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If you’ve ever read the label on a carton of oatmeal, you probably know that oats are a nutritious, heart-healthy food.1 And if you share your home with a cat, you might wonder if it’s okay for your kitty to sample your morning oatmeal. Can cats eat oats, and are they a healthy food item for them?
Cats can eat oats, but they offer limited nutritional value compared with animal-based foods and should only be fed as an occasional treat. In this article, we will discuss some of the benefits of your cat eating oats. We’ll also let you know how to include oats as part of your cat’s balanced diet, as well as some other human foods that are safe for them to eat.
The Health Benefits of Oats
While cats do not require grains in their diet, plain cooked oats can provide small amounts of beneficial nutrients when offered as an occasional treat. Oats contain fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin E.
The fiber in oats may help support normal digestive function and can contribute to feelings of fullness. Oats also contain antioxidants, which help protect cells from oxidative damage. However, oats should not replace nutritionally complete and balanced cat food, as cats obtain most of the nutrients they need from animal-based ingredients.
Oats And Your Cat’s Diet
You might be thinking, aren’t cats supposed to avoid eating carbohydrates like grains? It’s true, the ideal diet for your cat should be low in carbohydrates, high in protein, and contain a moderate amount of fat. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need to get their nutrients from animal sources.
Although oats do have a higher protein and fat content than many other grains, they are still high in carbs as well. Because of this, you should limit the number of oats you feed your cat, considering them more of a treat or supplemental food rather than a staple of their diet. As obligate carnivores, cats are generally better served by treats made primarily from animal-based ingredients, such as meat, fish, or eggs.
How to Feed Oats to Your Cat
When feeding oats to your cat, make sure you choose only plain oatmeal rather than any of the flavored packets available. These tend to be high in sugar and may contain ingredients like cream or raisins that are unhealthy or unsafe for your cat.
Oats should be offered cooked or soaked and softened to make them easy for your cat to eat. Cats don’t really chew their food extensively, and if you have ever popped a handful of raw oats in your mouth, you know they can give your jaw a workout! Because most cats don’t tolerate dairy products well, avoid cooking or soaking the oats in milk.
Another option for feeding your cat oats is to grow a patch of oat grass for them to chew on. Oat grass is one of several grasses commonly sold as “cat grass” and can provide environmental enrichment for indoor cats. Many cats enjoy nibbling grass, although the exact reason for this behavior is not fully understood. Offering oat grass gives your cat a safe plant to chew on and may help satisfy their natural interest in grazing on vegetation.
Other Foods Your Cat May Enjoy
Besides oats, there are several other safe human foods that your cat may enjoy eating. These include other grains such as quinoa, polenta, and brown rice. You could also offer cooked proteins like egg, fish, and meat. In general, animal-based foods are more appropriate treats for cats because they better align with their natural nutritional requirements as obligate carnivores. Cats don’t usually care for fruits and vegetables, but you could try offering broccoli, cucumber, or cantaloupe.
- Raw meat, fish, or eggs
- Chocolate
- Grapes or raisins
- Milk
- Onions or garlic
Also, try not to feed your cat processed human foods like crackers or chips. These tend to be high in fat and contain artificial ingredients and colors.
Remember that treats should only make up about 10% of your cat’s total daily calorie intake. The basis of your cat’s diet should be a complete and nutritionally balanced commercial cat food. Some of these diets may even include oats on their ingredient list!
Ask your veterinarian for help calculating the right number of calories your cat should eat to maintain a healthy weight. This may vary based on the size and age of your cat. Obesity is common among pet cats and can lead to numerous health issues, including osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, and lower urinary tract disease.
When offering any new food to your cat, monitor for any digestive upset like vomiting or diarrhea.
Conclusion
Oatmeal may not be the most glamorous of breakfast options, but it is one of the healthiest. So long as you hold off on any added toppings, oats are a safe occasional treat for most cats. Although treats only make up a small portion of your cat’s diet, it makes sense to choose simple, cat-safe options, and oats can be offered in moderation. However, protein-rich treats made from animal ingredients are usually a more species-appropriate choice for cats.
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Featured Image Credit: martin_hetto, Pixabay
