what kind of food it is.
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Benefits
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Human grade steak and chicken are usually much better sources of protein than that found in cat foods. In addition, the occasional piece of carrot (without seasoning) will not harm a cat and may provide additional vitamins.
Warning
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Many foods you should never give cats. Foods containing onion or garlic can cause a condition called hemolytic anemia in cats and dogs. Other toxic foods include avocado, which contains persin--- toxic to pets--- raisins and grapes, which can cause kidney failure, and tomatoes, which are toxic to cats. Many sauces on leftovers may contain a number of these ingredients. Even small amounts can cause problems for your cat. In addition, as with dogs, you should never give chocolate, uncooked yeast dough or any sugar-free products with the chemical xylitol to cats. It was once common to give cats saucers of milk. You should avoid doing this, however, because most cats cannot digest milk properly--they are lactose intolerant. Milk causes stomach problems in most. Cats are susceptible to bacteria in raw food just as humans are. Do not feed raw meat to cats--they will be at risk for salmonella and other food-borne illnesses. Chicken bones can damage the cat's mouth, esophagus, stomach and intestines.
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Effects
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Cats fed exclusively on table scraps may develop malnourishment. Cats with a diet supplemented with table scraps may develop digestive problems or serious illnesses. Table scraps may also fill her up and she will eat less of her regular, high nutrition diet. Feeding cats table scraps have yet another effect: They often become beggars. She will come to expect that when humans are eating, she will get to sample their meal.
Considerations
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It is better not to get a cat used to table scraps. If you avoid giving table scraps, you avoid accidentally feeding her toxic foods.
If you do give table scraps---such as a small bit of unseasoned beef---occasionally, you should put it in her bowl rather than letting her eat off your plate. If you let a cat eat off your plate, she will associate your plate with food and may beg whenever she sees you with a plate of food.
Significance
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Good commercial cat foods provide necessary nutrients and calories for cats. To be safe, it is better not to feed a cat leftover food from your dinner. Occasional scraps of unseasoned, cooked chicken are fine for most cats, but avoid giving her any seasoned food or sauces.
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