Okay to give cat some human food?

[JessK]

I went into cat ownership believing the best diet was dry catfood only, but lately I'm starting to wonder whether it would be okay to give my 7-month Neo occassional human treats, namely carbohydrates, especially vegetables. For whatever reason he LOVES them. It started with my giving him a bit of corn because he was bugging me during dinner, so I figured I'd show him my food was boring and he'd give up. But instead he devoured it. If I accidently drop a piece of vegetable, even lettuce, on the floor, he pounces and devours it. The other night the naughty boy jumped up out of nowhere and stole half a potato right off my plate and made off with it like it was a fresh kill.

Yesterday while I was at work he found a ziplock bag with some buttermilk biscuits in it, and had chewed through the bag and scattered biscuit remains everywhere.

He isn't starving--I keep dry Hills or Iams kitten food in his bowl all the time so he can graze (and he's even a bit overweight, I'm afraid).

For months he had chronic diarrhea problems but that seems to be finally getting better, so since his stomach does seem to be handling foods better, would it be okay to give him a few veggies here and there? I'm wondering also, will giving him some veggies sate his carb craving so he quits raiding my dinner plate, or will it just make him spoiled?

[davet]

i used to always tell clients who had kids that they could mix what the kids left over with their pets food but keep a diary of what was given incase a gut or diarrhea problem develops...pets are like people, some have very sensitive stomachs and some can eat anything...Chocolate was always a no no unles they gave it when i had office hours cause i hated to get up afdter midnight for a dog that was just given its first chocolate bar...but the more people food you give the more you should give a vitamine and mineral supplement daily

[Tina B and crew]

My cats don't get human food on a regular basis, but I have never seen any harm in an occasional treat of a piece of chicken or turkey, or cheese...mind you in small amounts. I have one cat who loves yogurt so he gets a dollop in his bowl when I eat it. They do eat some veggies too...it's never hurt any of my cats and they still eat their regular cat food...so I don't think it spoils them in moderation.

[Mona]

My older cat will only eat chicken or tuna, but my new kitten loves food. She will sniff the air if you are cooking and look around. I have to put her in the bedroom while we eat otherwise she will jump up looking for food.

She will eat most anything, even fruits and veggies.

I think in moderation a little of cooked chicken and veggies, fruits etc is fine. I would certainly put away any chewable bags of food, though, since the plastic and a lot of starches is not good.

Mona, Honeybun and Chloe

P.S. Chloe likes yogurt and ice cream too!!

[Yzma]

She will eat most anything, even fruits and veggies.

Sounds just like Mythie... The furry piglet.