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If you catch your feline companion munching on a piece of bread crust they found accidentally, you are probably wondering how safe it is for cats to eat bread and why they like it so much. While some cats may show an interest in eating bread, this habit should not be encouraged. Although most plain bread is generally considered safe, some types of bread can be harmful and even toxic to cats, such as garlic bread. Cats will reap no benefits from eating bread, and it shouldn’t be a part of their regular diet.
Bread dough is especially dangerous, and if a cat has ingested any raw yeasted bread dough, urgent veterinary attention should be sought.
Chewing on crunchy bread crust can appear fun and satisfying for cats, but you need to ensure not to feed them bread regularly, as for them, it’s just empty calories. Read the article below to learn more about bread and why cats don’t need it, though some may enjoy it.
Is Bread Safe for Cats?
If your cat is another one of many pets that has an interest in bread, the majority of the time, you don’t have to worry about its safety, as most types of bread are generally considered safe for cats. An important exemption is garlic bread, as garlic, onions, shallots, and chives are toxic to cats. Bread or pastries that contain raisins are also not something you want to offer your cat, as ingestion of raisins can lead to kidney failure in some cats. And of course, cats should stay away from chocolate, which may be a part of some breads and pastries, like donuts.
While eating a small amount of plain bread is safe for cats, it is always recommended to provide it in moderation only. Bread has no real nutritional value for cats, so anything more than an occasional snack can be harmful.
If you are concerned about your cat’s diet or their love for bread, we suggest speaking to one of the vets here at PangoVet.
Potential Risks of Feeding Bread to Cats
Besides not having any real nutritional value, bread should not be offered to cats with medical issues such as diabetes, obesity, or gastrointestinal issues. Since bread has a high content of salt and carbohydrates, it won’t provide cats with any real benefits, and it shouldn’t be offered to healthy cats very often. One of the bigger threats for cats is not bread but raw bread dough. If your cat accidentally eats raw bread dough, it can create life-threatening health issues, due to fermentation and production of alcohol inside the stomach, which is toxic to cats (and dogs). Because bread dough contains yeast, consuming it can cause bloating, respiratory distress, tremors, vomiting, low body temperature, lack of coordination and seizures.
Why Do Cats Love Bread So Much?
There are several reasons why some cats may love bread, even though it doesn’t really have any value in their regular diet. Some cats enjoy the taste and smell of it, while others can’t get enough of the unique soft and crunchy texture. If the bread is hard and crunchy, some cats may adore chewing on it. The sound of crunching the bread with their teeth can also provide satisfaction.
It is possible that a combination of taste, smell, and sound is why some cats like bread.
Should I Feed Bread to My Cat?
As mentioned, small portions of bread every now and then are generally safe for most cats, but bread should never become a regular part of their diet, as your cat doesn’t need it.
If your cat really loves bread and it’s difficult to say no to them, you can try offering them a bite-sized piece of bread on special occasions. However, keep in mind that there are no benefits to your cat eating bread. They don’t need the carbs or empty calories, being obligate carnivores and thriving on animal protein. There are more appropriate treats they can safely enjoy instead.
If you’d still like to offer bread as an occasional treat for your cat, offer only one bite, as long as it contains no additives or other ingredients, such as garlic, chocolate, or raisins.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, now you can fully understand the possible reasons why your cat may enjoy eating bread so much. While this typical human food won’t hurt your cat in small quantities, it has no real benefits and is only a filler. Making bread a regular part of a cat’s diet can be quite harmful to their health, so it’s best to keep feeding your cat healthy cat food and offer plain bread as an occasional treat only if your cat loves it so much.
Featured Image Credit: Olgachka, Shutterstock
