Picky eaters by nature, cats can develop an unhealthy preference for foods like onion rings. Try feeding your feline friend some custard to get a sense of his eating preferences.
Or maybe you’re having custard and waffles and your cat looks like it wants some, too, leading you to wonder: is custard safe for cats?
Is custard safe for felines? Due to its high fat, sugar, and milk content, custard is not a suitable treat for cats. Cats with lactose intolerance won’t be able to eat very much custard before they get sick from the dairy.
Cats can eat a small amount of custard, but it can cause them discomfort if they are allergic or lactose intolerant. Everything you need to know, including the custard ingredients that are harmful to cats, is here in this article.
Can Cats Eat Custard?
Cats shouldn’t eat custards because they are high in sugar and cats can’t taste sugar, so eating custards will lead to diabetes and tooth decay. Milk in custards can cause lactose intolerance, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal and digestive disorders.
Small amounts of custard may not be harmful to your cat, but since most custards are designed for human consumption, their ingredients are probably not cat-safe and they certainly won’t meet your cat’s nutritional requirements. Although cats are obligate carnivores that must consume meat to survive, that doesn’t mean you can’t give them treats that aren’t derived from animals.
Only 10% of a cat’s diet should consist of treats because the rest is dedicated to providing them with optimal nutrition or making up for deficiencies.
What is custard?
Custard, a British dessert, is a thick and creamy mixture of milk, eggs, and sugar that can be used in a variety of ways. The resulting liquid is typically served cold in the form of ice cream, pudding, or a tart, or poured over thick, sweetened pancakes or waffles. It’s a staple food in many different cultures and there are countless ways to prepare it.
Typically, custard is made by whisking together milk, eggs, and sugar in a saucepan and then slowly cooking the mixture over low heat until it reaches the desired consistency. Depending on the recipe, you may need to heat the ingredients until they thicken or cook the eggs until they are set. Vanilla or other flavors like cocoa powder or almond extract may be added to some forms of custard. Custard can be eaten both warm and cold.
Types of custard
UHT custard is made from full-fat milk and contains sugar, flavorings, thickeners, vegetable gum, and colors. It can be kept for a long time if kept in the fridge. You shouldn’t eat this custard more than three days after you’ve opened it, even if you keep it in the fridge.
Dry Custard Mix Except for being made from wheat starches and maize and having salt added, it is identical in composition to UHT custard. As the starch particles expand when heated, the mixture thickens when stirred over heat or when hot water is added to a cold mix.
Starch and milk solids are the foundation of chilled custard. Refrigerator custard comes in three varieties: the standard, low-fat variety; the premium variety; and the rich and creamy variety.
To avoid curdling and facilitate even heating, custard is baked in a water bath in the oven.
The traditional ingredients for egg custard are 1 cup of milk, 1 egg, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. A custard’s richness and thickness can be increased by using egg yolks or cream in place of milk.
Pastry cream, also known as creme patisserie, requires milk, flour, cream, and eggs for its creation. To prevent curdling and achieve a firmer texture, flour is a must.
Is Custard Safe for Cats?
Keep in mind that a cat’s relative safety after consuming custard is highly contextual, and that very small amounts of custard may not pose any health risks. Some felines experience an allergic reaction after eating custards that contain wheat flour because they are sensitive to this ingredient.
Commercially available custard is not safe for cats because it is made with humans in mind and not their digestive systems. Knowing your cat’s dietary requirements will allow you to make the necessary adjustments to homemade custard to make it safe for your cat to consume. The most significant risk when feeding custard to cats is lactose intolerance or sensitivity.
Ingredients used in making custard and how they affect your cat
Salt
Salt is used as a preservative in both human and animal food. It is an ingredient in many human foods, including powdered custard. However, cats do not have a salt tolerance and should not consume large amounts of salt.
An electrolyte imbalance and dehydration in cats is a common problem caused by salt. In addition, it can cause life-threatening health issues like kidney failure, heart disease, and even death. There is a daily salt intake limit of 1.25g/kg for cats.
If you must feed your cat food with salt, limit the amount and keep a close eye on your feline friend for any adverse reactions. Reduce the amount of salt in your cat’s food and take him to the vet if you notice that he is constantly drinking water or losing weight.
Sugar
Too much sugar is bad for humans, but did you know it can also be harmful to your cat? Excessive sugar consumption can cause obesity and diabetes in cats, just as it can in humans.
Because of how frequently it begs for a taste of our sugary foods, you might think your cat has a sweet tooth. It’s important to be aware of the dangers of sugar because cats can’t taste it and don’t metabolize it the same way we do.
Your cat probably won’t get sick from eating a small amount of sugar, but there are risks associated with giving them too much. The risks of giving cats too much sugar are as follows:
Like humans, cats can become overweight from eating too much sugar. Sugar causes fat accumulation in a cat’s body. Diabetes, joint pain, and cardiovascular disease are just some of the issues that can arise from being overweight.
One of the gravest threats that sugar poses to cats is diabetes. When felines consume an excessive amount of sugar, insulin production increases. Diabetes can develop from this over time. Diabetes in cats causes them to lose weight, drink more water, and urinate more frequently.
Cats can get tooth decay from sugar just like humans can. Bacteria thrive in the sugary film that forms on your cat’s teeth. Cavities and gum disease can result from this.
Cats can develop gastrointestinal issues if they consume sugar. Cats can get sick from eating too much sugar. Feline hepatic lipidosis is a life-threatening liver disease that can develop as a result.
Sugar can trigger an allergy in some cats. Cats with sugar allergies may experience itching, swelling, and respiratory distress. It’s important to get your cat checked out by a vet if you suspect it has a sugar allergy.
Your cat probably won’t get sick from eating a small amount of sugar, but there are risks associated with giving them too much. Consult your veterinarian if you’re worried about your cat’s sugar intake.
Milk
There are numerous reports of animals becoming fatally ill after consuming milk on the internet. Even “clean” milk can be dangerous for cats. Usually the milk is contaminated with bacteria or other toxins.
Obligate carnivores like cats can only properly absorb the proteins found in animal flesh. Milk provides cats with some of the calories and fat they need, but it does not provide the high-quality protein they require.
Also, lactose, a sugar found in milk, is difficult for many cats to digest. Not being able to digest lactose properly can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
So, what’s the conclusion, if any? Cats don’t need milk, and in fact, it’s not good for them. Choose a low-lactose milk or don’t give it to your cat at all if you must.
Artificial colorings, flavoring, and preservatives
Did you know that many of the additives used in cat food and treats are artificial and can have a negative impact on your cat’s health? This is why you need to read the labels of the cat food you buy to make sure there are no questionable ingredients.
We humans love the way artificial colorings make treats and meals pop, but cats should avoid them at all costs. Coal tar, the main ingredient in many artificial colors used in cat food and treats, is a known carcinogen.
Cats should avoid eating anything flavored with artificial ingredients, even if it tastes better to us. MSG, which is found in many artificial flavorings, has been linked to neurological problems in felines, including vomiting, dizziness, and even seizures.
Cats should avoid eating food and treats that have been preserved with artificial preservatives. Numerous studies have shown that artificial preservatives like BHA and BHT can cause cancer in humans.
Feeding your cat only healthy food and treats that aren’t processed in any way will help keep them safe from the harmful effects of artificial colorings, flavors, and preservatives. Try to find cat food and treats that are made from all-natural ingredients and don’t have any artificial ingredients.
What Other Foods Can I Feed My Cat?
Cool claws
Does your cat beg you for custard all the time? Now, thanks to Cool Claws ice cream for cats, they can have a cool, refreshing treat of their own, too! Since frosty paws are designed for dogs, this is a safer option than giving them to your cat. Nestle makes these delicious frozen treats for pets.
Your cat will be healthy and happy with the help of the vitamins and minerals added to this tasty ice cream. You won’t have to worry about your cat gaining weight because of its low calorie and fat content.
There’s bound to be a flavor of Cool Claws ice cream for cats that your feline friend will adore. It’s a fantastic source of calcium and protein thanks to the use of real milk and cream in its production.
Why not spoil your feline friend with some Cool Claws ice cream for cats, a tasty treat that also happens to be packed with nutrients? Rather than custard.
Pumpkin
The fiber in pumpkins has been shown to be beneficial for gastrointestinal health. In addition, they have few calories, making them an ideal reward for cats on diets.
Vitamins A and C, as well as beta-carotene, can be found in abundance in pumpkins. Your cat’s immunity can be strengthened and its skin and coat maintained with these nutrients.
When you have an upset stomach, eating pumpkin can help. A small amount of pumpkin puree can help to firm up your cat’s stool if it is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting.
You should get your cat a can of pumpkin the next time you go shopping. They will adore the flavor, and you will appreciate the health benefits.
Chicken
Many felines favor chicken as a preferred food source. Chicken is a tasty and healthy option for cats, and can be used as a bribery tactic to get them to try new foods.
However, there are some considerations to make before giving your cat chicken. Make sure the chicken is fully cooked first. To prevent your cat from becoming ill, cook the chicken thoroughly before feeding it to it.
Never give your cat chicken skin as a treat. Due to its high fat content, chicken skin can be problematic for feline digestion. The chicken should have its skin removed before being fed to your cat.
Cats can easily overeat on chicken, so be careful. Begin feeding them a small amount and increase it as they become accustomed to it.
Chicken is an excellent choice if you’re looking to switch up your cat’s diet. Cats think it’s yummy, and it’s good for them.
Carrots, broccoli, watermelon, guava, and green peas are also among cats’ favorite foods.
Fat
Too much of anything is bad for our cats, and that includes the fats they eat. They need fats in their diets, but eating too much of them can cause weight gain and other health issues.
Because of their evolutionary adaptations, cats can only properly utilize the proteins and fats found in animal sources. Wild cats get the majority of their nutrition from animal muscle and organ meat, with some plant matter thrown in for good measure. The protein and fat content of this diet is high, while the carbohydrate content is low.
While it’s true that cats thrive on a diet high in animal protein and fat, eating too much of either can be dangerous. Obesity is caused by too much fat in cats just as it is in humans. Cats can develop diabetes, joint pain, and breathing problems due to their excess weight.
Excessive fat in a cat’s diet can cause obesity and pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is an extremely dangerous disease. Pancreatitis is characterized by the four symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
Check the label to make sure the commercial diet you’re feeding your cat isn’t too high in fat. Your vet can advise you on the best diet for your cat.
Can cats eat custard? Final thoughts.
While cats may be able to digest tiny amounts of custard, that doesn’t mean you should feed it to them. Checking for and eliminating potentially harmful foods from your cat’s diet is a proactive move that should pay off.
Both you and your cat suffer when your feline friend is ill. This is why it’s important to monitor what goes into your cat’s food and to contact your vet immediately if you notice any unusual behavior.