Some felines expect you to share your food with them at all times. If you’re eating a biscuit and your cat comes over, it may try to get a bite. But you’re not sure if cats will enjoy biscuits, so you wonder: can cats eat biscuits?
Cats don’t need to avoid biscuits entirely because of any health concerns; a moderate intake is fine. However, cats shouldn’t include biscuits in their daily diets because they are unhealthy for them.
The ingredients in biscuits, such as salt, milk, and butter, can be harmful to your cat.
Many human foods are safe for cats to consume on occasion, but you shouldn’t make them a regular part of your cat’s diet.
While your cat won’t be harmed by eating the food, it will be doing so for no other reason than to consume empty calories. Read on for more information.
Can Cats Eat Biscuits?
Cats won’t get sick from eating biscuits. So, cats can eat biscuits, but only in moderation and it’s not recommended.
Flour, salt, butter, and a leavening agent (like baking powder) are the main ingredients in biscuits. Vegetable shortening, artificial flavors, and colors, and other additives have been found in some biscuits.
While none of these ingredients are guaranteed to be poisonous, they are also not good for your cat.
Are Biscuits Good for Cats?
No, not at all!
High levels of fiber, which are present in some biscuits but aren’t necessary for the typical cat’s diet, are a possibility.
Although they may contain some protein, it is usually not enough for a cat’s dietary needs and is often lacking in essential amino acids. Saturated fats, also known as the “bad” fats, are abundant in these foods.
However, biscuits also have a lot of starchy carbohydrates and very little fiber. Your cat’s diet doesn’t need to include these starches.
Extra glucose is converted to fat, which contributes to overall weight gain and the development of obesity.
Poor nutrition and obesity are linked to a host of health problems, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Also, the high amount of fat in biscuits could be harmful to your cat’s health. Excess fat, like excess carbohydrates, can cause obesity and weight gain.
Overeating fatty foods is a common cause of pancreatitis and other serious health problems.
Your cat’s risk of developing hepatic lipidosis increases if she is overweight.
What Ingredients Are In Biscuits
Let’s start with a discussion of biscuits.
Store-bought biscuits may have more preservatives than homemade biscuits, despite the fact that they contain the same ingredients.
The variety of biscuits available in stores can be overwhelming, so instead we’ll discuss homemade options.
Flour
Biscuits’ primary component is flour. About two cups of flour is the standard amount used in cooking.
While not all flour is harmful to felines, most products that contain flour are not ideal for felines. Cats do not need carbohydrates, which flour typically provides.
Cats can’t convert the carbohydrates in diets into usable energy, so they’re essentially eating nothing.
There needs to be a lot less flour in cat biscuits for them to work, or else your cat can only eat a tiny bit at a time without it affecting their overall diet.
Sugar
Another staple ingredient, sugar is typically found in a half cup measure in biscuit batter.
Sugar is bad for cats. Though they may be curious, cats actually have no taste for sugar. Your cat will gain weight quickly if you feed it too much sugar.
A biscuit is essentially the same thing as a cookie, another food that cats shouldn’t eat.
Cats that are overweight are at increased risk for a variety of health problems, including cardiac disease, respiratory distress, diabetes, pancreatitis, and even urinary issues. Is it tempting to have a biscuit? Nope!
Salt
Homemade biscuits, like other breads, benefit from the addition of salt.
Although there is only a small amount of salt in biscuits (about a teaspoon), cats should not eat them.
Too much salt in a cat’s diet can be harmful. Cats, being smaller than humans, require even less salt.
Milk
Milk in biscuits can range from a half cup to a full cup. Most people use either whole milk or 2% milk, but it’s up to personal preference.
Cats are lactose intolerant, so despite popular belief, they do not enjoy milk.
A cat’s stomach can’t handle even a little bit of milk. If your cat doesn’t drink milk on a regular basis, you shouldn’t start now.
Butter
Most biscuit recipes call for a touch of butter to achieve that light and airy texture.
Because it is an oil, butter should also be avoided when feeding a cat. Oils can cause stomach pain in cats, so it’s best to keep them away from them.
Butter and other oils can trigger nausea and vomiting in some people.
How Much of a Biscuit Can I Give My Cat?
Cats, interestingly, have a natural talent for playing on people’s sentiments. If they learn that pleading for a biscuit will get them one, they may start begging for more and more.
But you shouldn’t encourage it by giving them unhealthy food, because that’s obviously bad for them in the long run. There are a lot of other, much better things you can get for your cat.
When Can Cats Eat Biscuits
Biscuits can be fed to cats if you ensure that they contain no harmful ingredients.
Although the list of ingredients in a biscuit is short, it may still contain some of the things that will make your cat sick to its stomach.
The combination of these ingredients could make your cat sick.
However, you might be aware that milk and butter are perfectly fine for your cat to consume. Small amounts of milk or butter that you’ve given your cat in the past have never made them sick.
You can feel safe giving your cat teeny tiny bits of your biscuits because you know the ingredients won’t make it sick.
Health Concerns
Your cat’s health problems can multiply if it consumes biscuits.
- Your cat may get sick from eating your biscuits because of the ingredients. Even if the stomachache isn’t too bad or doesn’t last too long, it can still cause you to throw up or have diarrhea. Until he feels better, your cat may also become more lethargic.
- Giving your cat biscuits on a regular basis may cause them to gain weight. Cat food is just filler for your pet.
- You can expect your cat to become overweight if it continues to gain weight at this rate. Diabetes and heart disease are two possible outcomes.
- Your cat’s health problems are not directly caused by biscuits, but they can lead to heart failure.
What Foods are Better Options for My Cat?
As obligate carnivores, cats can’t survive without eating meat and typically only snack on other animal products. Meats such as chicken, pork, beef, lamb, and fish can be given to your cat if they are cooked properly.
You shouldn’t season or add sauces to your cat’s meat while cooking. Most raw animal meats are safe for cats to eat while on a raw meat diet, but fish should never be given to a cat.
Cats can also enjoy commercial treats that have been created with their dietary requirements in mind.
Cat treats are conveniently portioned into small amounts, so you can control how many calories your cat consumes.
As an added bonus, they contain only cat-friendly ingredients and provide a tasty reward for your feline friend without breaking the bank.
A Note About Kibbles
It’s important to note that “pet biscuits” are not the same thing as kibble, a common type of dry pet food.
When given in moderation, most pet biscuits are safe for your cat to eat. The amount of kibble your cat requires on a daily basis is based on its calorie requirements. Several variables determine such requirements:
Some of the Variables That Influence Energy Requirements
- Their age
- Their gender neutrality
- The extent of their activity
- Their current physical condition (pregnancy, rehabilitation, etc.).
- The diet’s intended results (whether they be weight loss, weight gain, or status quo).
You can usually find feeding instructions on the box or packaging of the kibble you buy for your cat. If your cat consumes a kibble diet, be sure to use these guidelines as a benchmark for feeding.
When shopping for kibble, it is important to know whether or not the manufacturer complies with the American Animal Feed Control Organization’s (AAFCO) pet food standards.
In contrast to the biscuits we’ve discussed, kibbles are perfectly fine to feed to your cat. If you have any questions about what is best for your cat’s diet, you should consult your vet or a feline nutritionist.
Conclusion
While biscuits may be a treat your cat enjoys, they actually have no nutritional value and should be avoided.
The majority of the nutrients cats need are not present in biscuits. An overindulged cat may develop into an overweight or obese cat, with all the associated health problems.
In general, biscuits are not a good choice for a cat’s snack. You can make or buy cat treats and snacks that are better for your cat’s health.