Is it okay to feed cats bites of human food??

[Nurse_Jamie]

Every now and then I give my kitty a bite of something...like chicken or ice cream...it's never much, just a little bite or two. Is this ok? She is still eating her cat food, and I don't do it often, just every now and then. But it won't hurt her will it?



(please don't reply and say "Go educate yourself about cats!!!"....that's why I am here...)

[Guest]

seems to mostly promote bad behavior in the long run (sitting near or jumping up on table during dinner, etc) and can introduce unnatural dietary elements that could be harmful depending on the specific nutritional needs of your kitty....bottom line, stick with what has been designed for them.

if they manage to get at some food without you knowing (trash can incidents), simply be sure to monitor their food/water intake for the next couple days in addition to litter box (odd stool, etc).

--cheers

[Mona]

As far as feeding human food. I sometimes will give a little chicken but only in their bowls, no hand feeding. I do believe it does lead to behavioral problems. My kitten was jumping on the table trying to get food, so we had to train her otherwise and isolate her for awhile during meals.

Of course milk is not good for cats to digest, but a little chicken or tuna once inawhile is ok.

Mona, Honeybun and Chloe

[melissaranks]

The only time my cats get people food is when visitors come by. D'Artagnan gets REALLY stressed if anything goes away from the schedule. He pulls out his hair and cries. SO, to keep him less stressed, we involve people food. He's all about people food. Before company comes, I cut up small pieces of chicken and tuna and a little bit of ham. I put it into enough plastic baggies so that everyone has one. So, when the see D'Artagnan (and to be fair Booker too), they hand him a little piece of food. It keeps him from stressing out. It's all I can do besides drug the poor fellow. So, I don't think a little people food every-now-and-then is too harmful.

[oconnorjoy]

I've been feeding Susie table scraps for 22 years and she is doing very well...the trick is to give miniscule pieces. She has learned that she needs to sit quietly and wait her turn in order to get any treats. It probably is not the best for dietary reasons, but she hasn't suffered terribly because of it...just became spoiled rotten!

[Tina B and crew]

My cats get an occasional treat of human food...not even daily. And they have been taught that they do not beg at the table, or jump on counters...I personally have not experienced any behavioral problems due to the occasional treat. Now Gizmo on the other hand loves to see his humans get bowls out of the cabinet, because it means they are going to eat ice cream or yogurt...and he loves a taste of both.