Cats, being carnivores, have no need for the almost entirely nutritionally useless Cheez-It.
However, Cheez-Its are safe for cats to eat. Normal Cheez-Its contain no potentially toxic ingredients, so you can feel at ease giving them to your cat on a weekly basis without worrying about permanent digestive system damage.
Are Cheez-Its Safe for Cats?
Unless your cat has gastrointestinal issues or allergies, giving it a few Cheez-Its probably won’t hurt it.
There are a wide variety of Cheez-It flavors available, so it’s important to read the label carefully.
You can technically feed your cat some Cheez-Its, but you probably shouldn’t. Cats would be better off not eating Cheez-Its because they provide almost no nutritional value.
Due to their nature as strict carnivores, felines should consume a lot of meat. There is barely any protein in Cheez-Its, and cats don’t have any nutritional need for the carbs.
In fact, obesity, which in turn can contribute to a variety of health conditions, is a direct result of feeding too many people.
Feeding your cat Cheez-Its may also cause behavioral issues. Your cat may start rejecting its commercial food or begging for human food if it gets used to eating with you.
Cats and Lactose Intolerance
The presence of dairy in Cheez-Its presents the biggest problem for a cat’s diet.
One serving of Cheez-Its provides 6% of an individual’s recommended daily calcium intake due to the presence of real cheese. They’re also high in sodium and contain too much fat to be safe for cats.
Cats with lactose intolerance are more common than you might think. You shouldn’t automatically assume that your aging cat has lactose intolerance, but you should be cautious.
The protein enzymes necessary for efficient lactose digestion typically stop being produced by the time a cat reaches adulthood. This prevents them from properly absorbing the nutrients.
Like in humans, this may only cause mild discomfort and gas in some cats. It causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in some people, which can be life-threatening if they occur frequently or in large quantities.
Even one Cheez-It could trigger a violent reaction in your lactose-intolerant cat. If you want to try giving your cat a Cheez-It for the first time, you should only give it one.
You shouldn’t give them more than one or two in a week, even if they don’t experience any physical side effects.
Sodium Level of Cheez-Its
In order for a cat to reach its full potential, the Association of American Feed Control Officials advises feeding it food with no more than 0.2% sodium.
In the grand scheme of things, that is a negligible amount.,which would perish in the absence of sodium.
One ounce (or 28 grams) of Cheez-Its has 174mg of sodium. Their saltiness is a big part of why people find them tasty.
However, cats can suffer from salt poisoning. Even a small amount of salt can be fatal to a cat.
Symptoms of sodium poisoning in cats include dehydration, weakness, hunger, and excessive thirst. They may also experience seizures and, in severe cases, a coma.
What happens if my cat eats a Cheez-It?
It’s okay if your cat eats a Cheez-It out of your bowl or you’ve given it one in the past.
Even though most cats can’t process lactose, a stray Cheez-It probably won’t kill them.
You shouldn’t give cats Cheez-Its on a regular basis or as a replacement for cat treats, but a single cracker or a small piece of a cracker probably won’t hurt them.
Keep an eye out for any signs of vomiting or diarrhea and give them plenty of fresh water, but other than that, there’s no need to worry or contact the vet.
Cat Nutritional Needs
For maximum health, feline inhabitants have particular dietary requirements. Cats, unlike dogs, are obligate carnivores, meaning they can only get the nutrients they need from animal products.
Cats are carnivores in the wild, consuming large amounts of animal protein, a moderate amount of animal fat, and very few carbohydrates. This nutritional profile is widely available in commercial cat food and is still necessary for cats today.
Dry, semi-moist, and canned commercial cat foods all provide complete and balanced nutrition. There are benefits and drawbacks to every type of food.
Kibble is used for dry food, and it contains up to 10% water. Meat or meat by-products, grain, fish meal, milk products, dietary fiber sources, and vitamin and mineral supplements are probably going to be included in the food. Adding flavor to dry foods, like freeze-dried raw meat or animal fat, is common practice. Dry food, depending on quality, can be cheap and last a long time in storage. However, many cat owners find that their feline friends do better on a combination of dry and semi-moist or wet food.
Meat and meat byproducts are the first ingredients in semi-moist food, which can contain up to 35% water. Vegetables, fruits, grains, soy, peas, and possibly even preservatives are used as sources of nutrition. Most semi-moist food has preservatives to extend its shelf life, but once it’s been opened, it needs to be consumed quickly. Semi-moist foods are favored by many cats.
Canned food is a common choice because it contains at least 75% water and can help you stay hydrated. Even though the nutrition in most canned food is lacking, it still contains meats, meat by-products, and animal organ meat. Check the label to see if it needs to be supplemented with semi-moist or dry food. Canned food is the most expensive option, but many cats prefer it because of the texture and flavor. Food stored in cans may last longer if not opened, but should be consumed soon after opening to prevent rancidity.
Commercial cat food of any variety should be AAFCO-approved, which means it meets or exceeds the requirements set forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Guidelines for commercial cat food are developed by this group with the help of a Feline Nutrition Expert (FNE).
Cats have varying nutritional needs at various stages of their lives. Cats of all ages have different nutritional requirements, with kitten food, adult food, and senior cat food all being necessary. Cats in reproductive and nursing stages may benefit from supplemental feeding.
There are cat food formulas designed for specific ages of cats, while others are suitable for households with more than one cat.
Making your cat’s food from scratch can be fun, but it’s hard to make sure it has everything it needs.
If you want to give your cat a healthy diet, you should either feed them commercial cat food that contains all the nutrients your cat needs or consult a veterinarian who specializes in pet nutrition.
Long-term malnutrition is associated with a variety of health issues.
Key Takeaways
If your cat is picky about what it eats, you might be tempted to feed it some of your own food.
While the aroma of cheese and protein in Cheez-Its may entice cats, these crackers aren’t the best treat option. Cats can safely eat a few Cheez-Its, but they won’t provide much in the way of nutrients.
