September is a grand month for fans of bread. It’s been designated as Sourdough Starter Month, which is meant to inspire us humans to bake up batches of bread at home.
But is it safe to you share your freshly baked loaves of bread with your cat? Can you let your cat sneak a nibble of your toast or bagel?
The short answer is yes, cats can eat bread, but there are some exceptions and things you should know before you share any bread with your kitty. And as always, you must check with your vet before feeding your cat any human foods.
Is Bread Safe For Cats?
In general, it’s considered safe for cats to eat bread. Cats are especially drawn to the taste of yeast, which is used in making many types of bread. That might be why you notice your feline trying to sneak a bite of your pizza crust or muffin.
However, you need to be careful and check out the ingredients in any bread you’re considering giving to your cat.
Breads that include garlic, onions, or raisins are definitely not suitable for cats. Also avoid any loaves that contain a lot of sugar.
How Much Bread Is Safe For A Cat?
By nature, cats are obligate carnivores. This means that most of their diet should consist of meat. An excess of bread could bring on obesity and associated health issues.
Beyond your feline’s usual cat food regimen, make sure you’re only serving, at the very most, ten percent of their diet as treats. In the case of bread, that means no more than a cube around the size of your fingernail. Anything bigger could risk messing with your cat’s nutritional requirements.
And of course, as a reminder, you should ask your veterinarian before sharing any human foods with your cat, including bread.
What Should I Avoid When Feeding Bread To A Cat?
Finally, it’s important to remember that you should only ever be serving your cats baked bread. Never let them eat raw dough.
While a slice of plain toast is okay for a cat, make sure they’re not ingesting any toppings you might have added like butter, Nutella, jelly, or peanut butter. These aren’t good for cats and may contain artificial sweeteners that are toxic to cats.
Does your cat enjoy bread? Do you ever give them a bite of your bread as a treat? Tell us about it in the comments below!
