It can be difficult to satisfy your cat’s dietary needs, and they may show less interest in their own food than in yours.
They don’t have “puppy dog eyes” to get their way, but they know how to get our attention with gentle meows and a rub on the legs. You might ask if cats can eat crackers when looking for treats to share with your feline friend.
It’s safe for a cat to eat a plain cracker, but you shouldn’t give them to your pet as treats.
Can Cats Eat Crackers?
Whether or not cats can partake in crackers is not a simple yes or no question. Most crackers probably won’t kill your cat or even make him sick, but that doesn’t mean you should feed them to him anyway.
However, many processed crackers contain unhealthy levels of salt and fat that aren’t good for your cat.
How Are Crackers Harmful to Cats?
Salt
High-protein wet food provides sufficient fat and sodium for a cat’s nutritional needs, and feeding your cat too many crackers can lead to obesity and gastrointestinal problems.
While it is now understood that cats can safely consume higher sodium food in moderation, excessive consumption of such items can cause them to become dehydrated.
You’ve probably noticed that cats aren’t big fans of drinking out of dishes. Their ancestors relied on food’s inherent moisture to keep them alive in dry environments.
If you’re concerned about your cat becoming dehydrated, you can prevent this by giving it snacks and wet food specifically formulated for cats rather than salty treats.
Fat and Carbohydrates
In addition to being extremely salty, saltine crackers and similar varieties are also very fatty.
Cats that spend their adult lives indoors are more likely to develop obesity, so they should be fed a diet that is high in protein and low in fats and carbohydrates.
The opposite is true of crackers, which are relatively low in protein but high in fat and carbohydrates.
Cats can safely consume wheat flour and other grain-based ingredients, but these fillers can be swapped out for more nutritious alternatives.
Seasonings
Seasoned crackers are even worse for your cat than plain ones. Spicy foods, such as onions and garlic, can upset your cat’s stomach and lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
When Are Crackers Okay For Cats To Eat?
If your cat suddenly starts showing preference for a particular brand of crackers, you should probably check the ingredients.
This is to rule out the possibility of your cat being exposed to potentially poisonous additives, such as garlic or spices.
If possible, choose products with as few ingredients as possible, and never give your cat crackers that claim to be spicy.
Second, give your cat only one or two miniature crackers at the most. You could even slice up some crackers for your cat.
When Are Crackers Bad For Cats
Crackers may not technically make your cat sick from the majority of the ingredients used to make them, but there isn’t enough nutritional value in crackers to make them a food you should feed your cat on a regular basis.
To begin, a cat shouldn’t eat a lot of crackers because many of them are extremely high in sodium and fat.
As obligate carnivores, cats require a diet high in protein, and crackers are primarily composed of carbohydrates. Overfeeding on crackers can lead to feline obesity, which in turn can cause a variety of serious health problems.
Finally, keep in mind that if you give your cat too much human food, it may start rejecting its regular cat food in favor of the human treats. This could lead to future issues and complications with regards to meals.
Even though you probably shouldn’t worry if you catch your cat nibbling on a cracker, it’s not something you should feed your cat on a regular basis.
Human Food That Is Unsafe for Your Cat
A healthy cat won’t be hurt by eating a few crackers, but many of the foods humans enjoy can cause serious illness or even death in animals.
Our list of unhealthy human foods is based on information from the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center, and their list of toxic and non-toxic plants provides descriptions of plants to keep your cat away from.
Chives, Onions, and Garlic
Anemia and damage to red blood cells can result from eating too many of these vegetables, but even a small amount can irritate the stomach.
Chocolate and Coffee
Methylxanthines are a type of compound found in cacao seeds, and both coffee and chocolate contain them.
Methylxanthines, which can cause serious harm, are found in higher concentrations in dark chocolate and baking chocolate than in white chocolate.
Breathing difficulties, nausea, vomiting, excessive urination, irregular heartbeat, convulsions, tremors, and ultimately death are all symptoms of methylxanthine reactions.
Dairy Products
Literature, film, and television have all contributed to the misconception that giving cats milk as a treat is beneficial, but cats should not be fed dairy products.
Cats don’t produce nearly as much lactase as dogs, making it difficult for them to digest milk. Milk has a pleasant flavor, so cats won’t turn it down, but it can irritate their stomachs and make them sick to their stomachs.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is sometimes used in place of sugar in the preparation of baked goods, peanut butter spreads, desserts, and candy.
Cats have a low tolerance for xylitol, so keep any products containing the sweetener out of reach of your feline friend.
Initial signs of xylitol poisoning include nausea, dizziness, and vomiting, but seizures and liver failure are also possible later on.
Nuts
Despite their high protein content, nuts should not be given to your cat as a treat. They contain large amounts of fat and oils, which can make you sick to your stomach. Some animals develop pancreatitis after eating nuts.
Raw Meat
While E. coli and Salmonella found in raw human meat can contaminate feeding surfaces and litter boxes, commercial raw diets are safe for cats. Small bones in uncooked meat can puncture a cat’s intestines and cause internal bleeding.
Alcohol
Keep your cat away from your glasses when you’re having a drink with friends or family.
Alcohol poisoning can result in gastrointestinal upset, respiratory distress, tremors, increased blood acidity, depression of the central nervous system, and even death for your pet.
Avocado
Birds, horses, and other livestock animals can die from eating avocados, but household pets like cats and dogs are more likely to be unharmed.
However, due to its high fat content, avocado is not a good choice for your cat’s diet. Too much guacamole or avocado can make your cat sick to his stomach and make him throw up and have diarrhea.
Conclusion
Some felines ignore their meals but will pounce on your lap the moment you reach for a snack. Treating your cat with salty foods like crackers and chips is not a good idea.
Your pet probably won’t need to see the vet because of a single saltine cracker, but it’s better for them to snack on protein-rich cat treats rather than human snacks that are high in sodium, fat, and preservatives.
Instead of sharing crackers with your loved ones, give your cat the seafood treats that have an odd odor.